2026-10-06 - City Council
Summary
- Meeting ran 6:33 to 10:01 PM on October 6, 2026 (Mayor Joseph M. Petty chairing, Khrystian E. King as vice chair when Petty spoke).
- Khrystian E. King and Kathleen M. Toomey arrived within minutes of the start; Robert A. Bilotta was absent for several late votes.
- Public participation ran about 25 minutes with 11 speakers, mostly on public bathrooms, the proposal to move public comment to 5:30 PM, the charter resolution, WCCA TV, and a four-way stop trial in the June, Brownell and Hadwen Road neighborhood.
Time on topic (from transcript timestamps; approximate, includes side talk):
| Topic | Minutes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Other orders of note | 93 | 44% |
| Reconsideration of the bathrooms order and the restroom package (Downtown Public Restrooms) | 40 | 19% |
| Public participation | 23 | 11% |
| Charter review resolution (Worcester Charter Review) | 15 | 7% |
| Public participation hours (City Council Rules Changes) | 15 | 7% |
| Amazon drones and workforce (Amazon Prime Air Drone Delivery) | 9 | 4% |
| Procedure | 5 | 2% |
| Optiline at 274 Franklin Street (Optiline Enterprises at 274 Franklin Street) | 5 | 2% |
| Other business | 4 | 2% |
Reconsideration of the bathrooms order and the restroom package (Downtown Public Restrooms)
32:32-1:12:33
- King's Rule 30 request to reconsider his failed September 29 order (permanent bathrooms starting in District 2, temporary porta-potties, a timeline report and community and business feedback) was not debatable. Robert A. Bilotta moved to suspend Rule 30 to allow discussion; denied 3-8 (Bilotta, King, Luis A. Ojeda yes). Reconsideration itself then failed by the same 3-8 roll call.
- The Council then took the held bathroom items (17b to 17d) together. Morris A. Bergman said that over the week he had called the Shrewsbury Street business association and the Canal District business alliance, who were surprised by the proposal and said they had not been consulted; he said King's wording read as a fast track that excluded neighbors and businesses. King replied that his order had a feedback clause that the Council voted down, that he and Bilotta had met business owners, and that one business was ready to fund temporary relief. Bilotta called it a starting point and said nothing would proceed without outreach, staffing and maintenance.
- Eric D. Batista said the city has no budget line for public bathrooms and that he asked Health and Human Services for a proposal with options and costs that would come back to the Council, with a public process and bidding. Petty noted the day resource center should open around April or May with showers and toilets and the winter shelter around late November or December. Gary Rosen said he would vote against any porta-potty plan and pointed to his June order on the BID; Tony Economou asked to start with existing facilities (City Hall, library, parks) and a long-term maintenance plan.
- Outcome: King withdrew 17b; Bergman's softer 17c ("consider a process") was adopted on a voice vote, along with Satya B. Mitra's motion to explore rented mobile restrooms and showers in municipal parking lots and Kathleen M. Toomey's cost and funding-sources report; King's request for the Downtown BID "Quality of Life" study (17d) was also adopted. Public commenters including Chrissi Bates asked for a gender-neutral facility.
Public participation hours (City Council Rules Changes)
7:44-9:56, 1:34:18-1:46:50
- Jose A. Rivera's order to have the Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee study starting meetings at 5:30 PM with a hard hour of public comment (5:30 to 6:30) drew opposition from Steve Hart, Moira Dacey, Nathalie Gibson and Abby Mortillaro (partly), who said it would curtail working residents and online speakers. Rivera said Rule 39 already limits comment to 30 minutes and Council routinely suspends it.
- King held the item under privilege to talk with Rivera, citing the burden on families. Bergman complained that items announced as held still draw long public comment (an hour and a half one week, two hours the next) and said he may file an item on it; King defended holds as sometimes useful (the stretch code and TIF/TIE votes). Ojeda said the 6:30 cutoff would shut out people arriving from work and people waiting online. Petty noted the School Committee meets around 5:30.
Charter review resolution (Worcester Charter Review)
1:18:33-1:33:40
- Resolution 11a, encouraging the public to gather signatures of 15 percent of registered voters to ask for a charter review or new charter, was adopted 10-0 (Bilotta absent). Rosen, who sits on the committee, said the Council itself will not collect the roughly 16,000 to 17,000 signatures needed, and that a charter commission, if voted, would be elected on the same ballot. Committee reports 14a to 14f were accepted and placed on file.
- At King's request the City Clerk and Solicitor explained that a charter commission must be elected by the people, that the Council can put a non-binding question on the ballot with six votes, and that for November the clerk wants 45 to 60 days' notice because of overseas ballots. King said he supports a strong-mayor form and a non-binding question but did not expect six votes. Gary Hunter offered to help gather signatures and said he received a letter that he read as threatening police action, carrying a City Hall return address (the captions do not say who sent it); he said he will keep attending.
Optiline at 274 Franklin Street (Optiline Enterprises at 274 Franklin Street)
1:12:33-1:17:45
- Rosen asked only whether the subcontractor is still on the job. Batista said no; the Solicitor said a judge denied the subcontractor's emergency motion the day before, so it is off the job, though more litigation is possible. King thanked the carpenters union and the developer for acting quickly. Placed on file.
Amazon drones and workforce (Amazon Prime Air Drone Delivery)
2:24:58-2:34:25
- Rosen's report order on whether the city can regulate Amazon MK30 drone deliveries from Westborough was adopted as amended. King added a request for data on jobs lost where the drones already operate, and a separate adopted motion for a report on city workforce development in response to artificial intelligence. Bergman supported the report but doubted the city could stop the technology.
Other orders of note
1:46:50-2:24:58, 2:34:25-3:28:58
- WPI housing requirement (WPI Sophomore Housing Requirement and Hotel Tax Agreement): Economou's report order passed 9-2 (King and Ojeda opposed). Batista said the city has no authority over WPI, that WPI has told him it is not converting the two hotels to dorms and still pays full taxes, and that the rental vacancy rate is about 3 to 4 percent.
- Tree removal backlog (Public Tree Removal Backlog): John P. Fresolo's report on hiring outside contractors was adopted; Fresolo said the parks commissioner told him about 200 trees await removal and Batista said free-cash funding will come to the Council in about a month.
- Police academy classes (Police Staffing Shortage): Bergman's order for two classes finished by the end of 2027 (one on FY27, one on FY28 money) was adopted with King's added cost analysis. Batista said the city funds one class a year (22 graduated this year) and training plus background takes about seven months.
- Unsheltered response (Unsheltered Hotspot Cleanup Plan and 311 or 911 Guidance for Unsheltered Residents): King's hotspot cleanup plan and his amended 311/911 guidance report (with a public education campaign) were adopted. Batista said 311 closes after about 5 PM, so most after-hours calls go to 911.
- Medicare plan cancellations (Medicare Advantage Plan Eliminations): Petty's report order adopted with King's amendment on the roughly 60 chronically unsheltered residents.
- Border welcome signs (Welcome to Worcester Border Signs): Mitra's order adopted 9-1 as amended by Toomey (review earlier signage plans); King voted no, citing the Council's earlier rejection of immigration-enforcement signage over cost (Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage).
- June, Brownell and Hadwen stop signs (June, Brownell and Hadwen Four-Way Stop Trial): report order from Bergman and Rivera adopted after residents on both sides spoke (supporters Dacey and Gibson; opponents Christine Parcher and Tina Bergevin). Batista said the 90-day trial period had ended per his understanding and a data memo will follow; Bergman questioned whether 90 days had really run since the signs were fully in place only around August.
- Also adopted: DPW reorganization impact report (DPW Reorganization Impact Report); Elm Park pond overgrowth update with the whole Council as sponsors (Elm Park Pond Overgrowth); St. Vincent nursing dormitory senior-housing update (St. Vincent Hospital Nursing Dormitory Senior Housing); WCCA TV sponsorship order re-adopted after reconsideration (WCCA TV and PEG Funding); Spectrum cable negotiations update (Spectrum Cable Contract Renewal).
Other business
3:28:58-3:32:59
- Commendation of MassDOT's Barry Lorion for resurfacing McKeon Road under I-290 (11-0); a tow-zone ordinance for Albany Street and Fantasia Drive ordered advertised (11-0); WRTA EcoTarium bus route report and Traffic and Parking petitions (16b to 16t) placed on file; Traffic and Parking referrals (11 petitions); National Grid conduit hearings set for October 13; Charter conduit item at 135 Kenberma Rd. held by Fresolo; an Open Meeting Law complaint from David Webb referred to the Law Department; proclamation of state recognition for four elementary schools (McGrath, Midland Street, Worcester Arts Magnet, Columbus Park); several street, sidewalk and traffic report orders adopted; tabled items took no action.
This summary is based on auto-captions and the official minutes and may contain misheard names or figures.
Issues discussed: Downtown Public Restrooms, City Council Rules Changes, Worcester Charter Review, Optiline Enterprises at 274 Franklin Street, Amazon Prime Air Drone Delivery, WPI Sophomore Housing Requirement and Hotel Tax Agreement, Public Tree Removal Backlog, Police Staffing Shortage, Unsheltered Hotspot Cleanup Plan, 311 or 911 Guidance for Unsheltered Residents, Medicare Advantage Plan Eliminations, Welcome to Worcester Border Signs, June, Brownell and Hadwen Four-Way Stop Trial, DPW Reorganization Impact Report, Elm Park Pond Overgrowth, St. Vincent Hospital Nursing Dormitory Senior Housing, WCCA TV and PEG Funding, Spectrum Cable Contract Renewal, Winter Shelter and Day Resource Center, Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage
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, October 6, 2026
Esther Howland (South) Chamber
Convened: 6:33 P.M.
Adjourned: 10:01 P.M.
MAYOR
Joseph M. Petty
AT-LARGE COUNCILORS DISTRICT COUNCILORS
Morris A. Bergman Tony Economou - District 1
Khrystian E. King Robert A. Bilotta - District 2
Satya B. Mitra John P. Fresolo - District 3
Gary Rosen
Luis A. Ojeda - District 4
Kathleen M. Toomey
Jose A. Rivera - District 5
www.worcesterma.gov
CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER CITY AUDITOR
Nikolin Vangjeli Eric D. Batista Robert V. Stearns
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor as the Chair, except for Councilor King
and Councilor Toomey. Councilor King arrived at 6:36 P.M. and Councilor
Toomey arrived at 6:37 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 22, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
6a. Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following Speakers:
1. Steve Hart, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #12b CC
2. Abby Mortillaro, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to item
#12b CC, spoke in favor of items #8a CC, #11a CC, #12q CC, #12y CC, #12z CC, and
#14a CC through #14f CC, and spoke in opposition to item #12x CC
3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC, #12g CC, #12q CC
and #12r CC and spoke in opposition to item #12b CC
4. Gary Hunter, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #11a CC, spoke
neither in favor of nor opposed to item #12y CC, and spoke concerning an item not listed
on the agenda
5. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #10a CC
6. Mauro DePasquale, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC
7. Moira Dacey, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #12b CC and #12w CC
and spoke in favor of item #12f CC
8. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8a CC and spoke in
opposition to items #12b CC and #12w CC
9. Chrissi Bates, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to item #8a
CC
10. Christine Parcher, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12w CC
11. Tina Bergevin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12w CC
7. HEARINGS AND ORDERS
7a. Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 135 KENBERMA
RD.
Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 135
KENBERMA RD.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Fresolo
7b. Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: LINCOLN ST.
Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at:
LINCOLN ST.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to open hearings for items #7b CC and #7c CC. Mayor
Petty’s motion was approved on a voice vote.
Mayor Petty asked if any abutters wished to be heard on the items. 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
7c. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned
pole at: BAUER ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a
jointly-owned pole at: BAUER ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted (See Item #7b CC)
8. RECONSIDERATION
8a. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - In accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of
City Council, Councilor Khrystian E. King requests reconsideration of the vote of the
City Council taken on September 29, 2026, in regard to the following item: ORDER of
Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does
hereby adopt item #10g CC on the September 29, 2026 City Council agenda as amended
to read as follows: “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. Further, request City Manager
provide City Council with a report concerning the timeline associated with such actions.
Further, request said process include community and business interfacing and feedback."
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Clerk, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved for a roll call vote to suspend Rule 30 of the
Rules of City Council to allow for discussion on the item. Motion denied on a roll call vote of 3
Yeas and 8 Nays (Yeas – Bilotta, King, Ojeda) (Nays – Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra,
Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote
of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays (Yeas – Bilotta, King, Ojeda) (Nays – Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra,
Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty)
9. PETITIONS
9a. Genaro Vazquez request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 11 Lodi St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer items #9a CC through #9k CC to Traffic and
Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee
9b. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta on behalf of Caitlin Fontecchio request installation of
resident permit parking on Chilmark St. from Marshall St. to Seward St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9c. Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Jaqueline Alvarez request removal of the handicap
parking space in front of 1 Kingsbury St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9d. Henry Proko request installation of speed humps on Burncoat St. in the vicinity of 585A
Burncoat St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9e. Almas Arias request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 20 Worth St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9f. Joseph A. Ritacco request installation of stop signage at the intersection of Byron St. and
Edgeworth St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9g. Joseph A. Ritacco request installation of stop signage at the intersection of Milton St.
and Brookfield St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9h. Jennifer Memnon request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 15 Arline
St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9i. Abby Mortillaro request installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Pleasant St.
and Fruit St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9j. Councilor Tony Economou request installation of “Right Turn Only” signage, Monday
through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and excluding holidays, on Chadwick St., opposite
the end of the driveway at Francis J. McGrath Elementary School, located at 493 Grove
St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9k. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request the two (2) existing crosswalks in the vicinity of Heard
Street Discovery Academy, located at 200 Heard St., be reviewed for the installation of
flashing beacons at the locations (see attached for images of the crosswalks).
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #9a CC)
9l. NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: CHADWICK ST.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to set hearings for items #9l CC through #9o CC for
October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Hearing set for October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
9m. NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: FRANKLIN ST. & ARCTIC ST.
Hearing set for October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. (See Item #9l CC)
9n. NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GRAFTON ST.
Hearing set for October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. (See Item #9l CC)
9o. NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PLEASANT ST.
Hearing set for October 13, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. (See Item #9l CC)
9p. David Webb filing an Open Meeting Law Complaint Form.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer the item to the Law Department to Prepare an
Answer and Respond. Referred to Law Department to Prepare an Answer and Respond
10. CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS
10a. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION -
Request City Manager work with the Worcester Chamber of Commerce to explore
principal sponsorships for WCCA TV.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt items #10a CC through #10d CC. Order adopted.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who moved for a roll call vote to reconsider the item.
Reconsideration approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Bilotta absent).
Councilor Ojeda then spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Ojeda.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
10b. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install statutory speed limit
signage on Mountain St. West.
Order adopted (See Item #10a CC)
10c. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install Do Not Enter signage on
Lakewood St. at its intersecting roadways of Baker St., Elmer St. and Manomet St.
Order adopted (See Item #10a CC)
10d. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install statutory No Parking zone
signage on Lakewood St. at each of its intersecting roadways of Baker St., Elmer St. and
Manomet St.
Order adopted (See Item #10a CC)
11. CHAIRMAN'S RESOLUTION
11a. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS -
That the City Council does hereby encourage the efforts of members of the public to get
the signatures of fifteen percent (15%) of the city’s registered voters to request that the
City of Worcester review and/or revise its present Charter, or to adopt a new Charter.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen and Councilor King, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Solicitor and City Clerk, who responded to questions raised by
Councilor King.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of
10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Bilotta absent)
12. ORDERS
12a. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility review the
entrance to Flagg St. from Pleasant St. for the purpose of providing City Council with a
report concerning the feasibility and advisability of narrowing the road at the
intersection, in an effort to slow down speeding vehicles and make drivers in the area
more cautious (see attached). (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12b. Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations review the Rules
of the City Council relative to public participation to discuss the feasibility of amending
the Rules of City Council to have all City Council meetings begin at 5:30 p.m., with
public participation occurring from the set time of 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each meeting.
(Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Held Under Privilege – King
12c. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide emergency repairs
to rebuild the required portion of the sidewalk and curb on King Philip Rd., a public
way, as it intersects with Marmion Ave., a private way, to ensure the step is not 10 to 12
inches in height, in the interest of public safety (see attached). (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12d. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning Worcester
Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) notification that will require students entering the school
for the first time in the fall of 2026 and later to live on campus during their first and
second years. Said report should include how this decision will affect the Hampton Inn
and Marriott hotels the university purchased in 2024, the impact this decision may have
on property owners who have invested in student housing around the school, and how
this decision could impact businesses in the area. (Economou, Fresolo, Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Economou 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 Rivera and Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Ojeda.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Bilotta.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9
Yeas and 2 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey,
Petty) (Nays – King, Ojeda)
12e. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works review and repair the
entire length of the sidewalk in front of 2 Biltmore Rd., which was recently replaced with
asphalt instead of concrete, and left the area wavy, uneven and damaged surrounding
concrete at the location (see attached). (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12f. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery provide
City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of hiring outside contractors to
eliminate the backlog of trees approved for removal but have not been taken down.
(Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Fresolo.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Solicitor, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Bergman.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou, who moved to add his name as a sponsor of the
item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12g. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously
adopted Order from February 3, 2026, which read, “Request City Manager request Chief
Development Officer provide City Council with an update concerning the former St.
Vincent Hospital nursing dormitory being developed/converted into affordable housing
for senior citizens.” (Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Fresolo.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12h. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide City Council with
a report concerning the feasibility of installing turf, in lieu of grass, on Massasoit Rd.
when configuring each new sidewalk location on the road. Said turf should be installed
at each intersection redeveloped throughout the resurfacing/construction project on the
road. (Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12i. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide City Council with
a report concerning the feasibility of utilizing the city’s long patch resurfacing program
to repave Vernon St. from Windham St. to Fifth Ave. during Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27).
(Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12j. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works contact MassDOT to
ensure the college/university wayfinding signage when exiting I-290 from Belmont St. is
updated to reflect that Becker College and Anna Maria College are no longer operating.
(Toomey)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12k. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide
City Council with a report detailing the potential of an on-street parking plan that would
allow residents to be able to park along Burncoat St., where feasible. (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 to adopt the item. Order adopted
12l. Request City Manager work with the Budget Director to identify and apply for federal
grant monies available to address environmental issues throughout the city. (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12m. Request City Manager review and address concerns related to stormwater runoff from
Cooks Pond in the vicinity of Juniper Rd., Olean St., and the Cooks Pond Dam, where
the outflow of water has created a delta due to lack of containment or collection.
(Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rivera, who moved to amend the item to
read as follows: “Request City Manager review and address concerns related to stormwater
runoff into Cooks Pond from three (3) stormwater drains in the vicinity of Juniper Rd. and Olean
St., where the outflow of water has created a delta due to lack of containment or collection.”
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item as amended. Order adopted as amended
12n. Request City Manager review and report to City Council concerning the feasibility of
installing rain gardens in the vicinity of Circuit Ave. West and Gates Ln. (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12o. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the city
has any regulatory authority to either control or prevent Amazon from launching their
package-delivery MK30 drones, which are designed to deliver shoebox-sized products
weighing under five (5) pounds from thirteen (13) feet and are six (6) propeller,
five-by-five (5-by-5) foot machines that are capable of reaching seventy five (75) miles
per hour, from their Westborough distribution center into large portions of Worcester.
Said report should include information concerning how residents will be surveyed to
discuss the potential effects this project will have on the city’s community and
neighborhoods, including environmental, privacy, and safety concerns. (Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen and Councilor Bergman, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who moved to amend the item: “Further, request City
Manager include in said report data related to the impact Amazon’s package-delivery MK30
drones have had on the human workforce in locations where the drones are currently operating, in
terms of jobs."
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report related
to the city’s current and future workforce development, in response to artificial intelligence (AI)
and increased/improved technology.” (See Item #20c CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item as amended. Order adopted as amended
12p. Number Not Used.
No action taken
12q. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact of
individual Medicare insurance plans being eliminated. Further, request City Manager
include in said report information concerning transition plans available to residents to
ensure they are not negatively impacted by any loss of such plans. (Petty)
Mayor Petty read the item.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Mayor Petty, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who moved to amend the item: “Further, request said
report include information concerning the city’s plans to aid residents who are unhoused and
unsheltered, including the sixty (60) residents of the city who have been identified as chronically
homeless.”
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item as amended. Order adopted as amended
12r. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the department’s
street sweeping operations. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12s. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery
conduct monthly cleanings of the median on Hamilton St. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12t. Request City Manager consider creating and installing “Welcome to Worcester – Heart
of the Commonwealth” and “Leaving Worcester – Come Back Soon” signs at all major
entry and exit points along the city’s borders with Auburn, Holden, Leicester, Millbury,
Shrewsbury, and West Boylston. (see attached for potential locations). (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Mitra, who moved to amend the item to read
as follows: “Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking Committee discuss and consider
creating and installing “Welcome to Worcester – Heart of the Commonwealth” and “Leaving
Worcester – Come Back Soon” signs at all major entry and exit points along the city’s borders
with Auburn, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Shrewsbury, and West Boylston. (see attached for
potential locations).” – Not Put.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to amend the item: “Further, request City
Manager utilize and review previous street signage plans and reports related to the type of signs
the city can and plans to install to determine the feasibility of installing such signage.”
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item as amended. Order adopted as amended
on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay – King) (Bilotta absent)
12u. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact
separating the various functions of the Department of Public Works (DPW) into the
Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM), the Department of Parks, Recreation
and Cemetery (DPRC), as well as the subdivisions within DPW including the Streets
Division, Water and Sewer Operations Division, and the Engineering Division, has had
on the delivery of city services. Further, request said report include 1) an inventory of
assets, equipment, vehicles, facilities, staffing functions, and maintenance
responsibilities that were previously shared within DPW; 2) how those resources and
responsibilities have been allocated among each respective department and division
since each section of the department was separated; and 3) what additional equipment,
staffing, facilities, or other operational resources may now be needed as a result of said
resources no longer being shared. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12v. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the status of the
overgrowth in Elm Park’s pond, including an explanation of the environmental concerns
involved, timelines for addressing those concerns, and information on any actions being
taken regarding the pond’s water level. (Ojeda)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Ojeda.
Mayor Petty moved to add the entire City Council as sponsors of the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12w. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide
City Council with a report detailing the ninety (90) day trial period for the installation of
four-way stop signs at several locations in Worcester, including the intersection of June
St., Brownell St., and Hadwen Rd. Said report should include, but not be limited to,
information pertaining to when the ninety (90) trial period will occur, what resident input
will be used to measure the success of the stop sign controls and what criteria will be
used to determine if the stop signs are warranted on a permanent basis. (Bergman,
Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Bergman.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12x. Request City Manager consider ensuring two (2) Worcester Police Department (WPD)
police academy classes are completed and ready for work before the end of calendar year
2027. Said considerations should include using funds from Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) for
one class, and Fiscal Year 2028 (FY28) for the other. (Bergman)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who moved to, “Request City Manager provide City
Council with a report concerning the feasibility of any plans to complete two (2) Worcester Police
Department (WPD) police academy classes prior to the end of calendar year 2027, wherein one
class would utilize funds from Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) and other would utilize funds from Fiscal
Year 2028 (FY28). Further, request said report include an analysis of the fiscal impact of such a
decision.” (See Item #20d CC).
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Mayor Petty, who spoke concerning the item.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions
raised by Mayor Petty.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor Mitra.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou, who moved to add his name as a sponsor of the
item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman and Councilor King for second times, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Rivera.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12y. Request City Manager, in consultation with relevant city departments, outreach
providers, and people with lived experience, develop a plan to clean designated hotspots
that also responds to the needs of unsheltered residents and the housing crisis. Further,
request City Manager coordinate cleanups with respectful outreach, advance
communication where practicable, connections to shelter, services, and housing. Further,
request City Manager track the following: 1) number of cleanups; 2) 311 response times
associated with cleanups; 3) debris and overflow; 4) repeat cleanups; 5) cleanliness
scores; 6) complaints about cleanliness; 7) outreach contacts and/or service housing
connections, where available. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
12z. Request City Manager develop clear guidance related to when businesses should contact
311 or 911 that includes information related to how said businesses can request outreach
related to emergencies involving unsheltered individuals. Further, request said guidance
ensures non-emergency concerns involving unsheltered people can be routed to trained
outreach teams, with 911 being reserved for emergencies. Further, request City Manager
consult businesses, outreach providers, relevant city departments, and people with lived
experience when developing said guidance. Further, request the following information
be tracked as part of said guidance: 1) businesses reached; 2) routing times; 3)
misdirected non-emergency calls; 4) first-visit resolutions; 5) connections to services,
shelter, or housing, when available. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who moved to amend the item to read
as follows: “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the development
of clear evidence-based guidance and best practices related to when businesses should contact 311
or 911 that includes information related to how said businesses can request outreach related to
emergencies involving unsheltered individuals. Further, request said guidance ensures
non-emergency concerns involving unsheltered people can be routed to trained outreach teams,
with 911 being reserved for emergencies. Further, request City Manager consult businesses,
outreach providers, relevant city departments, and people with lived experience when developing
said guidance. Further, request the following information be tracked as part of said guidance: 1)
businesses reached; 2) routing times; 3) misdirected non-emergency calls; 4) first-visit resolutions;
5) connections to services, shelter, or housing, when available. Further, request City Manager
ensure said report emphasizes that said evidence-based guidance and best practices would be used
for residents who are dysregulated and appear to be in need of a public health response.” – Not
Put, as the Councilor further clarified the amendment later in the discussion.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to amend the item: “Request City Manager provide City Council with
a report detailing the development of clear evidence-based guidance and best practices related to
when businesses, residents and people who come within the city’s borders should contact 311 or
911 that includes information related to how said businesses can request outreach related to
emergencies involving unsheltered individuals. Further, request said guidance ensures
non-emergency concerns involving unsheltered people can be routed to trained outreach teams,
with 911 being reserved for emergencies. Further, request City Manager consult businesses,
outreach providers, relevant city departments, and people with lived experience when developing
said guidance. Further, request the following information be tracked as part of said guidance: 1)
businesses reached; 2) routing times; 3) misdirected non-emergency calls; 4) first-visit resolutions;
5) connections to services, shelter, or housing, when available. Further, request City Manager
ensure said report emphasizes that said evidence-based guidance and best practices would be used
for residents who are dysregulated and appear to be in need of a public health response. Further,
request City Manager conduct a public education campaign once said guidance has been created.”
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item as amended. Order adopted as amended
13. RESOLUTION
13a. That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby go on record commending
MassDOT District 3 Highway Director for Central Massachusetts Barry J. Lorion for his
support in ensuring the portion of McKeon Road under I-290 be resurfaced. (Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of
11 Yeas and 0 Nays
14. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS
14a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Morris A.
Bergman, Councilor Robert A. Bilotta, Councilor Tony Economou, Councilor John P.
Fresolo, Councilor Khrystian E. King, Councilor Satya B. Mitra, Councilor Luis A.
Ojeda, Councilor Jose A. Rivera, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Mayor Joseph M.
Petty - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations hold a
public hearing to determine the feasibility and advisability of the City Council initiating
and/or supporting efforts to review the current modified Plan E City Charter, which was
implemented in 1987 and amended in 2022: recommend Order be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to accept items #14a CC through #14f CC. Accepted
14b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Clerk transmitting an
informational communication relative to various options available for making changes to
the City Charter: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #14a CC)
14c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Clerk 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: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #14a CC)
14d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Clerk transmitting an
informational communication relative to the process required to place a non-binding
question on the ballot of the upcoming local election: recommend Communication be
placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #14a CC)
14e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Clerk transmitting an
informational communication relative to advertisements for the Standing Committee on
Municipal and Legislative Operations meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026 related
to a discussion of the City Charter: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #14a CC)
14f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Clerk 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: recommend
Communication be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #14a CC)
15. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
15a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
Upon the Order of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request City Manager provide City Council
with an update concerning the current state of negotiations for a new cable contract with
Spectrum. The previous agreement, which expired in October 2023, was marred by
Spectrum's contract violations, poor customer service, poor cable reliability and failure
to provide contractual senior discounts, among others: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to accept and adopt the item. Accepted and Adopted
15b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION
Upon the Report of the Committee on Public Service and Transportation Upon the Order
of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing
Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public discussion
with the WRTA Administrator relative to the removal of a bus route that passes the
EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way: recommend Report be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to accept the item. Accepted
16. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING
16a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the
Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of the proposed ordinance
amendment to establish a tow zone on portions of Albany Street and Fantasia Drive:
recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to advertise the proposed Ordinance.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
16b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Daily Toribio request installation of a handicap parking space with ADA accessible curb
cut at 62 Circuit Ave. North: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to accept items #16b CC through #16t CC. Accepted
16c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Sheila Reid request traffic enforcement of the
stop signs at the intersection of Beechmont St. and Bancroft Tower Rd., in the interest in
public safety: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Bill Hurley request increased speed enforcement
on West Chester St., in the interest of public safety: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Christine Dolat request increased speed and traffic
enforcement on Delawanda Dr., in an effort to deter speeding and illegal vehicle use in
the neighborhood: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Ronald Prapuolenis request increased speed
enforcement on Mountain St. West between West Boylston St. and Pullman St.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Ronald Prapuolenis request installation of
“Thickly Settled” signage on Mountain St. West in the vicinity of West Boylston St. and
Pullman St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of traffic calming signage at the intersection
of Saxon Rd. and Westbrook Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16i. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Francel Hollins et al. request installation of resident permit parking on the odd side of
Providence St. from Dorchester St. to South St. Further, request installation of No
Parking Anytime signage on the even side of Providence St. from Dorchester St. to South
St. (Amended August 19, 2026): recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16j. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Jillian St. Pierre request removal of "No Parking Anytime" restriction on Theodore
Tonna St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16k. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor John P. Fresolo on behalf of Devan Wilson request “No Parking Anytime”
signage on the even side of McGill St. be removed: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16l. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Francis Dufault request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Grove
St. and Chester St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16m. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Kim Ashe request installation of a green right arrow on Stafford St. at its intersection
with James St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16n. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Thomas Vincent request the traffic lights at the intersection of Shore Dr. and Norton Dr.
be reviewed for the purpose of extending the Shore Dr. light turning onto Norton Dr.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16o. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Thomas Vincent request the green left turn signal on Shore Dr. at its intersection with
Holden St. be extended: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16p. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mike Rejaey request installation of a designated right turn lane on Bigelow Davis
Parkway at its intersection with Lake Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16q. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Caitlyn Austin request installation of resident
permit parking on Beaver Brook Pkwy: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16r. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou request installation of “No Left Turn” signage on Grove St.
for access to Lansing Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16s. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou request installation of “No Left Turn” signage on Holden St.
for access to Lansing Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
16t. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Catherine Flagg request Fales St. at its
intersection with Leeds St. be reviewed for speed calming measures, including the
potential for the installation of speed humps and additional stop signs: recommend
Petition be placed on file.
