CITY OF WORCESTER | Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:05 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:28 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Vice Chairperson Luis A Ojeda | | Councilor Donna M Colorio |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Morris A. Bergman
Councilor Luis A. Ojeda
Councilor Donna M. Colorio | | | | | Also: | City Solicitor Alexandra H. Kalkounis
City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli
Deputy City Clerk Clare M. Robbins, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9.
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1614999501
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Access Code: 161 499 9501 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Municipal and Legislative Operations hereby approves the minutes of the Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee meeting of January 28, 2025. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3a. | Order of Councilor Jenny Pacillo and Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Clerk display the City Council rules governing public participation at City Council meetings, including but not limited to speaking time limits, decorum expectations, and any procedures for public comment in the City Council Chambers. Further, request said rules be made available on the City’s website and included in publicly accessible materials to ensure transparency and ease of access for all residents.
# 10f CC February 11, 2025 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Clerk, who provided an update relative to displaying the City Council rules governing public participation in the City Council Chambers and the feasibility of printing said City Council rules on the agendas and/or as handouts.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed including a condensed version of the City Council rules to be made available at all meetings separate from the agenda with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning printing extra banners to display the City Council rules governing public participation for residents who sit in the gallery upstairs and for Standing Committee meetings with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval of the item to request the City Clerk to display the City Council rules governing public participation at City Council and Standing Committee meetings in addition to printing the rules on the agenda or as a separate flyer.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3b. | Order of Councilor Jenny Pacillo, Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - Request City Clerk install a visible timer in the City Council chambers to ensure speakers can clearly see the amount of time that is allocated to them for speaking.
# 10g CC February 11, 2025 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Clerk, who provided a demonstration and discussed the multiple functions of the new visible timer in the City Council Chambers.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the importance related to displaying allotted speaking times during meetings.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who discussed the volume function relative to the new visible timer with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed the process relative to utilizing the new visual timer during Suspension of Rules with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who discussed the time increment functions relative to the new visual timer and the process relative to informing public participants that the total time of public participation has expired with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval of the item to request the City Clerk to install a visible timer in the City Council chambers.
Recommend Approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3c. | Order of Councilor Thu Nguyen – Request City Manager work with the Governor and Attorney General to ensure an extension of the allowance of remote participation options such as Zoom at public meetings.
# 10b CC January 21, 2025 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and discussed the status related to an extension of the allowance of remote participation options at public meetings and if an extension would apply to both public participation and City Council participation with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the process relative to the state suspending Open Meeting Law (OML) provisions with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the process relative to abiding by new or reinstated OML provisions with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed the benefits related to recommending the item be held for the purpose of continuing the conversation closer to the OML expiration relative to remote participation, the feasibility of the City Council to create their own provisions relating to remote participation with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3d. | Petition of James P. Coughlin request City Council amend Rule 39 of the Rules of City Council to extend the amount of time permitted for individuals to speak during the Public Participation portion of the agenda from two (2) minutes to five (5) minutes.
# 8p CC January 14, 2025 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and discussed limitations outlined in the City Charter related to a minimum amount of time allotted for public participation with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the following speakers:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of the item
3. Tom Marino, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed of the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed historic speaking time limits with the City Clerk, City Solicitor, and Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report detailing a ten (10) year history relating to time allotted to residents who wish to speak during public participation.”
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the benefits related to allotting two (2) minutes for public participation.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning limitations relating to allotting five (5) minutes for public participation.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call to recommend the item be denied.
Recommend Deny on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3e. | Petition of John E. Keough request City Council request City Clerk read the exact wording of Rule 15, "Relinquishing the Chair for Purpose of Expression," whenever the Chairperson wants to respond to a City Councilor who is speaking.
# 11a CC January 14, 2025 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. John Edward Keough, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed of the item
3. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Feanna Jattan-Singh, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
5. Shawn Busker, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
6. Tom Marino, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed of the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed previous instances where Rule 15 was not enforced with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio who discussed subcommittee decorum with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning the feasibility of the Mayor requesting the City Clerk recite Rule 15 when the situation occurs at City Council meetings with the City Solicitor and City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the responsibility of the City Council relative to advocating for clarification or point of order to ask the Mayor to relinquish the chair for the purpose of expression.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning the feasibility related to requesting the Mayor direct the City Clerk to read Rule 15, the role of the Municipal and Legislative Operations Standing Committee relative to the Mayor’s interpretation of the rules, and best practices relative to City Council members to respectfully hold the Mayor accountable relative to the Mayor’s interpretation of the rules with the City Solicitor, City Clerk, and Speaker #3.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning best practices relative to communicating the City Council Rules with the public.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3f. | Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations review best practices and rules used in other municipalities relative to the conduct of its public officials during meetings, as well as after meetings, especially in public settings within City Hall.
# 14a CC January 14, 2025 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. John Edward Keough, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed of the item
3. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed the feasibility of requesting a report regarding rules used in other municipalities relative to the conduct of its public officials with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then moved for the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing rules used in other municipalities relative to the conduct of its public officials during meetings, as well as after meetings, especially in public settings within City Hall.”
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval of the item.
Recommend Approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing rules used in other municipalities relative to the conduct of its public officials during meetings, as well as after meetings, especially in public settings within City Hall. | |
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| | | 3g. | Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations hold a public hearing relative to public officials using remote participation at City Council and Standing Committee meetings that includes a review of any potential limitations and/or options associated with participating in meetings in such a manner.
# 14b CC January 14, 2025 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed similarities between Item #3c and Item #3g with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3h. | Order of Councilor Donna M. Colorio - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations review the Rules of the City Council Section titled “Conduct of Council Meetings,” including but not limited to Rules 21, 22 and 35, in an effort to determine whether any amendments to the Rules of City Council would better ensure all speaking portions of City Council meetings are done efficiently and in a procedurally accurate manner.
# 19a Tuesday, May 28, 2024
In Committee July 17, 2024 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Clerk, who read Rules 21, 22, and 35.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning how Rules 21, 22, and 35 apply during Suspension of Rules with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then discussed the process relative to best express Rule 35 with Councilor Colorio and the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.
Recommend File | |
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