Accepted (See Item #16b CC)
17. HELD UNDER PRIVILEGE
17a. ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - 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. (Held Under Privilege - Rosen September 22,
2026 and Held Under Privilege - King September 29, 2026)
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 place the item on file.
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 place the item on file. Placed on file
17b. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - 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. (Held Under
Privilege - King September 22, 2026 and September 29, 2026)
Leave to Withdraw (See Item #17c CC)
17c. ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby adopt item #10g CC on the September 29, 2026 City Council as
amended to read as follows: “Request City Manager consider a process to 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 being
considered, identified and built, request City Manager consider a process to determine
suitable locations to install porta-potties as a temporary measure while awaiting the
permanent bathroom installations. (Held Under Privilege - King September 29, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with items #17b CC and
#17d CC.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman and Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Mayor Petty, who spoke concerning the item.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mitra, who moved to, “Request City
Manager explore the possibility of installing rented, mobile bathrooms and showers in the city’s
municipal parking lots until such a time that permanent bathrooms and showers are reviewed and
completed.” (See Item #20a CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to, “Request City Manager provide City
Council with a report concerning the costs associated with installing temporary and/or permanent
bathroom and shower facilities in the city. Further, request said report also include information
concerning funding sources and/or grants available for the installation of such facilities.” (See
Item #20b CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Rivera.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen and Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the
item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King and Councilor Mitra for second times, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a third time, who moved to withdraw item #17b CC.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
17d. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a copy of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID)
“Downtown Worcester Quality of Life” study, which includes an analysis of the
potentiality of opening a public restroom in the downtown area. (Held Under Privilege -
King September 29, 2026)
Order adopted (See Item #17c CC)
18. TABLED ITEMS
18a. 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
18b. 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
18c. 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
18d. 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
18e. 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
18f. 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
19. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the September 29, 2026 City Council meeting.
19a. ORDER of Councilor Luis A. Ojeda – Request City Manager work with the Police Chief
and Superintendent of Public Schools to provide youth in the city with helmets, as part
of an educational pilot program to ensure they are traversing in the city’s streets in a safe
manner. – Item #13a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
19b. ORDER of Councilor Satya B. Mitra – Request City Manager request Fire Chief work
with the Commissioner of Public Works to ensure there is a notification on the city’s
website explaining the city is in good standing with its fire hydrants and equipped to act
in an emergency situation anywhere in the city, in an effort to ensure residents are not
alarmed if they are located in close proximity to a fire hydrant that is not functioning. –
Item #13b CC Order adopted
19c. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager work with the Fire
Chief and Commissioner of Public Works to provide City Council with a report detailing
data related to the city’s maintenance/repair program for fire hydrants. Said data should
be sorted in terms of levels of need/concern. – Item #13c CC Order adopted
19d. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager work with the Fire
Chief and Commissioner of Public Works to provide City Council with a report detailing
whether there is a tiering program related to the risk or inoperability of the city’s
thirty-nine (39) non-functioning fire hydrants. – Item #13d CC Order adopted
19e. ORDER of Councilor Luis A. Ojeda – Request City Manager work with the Fire Chief
and Commissioner of Public Works to provide City Council with a list detailing the
location of each fire hydrant in the city that is currently inoperable. – Item #13e CC
Order adopted
19f. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report detailing any potential advantages associated with installing speed
cushions, in lieu of speed humps, in an effort to allow public safety vehicles the
opportunity to more effectively navigate city streets. – Item #13f CC Order adopted
19g. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Commissioner
of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the
feasibility of piloting a hybrid beacon system at crosswalks along Lake Ave., including
in the vicinity of Madulka’s Ice Cream, located at 193 Lake Ave. – Item #13g CC Order
adopted
19h. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report detailing evidence-based research of the pros and cons of using “ghost”
police vehicles as a traffic calming tactic in the city. – Item #13h CC Order adopted
19i. ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a
report concerning how the Worcester Police Department (WPD) is maintaining and
recruiting additional police officers in the city. Further, request said report include
information concerning any available grant funding that could be available to aid the
department in their recruitment efforts. – Item #13i CC Order adopted
19j. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Police Chief
provide City Council with a report concerning Cadet Programs used in other
municipalities that may be a more effective model than what was used in the city’s
program that is no longer utilized. – Item #13j CC Order adopted
19k. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report detailing the efforts of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) to
advocate for more funding to support school building projects in gateway cities,
including the Burncoat School Building Project. – Item #13k CC Order adopted
19l. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report concerning the projected annual payments required of the city’s taxpayers
due to anticipated obligations associated with the city’s fifteen-million-dollar
($15,000,000.00) commitment to the New High School Fund, which will financially
prepare the city to pay for a new Burncoat School Building Project. – Item #13l CC
Order adopted
19m. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report detailing the prior organization and role of the CSX Neighborhood
Improvement Fund Advisory Committee. – Item #13m CC Order adopted on a roll call
vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
19n. ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby adopt item #10g CC on the September 29, 2026 City Council as
amended to read as follows: “Request City Manager consider a process to 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 being
considered, identified and built, request City Manager consider a process to determine
suitable locations to install porta-potties as a temporary measure while awaiting the
permanent bathroom installations.” – Item #13n Held Under Privilege
19o. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby adopt item #10g CC on the September 29, 2026 City Council as
amended to read as follows: “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. Further, request City Manager
provide City Council with a report concerning the timeline associated with such actions.
Further, request said process include community and business interfacing and feedback.”
– Item #13o Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays
19p. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a copy of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID)
“Downtown Worcester Quality of Life” study, which includes an analysis of the
potentiality of opening a public restroom in the downtown area. – Item #13p Held Under
Privilege
20. NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting.
20a. Motion Mitra @ #17c CC – Request City Manager explore the possibility of installing
rented, mobile bathrooms and showers in the city’s municipal parking lots until such a
time that permanent bathrooms and showers are reviewed and completed.
Order adopted (See Item #17c CC)
20b. Motion Toomey @ #17c CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report
concerning the costs associated with installing temporary and/or permanent bathroom
and shower facilities in the city. Further, request said report also include information
concerning funding sources and/or grants available for the installation of such facilities.
Order adopted (See Item #17c CC)
20c. Motion King @ #12o CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report
related to the city’s current and future workforce development, in response to artificial
intelligence (AI) and increased/improved technology.
Order adopted (See Item #12o CC)
20d. Motion King @ #12x CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report
concerning the feasibility of any plans to complete two (2) Worcester Police Department
(WPD) police academy classes prior to the end of calendar year 2027, wherein one class
would utilize funds from Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) and other would utilize funds from
Fiscal Year 2028 (FY28). Further, request said report include an analysis of the fiscal
impact of such a decision.
Order adopted (See Item #12x CC)
20e. Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby go on record recognizing the students and faculty at Francis J.
McGrath Elementary School, Midland Street Elementary School, Worcester Arts Magnet
School, and Columbus Park Preparatory Elementary School for earning state recognition
for their academic progress toward accountability targets in English Language Arts and
Mathematics, while ranking above the twentieth percentile of schools statewide.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou, who introduced the item.
Mayor Petty moved to adopt the item. Resolution adopted
Sources
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onaZzOZ4Lf8
- Minutes: https://worcesterma.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=76737&compileOutputType=1
Video
Transcript
Auto-generated YouTube captions; names and terms are likely misheard.
Transcript
3:54Good evening everyone. Welcome to the
3:55Wister City Council meeting. If you can
3:56please stand for the pledge of
3:57allegiance and the star spangle banner.
4:03I pledge allegiance to the flag
4:07of
4:18[singing]
4:23the dawn early [singing and music]
4:25light.
4:28So proudly [singing] we held
4:32at the twilight
4:35lasting
4:37who brought stripes [singing] and bright
4:40stars
4:42through the per
4:48[music and singing]
4:52were so gallently
4:55streaming
4:56and The [singing] rockets
4:59red
5:01the bombs [singing] were singing in air
5:04[music]
5:06gave proof through [singing] the night
5:09[music]
5:11that our flag was [singing] still there.
5:16Oh, say does that [music] star spangled
5:23yet [singing]
5:25[music]
5:28for the land [singing and music]
5:31of the free
5:35and [singing] the home
5:38of the [music]
5:41brave.
5:59Roll call.
5:59>> Councelor Bergman
6:00>> here.
6:01>> Councelor Bada
6:02>> here.
6:02>> Economo
6:03>> here.
6:03>> Councelor Zolo
6:04>> here.
6:04>> Councelor King.
6:08Counc
6:09>> here. Council
6:10>> here. Rivera
6:11>> here. Rosen here. Mr. Tumi
6:15and Mayor Petty
6:17>> here. Okay. We have uh
6:215A the city council wish list here by
6:23approves the minutes of the city council
6:24meeting on September 22nd, 2026.
6:28Those in favor oppose. So ordered
6:31public participation person may speak
6:33for no more than two minutes on any item
6:36appearing on the agenda.
6:38So there's your name. See your res in
6:40the agenda item. Mr. report.
6:44>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, rule 39, items
6:46of public interest. At every meeting of
6:48the city council under public
6:50participation portion of the agenda, the
6:51chair shall recognize any person seeking
6:53such recognition for the purpose of
6:55addressing the council any eligible item
6:57on the agenda for the meeting both in
6:58person and remotely. Any person who wish
7:02to speak more than one agenda item shall
7:03combine the testimony on all items to
7:05one appearance at the microphone. Time
7:08for speaking shall not exceed two
7:09minutes for any one speaker or 30
7:10minutes for all speakers. Rule 40
7:13petitions. On the first occasion, any
7:15petition approached on the city council
7:16agenda. The prime petitioner may address
7:18the city council for more no more than
7:20three minutes on the subject of their
7:21petition.
7:23>> Thank you. So we have public
7:25participation. Use your name to your
7:27residents and item number.
7:29>> Steve Hart, District 1.
7:32I'm going to speak on item 12B, but for
7:35the record, I beat Fred to the
7:36microphone tonight, so I want that to be
7:39noted.
7:40>> I speak right into
7:42>> Excuse me.
7:42>> I speak right into it. So,
7:44>> okay. Um in the beginning of the uh
7:48agenda there's a public participation
7:50commentary
7:52regarding pursuing pursuant to chapter
7:5420 of the acts of 2021 in order to
7:56ensure active public engagement.
8:02Item 12B
8:05seems to be it's a surprise that it
8:08shows up.
8:10Uh, and the logistics or the
8:14technicality of this order
8:18would essentially limit all public
8:20participation to a maximum of one hour
8:24by placing a hard stop at the beginning
8:26of the council meeting at 6:30.
8:295:30 to 6:30 would be a hard stop. If
8:32you if you're waiting in line to speak,
8:35you'd have to leave. Also, if if we hit
8:39that one hour mark, I would assume that
8:43virtual participation would be
8:44eliminated for that meeting.
8:47And I would hope that uh these things
8:49were taken into consideration. It seems
8:52like a unilateral uh order. I don't see
8:54any other counselors signing on.
8:58Uh, I've heard great stuff after the the
9:00one hour when when the rules were
9:02suspended.
9:04Uh, and if you if you send it to the
9:07municipal uh legislation and operations
9:10committee, I know that one of the three
9:12would already vote for this based on
9:14what I've observed in these chambers.
9:16Uh, so I see this as an effort to
9:20curtail
9:22public involvement. It's an established
9:25time period.
9:26Uh and and I'll end with that. Thank
9:28you.
9:36>> Name is your presentation. Item number
9:38>> Abby Molo Worester resident district 4.
9:43Um start with 12B. Um yeah,
9:46[clears throat] I'm I think limiting
9:49time can limit certain [snorts] people's
9:52speech. So, I do think having it an hour
9:56earlier is good, though. All right. 11A.
10:00Yeah. Charter review and all 14 8F. So,
10:05it's all about the charter review and
10:09you know,
10:11the city manager has too much power for
10:14an appointed official. I'm just saying
10:16there's too much power for an appointed
10:18official. Um 12 Q Medicare is important,
10:23healthcare is important
10:25and 8A public bathrooms. Public
10:29bathrooms are also
10:33important because you know people need a
10:37place to pee and poo. You know 12 Y you
10:41know we need services for the homeless.
10:44We need to help the homeless people, you
10:47know, help them get out of that
10:50situation, you know, we need to really,
10:52really, really, really, really, really,
10:53really, you know, help people
10:58and
11:0112P,
11:04civilian review board, you know, that's
11:06free space. Civilian review board. We
11:08need a civilian review board.
11:1112X.
11:14The Worcester Police Department have no
11:17honor.
11:20Um 12Z,
11:233101, and 911 systems. You can improve
11:26them. They could use some improvement,
11:29please.
11:30Uh 10A, back to public bathrooms. We we
11:33need public bathrooms and photo review.
11:36And yeah, that's all I say. Does
11:44>> your name see your residence item
11:45number?
11:47>> I has it. I'm speaking first on AAA. I
11:52think public baths in this city are very
11:54important.
11:56um whenever I've traveled to any other
11:59city
12:00um along the path of checking tourist um
12:07exhibits or whatever and large print
12:10they had signs public baths I think not
12:14just for the homeless but for everybody
12:18I think it's extremely bit uh important
12:21I think to change the time to 5:30 :30
12:26is a hardship because people with
12:29families are having supper or dinner,
12:32whatever you want to call it, at that
12:34time.
12:35And I don't think that it should be
12:37changed for the whole family. I think
12:4012G considering the nurs's um dorms on
12:44Providence Street again once again for
12:48housing is an extremely good idea. I
12:52amend uh councelor Furcell for that.
12:57And um I also I had something else here
13:02a couple other items. Um I think med the
13:06Medicare issue definitely needs to be
13:08looked at and I think the sweeping of
13:11the streets needs to be done more often.
13:14Thank you.
13:17>> Thank you. Next speaker is your name res
13:20number.
13:21Hi, my name is Gary Hunter. First thing
13:24I'd like to talk about is 12A.
13:27A lot of people I mean this is not just
13:30a homeless problem. Um when when we used
13:33to have people downtown, they used to
13:34have public bathrooms. This is a human
13:37problem.
13:39This is to take care of all the people
13:41in the city um and get them moving out
13:44of the house. And when you guys were
13:46elected, I realized a lot of you ran
13:49because you said the city council was
13:51too divisive. It has gotten worse since
13:54you've been elected.
13:56Please consider this 8A and consider
14:00seriously pleased for the human people
14:01in the city. 12 Y about cleaning up
14:05debris. I agree you should clean up
14:07debris. But I think we before we go into
14:09a lot of the homeless and the tents, we
14:12need to provide housing. You got to do
14:13the housing before you kick people out
14:16of there where they're living now.
14:2011 A I was at the meeting, the
14:24legislature and uh they talking about
14:28the city charter. Um it this is just to
14:31support us in doing the city charter and
14:34getting the signatures. That's all it
14:36is. We'd like your support. And if
14:38anybody's out listening and there's not
14:40too many people here today, I would be
14:43willing to help get signatures. I just
14:46probably since I've never done it
14:48before, I need help. So, somebody
14:49contact me to help get the signatures
14:52for the 12,000 signatures that are
14:54needed.
14:58The only thing I want to say is quickly
15:00is that whoever sent letter to my house
15:06that threatened the with the police
15:08department, I think I've sent a copy
15:10out. I don't know if you all received it
15:12with city hall as the u return address.
15:17I'm telling you, come talk to me. I'm
15:20not stopping. I'm coming to the meeting
15:23every week and I will not stop. So, it's
15:25not going to do you any good and I'm not
15:27afraid. Thank you.
15:32>> Does your name say your residence and
15:34item number?
15:36>> Certainly. Uh, Fred Nathan Worester. I'm
15:39going to start off with ADA. I mean,
15:41hey, you know, let's face it.
15:45Uh, you get a lot of um you get a lot of
15:48young mothers pushing uh baby strollers
15:52and then you have other kids with them.
15:55I think the fact that there's really no
15:58public bathrooms to speak of. I mean,
16:01there's city hall,
16:04there's the hub, there's other little
16:06places, but you know,
16:10if if a child needs to go to the
16:11bathroom,
16:13you got to do something better here. And
16:16you got to have places where there are
16:18public bathrooms. I I if you go to any
16:21restaurants, a lot of times it'll say
16:24is not a public restroom. You come in,
16:28you buy something. So, what happens if
16:30you don't have too much money in your
16:31pocket? You and you want to get like a
16:33bottle of water and then use the
16:34bathroom. You're screwed. if you don't
16:38have the money on you. And it can happen
16:40to anyone. Anyone in this room who
16:42thinks they are not um that stuff can
16:46happen. There are things that can happen
16:49to everyone in this room. And no one is
16:52exempt. And I want you to get that
16:53through your head. Mr. City Manager,
16:55you're a good man. Uh you do what you
16:58do, but you're not exempt. Nor is the
17:00mayor, the clerk, or any of the city
17:03council here. And I I shall repeat
17:06myself.
17:08No one is exempt.
17:11Uh uh the item about the um uh WCCA TV.
17:17I forget what number that is here. But
17:18anyhow,
17:20um if the Chamber of Commerce can get on
17:22board and help get WCCA some
17:25sponsorships cuz obviously the cable
17:28company that should be given uh money to
17:32the city to give the W uh the WCCA has
17:36really they kept on cutting back and
17:37cutting back and cutting back. Pretty
17:39soon it's going to be no bones over
17:41there at all.
17:42>> Thank you.
17:42>> No money,
17:46>> Mr. Mayor. So we have one. Is there
17:48anybody in the public?
17:51>> She name res item number
17:53>> tomorrow deepquali wcc
17:56wor mass. Uh 10a. Uh thank you guys for
18:01for presenting that and it's worth
18:02pursuing. We really need help. I'm here
18:05asking for help. Uh this is a civic
18:08asset the station. We're elevating
18:10voices, educating people. We're we're
18:12we're expending we're sending out
18:15information. We're lifting up the
18:17disenfranchised and really, you know, in
18:19some way we're sort of a disenfranchised
18:21station. It it costs a lot of money to
18:23run a TV station. It's not easy. It's
18:25not cheap. If you run, if you have your
18:27own public relations department, you
18:28know, $1.4 million for public relations
18:31in the city side is a lot. And as for 10
18:34people, we're running a TV station to
18:36serve everybody. So, just to give some
18:38perspective, there's a s a social u
18:42return of investment here that to
18:44consider. We're receiving about 400,000,
18:46maybe a little bit less. I'm sure we're
18:48going to get a lot less in the upcoming
18:49years. Right now, we're giving back
18:51about $15 million worth of social uh
18:54service value. If you were to go into
18:56the market and and and do what we do for
18:59a production, each one of our shows
19:01costs about six six $6,800
19:05for one show. All right. We got about 60
19:07shows. Each one of those 60 shows
19:09produces probably on average about three
19:12shows a month.
19:14So if you add up this $6,800
19:17times three times 60, you're going to
19:20get $15 million
19:22of service value. That's a return of
19:25investment that I don't think there are
19:27many. That's $3,572%.
19:31It sounds outrageous. It sounds
19:33unbelievable, but that's what really
19:34what it is. If I were to go and buy
19:36camera operators, a video editor,
19:39salaries for uh for production people,
19:42travel, marketing and promotions, we do
19:45all of that for every one of our shows.
19:49And we're doing with 400,000. I got a
19:52staff. God bless them. They they work
19:53really hard. They're doing 10 things at
19:55once.
19:57204,000 viewers in 2026 alone.
20:01>> Thank you, Mark.
20:02>> Not including social media. That's got
20:04to be some civic value to something.
20:06Thank you. Thank you.
20:08[applause]
20:14>> We can start with online. The first
20:15calling user is Moira. I'm going try to
20:17mute the resident now.
20:20>> Good evening. Can everyone hear me?
20:22>> Yes.
20:23>> Yes.
20:23>> Thank you. My name is Mora Daisy. I'm a
20:26resident of Worcester District 5. I'm
20:29here to speak tonight on three items.
20:32First two very briefly. 12B public
20:36participation as we all know that has
20:38been extremely limited and curtailed uh
20:42during the past few years by the city
20:44council. Further curtailing it
20:46particularly to working folks who might
20:49not even be out of work by 5:30. I'm
20:53sorry. Nobody should be signing on to
20:55that. We have already have an extremely
20:57low v voter turnout. as to item 12F, as
21:01to tree removal, as councelor Rivera can
21:04attest to, he and I exchanged some
21:06emails about this. There are numerous
21:09neighborhoods in this city where the
21:11taxpaying residents have already
21:13incurred significant property damage,
21:16whether that is to motor vehicles or to
21:20their homes because of the lack of
21:23funding to the DPW and specifically the
21:26forestry division. Maybe an update as to
21:29what we can do to expedite some of this
21:31old growth removal would be great. As to
21:34item 12W, uh the four-way stop at June,
21:38Brownell, and Hadwin. As a 49-year
21:41resident of June Street, absolutely love
21:45this stop sign. And everybody in our
21:48neighborhood where I currently live on
21:49Howland Terrace loves it as well because
21:52what we have been here on Howland
21:54Terrace is the cutthrough for everybody
21:57in the Hadwin neighborhood who cannot
21:59safely exit onto June Street from Hadwin
22:03and instead need to use Pleasant Street
22:05which then contributes to all of the
22:07traffic coming from Tatnik Square in the
22:10delay in pickup and drop off because of
22:14Midland Street School which is adjacent
22:16there as being being a pedestrian
22:19walking my dogs. There were times I had
22:22to wait 20 minutes
22:23>> to be able to cross that crosswalk.
22:26>> It is the only
22:28>> crosswalk available to pedestrians
22:30between Chandler Street and Newton
22:33Square. We need to keep that stop sign.
22:35>> Thank you, Mo.
22:39Mr. Mayor, the last speaker is Natalie
22:40Gibson.
22:46Hi, good evening. I'm calling on three
22:49things. Um, first, it is 8A uh about the
22:54public restrooms. Uh, as I've said
22:57before last week, and Fred also stated
22:59this week, there aren't even enough
23:02public restrooms for uh regular
23:05residents. Um, so it would be nice if we
23:08can get that for us as well. 12B. I
23:12oppose the public speaking uh to have it
23:15just one hour. Again, it would be
23:18helpful to have the counter so that I
23:21can see it because I have no way of
23:23knowing how much time I have left except
23:26for when someone's telling me, "Can you
23:28wrap it up?" So, if I were there, I
23:30could see it. I cannot see it right now
23:32on Zoom. I've already asked you guys
23:34this already. 12W. Um, as I promised the
23:39woman uh that was at the Hadwin and June
23:42Street intersection today holding her
23:44sign um telling us to let you guys know
23:49that we don't want the the four-way stop
23:51sign. Like Mara, I am all for it. It
23:55makes it safer for everyone on the road.
23:59I also want to thank um councelor Rivera
24:03being the chair of the traffic and
24:05parking along with DTM for our permanent
24:10speed humps that are being put in right
24:12now. This city needs to slow down. All
24:16lives should matter. Thank you.
24:20>> Thank you. Anybody else?
24:24>> Uh Mr. Mayor, I have one more calling
24:26user. Uh Chrissy, can I meet the
24:29resident now?
24:30>> She named see residence and item number.
24:32>> Yep. Chrissy Bates, um independent
24:35public policy consultant. I'm calling in
24:38um 48A.
24:40Um in terms of the public restrooms and
24:42and and the issue, I'm I'm just
24:44concerned about specifically the public
24:48restrooms being binary centered, so male
24:51uh and female. Um, I would hope that
24:53there's some language that, you know,
24:55since the city council has had some
24:57challenges,
24:59um, with the, you know, non-binary
25:01issue, I I think that it would be, you
25:04know, if if we're going to be putting in
25:06permanent um, bathrooms to include a
25:09bathroom, uh, that's genderneutral, um,
25:12would be my only suggestion for that
25:14that line item. And that's all I have to
25:17say.
25:19>> Thank you.
25:22One more person.
25:26>> Did your name say your residence and
25:27item number?
25:28>> My name is Christine Parcher and I lived
25:30at the corner of June Street in Brownell
25:32for the past 28 years in my 100year-old
25:35Victorian home. It sits at the 10 feet
25:38off the sidewalk of this corner. I am
25:40without a doubt the person most affected
25:42by these additional two stop signs. For
25:45the past 20 years, I have attended these
25:46traffic meetings regarding our
25:48neighborhood. It was I alone with the
25:50help of the former city council at Tel
25:52Hyaxi who had put two speed bumps added
25:55to lower ll to stop people from speeding
25:57through this neighborhood and then
25:59speeding up on June Street. At that
26:01meeting three years ago, we presented
26:03other options to control speeding,
26:05including a plan with the permission of
26:06other two homes along and with myself to
26:09turn the small section of Brownell into
26:12excuse me small section of Brownell
26:14between Livermore Square and June into a
26:16one-way. Lower lavel did not want this
26:19nor were we able to put up a sign to say
26:21no trucks over two tons from this
26:23roadway run this roadway. So we settled
26:26on speed bumps which have worked out
26:28very favorably showing to cut through
26:30traffic. I also mentioned at this
26:32meeting that there continues to be no
26:34traffic report as I've been asking for
26:3620 plus years ever on June Street.
26:39Neither were there any police patrols or
26:41any signage as to the speeds ever. We
26:44brought up adding solar signs that
26:46stated cars traveling speeds. Once
26:48again, it was I who called city hall
26:50every year to request a silent policeman
26:53sign put up on June Street to slow cars
26:55down. I have been fighting this battle
26:57for over 20 years. Never a single
27:01traffic port, never police presence.
27:03Last summer, a camera showed up on the
27:05corner of June and Hadwin across the
27:09street. I asked to tell to inquire why
27:11it was there. She asked around this city
27:13and no one knew who put it up. Then I
27:15heard about a meeting concerning the
27:16proposal by citizens who are not in our
27:18neighborhood being res represented by a
27:20counselor who was not ours to install
27:22these street signs, stop signs. I wrote
27:25a three-page letter to the council
27:26members and city stating the reasons to
27:28not add these signs, but to continue
27:30looking at other measures to keep
27:32traffic moving and looking at safety
27:34measures for pedestrians. Our direct
27:36neighborhood showed up and was ignored.
27:39The man from the state showed up and pl
27:41and camera spied with his grand plans
27:43offering free solar signs to install at
27:45this location as well as three other
27:47sites of the city. No regard to the
27:49people with this has been affected on a
27:51247 basis. I was requested at this issue
27:54remain open until further studies could
27:57be considered again but denied. We have
28:00also not addressed these back zone
28:02zones.
29:12Does your name say your resident's name
29:13number?
29:14>> Good evening. My name is Tina Burjan.
29:16I've been living in Worcester for 64
29:18years. I was born in Worester and a
29:21childhood in Great Brook Valley and now
29:24I live off of Mill Street and I want to
29:26talk about the situation with the
29:28four-way intersection with the stop
29:29signs. I agree with Chris. I disagree
29:32with these signs. And I'll tell you why.
29:34It's a total bottlenecking. Traffic
29:37beeping, skidding, people coming up,
29:40skidding. I was so confused. I park at
29:43Wester State College where I went and I
29:45do my walk three mile every day after
29:47school. I'm an assistant teacher. And I
29:50was going by and I was saw Chris and I
29:53said, "Oh, thank goodness. Somebody
29:55who's against this. This is crazy."
29:57ladies and gentlemen, literally
30:00bottlenecking. It was so confusing. It
30:02was loud, beeping, people screeching up
30:05at the at the stop sign because they
30:07don't remember seeing it. And I c I
30:10stood there and there was so much
30:12traffic that it was just crazy like
30:15Grand Central Station, just absolutely
30:17crazy. And I I just had to walk by and
30:21it it was causing me a lot of anxiety.
30:23And I thought, geez, before when I went
30:25down Hadwin Street, I never had a
30:27problem taking a left cuz I obey the
30:29stop sign and I am a good driver. I look
30:32to my left and right and I go left on
30:34June Street. What's so hard about that?
30:36I've been doing that for 35 years now.
30:38They put stop signs everywhere. Nobody
30:40knows when to go, where to go. Oh, you
30:42go. Oh, it's just absolutely crazy.
30:46Ladies and gentlemen, please consider
30:48taking this down. Thank you very much.
30:51>> Thank you.
30:58Back to the agenda.
31:04Uh 7A
31:07is held under privilege by councelor
31:09Fizzo.
31:10Okay. So the motion is to open the
31:13hearing. All those in favor post so
31:15ordered.
31:17Uh 7B is charter communications and
31:21condo location at Lincoln Street
31:24and 7 C is national natural grid and
31:27Verizon for a joint pole location at
31:29Bower Street.
31:30Uh anybody opposed to these items?
31:34See nobody opposed. Motion is close the
31:36hearing. All those in favor post so
31:38ordered.
31:39Motion is to um adopt. All those in
31:43favor oppose. So ordered.
31:46reconsideration of council king in the
31:49in accordance to through theory theory
31:50theory theory theory theory theory the
31:50rules of the city council council king
31:52request reconsideration the vote of the
31:53city council taken on September 29 2026
31:57regard the following item order of
31:59Christian king the city council see
32:02hereby adopt item 10g C on the September
32:06296 city council agenda as amended to
32:08read as follows request city manager
32:11help identify locations throughout the
32:12city and beginning in district 2 to
32:14create permanent public bathrooms
32:16the interest of providing necessary
32:17public health measures with respect to
32:19human conditions. Further while set
32:21permanent public locations identified
32:23and built, request city manager
32:24determine suitable locations to install
32:26polar parties as a temporary measure
32:28while awaiting permanent bathroom
32:30installations. Further requested the
32:31city management by council to report
32:32concerning the timeline. A soldier said
32:35action federal request at sub process
32:37include community and business
32:39interfacing and feedback. Roll call.
32:42>> Councelor Bergman.
32:43>> Hang on for one second. this a point of
32:45order.
32:45>> Yeah, I'd like to speak on this.
32:47>> You can't speak on it after the
32:48>> I believe per the rules I can if it's
32:50debatable in the prior session. Um
32:54>> the ruling the chair is that this not
32:55reconsideration
32:56>> chairman in the rules it says that if
32:59the issue was debatable that's prior to
33:03the reconsideration it can be debated. I
33:05just read it. I'd ask the clerk if he
33:07could read that. told me differently.
33:12Route 30.
33:22Mr. Mayor, it says a motion for recons
33:24reconsideration shall not be debatable
33:26and shall be if accepted by twothirds of
33:28the vote as a member of the city
33:29council, rescended the previous vote of
33:31the item and place them back on the
33:32floor for discussion.
33:34>> Can you read the rest of that?
33:35>> Not debatable. Can you read the rest of
33:37that please?
33:38>> If computing the time for following any
33:39motion for reconsidering Saturday Sunday
33:41illegal holidays shall be excluded.
33:45>> Okay,
33:46>> that's all of it to chair.
33:47>> So you want to read the whole 90day the
33:49whole section?
33:50>> No, I thought there was a section about
33:52um
33:53>> So it says section two upon filing such
33:55a motion writing with the city clerk
33:57anytime prior to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday
34:00next following the date in which the
34:01item was first decided which council
34:03king has done so. That's why the items
34:05before you tonight, a motion for
34:07reconsideration shall not be debatable
34:09and shall be if accepted by twothirds
34:12votes of the members of the city council
34:14rescended to the previous vote on the
34:16item and placed back on the floor to
34:18further discussion tonight.
34:20>> Okay. So, this is non debatable.
34:22>> So, roll call.
34:24>> Excuse Mr. Chair question. Could we make
34:26I'd like to make a motion to suspend
34:28rules.
34:28>> I'm sorry I can't hear you.
34:29>> I'd like to make a motion to suspend the
34:30rules just to address this. I I've had a
34:32lot of concerns from constituents in
34:34district 2. Would we like to make a
34:35motion to suspend the rules?
34:38>> Suspend the rules.
34:40>> Well, this is
34:44>> Well, we have a couple items the same
34:45thing coming up.
34:50>> I'd like to make that motion.
34:51>> Are we going to vote on the motion?
34:54>> Okay. Do you have a motion to suspend
34:55the rules?
34:57>> Okay. Roll call.
35:05So, Mr. Mayor, procedure to suspend rule
35:0730. That's what the motion is.
35:09>> Yes.
35:09>> Okay. Councelor Bergman,
35:11>> no.
35:12>> Councelor Bada,
35:13>> yes.
35:13>> Councelor Economo,
35:14>> no.
35:15>> Councelor Zolo,
35:16>> no.
35:17>> Councelor King,
35:18>> yes.
35:19>> Councelor Mitra,
35:20>> no.
35:20>> Council,
35:21>> yes.
35:22>> Councilor Rivera,
35:23>> no.
35:23>> Councelor Rosen,
35:24>> no.
35:24>> Councilor Tumi,
35:25>> no. And Mayor Petty,
35:27>> no. Motion for reconsideration. Roll
35:29call.
35:32Councelor Bergman,
35:33>> no.
35:34>> Council Bada,
35:35>> yes.
35:35>> Councilor Economo,
35:36>> no.
35:37>> Councelor Rolo,
35:38>> no.
35:38>> Councelor King,
35:39>> yes.
35:40>> Councelor Mitra,
35:41>> no.
35:41>> Council,
35:42>> yes.
35:43>> Councelor Rivera,
35:44>> no.
35:44>> Councelor Rosen,
35:45>> no.
35:46>> Councilor Tumi,
35:46>> no.
35:47>> And Mayor Petty,
35:48>> no.
35:50>> We might just take then 17B and C and D
35:54together next since we're on the
35:56subject.
35:57Is that okay with everybody?
35:5917B what
36:02>> uh under suspension I'm not suspension
36:04under uh held under privilege
36:08we got items uh 12 17 C
36:13>> B C and D
36:15>> that city council see does hereby adopt
36:1810G on September 29th city council's
36:21amendment to read first falls request
36:23city manage consider a process to help
36:25to help identify locations throughout
36:27the city and be in district two to
36:29create permanent public bathrooms in the
36:30interest of providing necessary public
36:34health measures with respect to human
36:35condition. Further wild said permanent
36:37public public bathrooms locations are
36:39being considered identify and built
36:41requesting manager consider a process to
36:43determine suitable locations to install
36:45pool employees as temporary measures
36:47while awaiting permanent bathroom
36:48installations. Council Bergman.
36:54Council Bergman,
36:57>> you want me to item 17C separately?
37:00>> 17 C. That's right. Yes.
37:02>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I mean, I spoke
37:04at length about it last week and um
37:07although I wasn't happy about the hold.
37:09it's my colleagues right to do so, but
37:11it certainly gave me an opportunity to
37:14reach out to key members of the uh
37:17District 2 business communities,
37:20including the Shbury Street uh business
37:22association, the Canal Street Business
37:24Alliance. And um got to tell you, they
37:27were quite surprised. Um you know, I had
37:29uh thought when I had heard conversation
37:31on the council floor that there was
37:32input from others. Maybe I misread what
37:35was being said or maybe I was misled
37:37depending on how you want to look at it.
37:39But certainly when I spoke to these
37:40folks, they were um not only uh
37:43surprised that it was uh before us, but
37:46even more surprised that [snorts]
37:47reference was made to some sort of
37:49discussions
37:51uh with members of the of the business
37:53community because they had no knowledge
37:55of it. And uh they're not happy about it
37:57to quite frankly not happy about the
38:00idea. They're not happy about being
38:02excluded from the conversation. And as I
38:05said last week, the reason why I find
38:08the language that was originally
38:10proposed to be problematic and I asked
38:13um you Mr. Chairman to separate it out
38:16is because when I hear asks of the city
38:18manager that or suggestion this must be
38:20done right away and what's the timetable
38:23to do it and I don't hear any reference
38:25whatsoever to we need to make sure that
38:28the neighborhood and the business owners
38:30are included in the conversation. It it
38:33it only compels me to to come to the
38:35conclusion that this was on a fast track
38:38to the exclusion of the neighborhood
38:41residents and the business owners. And
38:43to be quite frank, the week that this
38:45was held only confirmed that for me. Um,
38:49now not to say that there hadn't been
38:50business owners, perhaps there were that
38:53I didn't reach that had conversations,
38:55but certainly the key members of those
38:57two business communities, which are the
38:58heart and soul of District 2, were
39:01surprised at my phone call. So, I'm not
39:03shamed or embarrassed or apologetic for
39:06reaching out to those folks. They needed
39:08to be reached out to. And again, I think
39:11they were quite um appreciative that
39:13they were reached out to. Now, this
39:15needs a lot of thought and there's a lot
39:18of potential
39:20uh problems. There's a lot of potential
39:22solutions, but it can't be done on a
39:24fast track and it can't be done without
39:25the uh involvement of the business
39:28community and the neighborhoods and the
39:30residents of not only district 2, but
39:32the entire city. And I hope uh my
39:35colleagues will agree with me that the
39:37wording that I proposed which I believe
39:39carefully suggests and only suggests
39:42that the city manager look at a process
39:45be taken seriously because to ask the
39:47city manager to do something without
39:49there being a process and without there
39:51being input and um buyin from the
39:54neighborhood and from the business
39:56owners I think would be problematic and
39:58wrong. And I'm glad for the opportunity
40:01that we I had over the last week to have
40:04those conversations. And I'm more
40:05convinced than ever that the words I
40:07spoke of last week are more true than
40:10ever that this would be a um a
40:13disservice to District 2 and to the
40:15business community and to the
40:16neighborhoods without there being input
40:19um from those constituencies. Let me
40:22just say one last thing. uh you know a
40:24week's gone by and I'm sure this will be
40:27um
40:28couched in different terms but by some
40:32but uh I think it's always problematic
40:36to assume things and u you know one of
40:39the advantages in Worcester we're
40:41blessed with this advantage is we have
40:42lots of neighborhood groups lots of
40:44neighborhood meetings and I think we
40:45learn a lot and again I've said it
40:47before we can learn from the people that
40:49are in this room too but there's a lot
40:51of other people out there we learn from
40:52as Well, and this has given me and
40:54hopefully my colleagues an opportunity
40:56to hear from them as well. Thank you,
40:57Mr. Chairman.
40:58>> Okay. Council K.
41:01>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, just for
41:03the record, I want to point out that the
41:05motion to reconsider um was an amendment
41:08of the prior order and the end of that
41:10amendment says that the process as
41:14mentioned and my colleague voted this
41:16down um will include community and
41:18business interfacing and feedback. for
41:21the record. Um, that being said, Mr.
41:23Chairman, I stand by my prior
41:25statements. Myself and Councelor B have
41:28met with business folks um and uh met
41:32again with a a business uh person who's
41:36interested in funding some of these
41:38temporary locations. Now, as it relates
41:40to the idea of public bathroom,
41:43something we've been discussing for
41:44years now. Uh some of my colleagues
41:47stood up and talked about motions they
41:49filed in 2023. I know I filed stuff a
41:52number of years ago as well. Um so
41:54there's nothing there's no fasttracking
41:56of this. However, there is an immediate
41:58need. We have businesses um who um are
42:03um subjected to uh feces and and and
42:09public urination in their in their place
42:11of business. Um and issues as it relates
42:14to cleanup. Um, no one indicated that
42:17there was any discussion with Shrewsbury
42:19Street. Um, no one indicated that there
42:21was a meeting with um, the Canal
42:23District Alliance. They said there was
42:25business folks. There's business folks
42:27in those areas that are as important as
42:30anyone else. Um, and they don't attend
42:32some of those meetings. Um, and I also
42:34have relationships with those folks as
42:36well. Mr. Chairman, um, as it relates to
42:41this particular matter, I've done a lot
42:42of work on this. I met with uh Health
42:45and Human Services back in August,
42:48scheduled something in July where we
42:50talked and I met with their homeless
42:51outreach division, Mr. Chairman. Um I
42:56met with their entire staff. In that
42:59meeting, they indicated and we discussed
43:01bathroom access and our discussion was
43:05it would require uh communication. It
43:08would require community feedback and
43:11business feedback. Mr. chairman. Um I
43:14was very careful on how I wrote the
43:15prior order. I thought it was clear that
43:18the that the um
43:20city uh manager uh would take a look at
43:26um this particular matter. I'm trying to
43:28get the language right now. Um however,
43:33you know, we're parsing words here, Mr.
43:35Chairman. Um it says um the prior order
43:38was to help identify locations
43:40throughout the city. Um and the the
43:43issue of permanent versus temporary, I
43:45don't think that's at debate. We need
43:48public bathrooms, not just for the
43:50unsheltered, as we talked about, as
43:52you've heard tonight, for folks with
43:53medical conditions, for children, for
43:55families, etc. Um Mr. Jim, one of the
44:00things that we spoke about at our
44:01meeting um was public access to
44:05bathrooms. Um and what was explained to
44:08me in that meeting is that currently
44:10there are available bathrooms and they
44:11listed the following from HHS. sheriff's
44:14office on Main Street was to healthc
44:16care for the homeless. Um, which also
44:20open offers shower showers uh company
44:24community compass by Open Sky on
44:26Challenge Street which offers showers um
44:29of course the library etc. Um so we've
44:32had um a number of discussions on this.
44:36This was not fasttracked. This is years
44:38in the making Mr. Chairman. Um, and
44:42although my colleagues voted down an
44:45item that specifically said a process to
44:49include community and business
44:50interfacing and feedback in response to
44:54concerns that were that were broached
44:55here, Mr. Chairman, um, this is an
44:59important issue and we certainly
45:01shouldn't let personalities get in way
45:04of that. This is for the greater good.
45:07Um, and you know, when it comes to the
45:10other item, I know we're taking these
45:11all at once to get them through, but
45:13we're talking about the bid. They talked
45:15about this a number of years ago, and
45:17they did a report, and we should have
45:19that report back. All part of the
45:21process, Mr.
45:22Um, at no point in time, as I will
45:25reiterate, despite assertions to the
45:27contrary, will we show up and drop a
45:30porta potty in front of a building, in
45:33front of a house, in a neighborhood
45:36without any feedback. We asked the city
45:38manager to point guard this. We know he
45:40would never do that. Um, and I can state
45:42for the record today, um, that that
45:45would not be a successful endeavor. As I
45:47stated last week, Mr. chairman. Um we
45:52have various areas that we have to look
45:54at. Um this does need to be done in
45:57short order particularly because we've
46:00been talking about this from the
46:01beginning of the Batista administration
46:05and before
46:06um Mr. chairman through the chair to the
46:10administration. Um could you speak a
46:12little bit about any communications
46:14you've had with the bid and as well as
46:16with HHF's in regards to uh public
46:20bathrooms?
46:22>> Mr. Man,
46:25>> uh through the ch the council, the
46:27discussions uh that have been pertaining
46:29to uh the public bathrooms with the bid
46:32was in preliminary to that report that
46:34was done a few years back. Um the re
46:37most recent conversations with HHS is
46:40I've asked uh uh HHS to provide to me a
46:43proposal uh that would look at options
46:46and ideas and cost uh for this
46:49particular endeavor and then you know
46:51then that would be my responsibility
46:53then to bring that proposal before the
46:54council and work with the stakeholders
46:56to be able to execute if that's the will
46:58of the council to be able to move
47:00forward on such uh initiatives. So
47:02again, um there's been conversations
47:04internally with HHS, but pertaining to
47:07the bid, that's something that I have
47:08discussed with uh with them prior to
47:12that. There's been individual
47:13conversations with different bid owners,
47:15uh business owners in the community. Uh
47:18but as a body, the bid district as a
47:20body, we haven't discussed this issue in
47:22a number of years.
47:23>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In addition to
47:25that, um some of the communication with
47:28the work that I put in uh with HHS prior
47:31to this um indicated that there are
47:34other bathroom solutions that other
47:36cities have implemented. Um at this at
47:39the time um the HHS division hadn't
47:44completely finished their exploration of
47:47bathroom cities um bathroom solutions in
47:50other cities. Um they have looked into
47:52motion detection bathrooms which as I
47:54had discussed previously that are
47:56designed to help with overdose
47:57prevention um and other medical
47:59emergencies, Mr. Chairman, but that's
48:01been something again we've discussed for
48:02years on the council floor. So we
48:04appreciate their work. Uh one of the
48:06discussions that I've had as well has
48:09been around a possible tollbo trailer
48:12equipped with showers and bathrooms and
48:14we've had some of this in the past. So,
48:16I don't want to um continue to with the
48:19back and forth. A vote up on on these
48:22orders um certainly makes sense. A vote
48:25down on the resol on the reconsideration
48:27does not make sense. It speaks to the
48:30exact concerns that were brought here as
48:33relates to the community, the public,
48:35and the business. Mr. Chairman, um it's
48:38my expectation um that the city manager
48:41um works with those business entities.
48:44Um, and I know that uh, councelor Bilada
48:47um, has worked with the folks in his
48:49district as well. Um, so I look forward
48:51to this these items moving forward.
48:53Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
48:56>> Thank you, Chris.
49:16Mayor Petty,
49:18>> thank you. And uh this is important
49:21issues. No doubt about it. We got to do
49:22it right. It's only time we all can
49:25agree and disagree at the same time, I
49:26guess. And uh I think everybody's on the
49:28same page. And uh just remember one
49:31thing the day centers open up in April
49:34which would which will relieve this area
49:36hopefully it's April April May we'll say
49:38April May and which will have showers
49:41which have toilets which make a big
49:43difference then we have
49:47the winter shelter which which will be
49:51December sometime in December December
49:5315th is usually the date u what's that
49:56>> oh the end of November okay we'll open
49:59that
50:00And uh
50:02so this is important. There's no
50:04question about it. Nobody I think
50:05everybody's on the same page. We need to
50:07do something. But you have to do it
50:08right. Make sure people are involved. I
50:10know coun you filed your item. I know
50:12councelor Bergman amended it. You
50:14amended almost the same thing then then.
50:17Uh
50:19so the idea is to let the neighborhood
50:22know, let the businesses know. I think
50:25you said it best, Mr. manager last week
50:26when you talked about how we do the the
50:29bins the new bins we put into place
50:33we had a whole process in place for that
50:35and uh so we won't do this without
50:37process we won't do this without anybody
50:40and it shouldn't be just the district
50:42two we should be looking in other areas
50:44if possible make sure it's a citywide
50:45thing if if we can do it citywide I know
50:47it's expensive too so it's uh something
50:50we can look at um but this appears that
50:54we're all on the same page we want a
50:56process in place. We want to know people
50:57are notified and we're going to put
50:59these if we ever get to it. But I think
51:02you need to figure out there's so many
51:05pros and cons. You get something that
51:07other cities doing with more permanent
51:09permanent locations, permanent buildings
51:11versus port. I think someone had brought
51:14the idea last week about tipping them
51:16over what happens at that night. There's
51:18some legitimate concerns and challenges
51:20no matter what we do. So, uh, we're
51:22going to have that discussion. Looking
51:23forward to report back, Mr. manager make
51:26sure it's done right and uh we'll go on
51:28from there. Thank you. Talk
51:32>> councelor Bulada or Satcha who was
51:35councelor Satcha councelor at large
51:37followed by councelor Balottic district
51:392.
51:42Councelor Sacham
51:46>> thank you Mr. Vice Chair
51:51I rise to
51:53um
51:55make it to understand that there are
51:57various opportunities that we have. I
51:59think the need of the bathroom has been
52:02we all agree that we need that as uh Mr.
52:06May you just mentioned that day resource
52:07center is coming up and there will be a
52:09lot of bathrooms and the facilities that
52:12will be available to all these unhoused
52:14people but the bathroom as we recognize
52:17is not only for the unhoused people that
52:19we need we need it for everyone in our
52:22city and that has been recognized by
52:24everyone uh until those permanent
52:27bathrooms are in place which is going to
52:29take some time. I found when I was doing
52:32some exploration that uh in the city of
52:35Los Angeles they have the mobile
52:39bathroom and the showers that they can
52:41bring and you can rent it and they are
52:44very beautiful. They're very nice,
52:45good-looking. It's like instead of
52:47having 40 party there, you know, if we
52:49can have that possibility, I'd like to
52:51put a motion to explore the possibility
52:54of having the rented mobile bathroom and
52:58the facil and the shower facility that
53:01can be probably parked in one of our
53:03municipal lots where people can go. I
53:06don't think any business owner would
53:08like to have uh any kind of bathroom in
53:10front of their businesses uh port or
53:13anything. Uh it doesn't look nice for
53:15them to have that. So perhaps we can
53:18install them or have them come and then
53:20we don't have to really maintain
53:22anything. Those people those who are
53:24renting it, they will take care of
53:25cleaning it, bringing it and we just
53:27have to pay the rent. So I would like to
53:29put a motion requesting to explore the
53:31possibility of installing them in
53:34municipal lot until the permanent
53:36bathrooms are done if that's the
53:39possibility.
53:40Thank you
53:42council council.
53:44>> Thank you Mr. Chairman.
53:47The really genesis of these orders was,
53:50you know, after since being elected and
53:52even before uh being elected,
53:54frequenting businesses in the Canal
53:56District, you know, we I've heard over
53:58and over legitimate concerns in about uh
54:02unfortunately individuals going to the
54:04bathroom um on our sidewalks and
54:08building doorways and alleys, behind
54:10dumpsters. It's obviously terrible for
54:12unhoused individuals out to do that. Um
54:14it's also terrible for the neighborhood.
54:16It's a public health hazard and it's
54:18something that I feel strongly that we
54:20should try to work to address. I know
54:22the uh day center will help with that. I
54:25also know other initiatives that the
54:27city's working on to address issues of
54:29the unhoused will help with that. Um,
54:32but I do want to clarify, at no point
54:34was there ever an intent to move forward
54:36with these things or these ideas, which
54:39is what they are right now, without
54:41reaching out to the Canal District
54:44businesses, residents, and and other
54:47businesses on Shoesbury Street. There
54:49was never any intention of doing that.
54:51It would be absolutely
54:53um
54:55negligent to do that. And that was, you
54:58know, non intent. I can understand um
55:01concerns from the business community and
55:03you know since this last week I've
55:05reached out to folks in the canal
55:06district. I've reached out to um
55:09representatives from the Shoes Chief
55:10Merchants Association explaining that
55:12this was is merely a starting point and
55:15that there's never, you know, never
55:17going to be any intention but of putting
55:19bathrooms just dropping them in front
55:21of, you know, someone's business or on a
55:23city street. um you know and that we
55:26would also not have any whether they're
55:27portable uh or permanent. I would not
55:31move forward with any proposal unless we
55:33had significant staffing and um
55:38significant staffing and and
55:40maintenance. That's what other cities
55:41have done. They've invested in portable
55:43or permanent bathrooms with with um with
55:47staffing and it works and and it reduces
55:49human waste and again it's it's for
55:51everyone, right? we I think we're all in
55:52agreement that everyone needs to use the
55:54bathroom. So, I think um I do take issue
55:56with inferring that this was done in a
55:59in a fast track or any way to cut out uh
56:02input that's disingenuous at best. And I
56:05I do take issue with that because I
56:07spent a lot of time in the canal
56:08district. I've been working with them
56:10all summer. We got planters in the canal
56:12district this summer. Uh I know the
56:13folks on Water Street are really
56:14interested in in growing that flower
56:16program. uh the several meetings that
56:18I've attended um on Shoesbury Street
56:21with the Shbury Street Neighborhood
56:22Association which uh with the exception
56:26of councelor King and councelor Tumi
56:28I've been the only counselor there um
56:30and I should be because that's my
56:32district. So again, I I really see this
56:36as a way to try to improve something.
56:37And of course, we would never do it
56:39without including the community and
56:41including our stakeholders and and the
56:43businesses that that really make
56:44district 2 and the canal district such a
56:46special place. So I'm looking forward to
56:48seeing where this goes. But again, it's
56:50it's about having a conversation and
56:52getting community input. Thank you.
56:54>> Thank you, Council Tumi.
56:58>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I would ask
57:00either um as an amendment or as a
57:04separate motion um uh to come back with
57:07a report on um the budget um for the
57:12cost of either temporary and or
57:14permanent um facilities. um so that we
57:18know uh how much money we're talking
57:20about and also identify um potential um
57:25cost centers or uh grants that we might
57:28be able to utilize.
57:30>> Thank you.
57:32>> Thank you. We have councelor Rivera.
57:36I just ask for clarification um through
57:40the chair through the administration.
57:42These are reports on information
57:46logistics that you need you're going to
57:47do to get u like council attorney
57:51mentioned on a price of what's going to
57:53cost for possible temporary bathrooms or
57:57or permanent bathrooms because I'm
58:00hearing a lot of when the permanent
58:01bathrooms are installed. We haven't
58:03agreed to no permanent bathrooms.
58:04Correct,
58:05>> Mr. manager
58:08>> due shift to the council. My plan is to
58:10bring forward a proposal to the council
58:12with identified costs and the options of
58:15what we can do. Currently, right now, we
58:17have no budget allocation for public
58:19bathrooms in the city. And so we would
58:22then to need to identify what funding
58:24source and how we need to move forward.
58:26They would have to be a public process.
58:28There's, you know, with businesses,
58:30residents, etc. There's also going to
58:32have to be a bidding process where we
58:33have to bid these products out depending
58:35on the product that we choose. And so
58:38what we're going to do is put together a
58:39proposal about the needs, the cost, and
58:43kind of the the areas that we
58:45potentially have identified, but that
58:47will need further discussion uh to be
58:50able to then be finalized. Uh but that
58:52will be something that we bring forward
58:53before the council.
58:55>> Thank you. I just kind of want a
58:57clarification that this is all nothing's
59:00been confirmed that's going to happen.
59:02It's just all we're looking into it.
59:04>> Correct.
59:05>> Pretty much,
59:07>> Mr. Manager.
59:08>> Three chair to the council. That is that
59:09is correct.
59:10>> Thank Rosen.
59:16>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I go back to my
59:18order of June of this year, just a few
59:22months ago. It was supported, I believe,
59:24by unanimously by my colleagues in the
59:26council.
59:28It [clears throat] wasn't controversial.
59:30We had this discussion a long time last
59:32week and there was a lot of controversy
59:35at that time and some personality issues
59:38that we all saw and we're having kind of
59:41a similar discussion tonight. I think
59:43we're all in favor, if we can do it, if
59:46we can afford it, we're all in favor of
59:48bathrooms around at least around the
59:50downtown community. I certainly am. And
59:52as I said, my June order, which dealt
59:54with the bid district, what they think,
59:56how we can do it. I even mentioned, is
59:58there a neighborhood association and
1:00:01business association downtown? Could we
1:00:03get them involved? If not, let's start
1:00:05one. So, mine wasn't controversial. I
1:00:09wouldn't support anything, and I support
1:00:12bathrooms. I wouldn't support any policy
1:00:16that puts Porter parties downtown or
1:00:20anywhere in the city. That's not what I
1:00:22ever meant. I I go back several years
1:00:25when I first filed an order was right I
1:00:27think at the beginning of co so five or
1:00:29six six years ago anyway. But I do not
1:00:33support p port p port p port p port p
1:00:34port p port p port p port p port p port
1:00:34porter parties for any reason anywhere
1:00:37in the city of worester. I just think
1:00:39that would be ridiculous on on our part.
1:00:42Bathrooms are bathrooms. Porter parties
1:00:44are not bathrooms. So, I hope we're
1:00:45talking about bathrooms. I see these
1:00:47orders mentioned, well, until we can get
1:00:49those bathrooms, we're going to use
1:00:51porta parties. Not if I have any say in
1:00:53it, and I hope my colleagues feel the
1:00:55same way. That's not what downtown
1:00:57needs. That's not what the business
1:00:59community needs. That's not what anyone
1:01:01needs downtown. Porter parties. The
1:01:03trouble you're going to have with porter
1:01:04parties like they have everywhere they
1:01:06have them is going to be so uh uh
1:01:10problematic for the city of Worcester
1:01:12and before we send the manager out
1:01:15looking for these sites where we're
1:01:16going to put them. I wouldn't start that
1:01:19way. I want to know what options do we
1:01:22have? What kind of bathrooms are we
1:01:24going to have? If he comes through and
1:01:26says we can afford porter parties, I
1:01:28vote against it. But if he comes through
1:01:29and says, "We have these units that are
1:01:31in Portland, Portland, Lou, or we have
1:01:33them in Spokane or wherever and they
1:01:36work out well and we can afford them and
1:01:38so on and people like them." Yeah,
1:01:41that's what I want. I don't want them to
1:01:42come back and tell me we need one down
1:01:45at Lincoln Square. We need one down in
1:01:47front of the mechanic near me. So, I
1:01:49don't want that now. I want us to decide
1:01:52what we want for bathrooms and then we
1:01:54can decide where they go. So I just
1:01:56think I you know why did I vote against
1:01:58against the item last week? Because of
1:02:01porter parties and I don't want to send
1:02:03the manager out looking for places when
1:02:05I don't know what we're planning to put
1:02:06there. Same thing on this one. So just
1:02:10to sum it up, Mr. uh mayor and Mr.
1:02:12Manager, I hope that the manager will
1:02:14take another look at my order for June.
1:02:16We all supported it. It supports
1:02:18bathrooms, but I think it's the right
1:02:20process. I tried to I I don't have the
1:02:23exact wording in front of me and I
1:02:24apologize for that. But when I came up
1:02:27with the order in June, I tried to think
1:02:28of, you know, different possibilities
1:02:30who should be involved and certainly I
1:02:34was never even thinking, let alone
1:02:35putting in my order. Porter parties. Are
1:02:38you kidding me? Porter parties. Thank
1:02:40you, Mr. Mayor.
1:02:42>> Thank you.
1:02:44Okay. Council King for council.
1:02:46Councelor Cmo.
1:02:48>> Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
1:02:50Um, if I may just add to I just want to
1:02:53expand on what the manager had brought
1:02:55forward there.
1:02:57Um, why can't we look at what we have in
1:03:00place currently first? Um, see how we
1:03:05can work with what we have? How are we
1:03:07going to maintain it? How are we going
1:03:10to um
1:03:12publicize it? Whether it's city hall,
1:03:15the library, in our parks, what do we
1:03:18have in place first? what infrastructure
1:03:20is already up and in place. That's where
1:03:24I would, if it were me, that's where I
1:03:26would start. And certainly, whatever you
1:03:28bring forward, I would expect to see
1:03:30some type of long-term maintenance plan.
1:03:33Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
1:03:34>> Thank you. Okay.
1:03:41[snorts]
1:03:42>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
1:03:45We have a need right now.
1:03:48We have an immediate need, Mr. Chairman,
1:03:51um for relief in our community, in our
1:03:54neighborhoods, in our business
1:03:56districts. Um
1:03:59the genesis of this came once again from
1:04:03a small business owner um that
1:04:06approached myself. Um councelor Bada was
1:04:09already working on this issue. Um we
1:04:12came together and asked and seeking the
1:04:14assistance of the city manager. Um, I
1:04:17agree with uh, Mayor Petty that we're
1:04:19mostly on the same page until I heard
1:04:21councelor Rosen objecting to uh,
1:04:25potential porties. And I want to be
1:04:26clear for the public um, what we were
1:04:30looking at um,
1:04:32initially is
1:04:35temporarily providing some space for
1:04:38human relief. Mr. Chairman, we know that
1:04:41a process for permanent bathrooms is a
1:04:44lengthy one. Um, we have an immediate
1:04:46need right now. Um, I'm willing to vote
1:04:50for whatever um gets the process going.
1:04:53Um, we could have certainly have done
1:04:56this outside of this body um and piloted
1:05:00um some of this temporarily. Um, I want
1:05:04to also talk a little bit about
1:05:08um
1:05:09what my c what my colleague just
1:05:11mentioned. Um, and I want to give kudos
1:05:14to Batista and his administration as it
1:05:17relates to um, the discussion that I had
1:05:20with HHS and we talked about publicizing
1:05:26public bathrooms on the city website and
1:05:29I don't know if that's come to the
1:05:30attention of the city manager. Not yet.
1:05:32Um, but they have every intention of
1:05:34doing that. Um, and I think it speaks to
1:05:37um, some of the concerns here as well.
1:05:40Mr. Chairman, we know that in our parks,
1:05:43um, the bathrooms have been a challenge.
1:05:46Um, we have folks engaging in our parks.
1:05:49Um, public bathrooms is a necessity.
1:05:53It's a necessity. Um, and that need is
1:05:56something that we must move on. And I
1:05:59want to reiterate, um, the assertion,
1:06:02um, that we're going to drop portaotties
1:06:05randomly, um, is false. Um, that's never
1:06:08been the intent. Um again um for the
1:06:12public's edification
1:06:15um as they say uh the order I filed last
1:06:18week we did amend to be considerate um
1:06:21and it stated in the last sentence
1:06:23further request
1:06:25said process include community and
1:06:27business interfacing and feedback and
1:06:29this body voted that down. Um
1:06:33that aside, um you know, again, I'll
1:06:36support this. Um I'm not quite sure what
1:06:40was going on with that vote. I
1:06:41appreciate all the folks that have um
1:06:44brought this forward over the years, but
1:06:47the idea that this is not that this is
1:06:51not a matter that's imperative to the
1:06:55now um is concerning to me. Um we know
1:07:00that that's not the case. Mr. Chairman,
1:07:02um we know we have businesses and we
1:07:04have communities and we have parks and
1:07:06spaces um where this is going on. People
1:07:10don't have a place to go, don't have a
1:07:12place to relieve themselves. Um we have
1:07:14challenges picking up human waste. Um
1:07:18and if folks in this body want to wait
1:07:20for permanent bathrooms, we might be
1:07:24waiting a year or two. What are we going
1:07:26to do now, Mr. Chairman? And all they
1:07:28ask is is that the city manager uses his
1:07:32resources, HHS, DPW, whoever it might
1:07:35be. And in addition to that, councelor
1:07:37BL can speak to it if he feels so. Um,
1:07:40but I believe his order last week and
1:07:42some of the discussion we had was around
1:07:44accessing um some funds. Um there was a
1:07:47staffing component um to um all of this
1:07:51and um really just um working with the
1:07:54city manager to interface with the
1:07:56business communities with the business
1:07:58associations um you know and again um
1:08:02the uh business that's ready to move
1:08:05forward to temporarily provide relief is
1:08:08at the ready waiting on the city um to
1:08:11determine if that's appropriate. By no
1:08:12stretch of the imagination we looking to
1:08:14put temporary porta potties all across
1:08:16the city. Um in the discussion that we
1:08:19have we know that um the districts and
1:08:22the areas with the least access to
1:08:24bathrooms are the canal district and
1:08:26Lincoln Street Mr. Chairman. Um but um
1:08:31we are looking to work hand inand with
1:08:34this council and with district 2
1:08:36counselor to move this forward.
1:08:38Council meter for a second time.
1:08:42>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Going back to my
1:08:44motion about uh exploring the
1:08:47possibility of renting a mobile uh
1:08:50restroom and the shower, I just want to
1:08:53say that I'm also not in favor of Port
1:08:56because I think it is problematic and no
1:08:59business owner not only on district two
1:09:01but any district where there is a
1:09:02business, they won't like to see that in
1:09:04front of their businesses. So I
1:09:06suggested to explore the possibility of
1:09:08uh renting the mobile restroom and the
1:09:11showers and I just want to have
1:09:13everybody all the fellow counselors to
1:09:15take a look at it just how decent they
1:09:18look and temporarily at least until we
1:09:21get the permanent bathrooms done this
1:09:22may be a solution to meet the immediate
1:09:24requirement. So I'll request city uh
1:09:27clerk to see if that could be possible
1:09:29what I had found out uh how they look to
1:09:32see have a look at that uh renting the
1:09:37>> Mr. Chairman I would accept that as a
1:09:39friendly motion to my friendly amendment
1:09:41to my motion. I don't have a problem
1:09:42with that.
1:09:44I don't know if this is a separate
1:09:45motion but okay.
1:09:48Um okay. So we take these three items
1:09:50refer them to the manager
1:09:53as with the other additional items. Um
1:09:56motions
1:09:57>> wasn't Mr. Chairman point of order
1:09:59wasn't 17 C my motion that was held.
1:10:03>> Yeah. So we take 17 C send that to the
1:10:06send that to this um city manager.
1:10:10We'll take those collectively
1:10:12>> along with the mo motions that we'll
1:10:14take them separately if people want to.
1:10:16As long as that
1:10:18along with the items that were filed by
1:10:19other council was other motions council
1:10:21Bergman.
1:10:22>> Yeah. Just briefly ju just sure my
1:10:24colleagues are aware 17 B was your
1:10:27original item. Councelor King. He
1:10:30amended it. That that vote failed. Then
1:10:34I I had amended it
1:10:35>> and my vote was held. So to me, going
1:10:38back to 17B
1:10:40before we if we vote on 17 C, there's no
1:10:44need to go back to 17B if the clerk
1:10:47agrees. I I just think procedurally
1:10:49that's correct, but I I'll obviously
1:10:51leave it up to the clerk and the chair
1:10:52to make that decision.
1:10:53>> So what's the uh
1:10:55>> Mr. Chairman,
1:10:56>> what was the motion there, Council?
1:10:58>> My understanding through the chair,
1:10:59perhaps the clerk can help, is if we
1:11:01take 17 C, which was my motion,
1:11:03>> that's what we're taking right now.
1:11:04We'll go to 17B after this. Well, I
1:11:07think 17B becomes mood if 17
1:11:09>> the same thing anyway.
1:11:10>> I'm not you don't have the floor.
1:11:13>> Councelor, go ahead.
1:11:15>> No, it's just my my request to the chair
1:11:17procedurally. You It's agreed upon that
1:11:20we take
1:11:20>> Mr. Chairman.
1:11:22Can I Can I withdraw my motion? I just
1:11:24withdraw it.
1:11:25>> I'll just withdraw it to whatever it is.
1:11:27Let's withdraw it. Let's give councelor
1:11:29Bman his motion. Um it's the same dang
1:11:32thing.
1:11:33>> Um it is the same.
1:11:34>> Whatever. Whatever. It shouldn't even be
1:11:36allowed.
1:11:36>> Okay, your time is up, Mr. Mr.
1:11:39City Council. Your time is up. Councelor
1:11:42Bergman, I thought you were finished.
1:11:44I'm sorry,
1:11:44>> Mr. Chairman. I I don't uh I'm not one
1:11:47that that spends a lot of time in the
1:11:48microphone here. So, if I thought it was
1:11:50the same thing, I would have I would
1:11:52>> Okay, he's withdrawing 17B. So, we're
1:11:55going to vote on 17 C off the other
1:11:58motions.
1:11:59And all those in favor post, so ordered.
1:12:0317D. All those in favor? Opposed? So
1:12:07ordered. Since we're under the privilege
1:12:09items, council Rosen, you want to do
1:12:11yours?
1:12:13>> 17A.
1:12:14>> Yeah.
1:12:17>> Okay. Quest man, just chief development
1:12:19officer at his September 26 meeting with
1:12:22the Opalign Enterprises. a commercial
1:12:24drywall metal framing subcontract and
1:12:26documented violations of labor
1:12:27employment laws is being allowed to work
1:12:29on the three
1:12:3164 unit residential complex being built
1:12:33on 274 Franklin Street which is project
1:12:36heavily supported by 11 million in local
1:12:39private tax relief. Council Rosen
1:12:43must be aware that this could be in
1:12:45litigation. So
1:12:46>> I was just going to say that
1:12:47>> oh I'm sorry I ste your thumbware say
1:12:50that. [laughter]
1:12:51>> Thank you Mr. Chairman. Yes, on this uh
1:12:54order of I guess a few weeks ago uh
1:12:57dealing with this project at 274
1:13:00Franklin Street, I understand that there
1:13:02is pending and maybe active litigation.
1:13:05So therefore, all I'd like to say is
1:13:08just a question of the manager. Is the
1:13:11uh subcontractor in question still on
1:13:14the job? That's what I would like to
1:13:16know.
1:13:16>> Uh Mr. manager
1:13:17>> and if you can say what you can say you
1:13:20know about what's happening over there
1:13:21that's all I have to say on and my
1:13:23motion will be after we discuss it
1:13:26hopefully briefly because there is
1:13:28litigation that's active uh we can file
1:13:31this that will be my motion to file
1:13:32thank you Mr. Yeah,
1:13:34>> thank you
1:13:34>> to the chair, to the council. The
1:13:36subcontractor is not on site.
1:13:39>> Uh they're now longer on site.
1:13:41>> Um and I can have the solicitor provide
1:13:43a little bit additional context uh just
1:13:46to give better understanding to the
1:13:47council to the public.
1:13:50>> Madam solicitor,
1:13:57>> I got you through the chair to the
1:13:59counselor. Um there was a emergency
1:14:02hearing on Monday and um the developer
1:14:05opt lines motion was denied. So they are
1:14:07off the job now. Um that part of is
1:14:10over. Uh there could be pending
1:14:12litigation, more litigation, but for now
1:14:14um the motion was denied by the judge
1:14:16and they're off the job.
1:14:20>> So motion file.
1:14:21>> Okay. Councelor King.
1:14:25>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um to the chair
1:14:28to the administration um who are the
1:14:30stakeholders on the development side in
1:14:32this matter
1:14:35>> Mr. manager
1:14:37>> to the chair to the council. There's a
1:14:39number of uh stakeholders. You got the
1:14:40developer, you got the general
1:14:42contractor, and then the subcontractor
1:14:44uh and the developer. You have a a
1:14:48partnership u between the Michael's
1:14:50group and go venture. Um I mean uh yeah,
1:14:53Go Venture. And then you have DF Prey
1:14:56who is a general contractor and then
1:14:58Optaline who's the actual subcontractor.
1:15:01>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I I have a
1:15:04number of concerns with this particular
1:15:06matter that I'll address with the city
1:15:08manager when we meet tomorrow. Um it's
1:15:10not appropriate at this time given the
1:15:12pending litigation. What I will say, Mr.
1:15:15chairman um is it's much appreciated
1:15:18this process um councelor Rosen bringing
1:15:22this to the council floor um the uh
1:15:26union the carpenters union um that um
1:15:29you know is making sure that that this
1:15:32is what it is. Mr. Chairman um I also
1:15:36want to speak a little bit about Go
1:15:37Venture um and the Michael's group. Um,
1:15:42I think it's clear that we as a a
1:15:44council and as a city take um our
1:15:47ordinance very seriously. Um, and it's
1:15:51refreshing to see uh developer and
1:15:54subcontract take it as seriously. Um, I
1:15:58don't have a problem with uh voting down
1:16:00tiffs or ties um if there's a violation,
1:16:03people are being stolen from um or
1:16:06anything like that. Um but what I will
1:16:08say in this particular matter um
1:16:13the developer has been uh responsive and
1:16:17proactive and it's my understanding that
1:16:20um you know those folks are off the job.
1:16:22they've been demobilized. Um, and I
1:16:25appreciate that and I hope this sends a
1:16:28message um to folks that are union
1:16:31unionized
1:16:32um and those folks that are non-unized
1:16:35as well is that there's people that will
1:16:38stick up for you um in the workplace
1:16:41will ensure your conditions at the work
1:16:44site and your compensation.
1:16:47um and that uh all of those things are
1:16:50uh generally um respected and supported
1:16:54by this body, Mr. Chairman. Um so that's
1:16:57definitely uh appreciated. I understand
1:16:59there may be some additional um
1:17:04um uh litigation potentially. Um but
1:17:08what I also know is that uh what was
1:17:11represented here on this body and was
1:17:13what was represented um from the
1:17:15developer side to the city um did follow
1:17:19suit um the process that was followed um
1:17:23uh to cure um maintain timelines um and
1:17:28I think that's also sending the right
1:17:30message. So, um, just an appreciation to
1:17:33the work, everyone's work on all sides
1:17:36of this to get it right. Thank you, Mr.
1:17:39Chairman.
1:17:41>> Thank you. It's a motion to file.
1:17:43All those in favor?
1:17:45>> Post ordered. Okay, let's go back to
1:17:52petition. [clears throat]
1:17:54I hope nobody's here for a petition.
1:17:57Okay. Nope. Nine. Condition 9A to 9K
1:18:01refer to traffic and parking. All those
1:18:03in favor of postal audit.
1:18:08Uh 9 to 9 hearing for October 13, 2026
1:18:12at 6:30 p.m. All those in favor of
1:18:14postal audit
1:18:16refer 9P referred to the department to
1:18:20appear and answer and respond. All those
1:18:23in favor post so ordered. 10 A to 10 D
1:18:27motions to adopt all those in favor of
1:18:30postal ordered
1:18:3211 A.
1:18:33>> Mr. Chairman on 11 A
1:18:36>> council Rosen.
1:18:39>> Let me read 11 A that the city council
1:18:42does hereby encourage the efforts of
1:18:43members of the public to get the
1:18:44signatures of 15% of the city's
1:18:47registered voters to request that the
1:18:49city of Wester review and revise its
1:18:50present charter or to adopt a new
1:18:52charter.
1:18:54>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh the MLO
1:18:56committee of the Worcester City Council
1:18:58met three times to discuss charter
1:19:01review. Some I call it charter review,
1:19:03some call charter change. Uh this
1:19:06charter that we presently use, modified
1:19:09plan E type of charter. We've had for 40
1:19:11years and I think a lot of people in the
1:19:14city of Worcester have some ideas for
1:19:16changes and that's fine. And a lot of
1:19:18people would just say maybe it should be
1:19:19reviewed by a commission, charter
1:19:22commission to take a look after 40 years
1:19:24and update it. We're going to wait
1:19:25another 40 years. So, should we maybe
1:19:27take a look at 80 years? I think that's
1:19:28a little too much. I think it's it it's
1:19:30time now to take a look. And my process
1:19:34would be eventually we have on the
1:19:36ballot the people vote, would they like
1:19:39a charter commission to open the charter
1:19:42and take a look at it, review it, maybe
1:19:44even add make some changes. And on that
1:19:48same ballot, maybe next year, on that
1:19:51same ballot would be a list of people
1:19:52running for a charter commission. That's
1:19:54fine. So you if the public voted for
1:19:58charter review then they would have a
1:20:00chance right on the same ballot to make
1:20:02to vote in the n maybe a nine member uh
1:20:05charter commission. So that's the way it
1:20:07would work and I think the only way to
1:20:09do that is for people in the city of
1:20:12Worcester who are interested in chatter
1:20:14review to go out and get 15% of the
1:20:17signatures which and I round it off
1:20:1816,000 signatures but you always need a
1:20:22little extra so maybe 17,000 signatures
1:20:25and no one on this the three member
1:20:27committee chair uh Dr. Demetra and uh
1:20:31Councelor Bergman and myself, three of
1:20:33us, no one suggested that the city
1:20:35council was going to go out and get
1:20:37signatures. We never suggested that. I
1:20:40think I suggested that. I'll take my
1:20:42couple of sheets and I'll get some, but
1:20:44I'm not going to lead the way on 17,000
1:20:46signatures. It's a pretty big task. I
1:20:49don't know if it could easily be done.
1:20:50You need maybe a hundred people at least
1:20:52to to get a couple of hundred signatures
1:20:54each to see if you can get this done. So
1:20:57what came out of the committee after a
1:20:59lot of discussion and at least the
1:21:01second meeting we had there were a lot
1:21:02of people 50 or more people from the uh
1:21:05the community who spoke on this and most
1:21:07of them I think did seem to want to take
1:21:10a review of the charter with the charter
1:21:12commission. So, here's what came out of
1:21:14it. That the city council tonight, I
1:21:17guess tonight, does hereby encourage the
1:21:19efforts of members of the public to get
1:21:21the signatures needed, the 15% of the
1:21:24city's registered voters to request that
1:21:26the city was to review and to revise its
1:21:28present charter or to adopt a new
1:21:30charter. Could be either revise the
1:21:32charter. It might be no changes. A
1:21:33charter commission might say, "This is
1:21:35the best thing since sliced bread. Let's
1:21:37wait another 40 years before we look at
1:21:39it again." So, we don't know what will
1:21:41happen. But all we did was say if the
1:21:44public wants to review andor change the
1:21:47charter, then they have to go out and
1:21:50get signatures with our blessing. Just
1:21:52with our blessing. In other words, the
1:21:54city council won't be getting up every
1:21:56week saying, "Oh, we don't want charter
1:21:58review. We don't want any charter
1:22:00change. We don't want a charter
1:22:03commission." And there's um there there
1:22:07are many ways that
1:22:09this can be reviewed and there are safe
1:22:12ways and eventually whatever the charter
1:22:15commission comes up with it goes in
1:22:17front of the public for a final vote.
1:22:19There are some major things. Some people
1:22:21want a new type of government, strong
1:22:24mayor. Others like a professional city
1:22:26manager leading the government on a
1:22:28day-to-day basis. So there could be
1:22:30major changes. There might be small
1:22:31changes. There might be no changes. But
1:22:33the people have the final say, not the
1:22:3611 of us. We don't decide. Here's the
1:22:38charter. Yep. 6 to 5, 8 to three. We
1:22:41want the this new charter. No, it's not
1:22:43us. It's the public that will decide at
1:22:46the ballot box. So, Mr. Chairman, that's
1:22:49all we're doing. We're saying to the
1:22:50public, sure, you have our blessing.
1:22:53Some people say that's not worth much.
1:22:54But I remember one of our few speakers
1:22:56tonight did say, "We hope you'll support
1:22:5911A because we'd like to have the
1:23:01blessing of the city council when we go
1:23:03out and get those signatures." It's a
1:23:05big, big task. I'm not so sure the
1:23:07public can do it. It's a big task, but I
1:23:09hope they can. I'm not sure they will,
1:23:11but they should at least try and we
1:23:13should support their efforts, whatever
1:23:15that means. But we don't have to go out
1:23:17and get those 17 s,000 signatures. The
1:23:20public will and they should. Thank you,
1:23:22Mr. Chairman.
1:23:25Thank you. So, do a roll call.
1:23:27>> Council King.
1:23:29>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um
1:23:32through the chair, to whomever, um just
1:23:34for the public, I know we've been
1:23:35through this been through it, I'm sure,
1:23:37at the subcommittee meeting um that I
1:23:40was I was not a part of uh or the
1:23:42multiple meetings um in that particular
1:23:45committee. uh through the chair to
1:23:47either the clerk or the solicitor or the
1:23:49city manager. If you could just speak
1:23:51for the public that has not been privy
1:23:53to those meetings um as to what the
1:23:56process is uh for a non-binding
1:23:59referendum in this regard, what a
1:24:01non-binding referendum is. Um and also
1:24:05um in addition to that, if someone could
1:24:07speak to for public edification,
1:24:10um
1:24:13what the council can do? Um are we uh if
1:24:17you could speak to um taking a majority
1:24:19vote um on the charter um or charter
1:24:23commission or or whatever the case might
1:24:25be, if you could just explain those
1:24:26options to the public um before we move
1:24:29on this item.
1:24:30>> Mostly
1:24:40>> [snorts]
1:24:44>> through the chair to the counselor. Um
1:24:46so any changes to the charter that would
1:24:49be changing the form of government uh
1:24:51term of any of the elected officials or
1:24:53the manager um any major uh government
1:24:56changes would need to be done by a
1:24:58charter commission. The charter
1:25:00commission has to be uh elected and
1:25:02established by the people. It can't be
1:25:04established by the city council. Um the
1:25:07city council has the authority to make
1:25:09uh other special legislation to the
1:25:11charter. Those cannot uh deal with terms
1:25:15um number of elected officials,
1:25:17elections, all that. Uh non-binding
1:25:20referendum, you it's it's not binding.
1:25:23Um, but the council can vote to put any
1:25:25non-binding question on the ballot.
1:25:28And what else?
1:25:31>> Okay.
1:25:32>> Um, I think so. Um, through the chair,
1:25:36um, if you could just explain for the
1:25:37public what a non-binding referendum is
1:25:39for the average person that's watching.
1:25:41Um, please.
1:25:44>> Through the chair to the counselor.
1:25:45Sure. That would be a question on an
1:25:48election such as um uh it would you vote
1:25:52for a charter commission or would you
1:25:54favor a change in form of government?
1:25:56Would you favor a strong mayor? Um those
1:25:58are types of questions that can be put
1:26:00on the ballot.
1:26:01>> And through the chair, does that require
1:26:02six votes or eight votes
1:26:04>> to put the question on
1:26:07>> or to the clerk or the solicitor? Any
1:26:09anyone?
1:26:09>> I would defer to the clerk, but I
1:26:11believe it's
1:26:11>> how many votes for the um to put a
1:26:14non-binding referendum
1:26:16to the uh to the council. It's six votes
1:26:18and it would go on a November local
1:26:20election ballot.
1:26:21>> Okay. And how much time prior to that
1:26:23does that have to occur to get on the
1:26:25November ballot?
1:26:26>> Um through the chair to the council. So
1:26:28basically I think it's a little over 40
1:26:30days, but we encourage council to give
1:26:32us more notice because of overseas
1:26:34ballots with the change of election
1:26:35laws. We have to give out uh ballots
1:26:38electronically 45 days to military and
1:26:39overseas. Even in local election
1:26:41standards,
1:26:42>> 45 days is preferable.
1:26:43>> Yes. at least 45 days minimum
1:26:45>> 45 to 60
1:26:47>> ideally 60 but if we have 45 that uh
1:26:50again with our multiple district school
1:26:53committees and everything in between
1:26:54we'd like more notice so uh last time we
1:26:57had a non-binding I think council gave
1:26:58us an opportunity about I think they
1:27:01voted in April
1:27:02>> the pilot
1:27:03>> um it was yes it was the school uh that
1:27:05you know I think it was the college and
1:27:06universities uh pilot so we had notice
1:27:09from council in April on that
1:27:12>> thank you Um, you know, this isn't the
1:27:16first goround on this issue. When I
1:27:18chaired municipal operations, we
1:27:20discussed it. I think it's been
1:27:22discussed under councelor Bergman when
1:27:24he was chairing now under councelor
1:27:25Mitra. Um, and I've worked and and
1:27:29engaged and interfaced as has the mayor
1:27:32uh with folks in the community who
1:27:33engaged upon a signature collection. Um,
1:27:36I say that all that to say this. Um,
1:27:39I'll support this item. Sure. 11A. of
1:27:42OS. Um but um it's not very likely that
1:27:47that's going to occur. Um I think it
1:27:49requires a little bit of um uh impetus
1:27:54as provided by this body. Um I would
1:27:57support um a non-binding referendum at
1:28:00the very least. Um I'm not counting six
1:28:03votes in my heads here, Mr. chairman,
1:28:05but I will say for the record um that I
1:28:08would support a non-binding refer
1:28:11referendum. I support strong mayor form
1:28:15of government, Mr. Chairman. Um and in
1:28:17addition to that, um you know, uh a
1:28:21charter commission. Um so I'll support
1:28:25this um you know and um my last question
1:28:29to the chair to the administration or to
1:28:32whomever or to the solicitor um you'd
1:28:34mentioned um charter change you'd
1:28:36mentioned um strong mayor um does a
1:28:40non-binding referendum have to be ultra
1:28:43specific? So there's different forms of
1:28:45strong mayor for example um different
1:28:48forms of uh um
1:28:52city manager government um
1:28:55so
1:28:57does it have to be that specific to the
1:28:59chair
1:29:00>> um
1:29:01>> uh through the chair to the councelor I
1:29:02mean it it doesn't have to be specific
1:29:05you can make it as general or as
1:29:06specific as you want um you know again
1:29:09for the public there's there's various
1:29:11forms of plan form of government with a
1:29:14city manager, um strong mayor, uh etc.
1:29:18Um there's options, but um you know, I I
1:29:21hope we get to the place where we have
1:29:22five other folks um that would support
1:29:25at the very least a non-binding
1:29:27referendum um you know, as additional
1:29:30impetus um as well, Mr. Chairman. So, uh
1:29:34I'd support that and uh I'll support
1:29:36this, but I will state for the record,
1:29:37it's not very likely um that this will
1:29:40occur. Thank you.
1:29:44Okay. So, do a roll. Roll call.
1:29:50>> Councilor Bergman.
1:29:51>> Yes.
1:29:51>> Council Bada.
1:29:54>> Councilor Cono.
1:29:55>> Yes.
1:29:55>> Councilor Zolo.
1:29:56>> Yes.
1:29:56>> Councilor King.
1:29:57>> Yes.
1:29:58>> Council Mitra.
1:29:59>> Yes.
1:29:59>> Councilor Ha.
1:30:00>> Yes.
1:30:00>> Rivera.
1:30:01>> Yes.
1:30:01>> Council Rosen.
1:30:02>> Yes.
1:30:02>> Council Tumi.
1:30:03>> Yes.
1:30:04>> And Mayor Penny.
1:30:05>> Yes. Uh we council has asked us to go
1:30:08back to 10A.
1:30:10Motion to suspend the rules to go back
1:30:12to 10A. Roll call.
1:30:21>> Yes.
1:30:21>> Councelor Bergman.
1:30:22>> Yes.
1:30:23>> Bada.
1:30:24>> Council Economo.
1:30:25>> Yes.
1:30:26>> Council Rolo.
1:30:26>> Yes.
1:30:27>> Councor King.
1:30:27>> Yes.
1:30:28>> Mitra.
1:30:29>> Yes.
1:30:29>> Council.
1:30:31>> Yes.
1:30:32>> Rivera.
1:30:32>> Yes.
1:30:33>> Rosa.
1:30:33>> Yes.
1:30:34>> Tumi.
1:30:35>> Yes.
1:30:35>> And mayor Petty.
1:30:36>> Yes. Councelor.
1:30:39Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. Uh this is
1:30:42something that came up in our committee
1:30:44and uh I the question is through the
1:30:46chair to the city manager. Is this
1:30:48something that we've um just wanted to
1:30:49know is this something that we've we've
1:30:51tried to have we explored this this type
1:30:53of option when it comes to sponsorships
1:30:55and um in speaking on this is I'm not
1:30:59sure how much we can get into detail
1:31:00about the you know contract negotiations
1:31:02that are currently going on but is there
1:31:04something that we've tried to address in
1:31:06the past as far as sponsorship goes?
1:31:08>> Mr.
1:31:10through the chairs of the council.
1:31:11There's been conversations communicated
1:31:13to the leadership at WCCATV that they
1:31:16should seek other alternatives other
1:31:18than just the funding that they received
1:31:21through the the contract. Um there are
1:31:24needs that they have. they are
1:31:26additional costs that might have
1:31:27incurred but there have been
1:31:29conversations
1:31:30um uh uh requesting or asking them to
1:31:34seek other potential funding uh to
1:31:36augment whether it's grants,
1:31:38sponsorships, etc. Um that is the
1:31:40responsibility of that channel to be
1:31:43able to go out and be able to market and
1:31:45be able to get those sponsorships or
1:31:47grants etc. Uh so those are the
1:31:49conversations that we've had with the uh
1:31:51uh with the individuals there.
1:31:52>> Okay. Thank you. And to the chair. So,
1:31:54so, so it's on them. So, on on as a city
1:31:57side, is there any type of conversations
1:32:00that we have outside of that to bring
1:32:02those conversations to the table to
1:32:03support them or is it more it's on them
1:32:06and this is why they do what they do?
1:32:08>> Yeah. Uh, through the chair to the
1:32:09council, uh, we have to be very careful
1:32:11as a government body to solicit funds
1:32:13uh, especially in sponsorships or events
1:32:15like that. Often time that happens
1:32:17through a a kind of nonprofit body or
1:32:20fiscal agent that does a lot of that
1:32:22work. Um and so we can't be able because
1:32:25then we we have to be very um uh
1:32:29sensitive to kind of the ask to
1:32:32particular businesses to fund on my
1:32:35request for another entity uh that's not
1:32:38associated with the city. Uh we fund it
1:32:40but it's not associated with the city.
1:32:42>> Okay, that's good to know. Yeah, I think
1:32:44um I think it's important that that that
1:32:46was stated. Um, and lastly, um, since it
1:32:51was, I guess, you know, this is
1:32:52something that I think you you've asked
1:32:54them before in the past, um,
1:32:58not knowing much of the history behind
1:33:00it, and I apologize, but, um,
1:33:03have they been successful in it? I mean,
1:33:05do do we know if there's been issues
1:33:08where they just haven't been successful,
1:33:10and do we understand why? Again, I know
1:33:12we can't help out as much or we can't
1:33:14get involved, but what what seems to be
1:33:16the the hold up if there has been
1:33:19to the council? Um, I don't have
1:33:23information on that. Uh, I do know that
1:33:24when you look at the numbers and their
1:33:26budgets, uh, it doesn't indicate that
1:33:28they have uh been successful in getting
1:33:31uh, additional funding grants. Uh, but
1:33:33that's something that I I I don't not
1:33:35really purview to other than just
1:33:37looking at the financials.
1:33:38>> Okay. All right. Thank you.
1:33:40>> Okay. So, motion is approved. 10A. All
1:33:42those in favor opposit
1:33:44audits request manager requests the
1:33:46commission of transportation mobility
1:33:47review the entrance to flag street from
1:33:49pleasant street for the purpose
1:33:50providing council with the report
1:33:51concerning the feasibility advisability
1:33:53of narrowing the road at the
1:33:54intersection in an effort to slow down
1:33:56speeding vehicles and make drivers in
1:33:57the area more cautious. Council Rivera
1:34:00>> uh basically uh I want to take a look at
1:34:03that to to see if we [clears throat] can
1:34:05get the same um great work they did on
1:34:07Pleasant Street and Hadwin. Um thank
1:34:10you.
1:34:13>> Okay. All those in favor post so
1:34:14ordered. Request standing committee on
1:34:16municipal legislative operations view
1:34:18the rules of city council of the public
1:34:20participation to discuss the feasibility
1:34:21amending the rules of city council have
1:34:24all council meetings begin at 5:30 with
1:34:25public participation occurring at set
1:34:27time of 5:30 to 6:30 each meeting.
1:34:29Council Rivera.
1:34:32[clears throat]
1:34:32>> So I strongly support having a public
1:34:34participation portion of our city
1:34:36council meeting. It is important that
1:34:38residents have an opportunity to be
1:34:40heard, share their concerns, and bring
1:34:42issues before the council. At the same
1:34:45time, I believe we need to balance
1:34:46public participation with our
1:34:48responsibility to actually govern and
1:34:51get the work of the city done. Bringing
1:34:54this order forward of limiting public
1:34:56comment to one hour from 5:30 to 6:30
1:34:58p.m. which by the way is only 30 minutes
1:35:00right now on a rule 39 would continue to
1:35:04provide meaningful and predictable
1:35:06opportunity for residents to speak while
1:35:09allowing the council to move on to the
1:35:11business of the city. Our residents
1:35:14expect us not only to listen but also to
1:35:17make thoughtful decisions, address
1:35:19important issues and ensure that the
1:35:21city is being governed properly.
1:35:23Setting a reasonable time limit for
1:35:26public comment would help us respect
1:35:28everyone's time while keeping the focus
1:35:30on doing the work our community elected
1:35:33us to do. I mean, if I read right now on
1:35:36rule 39, it said the time for speaking
1:35:40should not exceed two minutes for any
1:35:42speaker for any speaker and 30 minutes
1:35:4630 minutes for all speakers. I know that
1:35:49we always suspend the rules and and
1:35:51everybody speaks and and they feel like
1:35:54there's a hundred people here and
1:35:56they're all going to get to speak, but a
1:35:58lot of times we get work done um we
1:36:02don't get work done that the same
1:36:04residents want us to get done. You know,
1:36:06we got we got to stop at midnight. You
1:36:09know, I figure if we have a a cut off, a
1:36:126:30, we get to city business and we can
1:36:15finish everything that our residents
1:36:18elected us to do. I mean, I don't think,
1:36:22you know, giving them an extra hour, but
1:36:23there's an hour cut off. There's there's
1:36:25a rule. There's rules for reasons. Still
1:36:27gives everybody time to be heard. Um,
1:36:30and I just think they because we always
1:36:32suspend the rules, it's almost like it's
1:36:35expected, you know, but we we also have
1:36:37to get work done. If there's 30 people
1:36:41here speaking on the same item, you
1:36:44know, maybe they'll say, "Okay, we'll
1:36:47pick two or three to speak on the item."
1:36:50So other people who here give them an
1:36:53opportunity to speak. Um, so that's the
1:36:56reason for my order.
1:37:00Okay. Motion. The motion is Senator Mo.
1:37:04Council King.
1:37:07>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, as you
1:37:10know, I've been a proponent of civic
1:37:13engagement here in the city. Mr.
1:37:14Chairman, I I have a number of questions
1:37:16as it relates to this. Uh, historically,
1:37:19we moved from a 7:00 start to a 6:30.
1:37:23Uh, we're now talking about moving to a
1:37:265:30 start. Um, I do have concerns for
1:37:29in-person participation by families um
1:37:32who are getting home, have to get their
1:37:34kids together, etc. Uh, figuring that
1:37:36out. Um, and you know, I I have a number
1:37:39of other questions um, and I'm going to
1:37:41hold this item. I'm going to speak to
1:37:43the council that filed it um to gather
1:37:46some more information um, before I vote
1:37:48on this affirmatively or negatively. Um
1:37:51but I will say um just for the record um
1:37:55that uh civic engagement and
1:37:58participation is essential to municipal
1:38:00government. Um it's a bedrock of um our
1:38:05democratic process. Um and while I
1:38:08understand this is moving um kind of
1:38:11shifting um you know there are other
1:38:14considerations at play, Mr. Chairman. Um
1:38:17so I'm going to hold this item for until
1:38:19next week. Um, and I will uh schedule a
1:38:22meeting if the counselor that filed this
1:38:24is available. Thank you.
1:38:27>> Okay. So, we'll hold the approach by
1:38:29doing so. Uh, councelor Bergman.
1:38:32>> Yeah. I mean, I'll wait to make more
1:38:33extensive comments next week since the
1:38:35item is held. But I will say, Mr.
1:38:37[clears throat] Chairman, one of the
1:38:38frustrations that happens to at least
1:38:41me, I'm assuming it's some of my other
1:38:43colleagues, and it's not necessarily
1:38:45directed um or resolved, I should say,
1:38:48by Council Rivera's item, but I
1:38:50certainly understand
1:38:52[clears throat]
1:38:53some of his impetus for it is that when
1:38:55we have meetings in which an item is
1:38:58going to be held and we just
1:39:02to me that item is off the agenda if
1:39:05it's announced it's being held.
1:39:07before the public comment happens. But
1:39:10time and time again, the public comment
1:39:13occurs only for the item to be brought
1:39:16up again the next week and have the
1:39:18public comment heard all over again. I
1:39:20mean, on one particular item recently,
1:39:22there was an hour and a half's worth of
1:39:24public comment and then two hours the
1:39:25week later. Obviously, public comment is
1:39:27part of our charter and it's part of our
1:39:30rules. But this whole issue with holding
1:39:34items
1:39:35uh after the public speaks while the
1:39:37public knows ahead of time it's being
1:39:39held at least for me is not the the most
1:39:42efficient use of anybody's time because
1:39:44the folks that are speaking are going to
1:39:46be coming back the following week to
1:39:47speak again anyway. So, at some point,
1:39:49I'm probably going to file an item um
1:39:53I'm probably going to file an item to
1:39:55try to address that in MLO because I
1:39:58know it's to the discretion of the
1:40:00chair, but there's at least one occasion
1:40:02on one item this year in which the item
1:40:06was acknowledged by a speaker that it
1:40:08was going to be held and it was held yet
1:40:11the the conversation continued with
1:40:13public comment for over an hour and a
1:40:14half. Let me just say why I also think
1:40:16it's problematic. Because there are
1:40:17other people here that are here for
1:40:19other reasons and they have to wait for
1:40:21that one item to get discussed that's
1:40:24only going to get discussed again the
1:40:26next week and they have to wait here for
1:40:28that hour and hour and a half. It's not
1:40:30fair to them. They're here on public
1:40:31business too. So I think we need to do
1:40:34we're not efficient. Let me just put it
1:40:35that way. We we can be efficient and
1:40:38still not deprive the public of their
1:40:40right under our charter and under our
1:40:42rules to speak. But when we're not
1:40:44efficient, I think it compels some of us
1:40:46to try to see if there's ways to become
1:40:48more efficient that make other people
1:40:51say that we're trying to abridge the
1:40:53public's right to speak. And I I don't
1:40:55think that's true at all. Let me just
1:40:57say one other thing. There are
1:40:58communities, there's nothing in our
1:41:00charter that says a half an hour, an
1:41:02hour, 10 minutes, 5 minutes. We
1:41:04developed that rule as a rule. The
1:41:06charter, I know this cold, the charter
1:41:08does not say how much time somebody h
1:41:11gets to speak. It could be five minutes
1:41:12if we wanted to vote that way. I'm not
1:41:14saying we should, but it could. It also
1:41:16could be at the end of the meeting,
1:41:18which I think would be ridiculous, but
1:41:19it could. The charter doesn't say that.
1:41:22So, when people speak and act as if
1:41:24there's an obligation under our charter
1:41:26for an hour, 2 hours, 3 hours of public
1:41:29comment. That's just not true. It might
1:41:31be the right thing to do, but it's not
1:41:33legally correct. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
1:41:35>> Thank you,
1:41:37Council King. Second time that
1:41:40>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to
1:41:41reiterate that um my position is that
1:41:44public participation does not prevent
1:41:47the work, it informs the work. Mr.
1:41:50Chairman, um in addition to that,
1:41:52there's a number of folks that have
1:41:54taken um
1:41:57pieces of public participant away over
1:42:01the last couple of of terms. Um and it
1:42:04appears as though we might be moving in
1:42:06that direction again based on some of
1:42:08those some of the comments. Um, Mr.
1:42:11Chairman, uh, as it relates to
1:42:16the work, I'm not averse to doing the
1:42:18work. I have no problems rolling up my
1:42:21sleeves and going to work if I need to
1:42:23stay here till midnight with one or zero
1:42:26bath break bathroom breaks. It is what
1:42:28it is. Um, that's what um, you know, has
1:42:33been my experience for the last decade
1:42:35plus. I'm sure the folks that have been
1:42:36here for 30 years um or 20 u may have
1:42:40similar um experiences. Councelor
1:42:42Bergman's correct. He's brought this up
1:42:44multiple times that we don't need to
1:42:45give people public participation, but it
1:42:47is the right thing to do, Mr. Chairman.
1:42:50Um and I don't think it's happen stance
1:42:52that the folks that quibble with public
1:42:55participation time um uh are you know
1:43:00those folks um do that repetitively. Um
1:43:04Mr. chairman. Um, as it relates to
1:43:07holding items, um, I disagree with my
1:43:10colleague. Um, I agree with many some a
1:43:13lot of what he said. What I disagree
1:43:15with is that it absolutely can be
1:43:17advantageous. We saw that with the
1:43:19stretch code debacle um the holds that
1:43:22recently occurred um for uh voting no on
1:43:26a tiff or tie um that have been resolved
1:43:29over time um that I initiated holdings
1:43:32on. Um there's a number of reasons why
1:43:34that's important, Mr. Chairman. Um and
1:43:37there's been attempts in the past. Um I
1:43:39know we have a lot of folks that are
1:43:41newer on the council um that might not
1:43:45understand all the facets at play here,
1:43:48uh Mr. Chairman, but it it certainly um
1:43:51is an opportunity um to get and be
1:43:55continually informed, uh Mr. Chairman.
1:43:57So um I don't agree with all of those
1:43:59sentiments. Thank you.
1:44:02Okay, Council Rivera, Council Hayda.
1:44:06>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, yeah, I
1:44:10it's just tough for me to to to
1:44:12understand um that I guess the ask is
1:44:16through um to start at 5:30 for public
1:44:21participation and end at 6:30. Um,
1:44:25again, as we know, while people are
1:44:28presenting um for their 2 minutes, there
1:44:31are people still getting here. And most
1:44:33people probably get out of work at 5:00,
1:44:345:30. The traffic is really tough to get
1:44:37through to through the city around that
1:44:38time. Anyways, some of them don't even
1:44:40get here till about 6. And by the time
1:44:42they're in line and get ready to speak,
1:44:446:30, it would end. Um, so I I honestly
1:44:48I I don't agree with this. I think it's
1:44:49it's tough. I do think that we need to
1:44:51find better ways to um give our our
1:44:54residents opportunities to to speak um
1:44:58publicly um and give them more time some
1:45:00way somehow. Um but shortening the the
1:45:03time is I I think it's going to be real
1:45:04difficult for our residents. Um you
1:45:07know, Council Ben said be be efficient.
1:45:09I think we could do a better job on
1:45:10being efficient after public
1:45:12participation. I mean, we need to own
1:45:14it. We're here longer after part uh
1:45:16public participation. Um there's times
1:45:19where public participation may go for
1:45:20two hours, sometimes two and a half,
1:45:22we're here till 9:00 and then we begin
1:45:24doing the work, then we're here for
1:45:25another three hours. So we need to take
1:45:27ownership on that. I think um
1:45:32it is it's going to make it difficult
1:45:33for public participation. I mean, this
1:45:35is why we we we had this here. Um so
1:45:38it's important, you know, there's people
1:45:39that come here and they get cut off,
1:45:41unfortunately, because their time is up.
1:45:43I mean, we're going to see less and less
1:45:45people here. Um, and then what happens
1:45:48to the people that want to get online?
1:45:49So, if we go 5:30 to 6:30 and then it
1:45:51ends at 6, someone's finished talking at
1:45:536:30, what do we do with the people that
1:45:55are online and 6:30 is here? So, I just
1:45:58have a lot of questions and and concern
1:45:59with this because it's just going to
1:46:01take away from from the actual
1:46:02participation.
1:46:04>> Thank you.
1:46:05>> Okay. So
1:46:08this is held on to privilege and I'm
1:46:10sure it'll be a good discussion for next
1:46:11week and uh I know the school committees
1:46:15meets around 5 5:30 and works out okay
1:46:18and u I don't know holding it to
1:46:20midnight working to midnight it's in the
1:46:22best interest of the public either.
1:46:24[sighs and gasps]
1:46:24So we are under the 12 C. Request C
1:46:27manager request commission public works
1:46:28provide emergency repairs to rebuild the
1:46:31required portion of the sidewalk and
1:46:32curb on King Phillips Road. A public way
1:46:35as intersects with Mariam
1:46:39have a private way to ensure step is not
1:46:4210 to 12 inches in height in the
1:46:43interest of public safety. Council con.
1:46:46>> Thank you Mr. Chairman. Um this is King
1:46:50Phillip Road at Marian Road. U Marina
1:46:53Nav um Marmy Nav is a private way. King
1:46:57Phillip is a public way. King Phillip
1:46:59Road um after speaking with Commissioner
1:47:01Westerling last week is slated to be
1:47:04resurfaced of which at which time the
1:47:06sidewalks would be done as well if
1:47:09needed. Um the problem here is it's on a
1:47:12utility hold for Eversource.
1:47:15Um, and it it could be a year, could be
1:47:19two years that this that ever source
1:47:22gets there to do their work.
1:47:25This this step off this curb is anywhere
1:47:29from 10 to 12 in in height. Um, and in
1:47:33addition to that, there was also some
1:47:36construction done down the street where
1:47:39the contractor has disturbed, you can
1:47:42see in the in the photo, there's
1:47:44probably about a twoft section off of
1:47:46King Phillip Road where that apron comes
1:47:49into the private street that has been
1:47:51torn up due to that construction. So, I
1:47:55just asked the city manager if there's a
1:47:57way that we could find a way to resolve
1:47:59this in the meantime. Um, and maybe hold
1:48:03that contractor accountable on Marian A
1:48:05to um
1:48:08dig out that surface that was disturbed
1:48:11and and lay a ribbon, a two-foot ribbon
1:48:13probably um down the opening of Marian A
1:48:17at King Phillip Road. But that sidewalk
1:48:20is that's a significant step. Um and
1:48:23really honestly it's been there forever.
1:48:26Um but people are using the sidewalk
1:48:28more to walk up to Burkode and it's
1:48:31becoming uh more evident that it needs
1:48:33to be changed.
1:48:34>> Thank you.
1:48:35>> You'll send that to the uh the manager.
1:48:37All those in favor of post so audited
1:48:3912D request a man provide council with a
1:48:41report concerning which the polytech
1:48:43institutees notification will that will
1:48:45require students entering school for the
1:48:47first time in the fall of 2026 and later
1:48:49to live on campus during their first and
1:48:52second years. Set report should include
1:48:53how this decision will affect the
1:48:55Hampton and the Mar hotels the
1:48:56university purchased in 2024. The impact
1:48:59the decision may have on the property
1:49:01owners who have invested in student
1:49:02housing around the school and the
1:49:04decision would impact businesses in the
1:49:06area. Council Okcon.
1:49:08>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This this is um
1:49:13I don't know when I when I received a
1:49:16couple calls on this, it became more
1:49:17disturbing to me um to hear
1:49:21that WPI is going to be requiring their
1:49:24sophomore students to stay in campus
1:49:27housing
1:49:31there. the university, not just WPI, but
1:49:35others in the city, they do have a
1:49:38responsibility not just to themselves,
1:49:40but also to the community at large,
1:49:44whether it's an investor, property
1:49:46owner,
1:49:48um, who have bought these three family
1:49:50homes in the vicinity of the the
1:49:53college, the university, and are using
1:49:56it as rentals for the students or the
1:50:00professors.
1:50:03this this application of their
1:50:07requirement for sophomore students to be
1:50:09in student housing is going to cause a
1:50:12hardship. And now we're going to see
1:50:15neighborhoods that could become that are
1:50:17stable that could become unstable.
1:50:20On top of that, how does this play into
1:50:23our businesses who are dependent upon
1:50:27the kids
1:50:29having lunch, dinner, picking up pizzas,
1:50:33subs, whatever it may be um in the area.
1:50:36I I see this as another slap in the face
1:50:39from a university that has not been
1:50:43committed to the city of Worcester. Um
1:50:47and I find it problematic. Um, I'd like
1:50:51to have a discussion on this. I'd like
1:50:52the school to have a discussion on this.
1:50:54I asked the city manager to look further
1:50:56into this because this also, again, it
1:50:59plays into the two hotels that they've
1:51:01purchased that'll at some point come off
1:51:03the tax role. Um, and
1:51:07those hotels not only hurt us in a tax
1:51:10purpose, but more importantly, they hurt
1:51:13us when it comes to marketing our city
1:51:15for events at the DCU Center. Um it's a
1:51:19problem and this school needs to be
1:51:22accountable for for being a good a good
1:51:25um participant here in our city. They're
1:51:28not they're not we're not getting notice
1:51:30on this. We're not we don't have the
1:51:32ability to work with the university to
1:51:35to see what their what their thoughts
1:51:38are on this. And that's that's
1:51:40problematic in my opinion because it
1:51:41leaves all of us the rest of us here
1:51:44holding the bag. Thank you, Mr.
1:51:46Chairman.
1:51:47Okay, I'll send that to the manager.
1:51:52Council King.
1:51:55>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, through the
1:51:57charity administration, do we have any
1:51:59jurisdiction over WPI and what they do
1:52:02with their students?
1:52:04>> Mr. Manager, to the chief of the
1:52:06council, no.
1:52:08>> Mr. Chairman, um, as it relates to the
1:52:11hotels, when do they go off? When I
1:52:14mean, how long are they on the tax
1:52:15roles? Do we have an idea? Have you had
1:52:17communication with the uh institution
1:52:20>> through the chair to the council? Upon
1:52:22their acquisition of the two hotels, we
1:52:25we uh settled on an agreement where the
1:52:28first hotel uh they had slated that they
1:52:30would convert into a dormatory uh in
1:52:342026 and then the others would be and
1:52:37then the other one would be in 2030. We
1:52:40ex we extended the agreement that they
1:52:42will continue payments uh at a
1:52:44percentage for the duration of that
1:52:47agreement which they took us to I
1:52:48believe 2034. Um the
1:52:53recent conversations with the university
1:52:54is that they are not pursuing that uh
1:52:58change over into a dormatory. Um they
1:53:02right now they are continuing to operate
1:53:04as a hotel and will continue to operate
1:53:06as a hotel for the foreseeable future.
1:53:09uh they have no current plans right now
1:53:11to start shifting that over. Um and they
1:53:14are currently paying full taxes on both
1:53:16properties.
1:53:17>> Thank you. And what does that mean for
1:53:18the agreement that you referenced that
1:53:20they're not doing this for? Does that
1:53:21mean that that agreement is no longer
1:53:23What does it mean? Uh the agreement is
1:53:25still in place uh once they decide to
1:53:28turn over the properties to dormatory
1:53:30because then they become technically it
1:53:32can become an untaxable use and so then
1:53:35that agreement kicks in and they have to
1:53:37continue a percentage of the tax
1:53:38payments. this uh based on the decision
1:53:42to keep the hotels as is uh be based on
1:53:45the use they will have to continue and
1:53:47they continue to pay the taxes not only
1:53:50the real estate taxes but also the
1:53:51hotels and meals taxes
1:53:53>> and through the chair you mentioned u
1:53:55that one hotel I think you said 2026 and
1:53:57one in 2030 is that correct and if that
1:53:59is correct the 2026 you're not
1:54:02anticipating that um or you not
1:54:04anticipating them transitioning out of
1:54:07the hotel um business before 2030. What
1:54:10what exactly does that mean in
1:54:12specificity?
1:54:13>> Mr. Manager,
1:54:14>> to share it to the council, they have
1:54:16indicated that they have no plans right
1:54:17now, active plans to turn those
1:54:19properties over into dormitories. That
1:54:22was the initial uh desire that they had
1:54:24when they acquired both properties that
1:54:27they will over time transition them. One
1:54:29of them starting in 2026 and the other
1:54:31one, I believe in 2030. They currently
1:54:33right now have no plans uh to convert
1:54:36that uh into uh student housing. Thank
1:54:38you to the chair. Do we have any uh
1:54:40authority over that? Um other than kind
1:54:43of negotiations,
1:54:45>> Mr. Manager,
1:54:47>> to chair, to the council, we have no
1:54:48authority uh to prevent them from doing
1:54:51that. Uh I think the spirit is more so
1:54:53out of uh good partnership to be able to
1:54:55inform one another and work
1:54:57collaboratively on that.
1:54:58>> I appreciate you characterizing the the
1:55:00the um relationship that way. Um through
1:55:04the charity administration, what is the
1:55:06vacancy rate? Is it low, high, medium
1:55:09for uh folks seeking apartments in the
1:55:11city of Worester? The chair,
1:55:13>> Mr. Manager,
1:55:17>> the council, um the vacancy the vacancy
1:55:21rate for the city of Worcester has
1:55:23fluctuated uh for the residential
1:55:25purposes. At one point, it was as low as
1:55:271.7. It is now uh I believe is now in
1:55:30the on the 3 or 4% uh range, but it has
1:55:34it has gone up uh over the past few
1:55:35years. So it's low vacancy 3 4%. Not as
1:55:39low as it was.
1:55:40>> Not as low as it was. It's still low
1:55:41vacancy but it's still uh a number that
1:55:44is going up which is uh uh uh uh it
1:55:46seems like a good indication.
1:55:48>> Good. So low vacancy rate. Um,
1:55:54you know, the the one of the one of my
1:55:55thoughts is cuz I'm not sure if I'm
1:55:57going to vote in support of this is um
1:56:02if we're talking about low vacancy rates
1:56:04and if in fact this were to occur as
1:56:06it's described uh through the charity
1:56:08administration, the um
1:56:12the
1:56:14what do they call them? Property owners
1:56:17who have invested in student housing,
1:56:18would they be allowed to rent their
1:56:21apartments to the general public who are
1:56:23seeking affordable apartments? Chair,
1:56:26>> Mr. Manager,
1:56:27>> uh to the chair, to the council, uh yes,
1:56:30the short answer is yes. Uh there are
1:56:32some of those units that the that
1:56:34landlords have contracts with the
1:56:37institution uh that they uh uh extend
1:56:40for a period of time and some of those
1:56:42housing units they would have to
1:56:44reconvert to single kind of apartments
1:56:47because what they've convert what
1:56:48they've developed them is more so
1:56:50communal spaces. Uh so they would have
1:56:52to do additional investments to re
1:56:55>> to reconvert
1:56:58them back to individual units. uh uh uh
1:57:01typical of other residential units
1:57:03>> and that would give an opportunity for
1:57:05perhaps Whis Worester residents to to um
1:57:08access those those units. Correct.
1:57:11>> To the chase to the cons to the council
1:57:13that is a possibility,
1:57:14>> Mr. Chairman. Um
1:57:16I'm not going to vote in support of
1:57:18this. I stand in opposition simply
1:57:20because there was a reference about
1:57:22unstable neighborhoods. I'm not quite
1:57:24sure where that comes from. I know from
1:57:26the folks that I speak to in the
1:57:28community, they're seeking housing. Um
1:57:31the um the idea that um if in fact um
1:57:37student h students aren't living in that
1:57:39housing, it opens up um for families um
1:57:43to continue their generational presence
1:57:46in the city of Worcester. I agree um
1:57:48that we want to keep the hotels on the
1:57:51tax roles for as long as possible. Um,
1:57:55but I also recognize um that we need to
1:57:58keep our longtime Worester families
1:58:01here. So, um, I'm not going to vote in
1:58:04support of this. Thank you,
1:58:05>> Council River.
1:58:08>> I rise for clarification to the chair,
1:58:10to the city manager. Um, all is being
1:58:13asked here is a report correct on on
1:58:17correct the issue.
1:58:18>> Okay. Thank you.
1:58:20>> Okay. Councelor Roa.
1:58:23Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. Um, yeah,
1:58:26I agree uh what councelor King was
1:58:28saying. Um, I just have a just have some
1:58:31questions through the uh through the
1:58:32chair to the city manager just so we get
1:58:34a better understanding. So, currently
1:58:36there are two hotels on on their campus
1:58:38and they are not using them for
1:58:40dormatory for dorms
1:58:42>> at dormator.
1:58:45Uh the two hotels are not on the campus.
1:58:47They're outside at the park. Um they are
1:58:51currently are not you being utilized as
1:58:53dormatory. Uh they are currently utili
1:58:56being utilized as active hotels in the
1:58:59city.
1:58:59>> Okay. Thank you. And they're paying
1:59:01their their taxes.
1:59:02>> They're paying full taxes on not only
1:59:04residential I mean real estate taxes.
1:59:06They're also playing hotels and meals
1:59:08tax.
1:59:09>> Okay. Um maybe maybe there could be an
1:59:12ask um through the chair to the city
1:59:14manager if um the concern is for the
1:59:19property owners if the can assist those
1:59:22u property owners and how would they
1:59:24change those over to allow for um
1:59:27housing because I guess they're they're
1:59:29set up as suites or whatever it may be.
1:59:31So maybe that's something that WPI can
1:59:33work on. Um but I I in reading this um
1:59:36and understanding you know the issues
1:59:38that we're having in our city when it
1:59:39comes to housing I think this is a great
1:59:41opportunity and it it it creates more
1:59:43housing um for for in in in our city in
1:59:46in in a need that um
1:59:50that again I just I'm trying to get a
1:59:52better understanding and hopefully
1:59:53councelor Economo can help me understand
1:59:55how this is um and I forgot the word he
1:59:58used but how does this hurt a a
2:00:00neighborhood when there's opportunities
2:00:02right now where we're struggling ling to
2:00:04find housing. Um I've had three people
2:00:06reach out to me in the past day, couple
2:00:08days that that need housing and there's
2:00:10there's really nothing available. These
2:00:12are going to be this will put so much
2:00:14more housing on the market. Um and maybe
2:00:16you know this will show some other
2:00:19universities as well that have you know
2:00:20a lot of properties that probably can
2:00:22share in this um in this venture of you
2:00:24know freeing up some housing. So thank
2:00:26you. Thank you, Councelor Aquamo, for
2:00:30clar clarification.
2:00:33>> Clarification, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
2:00:38I know 3 to 4% sounds low. When it was
2:00:421.7%,
2:00:44you'd have people lined up to rent any
2:00:47apartment.
2:00:48Right now, not so much.
2:00:51Now, you add now it's taken longer for
2:00:54for units to to rent.
2:00:57rents are coming down. Now you have a
2:00:59property owner who has purchased a
2:01:02property near a university, has
2:01:03agreements with the university, has made
2:01:07um renovations to their apartments to
2:01:10accommodate students.
2:01:12Those students go away because now
2:01:14they're on campus. Now that unit um is
2:01:18no longer
2:01:20open market suitable, right? Renovations
2:01:23need to be made, added expense.
2:01:26You have these businesses along Highland
2:01:29Street, uh, Grove Street that depend on
2:01:32students, uh, for their survival.
2:01:36Now, they're on a school food plan. So,
2:01:39it all relates. That's the point. And
2:01:41I'm asking the city manager to have a
2:01:43conversation with WPI so we can have
2:01:46these conversations. That's like us
2:01:48sitting here right now and saying, "Hey,
2:01:49you know what? Along Salsbury Street,
2:01:52we're going to put meeted parking Monday
2:01:54through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.
2:01:58p.m. excluding weekends and holidays.
2:02:00How's that going to without you don't
2:02:02think WPI is going to want to have a
2:02:03discussion on that? You bet your boots
2:02:05that his phone will be ringing in a
2:02:07heartbeat. So, these are the things we
2:02:09need to consider. If we're going to be
2:02:11partners in this, if we're going to just
2:02:13work in our own silos, then yes, you
2:02:16know, maybe an order will be coming down
2:02:17the pike in regards to that. But if
2:02:19we're going to be true partners,
2:02:22these are opportunities for discussion,
2:02:24open discussion, so the community is
2:02:26fully aware of what's coming down the
2:02:28pike so they can be ready for it. Thank
2:02:32you, Mr. Chairman.
2:02:33>> Thank you, councelor.
2:02:36>> Councelor Bo.
2:02:39>> Yeah, I I can understand counselor
2:02:41economics, but honestly, I'm really
2:02:44shocked right now. Uh Worester is in the
2:02:46middle of a housing crisis. We have
2:02:48families, we have seniors that are
2:02:50living in their cars and and we're
2:02:51saying that uh more vacancy is is a bad
2:02:56thing and that affordable housing is is
2:02:58a is a bad thing. I I I I'm honestly
2:03:02just really taken aback by this because
2:03:05um
2:03:06WPI these colleges have been part of the
2:03:09city before any of us really alive. Um,
2:03:13and you know, I understand and and I
2:03:15also agree that uh it's been frustrating
2:03:18to see some of the decisions that WPI
2:03:20has made, but I I mean, they're a strong
2:03:22part of that area. Um, I mean,
2:03:27look at Highland Street, Grove Village
2:03:30that's happening. I mean, there there's
2:03:31so much business that's there because
2:03:33students are within walking distance um
2:03:37of all these businesses and they've
2:03:38they've been there forever. So, I And
2:03:41again, as the manager pointed out, what
2:03:45jurisdiction do we have to tell WPI what
2:03:48they can and can't do w with their own
2:03:50students? Um, I mean, we need more
2:03:53affordable housing. This would be great
2:03:55for that neighborhood to put more
2:03:57housing units online so
2:04:00families, seniors, right, young
2:04:03professionals can afford to live here.
2:04:05That's what makes a stable neighborhood.
2:04:07Um, so I I'm just really this concerns
2:04:12me and you talk about being good
2:04:14neighbors and and all of that and that's
2:04:16that's true. I agree that the colleges
2:04:18should be, but so should all this new
2:04:20development that's coming to the city.
2:04:22This is it's taxing our our our
2:04:24infrastructure. It's taxing um
2:04:27everything and and that's really
2:04:29impacting our residents as well. I know
2:04:30all of us sit on different subcommittee
2:04:32meetings. We hear constantly that
2:04:34there's there's speeding uh roads are
2:04:37are getting torn up from from from
2:04:39traffic. All of this is is part of the
2:04:41city growing. But that's why I I
2:04:43submitted an order last week about what
2:04:45can we do to ask new developers that are
2:04:48coming in to contribute to our to our
2:04:50our city. You have a development like
2:04:52Alta on the road that uh and through the
2:04:55chair to the city manager. How long was
2:04:58that property until it was sold by the
2:05:01developer, the original developer?
2:05:03>> Mr. manager
2:05:05>> uh through the chair to the council. I
2:05:06believe it was just less than two or
2:05:08three years of ownership before sold.
2:05:11>> And through the chair to the city
2:05:12manager, how what was the the value of
2:05:14the tax break that we gave that
2:05:15developer
2:05:17>> due to the council? I don't have that
2:05:18figure in front of me to be able to give
2:05:20you a defin
2:05:23>> correct. They did receive a tax benefit.
2:05:25Yes.
2:05:26>> And I mean that that developer invested
2:05:28in here. Great. We need housing. um a
2:05:32lot of houses that a lot of people can
2:05:33afford and they made a huge profit and
2:05:36they cut and run.
2:05:38Our colleges aren't doing that. I
2:05:39absolutely agree that they could be
2:05:40doing more. Um but I this just really
2:05:45again I'm kind of shocked by this just
2:05:46because I I feel like it's not in line
2:05:49with what we all want for our community.
2:05:51But I I can understand where councelor
2:05:54P's where this is coming from. But
2:05:57yeah, I'll just leave it at that. But I
2:05:59I think we need to at everyone that's
2:06:02that's in the city and what they can do
2:06:04for better neighborhood. So, thank you.
2:06:07>> Thank you, Council Kira.
2:06:12>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, just to
2:06:14just to add to that, um, you know, we're
2:06:16talking about partnerships and it's come
2:06:17up a lot, you know, in council. I think
2:06:19that's WPI's responsibility with the
2:06:22contracts they have to build to to make
2:06:24sure they have those contracts or those
2:06:26partnerships with some of those uh with
2:06:28the business owners or the the property
2:06:30owners to figure out what what what they
2:06:32can do to help them since they're you
2:06:34know this is their plan to to open up u
2:06:37or have students stay on campus. Um,
2:06:41you know, it was mentioned that, you
2:06:42know, students need that need need the
2:06:45place and they could be in the
2:06:46neighborhoods, but students leave.
2:06:48Residents stay all year round. Those
2:06:50residents are going to fill the void.
2:06:52They'll fill the void that during the
2:06:53summertime and during the the spring
2:06:55break time or the winter break time that
2:06:57the that the uh students leave, those
2:07:00store owners, they they lose a lot of
2:07:01money or they they lose a chance of
2:07:03making money. People that live in those
2:07:04neighborhoods, they're going to stay
2:07:05there. So, they'll continue to the
2:07:07money. At the end of the day, I'm
2:07:08thinking I'm believing that residents
2:07:11will be able to, you know, help out in
2:07:13those times of uh the downtimes during
2:07:15the year where they won't have as much
2:07:17downtime. Um I see it in the Clark
2:07:19neighborhood. Uh a lot of the students
2:07:20leave and it slows down um because
2:07:24there's not a lot of them living in the
2:07:25neighborhood, but when you have
2:07:26residents living in the neighborhood, a
2:07:27lot of that stuff won't slow down and
2:07:28it'll help the businesses. So, I I think
2:07:31um we need to take a better look at
2:07:32this. Um, and again, we we agree with
2:07:35what Economist's concerns, but again, I
2:07:37think that's that's our push back to the
2:07:39API and say, "Hey, how are you going to
2:07:40help some of these uh landlords, these
2:07:43property owners, but at the same time,
2:07:44having more residents to come into a
2:07:46neighborhood that at times during the
2:07:49summer hours, during the summer months,
2:07:51and the winter months when they go away
2:07:53slows down, this will actually help out
2:07:55that those neighborhoods. Thank you.
2:07:58>> Thank you." Okay. So motion
2:08:02is to send this to city manager
2:08:06and I think it's for a report only and
2:08:10get what's going on and then we will a
2:08:12yes vote will send the city manager and
2:08:14no vote will not send the city manager.
2:08:16Roll call.
2:08:19>> Bergman.
2:08:20>> Yes.
2:08:20>> Bada.
2:08:22>> Yes.
2:08:23>> Cono.
2:08:24>> Yes.
2:08:24>> Rolo.
2:08:25>> Yes.
2:08:25>> Councor King.
2:08:26>> No.
2:08:27>> Mitra. Yes.
2:08:28>> Council A.
2:08:29>> No.
2:08:30>> Council Rivera.
2:08:30>> Yes.
2:08:31>> Councilor Rosen.
2:08:32>> Yes.
2:08:32>> Council Tumi.
2:08:33>> Yes.
2:08:34>> Mayor Petty.
2:08:35>> Yes.
2:08:36>> 12E. Request of city may request
2:08:39commission public works review and
2:08:40repair the entire length of sidewalks in
2:08:42front of two built more road which was
2:08:43recent replaced with asphalt instead of
2:08:46concrete and left the area wavy uneven
2:08:49and damaged and surrounding
2:08:51concrete at the location. Councelor
2:08:53Rivera.
2:08:54>> As it reads.
2:08:55>> All those in favor post. So
2:08:58question requesting manage request
2:08:59commissioner parks recreation cemetery
2:09:01provide the city council the report
2:09:02concerning the feasibility of hiring
2:09:04outside contractors to eliminate the
2:09:05backlog of trees approved for removal
2:09:08but not have been taken down. Council
2:09:10Pizzole
2:09:11>> thank you Mr. chairman through you.
2:09:14Uh I'm one of 11 but uh I I can't
2:09:19believe that uh
2:09:22I have been contacted by so many when I
2:09:25say so many in the last couple months at
2:09:28least a dozen people have contacted me
2:09:32about a city tree that is dead in front
2:09:36of their house and is on a list to be
2:09:39taken down. and [snorts] they're told
2:09:41that
2:09:43uh is at least a year wait. And I spoke
2:09:48to the commissioner of uh parks and
2:09:52forestry uh Rob Anton tonight and he
2:09:55tells me there's over 200 trees in the
2:09:58city that need to be taken down.
2:10:02So I feel that that is totally
2:10:05unacceptable that people have to wait
2:10:07over a year and I think we should do
2:10:10whatever we can uh Mr. Manager through
2:10:13you uh through the through the chairman
2:10:16to you uh city manager I I'm hoping that
2:10:19u we can look at privatizing
2:10:24uh
2:10:26this effort and uh to do it as soon as
2:10:28possible. I'd like to ask uh through
2:10:30you, Mr. Chairman, for a response from
2:10:33the city manager regarding this.
2:10:34>> Mr. Manager,
2:10:37>> to the chair, to the council, uh you
2:10:38bring up a good important issue. Um this
2:10:41is something that we discuss on annual
2:10:42basis during the budget process. The
2:10:45number of trees that we need to take
2:10:46down fluctuates year-over-year depending
2:10:49on requests that are coming to 311, city
2:10:51council, resident, etc. You name it. Uh
2:10:55what we often do on an annual basis is
2:10:57we try to fund it through free cash. Uh
2:10:59and we do then get private contractors
2:11:02to then allow for that. And so that's
2:11:04something that we will evaluate as the
2:11:06next month or so when we present the
2:11:08free cash to the council a potential
2:11:10allocation to address uh uh these trees
2:11:13that need to be taken down. Um because
2:11:16just as much as we need to take down, we
2:11:17also need to replant in our community.
2:11:19Um but oftent times on an annual basis
2:11:22because of the fluctuation of ho of how
2:11:24many are actually on the backlog we um
2:11:28we often uh fund them through a free
2:11:30cash allocation which again will be
2:11:32something that we bring to the council
2:11:34floor in the next month or so.
2:11:36>> Okay. Thank you Mr. Ch uh Mr. uh
2:11:39manager. I appreciate that. That's uh a
2:11:42bit of good news uh in on this subject
2:11:44that uh we might be able to uh spend
2:11:48some free cash. And I I again I'm one of
2:11:5211, but I find that uh a huge need and a
2:11:56huge uh issue to address right away as
2:12:00soon as possible. And uh I just I I
2:12:04received a a uh email and a picture of a
2:12:08car on H Hotton Street uh just last week
2:12:11that a tree came down in the storm. Uh
2:12:13it's on the list to be taken down. we
2:12:16research and and a limb came down and
2:12:18fell on the uh roof of of her vehicle
2:12:22and she asked me what to do and I I uh I
2:12:27advised her to go to uh the uh law
2:12:29department and file file a claim. So uh
2:12:33just one instance of uh uh what I'm
2:12:36speaking of, Mr. Manager, and I
2:12:38appreciate uh your attention to this.
2:12:40Thank you.
2:12:41>> Thank you, Councelor Bergman.
2:12:45Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going
2:12:46to ask through the chair of law
2:12:48department something that councelor
2:12:50Fzolo's last statement um kind of
2:12:53highlighted what I was about to ask,
2:12:55which is I know with comes to uh pothole
2:12:58and uh and uh car damage, the standard
2:13:03for the city's responsibility
2:13:04[clears throat] is whether or not the
2:13:05city was on notice. Is that through the
2:13:07chair of the city list or is that the
2:13:09same standard when it comes to tree
2:13:11damage? In other words, if the tree is
2:13:13on a list to be cut down or trimmed and
2:13:16a limb or a tree falls and either hurts
2:13:18property or god forbid hurts a person,
2:13:20is a standard that the city should have
2:13:22known because it was on a list.
2:13:25>> Ma'am [clears throat] Soler,
2:13:26>> if you don't have an answer, I'm happy
2:13:27with the report next time
2:13:33>> through the chair to the councelor. No,
2:13:35that's not the standard. Um, there could
2:13:37be other circumstances such as wind or
2:13:39storm. Um but just because this uh tree
2:13:43is on a list, it could be on a list to
2:13:44be trimmed or um it does not
2:13:46automatically make the city liable,
2:13:48>> which is different through the chair
2:13:50than the automobile damage scenario for
2:13:53the city. Is that correct?
2:13:54>> I'm supposed to
2:13:55>> for a a through the chair to the city
2:13:57councelor for the a pothole that's
2:13:59different. We have to be on notice. Um
2:14:00there's also like auto damage, property
2:14:02damage. There's different standards, but
2:14:04um you do have to be on notice and you
2:14:06have to be negligent in repairing or
2:14:09cutting or addressing the matter
2:14:11>> through the chair. One more question. If
2:14:13the uh if a tree is on a list, it's dead
2:14:16and a windstorm comes and a limb falls.
2:14:19Uh can the city argue that it's the
2:14:21wind, not the fact that the city didn't
2:14:24take the tree down that caused the
2:14:26damage or is that an argument that in
2:14:28your opinion is not likely to be a
2:14:30winning one? uh through the chair. I'd
2:14:32have to look at the specific claim.
2:14:34>> I thought you might say that. All right.
2:14:36Thank Thank you, Madam Solicer. Thank
2:14:37you, Mr. Chair.
2:14:38>> Thank you.
2:14:38>> Can I just leave it end with a comment?
2:14:40I mean, I think we're all on the same
2:14:41page on this that um leaving trees to be
2:14:46taken down that we know should um isn't
2:14:50the best course action, but we're
2:14:51limited by funding. So hopefully the
2:14:53city manager uh can make some magic with
2:14:56some of the free cash and and address
2:14:58what council and others have brought
2:15:01forward, which is a very legitimate
2:15:03concern. That is with our northeasters
2:15:05coming, the weight of snow, we get ice
2:15:07storms, we get wind damage. Certainly,
2:15:10um, somebody who wakes up in the morning
2:15:12and finds a tree limb on a tree that
2:15:14they've called in to be cut down and
2:15:15they're waiting to be cut down is more
2:15:18likely than not to try to go after the
2:15:20city. Whether they're on solid footing
2:15:22or not, uh, is really not the point. We
2:15:24still have to spend resources um, to
2:15:27litigate the case and the right thing to
2:15:29do would be to take the tree down if the
2:15:31cash allow if the funding allows for it.
2:15:33So, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
2:15:34>> Thank you, Council Okconom.
2:15:37>> If I could, Mr. Mr. Chair, I just like
2:15:38to sign on, please.
2:15:39>> Okay, sign on. Send that to the manager
2:15:41as amended. All those in favor, oppose,
2:15:43so ordered.
2:15:46Request city manage provide council with
2:15:48an update concerning previously adopted
2:15:50order, which reads, "Rest manage request
2:15:52chief development officer provide
2:15:53council with an update concerning the
2:15:55former St. Vincent's Hospital nursing
2:15:56dormatory being developed converted into
2:15:58affordable housing for senior citizens."
2:16:00Council Vizole.
2:16:02>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. through you. I
2:16:04uh have made it my business that I would
2:16:07uh periodically ask for an update on
2:16:10this property. Uh I want to thank the
2:16:13city manager uh right up front because
2:16:16he has made it a priority him and his
2:16:19administration
2:16:21uh Peter Dunn, the executive uh uh uh
2:16:26charge of uh uh development here in the
2:16:29city. And uh again, 38 years plus, it's
2:16:34been a vacant building and uh we
2:16:37definitely have a uh bonafide developer
2:16:41interested in developing developing the
2:16:44property. So, Mr. Manager, if you could
2:16:46just update us where we stand right now
2:16:47for the general public, I'd appreciate
2:16:49it.
2:16:50>> Mr. Imagine
2:16:52>> to to the council the developer is doing
2:16:54the due diligence to not only put
2:16:56together the funding uh necessary but
2:16:58also the due diligence in the property.
2:17:00I know that we received some dollars
2:17:02related to the abatement of that
2:17:03property. Uh the developer will be in
2:17:05charge of doing that. Um uh other than
2:17:08that I don't have any additional um uh
2:17:10updates on the on the actual project but
2:17:13it' be something that I we can then
2:17:14definitely provide a report probably in
2:17:16the next few weeks. We should definitely
2:17:17have something more concrete to provide.
2:17:20>> Thank you. Mr. Ch.
2:17:22>> Thank you. We send that to the manager.
2:17:24>> You want to send that to the manager? So
2:17:26we on file it. Send the manager. All
2:17:28those in favor post. So ordered request
2:17:31manager request public works provide
2:17:32council with a report concerning the
2:17:34feasibility of installing turf in the l
2:17:36of grass on master Soy road when
2:17:38configuring the new sidewalk location on
2:17:40on the road. Said turf should be
2:17:43installed at each intersection
2:17:44redeveloped throughout the resurface and
2:17:46construction project on the road.
2:17:47Council
2:17:49>> Mr. chairman through you. Uh Mass Sawya
2:17:52Road from Rice Square to Sunderland Road
2:17:56is being uh worked on this construction
2:17:59season. Uh the road is resurfacing and
2:18:03at different intersections of Massoy
2:18:06Road. uh we are changing uh the curbing
2:18:10of of uh a couple uh again a couple
2:18:13intersections and in doing so it is
2:18:16adding uh
2:18:19it's adding
2:18:21a huge amount of space where uh right
2:18:25now what I see is loom being spread
2:18:28where uh before it used to be a a much
2:18:32wider street we're narrowing the street
2:18:35and in place Uh it's not concrete, it's
2:18:38uh loom. And in all in all honesty, uh
2:18:43Rice Square School is a a uh and a
2:18:46butter to what I'm talking about. I
2:18:48think the uh custodians have enough
2:18:50grass to cut. I don't know who's going
2:18:52to cut the grass outside of their
2:18:54property that this would uh abut their
2:18:56property. And I believe the turf I'm
2:18:59talking about, the parks department uses
2:19:01it quite often, I'm told, in uh some of
2:19:05their renovations of pox now to avoid uh
2:19:08the labor uh costs that it does that it
2:19:11incurs when uh people have to cut it.
2:19:13And on the other side of Chrono Shield,
2:19:17uh they're narrowing that that side of
2:19:20the street as well. And in doing that,
2:19:22there's a huge amount of uh loom there.
2:19:25And uh the abutter is uh an elderly
2:19:28woman. I don't see her out go to be able
2:19:30to go out and cut that grass. So uh
2:19:33that's why I bring it up now while uh
2:19:36the uh construction is going on as we
2:19:38speak. And I'm hoping that uh DPW in
2:19:42those instances where we have uh
2:19:45narrowed the street and put in uh uh
2:19:49again dirt or loom instead of uh
2:19:51concrete. Not that it should be
2:19:53concrete. I'm not saying that. But uh
2:19:57there's a there's a huge issue there and
2:19:59I I just don't want in years to come,
2:20:02months to come, years to come where
2:20:04someone can't cut the grass that we
2:20:07plant and it looks like an eyesore. We
2:20:10have too much overgrowth in this city.
2:20:12And I'm trying to avoid that by uh
2:20:15bringing this up now and seeing if again
2:20:18before we plant grass there grass seed
2:20:20we can look at u laying that turf that
2:20:24we now use as a city. So u that that
2:20:28would be my request Mr. Chairman through
2:20:30you. Thank you.
2:20:30>> Okay send that to the manager. Those in
2:20:32favor opposed request the manage request
2:20:35commissioner public works. I count the
2:20:37report uh concerning the feasibility of
2:20:38utilizing the city long pantry servicing
2:20:40program to repay Vernon Street from
2:20:42Windham Street to Fifth A during fiscal
2:20:44year 27. Council Pole.
2:20:47>> Mr. Chairman through you. Um, this is an
2:20:50item that I have uh spoke up at a
2:20:53subcommittee meeting of our public works
2:20:55uh committee that I'm a member of and
2:20:57also privately to the uh commissioner of
2:21:03DPW and and also the city manager. Uh
2:21:07Vernon Street
2:21:09uh is in need of some uh attention from
2:21:13uh not all of Vernon Street, but as I uh
2:21:17as I word here in the in the order from
2:21:20uh Windham Street to Fifth A is in dire
2:21:24need of attention. uh it has needed it
2:21:28for several years and I uh made it uh uh
2:21:34you know an item when if if and when I
2:21:36got elected I would address it and I
2:21:38have brought this up early on in the
2:21:41year when I tal when I was told about
2:21:44the long patch program. I don't think
2:21:46that it is the answer for uh uh you know
2:21:50the total answer for this uh section of
2:21:52road of Vernon Street that I'm talking
2:21:55about, but I know I've spoken to the
2:21:57manager and we're getting close to the
2:21:59end of the year of when we can resurface
2:22:02streets and I'd like some some uh
2:22:07confidence in in the manager that we're
2:22:09going to do some type of repair to that
2:22:12portion of Vernon Street. Mr. chairman
2:22:14through you if I don't know if the
2:22:16manager is willing to uh comment on it.
2:22:19If not, all I'm looking for is some some
2:22:22work to be done on Ver Street from
2:22:24Winham to uh 5th Avenue. Thank you, Mr.
2:22:27Chair.
2:22:27>> Thank you. Send that to the manager.
2:22:30Those in favor opposed.
2:22:34>> Okay. request the mayor's request of
2:22:36commissioner public works contact mass
2:22:39DOT to assure the college university
2:22:41wayfinding signs from exit 190 from
2:22:43Belmont Street is updated to reflect the
2:22:44Becker College and Maria College are no
2:22:46longer operating council tumi
2:22:49>> as it reads those in favor post so
2:22:52ordered 12k request city manager request
2:22:55commission transportation mobility
2:22:56provide city council the report
2:22:57detailing the potential of an on street
2:22:59parking plan that would allow residents
2:23:01to be able to park along Bronco Street
2:23:03where feasible council Connor.
2:23:05>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh Berno Street
2:23:08came out great. Bike lanes are there,
2:23:09too.
2:23:11Uh the problem that's come up in in
2:23:13areas is there's no on street parking.
2:23:17Uh parking is limited uh along Berno
2:23:20Street. And I would just ask the
2:23:22Department of Transportation Mobility to
2:23:24look at areas along Berno Street where
2:23:27it's feasible where we can add parking,
2:23:31on street parking. Um it would certainly
2:23:34help a lot of the residents especially
2:23:36down towards Burnhole Prep down by the
2:23:38triangle where there is some more space.
2:23:41Um other sections again it's a lot more
2:23:45tighter. Um so that's all I would just
2:23:49ask the manager to uh ask Commissioner
2:23:52Raleigh to take a look at this. I'd love
2:23:54to get a neighborhood meeting on it just
2:23:56so he can hear some of the concerns from
2:23:58the neighbors as well. Thank you.
2:24:01>> Chairman like to sign on to that. Okay,
2:24:03council as amended. Those in favor
2:24:05oppose. So ordered. Request the manager
2:24:08work with the budget director identify
2:24:09and apply for federal grant monies
2:24:11available to address environmental
2:24:12issues throughout the city. Council
2:24:14Rivera
2:24:15>> as it reads.
2:24:16>> Those in favor post. Ordered 12M request
2:24:19the city manager review and address
2:24:20concerns related to the storm water
2:24:22runoff from Cooks Pond into the vicinity
2:24:24of Jupiter Juniper and Orleans and Cooks
2:24:28Pond Dam where the outflow of water has
2:24:30created a delta due to the lack of
2:24:32containment or collection. Council
2:24:34Rivera. So I just want to amend that um
2:24:37order to to say storm storm water runoff
2:24:42is into Cook's Pond. The delta is not at
2:24:45the dam but from the three storm water
2:24:47drains on Oolen Street that dump into
2:24:49Cooks Pond.
2:24:51>> Okay. As amended to the manager. All
2:24:53those in favor opposit request major
2:24:55review and report to the council
2:24:57concerning the feasibility of installing
2:24:58rain guides in the facing of Circuit AB
2:25:00West and Gates Lane. Council Rivera
2:25:02>> as it reads.
2:25:04>> All those in favor of post. So ordered.
2:25:10request a manager provide council report
2:25:12concerning whether the city has any
2:25:14regulatory authority to either control
2:25:16or prevent Amazon from watching the
2:25:18package delivery MK30 drones which are
2:25:20designed to deliver shoe boxiz products
2:25:23weighing under five pounds from 13 ft in
2:25:28six
2:25:31in a six propeller 5x5 foot machines
2:25:34that are capable of reaching 75 miles
2:25:36per hour from Westboro distribution
2:25:38center into the uh large portions of
2:25:40Worester. So report should include
2:25:42information concerning how the residents
2:25:44will be surveyed to discuss the
2:25:45potential effects this project will have
2:25:47on the city's community and neighborhood
2:25:48including environmental privacy and
2:25:50safety concerns. Council Rosen.
2:25:54Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. chairman,
2:25:56as I think we all realize that Amazon,
2:26:00which has a couple of big facilities
2:26:02here in Worcester out of their Westbro
2:26:05facility, is planning to and very soon
2:26:09once they get the complete okays in
2:26:11Westbrow to launch these drones with
2:26:14package delivery that could be there,
2:26:16you know, in an hour or two. So, you
2:26:18need to order your electric drill and
2:26:19you need in an hour or I guess you're
2:26:21going to get it or you know your sweater
2:26:23or whatever you order from Amazon and
2:26:27certainly it's been an item of
2:26:30controversy in Westboro where they plan
2:26:32to start doing these launches and I've
2:26:36heard from several people just the last
2:26:38two days when it became public that I
2:26:39had the item on here heard from several
2:26:41people I think maybe 10 nine would were
2:26:45against the drones for various reasons
2:26:48and one there was one right before the
2:26:50meeting who emailed me and said do
2:26:52everything you can to encourage Amazon
2:26:55to start as soon as possible in wor I'm
2:26:58saying to myself doesn't he know where I
2:27:00stand on this I don't think it's a good
2:27:01idea I think we need a lot more
2:27:03information anyway but I just don't
2:27:04think it's a good idea a lot of people
2:27:06are against it and if we do if Amazon
2:27:10does this then Walmart's coming next and
2:27:12then it's going to be Target next and
2:27:14it's going to be you know Shaws after
2:27:17that and then to send something to my
2:27:19mother-in-law. I'm going to take my own
2:27:20drone drone. I'm going to send her
2:27:22something. So, I mean, I can see this
2:27:24going on and on getting bigger and
2:27:26bigger and you know, is this what we
2:27:28want? We we always talk every meeting
2:27:30here. Every item is about the quality of
2:27:33life in the city of Worcester. Does this
2:27:35add to the quality of life? Now, I I I
2:27:38worded it so I would ask, you know, for
2:27:40report from the administration, the law
2:27:42department whether we have any ability
2:27:44to regulate it. I don't know if we do.
2:27:46Maybe we don't. Okay. I don't know. We
2:27:49had trouble regulating WPI. I don't know
2:27:51if we can regulate Amazon then, but or
2:27:53can we control it in any way? Can we
2:27:55stop it? Maybe we can. It seems like the
2:27:58city of Worcester should have some say
2:28:00in what Amazon does here. And you know,
2:28:03there's a lot of issues and some are
2:28:06privacy issues. People have talked in
2:28:07Westboro where I'm going to privacy
2:28:09issues and others environmental issues
2:28:12having these drones. And again, it's not
2:28:14just Amazon. It starts with Amazon. And
2:28:17there's noise issues. And there's safety
2:28:19issues, okay? And there's even job
2:28:22issues. And there's even issues if you
2:28:25really want to extend it with our local
2:28:27businesses. I mean, you know, we got
2:28:28Home Depot, we got other small
2:28:30businesses here in the city of
2:28:31Worcester. I mean, maybe they can't
2:28:33compete to have their products delivered
2:28:36to house in one hour. So, you know,
2:28:38there's a lot of issues that we should
2:28:40start talking about. Uh right now the
2:28:42plan by Amazon is to start the launches
2:28:45out of Westboro and a lot of Worcester,
2:28:48not all of Worester, a lot of Worcester
2:28:49would be targeted areas for these
2:28:52deliveries. I don't know if the people
2:28:53in Worcester want this. I don't know if
2:28:55the people in Worcester need this. I
2:28:57don't see any good coming of this. Let's
2:29:00see what happens in Westbrow because
2:29:02they've been complaining. Okay, that's
2:29:04the center of attention here where you
2:29:07know it's all starting. So I would just
2:29:10hope that the manager, you know, in
2:29:12reasonable time because this is going to
2:29:14start soon. In reasonable time, the
2:29:15manager and the uh city solicitor take a
2:29:18look at this and at least let us know,
2:29:20do we have authority to control this to
2:29:23regulate this? And I'm not saying
2:29:25everyone on the council wants to. Maybe
2:29:27some of you want those that electric
2:29:28drill in 35 minutes or something. So
2:29:31that's good. Maybe you'll vote for this.
2:29:32You know, I think I can wait for my
2:29:34electric drill. Okay. So, I look forward
2:29:36to a report soon from the administration
2:29:39and the law department on what authority
2:29:41does the city of Worcester have with
2:29:43something like this, not just Amazon,
2:29:44but Walmart and the others that will be
2:29:46following. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
2:29:50>> Council Bergley.
2:29:53>> I I don't oppose what council rose is
2:29:56saying. I I I'm certainly be supportive
2:29:58of the report. I would just note that I
2:30:01followed the item with some interest
2:30:03because I thought it was an interesting
2:30:04um item to have on the agenda this week
2:30:07and some of the arguments Council Rosen
2:30:10has made are good arguments. I don't
2:30:12know if I'd call Home Depot a local
2:30:14small business. I think they're pretty
2:30:15big. U I would also say that maybe
2:30:18someday this technology leads to
2:30:20prescription medicine being dropped at
2:30:22somebody's house when they need it. They
2:30:24don't have to get in their car and ill
2:30:26and drive. But at the same time, I
2:30:28understand there Texas uh package was
2:30:31dropped in a pool. Uh another package
2:30:34was dropped on a barbecue and caused a
2:30:36fire. Um so there there are definitely
2:30:38issues, but then again, there are home
2:30:40there are uh cars now being driven with
2:30:42no drivers. Um I don't know if we can
2:30:45stop the technology. I don't know if we
2:30:47should because from an environmental
2:30:48perspective, everything I've read is
2:30:50that it's probably better for the
2:30:52environment to have electricity driven
2:30:54drones than cars. in in Worcester. We've
2:30:57learned through some of our neighborhood
2:30:58meetings that the Amazon drivers deliver
2:31:01up to 3 in the morning. Um there are
2:31:03privacy and and um issues related to
2:31:07quality of life with late night
2:31:08deliveries as well. So I agree, we need
2:31:11to know more. How much the packages
2:31:13weigh? What are they going to do to
2:31:14prevent fires, injury, how late in the
2:31:17uh evening or early morning hours are
2:31:18they going to operate? Um so on and so
2:31:21forth. But I don't rule it out because
2:31:24I'm not sure that there's that much the
2:31:26city of Worcester can do about it. But I
2:31:27do welcome the report and um we'll talk
2:31:31more about it, I guess, when the report
2:31:32comes back. Thank you,
2:31:34>> Council Rock King.
2:31:36>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I agree with
2:31:39everything that's been said just about.
2:31:41Um,
2:31:43what I would say is I've always had a
2:31:46concern about
2:31:48the impact on the human workforce of
2:31:51technology and we know that's been
2:31:54occurring for decades and years and
2:31:56maybe centuries. Um, but it's a major
2:31:59concern. Um, I would ask to make a
2:32:04friendly amendment to this. If not, son
2:32:06accepted a separate motion, but I would
2:32:08make a friendly amendment. um that we
2:32:11also get back a report on um
2:32:17where this has been occurring if the
2:32:21data if there's any data may not be
2:32:24because it's so new but if there's any
2:32:25data about the impact on the human
2:32:28workforce um in those places in terms of
2:32:30of um jobs um you know and uh those
2:32:36particulate businesses in addition to
2:32:38that Mr. chairman um as a separate
2:32:41motion. Um I'm certainly interested in
2:32:44uh workforce development in response to
2:32:47uh artificial intelligence
2:32:50um and um in increase technology or
2:32:54improved technology um as it relates to
2:32:59um our work force and future workforce.
2:33:02Uh, I don't know. I know in the past
2:33:04we've talked about this. Um, and I know
2:33:06that the chamber might have been doing
2:33:08some work on this. Um, but we have an
2:33:10obligation as well to inform ourselves
2:33:13to our economic development folks um,
2:33:16and to inform the council as to um, the
2:33:19specifics regarding future workforce
2:33:22development um, as relates to these
2:33:25things. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
2:33:27>> Thank you. So as amended and Mr.
2:33:30>> Chair,
2:33:31>> I'm sorry council council me.
2:33:34>> Thank you so much Mr. Chair. Um
2:33:37[clears throat] you know advancement of
2:33:38technology is uh inevitable. It's going
2:33:41to happen. Uh it is legitimate to find
2:33:44out some report from the city manager uh
2:33:48about the ordinance of drones operation
2:33:51in our city if that's possible. But I
2:33:54think we need to be ready for any such
2:33:56changes is coming up. AI as we know
2:33:59might impact the workforce uh no matter
2:34:02what we do. So I think we have to be
2:34:04ready for all kinds of things that could
2:34:06be happening technology wise. At the
2:34:09same time I'd like to know if drone
2:34:11operation in our city would have some
2:34:12kind of ordinance that might be
2:34:14implemented from the managers. So thank
2:34:16you very much.
2:34:18>> Okay. So I send that to the mayor off
2:34:20the other motions the amendments. All
2:34:22those in favor opposed. So audit
2:34:2612 Q request manage right council report
2:34:29concerning the impact of individual
2:34:30Medicare insurance plans being
2:34:32eliminated. Further request manager
2:34:34include said report information
2:34:36concerning transition plans available to
2:34:37residents to ensure they are not
2:34:38negatively impacted by the loss of such
2:34:40plans.
2:34:42Chris
2:35:07Mayor Joseph M. Petty.
2:35:12>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, we got 12
2:35:15Q.
2:35:19I've been informed I think people are
2:35:21getting their notices now a couple big
2:35:23plans are eliminating the Medicare
2:35:26eliminating their Medicare plans. Uh
2:35:28UMass advantage program and Blue Cross
2:35:31Blue Shields I think eliminate four out
2:35:33of six. So people get their notices
2:35:37saying they have to go find other
2:35:40avenues of getting insured. These are
2:35:42not group insurance plans. doesn't
2:35:44really affect city personnel here in the
2:35:45city of Wester retirees. Uh but does
2:35:48affect constituents.
2:35:50Uh what I've learned is that we say
2:35:52there's like 25,000 maybe people
2:35:54impacting Worester County probably city
2:35:57of Worester we go 3 to 5,000 people
2:35:59maybe it could be less. um between both
2:36:02plans. Um and I think it's important
2:36:06that not that we go out and have to do
2:36:09tell people how to enlist into another
2:36:11plan, but to make sure that you mass
2:36:14blue cross and everyone involved knows
2:36:17and can educate people because when
2:36:20you're in your el you're an elderly
2:36:21person, Medicare is complicated enough
2:36:24in the insurance laws, insurance trying
2:36:26to pick a plan which is going to be more
2:36:28expensive, not going to be cheaper. So
2:36:30uh so I think uh if we can in not saying
2:36:34we have to do it Mr. Manager but we
2:36:36should at least guide people if people
2:36:38call we're prepared to at least list the
2:36:40people here in the city of W that are
2:36:41going to be impacted. I know Mr.
2:36:44manager, we had a meeting today which
2:36:45this is only the beginning, you know, um
2:36:50with the bill coming out of Congress,
2:36:52hopefully directions change after the
2:36:54election, but come January, Medicare,
2:36:57Medicaid, and all the people impacts are
2:37:00going to be dramatically impacted. I
2:37:02think the hope we can hope for is to
2:37:05delay this if depends on where Congress
2:37:08turns out uh in November.
2:37:11But uh we met with uh today we met with
2:37:13a great group who um who put this report
2:37:15together. It's was a together group.
2:37:18includes a community engagement team
2:37:20with healthcare for all for
2:37:22Massachusetts
2:37:23and uh they just asked us to set up a
2:37:26meeting with the congressman federal
2:37:27delegation state delegation which I have
2:37:29reached out to the congressman because
2:37:32uh that we can at least as a community
2:37:35respond because people are going to be
2:37:37educated people services going to be cut
2:37:40and there it's there's so many nuances
2:37:42to these laws they could get help in
2:37:44other other aspects of all these bills
2:37:47and federal laws
2:37:48and uh so this is going to be a priority
2:37:52uh because there's going to be a lot of
2:37:53confusion and challenges navigating all
2:37:55this information uh so communication is
2:37:58going to be very important. This is what
2:38:00we did during COVID. We're on top of
2:38:02this. We're able to communicate. It's
2:38:03going to be the same impact uh depending
2:38:06on what happens over the next month. And
2:38:09concerns for behavioral health access.
2:38:11Um so all these issues, insurance
2:38:14coverage, specialty care, a lot of
2:38:17people won't be get who going to these
2:38:19insurance plans don't have specialty
2:38:21care. So they they don't have access to
2:38:23that. So uh there's a lot of groups
2:38:26going to be very confused. They're going
2:38:27to be losing their coverage. and uh here
2:38:29in the city of Worcester and I think if
2:38:31we all come together like we did co
2:38:34um
2:38:36we can get we can help people as much as
2:38:38we can which is the same thing we did a
2:38:40few years back so uh so this is
2:38:42important Mr. managers. This is trying
2:38:44to get us going here and making sure
2:38:46come January, a lot of this is going to
2:38:47be in January, depending what happens
2:38:49over the next month, a lot of these
2:38:51cuts, a lot of the impact on our
2:38:52community and communities around
2:38:54Massachusetts. Thank you.
2:39:02Council
2:39:10King. Thank you, Mayor Penny, for your
2:39:12leadership on this. This is certainly
2:39:14important. [snorts] Um, as a frontline
2:39:16social worker, um, this is something
2:39:18that we're currently dealing with. I
2:39:20know that all the various agencies as
2:39:23well, uh, DDS, DMH, DCF, etc. Um,
2:39:30and there's going to be an impact and we
2:39:33know that there's a trickle down that
2:39:36comes right into the heart of the city
2:39:37of Worcester. Um, we know that uh folks
2:39:41that are out there that are chronically
2:39:42unsheltered um folks that are not um
2:39:46tied into services um will be impacted
2:39:49as well. And Mr. Chairman, um what I
2:39:51would ask as a friendly amendment is
2:39:54that um we also move to request the city
2:39:58administration
2:40:00um to give us um what the strategy is
2:40:04related to those um who are unsheltered
2:40:07and unhoused. And in addition to that,
2:40:09specifically the 60 that we've
2:40:12identified that are chronically
2:40:13unsheltered who may also lose their
2:40:15benefits. So again, I know that the
2:40:17shelters are doing some work. I know the
2:40:19agencies are doing some the the public
2:40:21agencies and the nonprofits um are all
2:40:24working in conjunction um as well. Um
2:40:27but what can we do uh if anything uh for
2:40:31those folks that are chronically
2:40:32unsheltered um and the unsheltered as it
2:40:35relates to this because um you know it's
2:40:39coming and uh it's going to have an
2:40:41impact on folks inside uh the borders of
2:40:46Worcester.
2:40:48Thank you. Okay. As amended to the
2:40:51manager, all those in favor of proposal
2:40:52order, request the manager provide
2:40:53council with a report concerning the
2:40:55department street sweeping operations.
2:40:56Council Bada.
2:40:57>> Yeah. Thank you. I'll be brief. Um just
2:41:00hoping to get a better idea of how the
2:41:02city uh DPW manages street sweeping
2:41:05operations. It would be great to uh have
2:41:08some additional sweeping on Lake AD,
2:41:10Hamilton Street. Um, I've had
2:41:13conversations with Commissioner Wesling
2:41:15about adding additional street sweeping
2:41:17to Lincoln Street, Harding Street, uh, I
2:41:19believe Shby Street as well. So, um,
2:41:22again, think we can do better job. I
2:41:23would like to have a better idea of how
2:41:25I can go about, you know, asking for or
2:41:28or you know when to go about making
2:41:30requests on street sweeping and just get
2:41:32a better idea of how we operate it.
2:41:34Thank you. The manager. All those in
2:41:36favor of post. So ordered. Request
2:41:39manager request commissioner parks
2:41:40records and cemetery conduct monthly
2:41:42cleanings on the medium on Hamilton
2:41:43Street. Council order
2:41:44>> as it reads.
2:41:45>> Those in favor post. So ordered. 112T.
2:41:49Request the manage considering
2:41:51installing welcome to West of the
2:41:52Commonwealth and leaving Wester come
2:41:54back soon signs and all major entries
2:41:56and exit points along West City's border
2:41:58in Auburn Holden Leon Milbury Shrewsbury
2:42:01West Bison. Dr. Mitra Council Mitra.
2:42:04Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I'd like to
2:42:06say as it reads, but just want to say
2:42:08that I'd like to amend it instead of
2:42:10going to the city manager if it could go
2:42:12to the traffic and parking traffic uh
2:42:15department
2:42:17subcommittee
2:42:19>> instead of traffic and parking.
2:42:20>> Yes.
2:42:21>> Okay. You want traffic and parking?
2:42:23>> I think putting
2:42:27>> Yeah, I think putting this kind of sign
2:42:29in in neighboring city that neighboring
2:42:31town. I think it has to this probably
2:42:33should go with the manager first and
2:42:35report back because he's going to have
2:42:36to contact Mass D.
2:42:39>> I'm fine with that, but I thought
2:42:41probably it is more of a uh standing
2:42:43committee's role, but that's okay too.
2:42:45>> Going to the manager.
2:42:46>> Okay.
2:42:47>> Say that again.
2:42:48>> I think it'll be okay to go to the
2:42:50manager if you think that's
2:42:52>> okay. Council Tumi,
2:42:53>> just
2:42:55uh clarification. Um at some point in
2:42:58the past uh 10 years, we've done um the
2:43:02administration has provided a report on
2:43:05uh street signage uh and plans for the
2:43:08type of signs that we have and there
2:43:11might be something there um in those
2:43:13past reports on what it looks like and
2:43:16and all that. So if we could look uh
2:43:19either separately or as an amendment uh
2:43:22take a look at that uh last plan. Um, no
2:43:25need to reinvent the wheel if we don't
2:43:27have to, but utilize it. Thank you.
2:43:32>> Um,
2:43:35>> council me
2:43:37through you, Mr. Chair, to council to me
2:43:40that yes, I did look that there were
2:43:42some, but there was no action taken.
2:43:44That's why I had given an attachment
2:43:46which uh which places that the signs
2:43:49would be necessary for the neighboring
2:43:50towns that we have and there is an
2:43:52attachment there that says that. So it
2:43:54is true that what you said. Thank you
2:43:57>> council K
2:44:01>> Mr. Chairman. Um I rise in opposition to
2:44:0512T
2:44:07and I'm going to make this statement uh
2:44:10for the public so they can understand my
2:44:11vote. Uh we just had an item that was
2:44:15brought forward here um for a few signs
2:44:19in the city as it relates to
2:44:21immigration, ICE enforcement, safety,
2:44:24and fear. And this council voted it
2:44:27down. Said there wasn't any money for
2:44:30signs. And now we're here talking about
2:44:32welcome to Worcester, leaving Worcester,
2:44:35come back, come back soon signs. Um so
2:44:39I'm going to vote no. I'm in opposition
2:44:42to that um for those principles
2:44:46and those principal reasons, Mr.
2:44:48Chairman. So, I just want to explain
2:44:49that to the public. Thank you.
2:44:51>> Thank you. Okay.
2:44:54Okay. Yes. Vote would be yes. No vote
2:44:56would be no.
2:44:57>> Roll call, Mr. Chairman.
2:44:58>> Okay. Roll call.
2:44:59>> Councelor Bergman.
2:45:00>> Yes.
2:45:01>> Council Bada.
2:45:04Councelor
2:45:04>> Economo.
2:45:05>> Yes. Counc.
2:45:06>> Yes.
2:45:06>> Council King.
2:45:07>> No. Council Mitra.
2:45:09>> Yes.
2:45:10>> Oah. Yes,
2:45:11>> Rivera.
2:45:12>> Yes,
2:45:13>> Rosen.
2:45:13>> Yes,
2:45:14>> Tumi.
2:45:14>> Yes,
2:45:15>> Mayor Petty.
2:45:16>> Yes.
2:45:17>> 12U request the city manager provide
2:45:19council with the report concerning the
2:45:20impact of separating the various
2:45:22functions of department of public works
2:45:23into the department of transportation
2:45:24mobility.
2:45:28Uh the department of public parks,
2:45:30recreation, cemetery as well as
2:45:32subdivisions within the DPW including
2:45:34streets division, water and solar
2:45:35operations division, engineering
2:45:37division has had a delivery of city
2:45:39services. Further requested sub report
2:45:41include an inventory of assets,
2:45:43equipment, vehicles, facilities,
2:45:44staffing functions and maintenance
2:45:46responsibilities that were previously
2:45:47shared with TPW. how those resources and
2:45:50responsibility have been allocated among
2:45:52each respective department in each
2:45:53division since each section of
2:45:55department was separated and what
2:45:56additional equipment staffing facilities
2:45:58and other operation resources may be
2:46:00needed to result with the resources no
2:46:02longer being shared. Council Mitra,
2:46:05>> thank you Mr. Chair. I think uh my order
2:46:07is pretty clear. I think in the past DPW
2:46:11had all these different departments
2:46:13under their umbrella. Now that we have
2:46:14divided it DTM and the parks and
2:46:17recreation, water division. So I just
2:46:20was curious to have a report saying that
2:46:22how the assets and the amenities and
2:46:24everything has been now owned by each
2:46:26department if we can know that and is
2:46:29there anything more that other
2:46:31department needs because of this
2:46:33separation. So if if a report could be
2:46:35given then we have a better idea of how
2:46:37we can really do the allotment of the
2:46:39portioning of the you know budgeting uh
2:46:42for that purpose and uh and it gives us
2:46:45a good idea of how now they are working
2:46:47with the separation uh of the DPW into
2:46:50so many different departments. So
2:46:52request the report for that. Thank you.
2:46:55>> Send that to the manager. All those in
2:46:56favor oppose so ordered.
2:46:59Request manager provide council with a
2:47:01update concerning the status of the
2:47:02overgrowth of Elox Pond including an
2:47:05explanation of the environmental
2:47:06concerns involved timelines for
2:47:08addressing those concerns and
2:47:09information action being taken regarding
2:47:10the pond's water level. Council O'Hara.
2:47:12>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, this is
2:47:14something that's uh come up pretty often
2:47:16in conversations I've had in the
2:47:17neighborhood. Um people have reached out
2:47:20to me through emails and online as well.
2:47:22Um, so through the chair to the city
2:47:25manager, um, maybe you could give me
2:47:28just a little brief insight on what
2:47:32we're dealing with when it comes to to
2:47:33Ellen Park.
2:47:35>> Uh, Mr. Manager,
2:47:38>> uh, to the chair of the council, this
2:47:40ongoing work there, especially on the
2:47:42vegetation end, there are some
2:47:43additional dollars that we've received,
2:47:45uh, through state dollars and even
2:47:47grants. Um, so there's ongoing work. Um
2:47:50but we I'd be happy to bring back a
2:47:51report. I know that um not only you but
2:47:53also council Bergman has been uh asking
2:47:55about some of the improvements and
2:47:57updates in UN park. So, um the
2:48:00commissioner is fully aware. Uh so,
2:48:02we'll we'll be prepared to provide a
2:48:03better detailed response, but I know
2:48:05that there's some ongoing work that
2:48:07needs to happen around the vegetation
2:48:09and the impacts of the because one of
2:48:12the challenges to the vegetation and one
2:48:13of the areas of is the impact of the
2:48:15soil which impacts uh the conservation
2:48:18commission plays a role in that and so
2:48:20we need to be mindful of that. So, uh
2:48:22we'll we'll we'll have a report that
2:48:24that outlines all those details.
2:48:26>> Okay. Thank you. I think um I think what
2:48:28also needs to be mentioned is the work
2:48:30that is do that is being done in the
2:48:32park. Um I drive by there regularly. Um
2:48:35and they do a good job keeping up with
2:48:37everything else but those those issues
2:48:39that we have. U they do a job, you know,
2:48:42trimming right up to to the pond as far
2:48:44as they can go. Um it seems like they're
2:48:46doing a great job keeping it clean.
2:48:48Obviously they redid the the the ground
2:48:51area of of the playground. So the the
2:48:53grounds crew is doing a great job. parks
2:48:55crew is doing a great job over there,
2:48:57but it's tough to know that when you're
2:48:59driving by and people walk by and they
2:49:00see what they see. Um, you know, but you
2:49:03know, people still frequent the park.
2:49:04There's a lot of people, every time I
2:49:05drive out, there's people using the park
2:49:07and um, you know, we just really need to
2:49:09put a real concerned effort or find a
2:49:11way to really start addressing those
2:49:12issues. Um, and it could be in sections,
2:49:15in parts, or whatever it may be. But
2:49:16again, people aren't seeing that
2:49:18unfortunately from a distance, the work
2:49:19that's really being done in that area.
2:49:21So, um, I really look forward to this
2:49:23report. Hopefully, we can get this
2:49:24report sooner um to get the word out um
2:49:27to see what we can do. Obviously, the
2:49:29summer's gone. We're in the fall and um
2:49:31maybe something that we can have a
2:49:33better plan on what's going to happen
2:49:34come springtime. Thank you.
2:49:36>> Thank you. We send that to Mandro. Those
2:49:38in favor opposed.
2:49:40Council King wants to sign on.
2:49:43Probably everybody else does too. As
2:49:45amended. Those in favor opposed.
2:49:50Okay. W request manage request uh
2:49:53commissioner of transportation mobility
2:49:54provides city council with report
2:49:56detailing the 90-day trial per
2:49:57installation of a four-way stop signs at
2:50:00several locations in western including
2:50:01intersection on June Street, Bernell
2:50:03Street, Hadam Street include but are
2:50:05limited to information pertaining to
2:50:07when the 90day trial will occur. What
2:50:10residents input will be used to measure
2:50:12the success of the stop sign controls?
2:50:15What criteria will be used to determine
2:50:16if the stop signs are warranted on a
2:50:18permanent basis? Council Bergman Rivera.
2:50:21>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. what prec
2:50:24precipitated uh the order is uh some of
2:50:27the feedback I got from particularly the
2:50:31one of the speakers that's still here
2:50:33that spoke earlier that's directly
2:50:35impacted uh given the proximity of our
2:50:37older Victorian home to where this took
2:50:39place years ago when I was on traffic
2:50:42and parking subcommittee and I don't
2:50:44know how much has changed but I judging
2:50:48from the placard that was shown during
2:50:50the public speaking portion
2:50:53the four-way stop sign was always like
2:50:55the last resort. Um I I don't know
2:50:59um what the numbers were for accidents
2:51:02over in the intersection. I have lived
2:51:04over in that neighborhood in various uh
2:51:08for v to various degrees for the better
2:51:11part of 60 years of my life, which is
2:51:13vast majority of my life. Um, I know
2:51:15there were challenges over there, but I
2:51:17also know there were speed pumps, speed
2:51:18bumps that were put in or speed humps
2:51:21not that long ago on Levelvel Street.
2:51:22Um, I do cut through that intersection a
2:51:25lot and I do see what's going on there.
2:51:27The one challenge I certainly uh think
2:51:29it's worth noting is when four people
2:51:31come to a four-way stop like that, you
2:51:34still have to depend on people being
2:51:36courteous, giving each other the right
2:51:38away, which really doesn't change much
2:51:40from the way it was without the stop
2:51:41signs being there. Having said that, I
2:51:43know there was some money put aside to
2:51:46do four three or four separate four-way
2:51:48intersections throughout the city. Uh
2:51:50from my reading of it, my recollection
2:51:53of it, it was a 90-day um trial period
2:51:55and simply asking through the chair,
2:51:58city manager. Um what does that mean?
2:52:00What does a 90-day trial period mean? Is
2:52:02there opportunity for people to weigh
2:52:04in, if not to change anything, perhaps
2:52:06to tweak things to make it better for
2:52:08their quality of life? uh if it's
2:52:10directly affecting them and if there is
2:52:13an overwhelming amount of um unhappiness
2:52:17and I'm not saying there is but if there
2:52:19is what does that mean during that
2:52:2090-day trial period. So there's
2:52:22questions and I'm just wondering through
2:52:24the chair um if we can get some answers
2:52:26back before that 90-day window uh ends
2:52:29if the manager knows or perhaps a report
2:52:32in a f later future date uh will be
2:52:34forthcoming through the chair the
2:52:35manager
2:52:36>> Mr. Do you share to the council? Based
2:52:38on my understanding is the 90 period
2:52:4090day period has ended and the actual
2:52:44order um the actual order of the
2:52:46petition of uh putting those stop signs
2:52:49was ordained already. Uh it was
2:52:51unanimously unanimously approved by the
2:52:54committee as well. Uh we will be
2:52:56prepared to provide a a memo with all
2:52:58the data uh related to it. Um but
2:53:01unfortunately the 90-day period has
2:53:03ended and the the pro the uh the work
2:53:06has been already ordained.
2:53:08>> So if I thank you so if I may through
2:53:10the chair to the city manager that tells
2:53:12me that that 90-day period must have
2:53:14started before the four stop signs were
2:53:17fully implemented because I think it was
2:53:19probably August when they were fully
2:53:21implemented. So I don't think it's been
2:53:23>> 90 90 days since then. But if we get a
2:53:26report on on that period that that would
2:53:28be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
2:53:31>> Councelor Rivera, you all set in case I
2:53:34get a report back in the when the 90
2:53:35days started as said it might have been
2:53:37Labor Day. So, we will we we will send
2:53:40that to the manager. All those in favor
2:53:43opposed.
2:53:45Okay. 12X requests manager consider
2:53:47ensuring two WA Police Department Police
2:53:50Academy classes are completed and ready
2:53:51for work before the end of the calendar
2:53:52year 2027.
2:53:54Considerations should include using
2:53:56funds from fiscal year 27 for one class,
2:53:58fiscal year 28 for the other. Council
2:54:00Bergman.
2:54:03Okay, we'll come back to council
2:54:05Bergman.
2:54:07Okay. Okay. 12 Y request city management
2:54:11consultation with the relevant city
2:54:12departments outreach providers and
2:54:14people with lived experiences. Develop a
2:54:16plan to clean designated hotspots also
2:54:19responds to the needs of unsheltered
2:54:20residents and the house and housing
2:54:21crisis. For request to see manager
2:54:23coordinate queen-ups with respect to
2:54:24outreach advanced communication
2:54:26practical connections to shelter
2:54:28services and housing for request manager
2:54:30track the following the number of
2:54:31queenups 301 responses debris and
2:54:34overflow repeating ups cliness scores
2:54:38complaints and clumsiness outreach
2:54:40contacts and service housing connections
2:54:42were available. Council
2:54:43>> thank you Mr. Chairman. Um, this
2:54:46particular item is really looking for uh
2:54:49the city to develop some key performance
2:54:51indicators as it relates to our
2:54:53responsiveness to the various hotspot
2:54:57locations related to debris, trash, etc.
2:55:01Um, this pertains to the general public
2:55:05and the unsheltered population um who's
2:55:08part of the general public. Uh, Mr.
2:55:11chairman. Um this came out of some
2:55:14discussions with the city manager um
2:55:16over the last few days and weeks as it
2:55:19relates to our response um to folks
2:55:23within the city of Worcester and um in
2:55:26my travelings throughout the city um
2:55:29there are locations um that uh
2:55:32repeatedly um appear that they need
2:55:35attention. Mr. chairman um in spaces
2:55:38where uh folks gather, if it's for a
2:55:41ball game, if it's for uh recreation, if
2:55:45it's for um folks coming together um
2:55:48after leaving uh St. John's or the
2:55:51shelter, um that those places um it
2:55:54commonly occurs that there's uh trash
2:55:57and debris and whatnot. Mr. chairman.
2:56:00Um, in my conversation with the city
2:56:02mayor, I asked how often there's sort of
2:56:05uh cleaning sweeps of these locations.
2:56:09Um, and in some instances there are and
2:56:12in some instances there aren't. Um, so
2:56:14what we're really looking for here, Mr.
2:56:16Jim is a plan and that plan may
2:56:19intersect
2:56:20um with
2:56:23uh involving people with lived
2:56:26experience who maybe we can um do
2:56:28something productive with those folks or
2:56:31help them have a productive outlet. Um
2:56:33our small businesses, our nonprofit
2:56:36partners um and our city departments.
2:56:39Mr. Jim, I'm interested to see um some
2:56:42of the response times to 311 initiated
2:56:45responses um the number of clean
2:56:48cleanups um how many times we have to go
2:56:50back to those hotspot locations. Um and
2:56:55again um for folks who are uh coming to
2:57:00the city to events but also to folks who
2:57:02are unsheltered in the midst of housing
2:57:04crisis. um when you continually walk by
2:57:07various parts of the city and they're
2:57:09continually um a challenge um you know I
2:57:13had asked some questions about um you
2:57:16know the polar park area what's what's
2:57:18the role of the ballpark in some of
2:57:20those areas um and it led to this
2:57:23particular report Mr. chairman. Um I
2:57:26know that outside of that core um
2:57:29there's been complaints for years, for
2:57:30example, behind South Plaza um one of
2:57:33the streets there um with my old
2:57:35athletic director over at Holy Name. Um
2:57:38where there's constant debris behind
2:57:40that particular business facility over
2:57:42at South Plaza. Um so we know these hot
2:57:45spots. Um, we know obviously the bridge
2:57:48over at Green Street, some of the places
2:57:50on Lincoln Street, um, some places in
2:57:54Maine South. Um, and it caused you to
2:57:57wonder, we have ambassadors, we have
2:57:58these different things, but what does
2:58:00the intersections look like? Um, what
2:58:02are those key performance indicators?
2:58:05Um, and what is the response time as
2:58:08relates to those uh, particular places,
2:58:10Mr. Chairman? Um,
2:58:14thank you. Okay, I'll send that to the
2:58:16manager. Those in favor post so ordered.
2:58:18>> 12 Z
2:58:19>> Z request the manager develop clear
2:58:21guidance related to the business should
2:58:22contact 311 or 911 that includes
2:58:25information related to how businesses
2:58:26can request outreach related to
2:58:29emergencies involved unsheltered
2:58:30individuals. Further request is a
2:58:32guidance ensures non-emergency concerns
2:58:33involving unsheltered people be trained
2:58:35outreach teams with 911 being preserved
2:58:39for emergencies. Federal request
2:58:40management consult business outreach
2:58:42provides relevant city departments and
2:58:44people with lived experience absorbing
2:58:46city guidance. Federal request that the
2:58:48following information be tracked as part
2:58:49of such guidance. Business reach
2:58:52businesses reach uh routing times miss
2:58:55directed non-emergency calls first
2:58:57resolutions connections to services
2:58:58shelter or housing when available.
2:59:01Council K.
2:59:01>> Thank you Mr. Chair. I like to amend
2:59:03miss to just say at the request the city
2:59:05manager develop clear evidence-based
2:59:08guidance and best practices um and
2:59:12provide that to the council um via a
2:59:15report uh related to when businesses
2:59:17should contact 311 or 911
2:59:20etc. Mr. chairman. Um I'd also like to
2:59:24um amend this um to emphasize that uh
2:59:28this is in response to folks that are
2:59:30disregulated
2:59:32um who um appear to be um in need of a
2:59:36public health response. Mr. chairman. Um
2:59:41I've met with folks again I've spoken to
2:59:44folks
2:59:46um in businesses including the canal
2:59:49district and we'll specify they may or
2:59:51may not be on the canal district or so
2:59:54business district associate but I've
2:59:56spoken to folks there who I know who own
2:59:58businesses um and it's a mixed bag. Who
3:00:02do you call? You have someone there.
3:00:04They're nodding off. Um they're under
3:00:06the influence. um you know they appear
3:00:09to need some help. Um who do you call?
3:00:11We're supposed to have a um co-response
3:00:15uh element. We have quality of life. We
3:00:18have um the crisis team um as well. And
3:00:22then we have uh private partners um
3:00:26through um the various agencies that
3:00:28provide homeless outreach um etc. Um we
3:00:32had mobile crisis. I don't know what the
3:00:33status of that is right now. Um but we
3:00:36had all these things. We have BHN coming
3:00:38in u with an expertise in um co-response
3:00:42model with police and social workers and
3:00:45clinicians. Um but we really want to
3:00:47attract
3:00:49TRACT attract
3:00:51um where um there's a clear
3:00:56um response that's perhaps a
3:01:00differential response and perhaps um a
3:01:03response where folks are rooted to
3:01:06outreach teams um
3:01:10including uh a clinical response. So um
3:01:13would also like to understand that when
3:01:16those are called in to 911 or 311 um
3:01:20what is the um response routing times or
3:01:24response times? Um were uh the folks or
3:01:28the businesses that made those uh calls
3:01:32reached? Um were they engaged with? Um
3:01:35was any of these calls misdirected to
3:01:38non-emergency calls? Um what were the
3:01:40resolutions on the first contacts? Were
3:01:43there connection to services, shelter or
3:01:45housing? Um if possible, Mr. Chairman.
3:01:49Um and you know, we had a meeting I met
3:01:51today with the delegation and you know,
3:01:54again, uh one of the elected officials,
3:01:56you know, in in their part of the city,
3:01:59um had indicated that, you know, they
3:02:02help out with some of these calls. They
3:02:03call 311. Uh we have the folks write to
3:02:06911. Um, and so it's a mixed bag. I
3:02:09don't know what the answer is. Um, but
3:02:11would like a report back on that with
3:02:13some key performance metrics as part of
3:02:15our response um, to the challenges we're
3:02:18here in the city. Um,
3:02:20and um, you know, also the gaps as
3:02:24relates to shifts where folks would be
3:02:27available, what's the current status um,
3:02:30of um, our co-response model? Um, is it
3:02:34even in effect at this time? And if so,
3:02:36how often are they deployed? Um, you
3:02:38know, our our police officers, as I
3:02:40mentioned, um, are being asked to do a
3:02:43lot. Um, and I've said this before,
3:02:45they've been asked to, um, you know,
3:02:47help people cross the street. Um,
3:02:49they've been asked to be AAA social
3:02:51workers, um, youth counselors, etc. Um,
3:02:56and it's it's it's a lot. and um
3:02:59responding repeatedly with to these
3:03:02folks um is is um part of the job, but
3:03:06it's also um a part of the job that can
3:03:09be um kind of uh um shared. So um really
3:03:15want to see something like this move
3:03:17forward um through the chair to the
3:03:19administration. I would ask this
3:03:20question um currently what is the
3:03:23guidance provided to businesses and
3:03:25residents um um as it relates to 311,
3:03:30911, uh who do you call? I know in some
3:03:34and I have a an order coming for the
3:03:36next uh agenda as it relates to to a
3:03:40little bit of this that's a little bit
3:03:42different. Um but who are they advised
3:03:44to call um through the chair?
3:03:49>> Mr. Manager,
3:03:50>> two shel um when there are matters
3:03:54related to the unhoused population that
3:03:56are either impacting a business or local
3:03:58residents uh etc. Oftent times whether
3:04:00it's someone sleeping in the vestibule
3:04:03or someone just entered my place etc. Uh
3:04:06oftent times what we tell off uh the
3:04:09individuals or the business owners it
3:04:11depends on the situation uh depends on
3:04:13the situation. If it is something that
3:04:15is violent that is a of a crime then we
3:04:18immediately tell them to call 911. If it
3:04:21is something where uh you feel as though
3:04:23someone just needs attention or someone
3:04:25needs to just respond without an
3:04:27emergency uh then then reach out to 311.
3:04:31The challenge becomes when it's after
3:04:34hours or after 5:00 or what have you
3:04:37where um our 311 uh department is not
3:04:42available uh for the evening hours. So
3:04:46most of these calls are generated to the
3:04:48911 to respond to uh uh address uh any
3:04:52of those matters. Um they do the the
3:04:55department has clinicians uh that
3:04:58responds with them uh when when needed
3:05:01um regarding a mental health situation.
3:05:04Um but right now that is something that
3:05:06uh we are evaluating. That's something
3:05:08that we are in discussions as part of
3:05:10the resource center to have a
3:05:12centralized location for any of these
3:05:14types of calls related to uh individuals
3:05:16that are uh unhoused in our community.
3:05:18And so there's further discussion that's
3:05:21happening around this, but currently
3:05:22right now that's the current practice of
3:05:24the city.
3:05:25>> Thank you. I appreciate that. Um, you
3:05:27know, I'd like to get this um some
3:05:30communication to the council forth with
3:05:32and you know, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to
3:05:34amend this as well to include a public
3:05:36education campaign um once this has been
3:05:40solidified. And Mr. Chairman, the last
3:05:42amendment is that this the beginning of
3:05:44this request clear guidance relates to
3:05:47when businesses that should also um
3:05:50include residents um and people who come
3:05:53uh within city um borders um uh for this
3:05:59information. Mr. Chairman, um I think
3:06:03response and um scale and scope of
3:06:07response is extremely important right
3:06:10now. um as we deal with these
3:06:12challenges. Thank you.
3:06:14>> As the manager, all those in favor of
3:06:15post order,
3:06:19go back to X. Request the manager
3:06:22consider ensuring two the police
3:06:24department police academy classes are
3:06:25completed and ready for work before the
3:06:27end of the calendar year 2027. Said
3:06:29consideration should include using funds
3:06:31from the fiscal year 27 for one class
3:06:34and 28 for the other. Council Bergman.
3:06:36>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We had a long
3:06:38discussion last week about
3:06:41the needs and concerns of uh staffing of
3:06:43the Worester Police Department and the
3:06:45fact that
3:06:46the number we've always been focused on
3:06:48doesn't take into consideration of late
3:06:51the growth of the city, the uh students
3:06:54we have in the city on a at least nine
3:06:56month basis. And the fact that Worcester
3:06:59continues to grow uh since I've been on
3:07:01the council, some of my colleagues will
3:07:03say the same thing. The kind of the goal
3:07:06has always been to keep the amount that
3:07:08we have, but realistically we need to be
3:07:12beyond that amount and I know funding is
3:07:13always going to be an issue and
3:07:15recruiting is going to be an issue.
3:07:17Although that's not necessarily in our
3:07:18hands, that's in the police department's
3:07:20hands, but funding certainly is
3:07:22something we can't control. I was rather
3:07:24surprised to learn that the city is on a
3:07:29regular basis is divided into five
3:07:32districts with four officers in each
3:07:33district at any regular appropriate time
3:07:37with up to 10%
3:07:39potentially calling in sick and uh I'm
3:07:42sorry taking the time off and others
3:07:44calling in sick. And now we have the um
3:07:46we're aware of an issue that's been
3:07:48going on for a long time, which is the
3:07:49number of officers that have to escort
3:07:52people under arrest that have uh alleged
3:07:55medical issues. Um so that number on a
3:07:59regular basis could dwindle down to what
3:08:01I would call the dangerous level for not
3:08:03only the public but for the police
3:08:05department. So we need to do better in
3:08:09just not maintaining the status quo but
3:08:11moving forward with more police from
3:08:14budgetary concerns. I understand there's
3:08:16a class coming forward. You know, my
3:08:18suggestion in this order is if we could
3:08:19get two classes on in 20 in the calendar
3:08:22year 2027 by using the budget
3:08:26um in 2020, this year's budget in 2027
3:08:30and next year's budget in 2028 to u fund
3:08:33two separate classes and have them both
3:08:36available even if it's December of 2027.
3:08:39I think that's a worthwhile goal because
3:08:41we could get additional class on. we've
3:08:44had we would not only maintain but
3:08:46finally start moving ahead and instead
3:08:49of um hitting the budget hard in any
3:08:51particular one year we would be able to
3:08:54spread it out over essentially two
3:08:55different years budgets. I think it
3:08:57makes fiscal sense. I'll wait to hear
3:08:59back from the manager
3:09:01and as chief financial officer and
3:09:04others um to see if if I've missed
3:09:07something with that strategy. Uh and
3:09:10obviously we'll need to have the chief
3:09:11involved. But I do think having two
3:09:13classes in 2027 will be a great way to
3:09:17start moving forward and not only
3:09:19maintaining the number we have, but
3:09:20start getting to the goal we really need
3:09:22to be, which is over the 500 mark. It's
3:09:25not the 450 460. we've we've been trying
3:09:28to maintain it's really over the 500
3:09:30mark. Lastly, and I reiterate, I say
3:09:33that because compared to Springfield,
3:09:35Providence, and um Hartford and other
3:09:38similarly situated cities of our size,
3:09:41the population police to to uh the ratio
3:09:44of police to population is much higher
3:09:47than it is in Worcester to our police
3:09:49department. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
3:09:51>> Send that to the manager. Council King.
3:09:55>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um,
3:09:58you know, we I think just came before us
3:10:00to to the council the other day uh
3:10:02looking into doubling up um police
3:10:07officers two to a car. Um at the same
3:10:10time, we're saying there's a which would
3:10:12limit um you know their coverage of the
3:10:16city. um it would reduce um their uh
3:10:22visibility to a degree um given that
3:10:25there'd be less vehicles um and there's
3:10:28other concerns and and we we I supported
3:10:30asking for I believe I did um for more
3:10:33information
3:10:35and we have cost concerns
3:10:38as well. Mr. chairman. Um
3:10:43this particular item
3:10:45um I thought we had just discussed and
3:10:49um this is before us without any
3:10:52consideration for costs. Um it's not a
3:10:57request to look at well how much would
3:11:00this cost? Um none of that's in here
3:11:03which is usually part of a lot of these
3:11:06items. Uh Mr. Chairman, I I certainly
3:11:09would like a cost analysis perhaps if I
3:11:11end up voting for this. Right now, I
3:11:13stand in opposition.
3:11:15That certainly makes sense. Um, I would
3:11:19ask the city manager, um, I know, um,
3:11:22you've considered this, um, do the chair
3:11:25to administration,
3:11:28given the
3:11:30things that confront us right now, um,
3:11:33and your budget projections,
3:11:35does this appear feasible to you on the
3:11:38face of it, through the chair, on its
3:11:40face,
3:11:42>> Mr. Manager?
3:11:44uh through the chair to the council. Uh
3:11:46it'd be difficult for me to give you a
3:11:48yes or no qu answer um because I it all
3:11:52depends how many uh we want to add in a
3:11:54class if it's a class of five or a class
3:11:56of 30 or class of 40. Um that has an
3:11:59impact on the on the cost. Um and also
3:12:03it is subject to the potential ne the
3:12:06negotiations that are ongoing right now
3:12:08with uh with the patrolman's unions
3:12:11related to the impact on that on future
3:12:14uh budgets uh for their salary
3:12:16increases. So it's tough for me to say
3:12:19whether it's feasible or not because
3:12:20there's a lot of moving pieces right now
3:12:22in place to determine whether that's
3:12:24something that's feasible or not
3:12:26>> through the charity administration. My
3:12:27understand is it my understanding that
3:12:30what I heard from you um is that there
3:12:34are complicating factors as it relates
3:12:36to determining this through the chair
3:12:41>> to the chair to the council based on
3:12:42what I'm seeing here and this is
3:12:44ensuring two department classes it
3:12:47doesn't it doesn't identify how many in
3:12:50these class so it could be 10 people it
3:12:52can been 30 40 50 I don't know exactly
3:12:55what that number is Um this year we had
3:12:5822 officers that graduated uh the class.
3:13:02Um and so we we on an annual basis we
3:13:05try to uh fund 30 uh uh uh positions but
3:13:10not all 30 often make to the uh
3:13:13ceremony. Um but if we keep on that um
3:13:17that would be something that have would
3:13:18have a significant impact on the budget
3:13:20especially based on what I'm reading
3:13:22here. It seems as though there may be
3:13:24some potential utilizing FY28 dollars
3:13:28for this year's class and I don't know
3:13:29if we will be able to do that. Um, and
3:13:32because the FY28 budget hasn't been
3:13:34developed and hasn't been approved by
3:13:36the council yet. So, it may there's some
3:13:40there's some finessing or some
3:13:42conversations that need to happen uh
3:13:44before we uh can before I can
3:13:46definitively say whether we can do this
3:13:48or not.
3:13:48>> Mr. Chairman, I'm not convinced that
3:13:50this is feasible. Um, this does not ask
3:13:54for a report,
3:13:56Mr. Chairman. Um,
3:14:01I'll go along with considering this if
3:14:04there's a report.
3:14:06Um, the file of this motion, this order,
3:14:10um, has been a stickler about reports
3:14:12and if it's a report or not. Um but
3:14:16certainly
3:14:22um I would like like to figure that out
3:14:25um through the charity administration.
3:14:27Is this a departure from how we do
3:14:29things um through the chair to the to
3:14:31the city manager?
3:14:35Would this be a departure about how how
3:14:38we evaluate classes if we went this
3:14:42route?
3:14:44to chase to the console. My
3:14:46understanding this this this would have
3:14:48no impact on that on the evaluation of
3:14:50the classes. Is that what you're asking?
3:14:52>> Class size,
3:14:54>> right? So you said it could be two
3:14:56people each class, could be 10, could be
3:14:58five. But my question is your process um
3:15:02how would this impact that?
3:15:04>> Again, it would be based
3:15:05>> or do you consider two classes every
3:15:07year?
3:15:07>> We only consider one class every year.
3:15:09we have not considered two classes every
3:15:11on on one given year. Um that additional
3:15:16cost is something that we have not
3:15:18analyzed and whether the budget right
3:15:20now could actually support that. So I
3:15:23think what the order is asking is for me
3:15:26to consider that possibility. So we
3:15:28would have to do some analysis to that.
3:15:30>> Okay. Um
3:15:34Mr. Chairman, I'd like a report back
3:15:37on the feasibility of this. Mr. agent.
3:15:40Um if that's not accepted as a friendly
3:15:43amendment, I I would like um to file it
3:15:45separately. Um but certainly um the
3:15:50manager to consider this u we've just
3:15:52been through this with another order. I
3:15:54get it. Um but certainly a report back
3:15:57from the council um with fiscal impact
3:16:01um before any decisions made.
3:16:21Mayor Petty.
3:16:28>> No, I think maybe I'm reading this
3:16:31differently. I think councelor Bergam's
3:16:32absolutely correct from the report that
3:16:34we got last week. Was it last week? The
3:16:37chief. Yeah. And I know it depends on
3:16:40budget. It's always depends on the
3:16:41budget. Depends how much money how many
3:16:42are going to be in the class. But we're
3:16:44going to have I forget the exact
3:16:46numbers. A couple hundred potentially to
3:16:49be out. It was the police department at
3:16:51the end of count the end of this 160
3:16:53come the end of this year and next year
3:16:55something like that. And uh so council
3:16:58burments want to make sure that we are
3:17:01filling those positions
3:17:04public safety. The way I read this is
3:17:06right and this is where I might be off
3:17:07here is that you want two class I even
3:17:10asked the chief police about this the
3:17:12last meeting about the classes how will
3:17:14we work because
3:17:18the end of before the end of the
3:17:19calendar year 27. So that means January
3:17:22you start a class ready for the 27th
3:17:25school year said consideration using
3:17:27funds from we have a class starting this
3:17:29January right for fiscal year
3:17:3227
3:17:32>> Mr. manager
3:17:33>> correct supposedly
3:17:35>> for this
3:17:36>> to council for the budget that was
3:17:39adopted for FY27 July 1. That's the
3:17:42class that would be uh uh
3:17:45>> and he's going to put maybe we'll say
3:17:47let's say the class goes over 40, right?
3:17:49Something like that. Whatever it might
3:17:50be.
3:17:51>> Well, we funded we we supported a class
3:17:53uh I believe is 30.
3:17:54>> This class coming in January
3:17:56>> FY27.
3:17:57>> Okay. So, you have 30 coming in 30. So,
3:17:59that's what council Bergman's asking
3:18:00for. And how do you coordinate that next
3:18:02class? It'll be in a different budget
3:18:04which we do every year anyways. it would
3:18:07be. So there's no real effect on this
3:18:09except
3:18:11again the way I'm reading this you get
3:18:13the police recruits come in earlier. So
3:18:14July 1st comes around for fiscal year
3:18:1628. You have that's already budgeted.
3:18:20Council Bman say let's just sit waiting
3:18:22to January of 29.
3:18:24I get my year screwed up but 29. You're
3:18:27going to start it comes 28. You're going
3:18:29to start that at the end of 27 if
3:18:32possible because the classes it's almost
3:18:34impossible to get two classes on one
3:18:36year. You just can't do it because
3:18:38there's enough there's not enough
3:18:39months. Takes you seven months to train
3:18:40a police officer. So it goes from
3:18:42January through July. Then you have to
3:18:44do background checks. So same people do
3:18:47the background checks are doing the
3:18:50doing the training. So the background
3:18:52checks aren't going to occur probably
3:18:53we'll say when things get to close it
3:18:55could be June July get ready maybe by
3:18:57the end of the year. So he's I think
3:18:59councelor Bergman is so there's going to
3:19:00be a real it's not going to be a real
3:19:02budget issue here. Uh unless you we
3:19:04decide not to fund the class whatsoever
3:19:06because you get two fiscal years. We
3:19:08already budgeted 27 fiscal year. 28
3:19:12presume which fiscal year would start
3:19:15that u so be the same be two fiscal
3:19:19years
3:19:21>> uh chief council uh again this is this
3:19:24would be a conversation the chief and I
3:19:26would head in and we would present the
3:19:27recommendations to the council what the
3:19:30the way I'm reading is is it says police
3:19:33academy classes are completed and ready
3:19:34for work before the end of calendar year
3:19:3627 so that means two classes to be
3:19:39completed and ready for or before the
3:19:41end of the calendar year
3:19:42>> 2017 which will be in the 28 budget
3:19:45because we're going to do that budget
3:19:46next year.
3:19:47>> Correct. But so that means that you
3:19:48would be making a decision on the FY28
3:19:50budget right now.
3:19:52>> Yeah. Yeah. So that just on that that's
3:19:56why I was saying earlier is it would
3:19:58just be it just be considering as part
3:20:00of the budget that based on whether we
3:20:02>> read this he's trying to push up the
3:20:04timetable to see if we can do this. I
3:20:06you can clarify if you want council
3:20:08Bergman but I get what he's trying to
3:20:10say here. this sort of an emergency if
3:20:11you think about it. We we struggled with
3:20:12this with the fire department. We were
3:20:14down a lot of firefighters,
3:20:16a lot of firefighters. And uh it took us
3:20:19a few years to recover from that. That's
3:20:21what councelor Berg was trying to do
3:20:22here is make sure we don't get in that
3:20:24same situation as if it was the fire
3:20:26department was several years ago.
3:20:30>> Council Sacham,
3:20:32>> thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Appreciate
3:20:34it. term uh
3:20:36I think there's a need of an increasing
3:20:39allow law enforcement officers that we
3:20:41all recognize that I think there should
3:20:44be uh if I may uh through the chair to
3:20:47the manager maybe it is a discussion
3:20:49between yourself police chief and the
3:20:53CFO how we can really do this if we are
3:20:56going to be advancing the money from
3:20:582028 to for this purpose I think we
3:21:01should involve the CFO also So Tim
3:21:04McGarthy to find out if that could be
3:21:07feasible or doable. But I like to think
3:21:09that if we can do two two classes
3:21:12certainly we'll increase the number of
3:21:14you know police police officers. Last
3:21:16time when police chief was here I think
3:21:18he was on board to do two classes. It's
3:21:21just a matter of having the budget. So
3:21:22this gives us gives us a pathway but I
3:21:25think that it should be discussed with
3:21:27the chief financial officer Mr. Merti
3:21:31chief and you to come up with a solution
3:21:33if that is possible. So because we're
3:21:35going to be advancing the budget from
3:21:372028. So thank you
3:21:39>> council.
3:21:41>> I just like to sign on to council bur.
3:21:43[laughter]
3:21:44>> Okay.
3:21:45Okay. So council Bergman.
3:21:48>> I since since there was lots of
3:21:51postulating about what I meant I think
3:21:53Mr. Mayor you hit the nail on the head.
3:21:56My goal for this item, and I have no
3:21:58issue with Council King's friendly
3:22:00amendment. Um, my goal for this item to
3:22:03see if financially,
3:22:05we're already committed to one class
3:22:07with this year's budget, we can find a
3:22:09way to make sure we get another class on
3:22:11board starting with next year's budget.
3:22:14Now, whether we can do that before the
3:22:15budget starts or not is is a question of
3:22:18legal and and fi fiscal
3:22:22uh
3:22:24criteria that I don't have an answer to.
3:22:26the manager is going to have to find
3:22:27that out. But I'm sure he will. But the
3:22:30other point I had was when I listened to
3:22:31the chief last week and I could have
3:22:34been wrong, but I I thought what I heard
3:22:36him say is and it was answering a good
3:22:38question that the mayor had asked is
3:22:40what's the length of time to get a new
3:22:42class really up and running. And I
3:22:44thought I heard around four or five
3:22:45months is where I heard that. So perhaps
3:22:48even longer, but it seems to me it it
3:22:50would be tight if we started in July,
3:22:53but not necessarily impossible to get it
3:22:55to the end of to get it to the end of
3:22:57the year. And even if we could get a
3:22:59class started, two classes started in
3:23:012027
3:23:02budgeted by this year's budget and bud
3:23:06and fi and paid for by next year's
3:23:08budget. Even if we don't make the
3:23:09December 31st goal, at least people will
3:23:12know that we have had two classes up and
3:23:14running in 2027. And I think that's the
3:23:17thing we need to start doing more of to
3:23:20make up ground because we're losing
3:23:22ground. And I think it's also a good
3:23:24message to send that it's a priority. Uh
3:23:26if it legally can be done, then I'm all
3:23:29for it. But I'm simply asking that the
3:23:31mayor and the manager, excuse me,
3:23:33through the mayor through to the city
3:23:34manager that those discussions be had
3:23:36with the law department and with the
3:23:38CFO. If it could be done, great. If it
3:23:40can't, I'll welcome the report back.
3:23:42>> Okay. So, take the motions council.
3:23:45Council King.
3:23:50Is it Council King?
3:23:53Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I
3:23:57I'd like this to be a report, Mr.
3:23:59Chairman. Number one. Number two, I sat
3:24:02here and I heard uh Mayor Petty indicate
3:24:05that it wasn't feasible and he said he
3:24:07supported it. I heard the city manager
3:24:09say it takes seven months when you
3:24:11include the background, the rest of the
3:24:13process. Um, and so this is pie in the
3:24:18sky is really what it is to a large
3:24:20extent. Mr. Chairman, you know, we keep
3:24:23hearing about this this number of folks
3:24:26that are going to retire and I've been
3:24:27hearing this for probably close to a
3:24:30decade. Um, and the mention of the
3:24:33number of around 160 or so, 61 or
3:24:36whatever the number is. I'm going to ask
3:24:37through the chair to administration,
3:24:38what's the number? Is it 161?
3:24:42>> Mr. manager
3:24:43>> to the chair to the council. Um the
3:24:46people that are eligible potentially to
3:24:48retire are roughly about 100 if not less
3:24:50than 100
3:24:51>> less than 100.
3:24:52>> Uh the people that are eligible for
3:24:55retirement. There are a number of folks
3:24:57currently right now that have already
3:24:59put their their papers in for
3:25:01retirement. Um so I think if you take
3:25:03into consider those that are in
3:25:05retiring, those that are long-term
3:25:07leave, potential military, etc., I think
3:25:09that's where that 160 161 number came
3:25:11from. Um, and
3:25:13>> just a point just a point. You're saying
3:25:14that includes long-term leaves and
3:25:17>> it may potentially and I have to
3:25:20>> in the service. Is that what you said?
3:25:22Long-term leave folks in the service
3:25:24>> through the trip to the council.
3:25:25Correct. Uh, and so
3:25:26>> they're coming back though potentially.
3:25:29>> Potentially. But there are times where
3:25:30they don't. And so that leaves these
3:25:32positions open or unfilled or uh uh not
3:25:37uh these positions not available for for
3:25:39uh for the city. the individuals that I
3:25:42said that are eligible for retirement.
3:25:45That was a there was a particular moment
3:25:47in time in the city in 94 95 I believe
3:25:50where uh the city brought in 100 or over
3:25:56a 100red officers. There was two major
3:25:58big classes that was brought forward. Uh
3:26:00those individuals are the ones that are
3:26:02eligible right now uh for that
3:26:04retirement.
3:26:06>> Thank you. when those numbers um the
3:26:09number the numbers that you're
3:26:10calculating um what was the number last
3:26:13year
3:26:15for retirements potentially
3:26:17>> Mr. manager
3:26:18>> judiciated to the council. More or less
3:26:20similar numbers.
3:26:21>> Same numbers.
3:26:21>> More or less similar.
3:26:22>> Okay. And do you have an idea the year
3:26:24before that?
3:26:25>> Approximately
3:26:27>> to the council. I do not I do know that
3:26:29when I'm referring to the class, the 94
3:26:31I believe it's 94 or 93 94 that class
3:26:34again you think about 30 years later
3:26:37>> eligible in 2021.
3:26:38>> So they were believe eligible then.
3:26:40>> Okay. So we have the same number. Um Mr.
3:26:44Jim and I've I've participated in
3:26:47recruiting activities etc for probably
3:26:50close to six years now. Um and
3:26:55we keep hearing this number. Um
3:26:59not convinced that this is feasible. Um
3:27:02I would like a report Mr. Chairman. Um
3:27:06and under that I can support this. Um
3:27:09however I want to reiterate what I heard
3:27:13was seven months through the chair to
3:27:15administration. Is that correct for the
3:27:17time period?
3:27:18>> Mr. Manager to share to the council the
3:27:21training happens uh it takes four 12
3:27:23weeks training and then prior to that
3:27:25there's a lot of background review etc.
3:27:27So when you take the whole listic from
3:27:29the beginning to end is roughly seven
3:27:31months.
3:27:32>> Thank you Mr. Chairman.
3:27:35Okay, councelor Rivera,
3:27:38>> just for clarification purposes, I I was
3:27:40understanding
3:27:42through [clears throat]
3:27:42many conversations we had um through the
3:27:46chair to the administration, we are 60
3:27:49officers short, 60 61 officers short now
3:27:54and there's about a hundred or so who
3:27:57are at retirement. So, isn't that where
3:28:00the whole number comes from?
3:28:02>> Mr. manager
3:28:03>> uh three chips to the council. Yes, you
3:28:05are correct. But that 60 includes people
3:28:07that are out on IOD, workers comp,
3:28:10military, etc. It's not that where are
3:28:1360 open positions. Um there are people
3:28:17that are in those positions, but there
3:28:19are certain circumstances that they're
3:28:21not currently active in the police
3:28:23department. And so that's where that
3:28:25overall 60 comes from. the hundred or so
3:28:28are individuals that are now eligible
3:28:30for retirement based on their date and
3:28:32time when they started with the city.
3:28:34>> Thank you.
3:28:36>> Okay. So, we have the item plus we have
3:28:39an item for get a report back. So, we
3:28:41can take those collectively if you like
3:28:42or
3:28:43>> Yes.
3:28:44>> Okay. All those in favor? Post.
3:28:51>> Okay. We have a resolution. Let's see
3:28:53how long this would take.
3:28:55Let's see the that the city council see
3:28:58hereby go on record commending Mass DOT
3:29:00District 3 highway director of central
3:29:02Mass Barry Jay Waran for his support
3:29:05ensuring the portion of Mckon Road under
3:29:07the one time under I290 be resurfaced
3:29:12>> Mr. Chairman through you I'm going to
3:29:14use a line that my friend and colleague
3:29:18council Mitra uses. I got elected to get
3:29:21things done. Hey,
3:29:23>> and this is one of them. [laughter]
3:29:25This is one of them, Mr. Chairman. I
3:29:28went door to door in Vernon Hill,
3:29:30Quincig Village, College Hill, and I
3:29:32can't tell you how many people told me
3:29:34that [snorts] that
3:29:37portion of road under 290 on Mchuan Road
3:29:40needs to be resurfaced. And I said, I'll
3:29:43do everything I can to address it. So, I
3:29:45used an old contact back uh when I was
3:29:48in the legislature. Barry Laurian back
3:29:51then was an engineer and worked with me
3:29:52on 146 the 146 mass turnpike project and
3:29:57I called him up and he said he'd do it.
3:30:00Give me some time and I'll do it and he
3:30:02did. So I want to thank the director of
3:30:05uh the highway director at Mass DOT here
3:30:09in district 3 in in Worcester Barry
3:30:11Lauren for keeping his word. and it's
3:30:13only a stretch of maybe 150 ft. But
3:30:16anybody who travels that road for the
3:30:18last year or two uh it was it was
3:30:21actually deteriorating. It wasn't
3:30:22potholes. The whole road was uh you know
3:30:26an issue. So again I want to thank him
3:30:28and uh uh I appreciate the time Mr.
3:30:31Chairman. I made it pretty quick, didn't
3:30:33I?
3:30:34>> Thank you. [laughter]
3:30:36>> Okay, roll call.
3:30:39>> Councelor Bergman.
3:30:40>> Yes.
3:30:40>> Councelor Bada.
3:30:41>> Yes.
3:30:42>> Councelor Economo. Yes,
3:30:43>> Roso.
3:30:44>> Yes,
3:30:45>> King.
3:30:46>> Yes,
3:30:46>> Mitra.
3:30:47>> Yes,
3:30:48>> yes,
3:30:49>> Rivera.
3:30:49>> Yes,
3:30:50>> Rosen.
3:30:50>> Yes,
3:30:51>> Tumi.
3:30:52>> Yes,
3:30:52>> Mayor Petty.
3:30:53>> Yes. 14 A to 14F, motion to accept. All
3:30:57those in favor of post, so a ordered.
3:31:0015A, motion to accept and adopt. All
3:31:02those in favor of post, so a ordered.
3:31:0415B motion to accept. All those in
3:31:06favor, so a ordered.
3:31:0916A motion is to advertise proposed
3:31:12ordinance. Roll call.
3:31:15>> Councelor Bergman.
3:31:16>> Yes.
3:31:16>> Council,
3:31:19>> yes.
3:31:20>> Councor Economo,
3:31:21>> yes.
3:31:21>> Collo,
3:31:22>> yes.
3:31:22>> Councor King,
3:31:23>> yes.
3:31:24>> Mitro,
3:31:24>> yes.
3:31:24>> Council,
3:31:25>> yes.
3:31:26>> Rivera,
3:31:27>> yes.
3:31:27>> Rosen,
3:31:28>> yes.
3:31:28>> Tumi,
3:31:29>> yes.
3:31:29>> And Mayor Petty,
3:31:30>> yes.
3:31:31>> 16B to 16T. Motion to accept. All those
3:31:35in favor, oppose, so ordered.
3:31:38did the rest of it. The suspension.
3:31:40Council Okcono. Roll call.
3:31:45Councelor Bergman.
3:31:46>> Yes.
3:31:47>> Council Bada.
3:31:48>> Yes.
3:31:48>> Councilor Conno.
3:31:49>> Yes.
3:31:49>> Council Zolo.
3:31:50>> Yes.
3:31:51>> Council King.
3:31:55>> Yes.
3:31:55>> Council Mitra.
3:31:57>> Yes.
3:31:57>> Council Hayda.
3:31:59>> Yes.
3:31:59>> Dr. Rivera.
3:32:00>> Yes.
3:32:00>> Rosen.
3:32:01>> Yes.
3:32:01>> Council Tumi.
3:32:03>> Yes.
3:32:03>> Mayor Petty.
3:32:04>> Yes. Council.
3:32:06>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. real quick
3:32:08here. Um, some great work's been done
3:32:10here in our schools and I just want to
3:32:12congratulate the four schools here in
3:32:13our city that have earned state
3:32:16recognition for academic pro progress.
3:32:19They are the Francis J. McGrath
3:32:21Elementary School, Midland Street
3:32:23School, Worcester Arts Magnet, all three
3:32:27of those in D1
3:32:29and Columbus Park School. Uh,
3:32:33>> D5. Yes. Thank you. Uh these schools
3:32:37demonstrated significant progress
3:32:38towards accountability targets in
3:32:40English language arts and math. They
3:32:42ranked in the 20th percentile in the
3:32:44state. So I just wanted to I think it's
3:32:47something that's worth mentioning and I
3:32:49think it's something that uh the school
3:32:50department and the administrators and
3:32:52teachers should be proud of. Thank you.
3:32:54>> Thank you. And uh with that make a
3:32:57motion to adjurnn. All those in favor
3:32:59oppose. No order.