COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER 25, 2002

COUNCIL CHAMBER

5:00 P.M.

Convened:  5:09 P.M.

Adjourned:  7:04 P.M.

 

Present:      Councillor Dennis Irish, Chairman

Councillor Michael Perotto

Councillor Philip Palmieri

Philip Niddrie, Chief Development Officer

Lanny Beaulieu, Development Office

George Ciccione, Development Office

Doug McKay, Convention & Visitors Bureau

Donna Gibbons, Convention & Visitors Bureau

Mary Babbidge, Asst. City Clerk

 

CERTIFIED PROJECT APPLICATIONS

 

Councillor Irish recused on Items 1-5

 

1.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the Certified Projects (TIF’s).

          #7L CM August 21, 2001

          In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

2.       Communication of the City Manager relative to Certified Projects (TIF) Tracking Reports.

          #7A CM  March 5, 2002

 

File

 

3.       Communication of the City Manager relative to revenue lost/gained by granting TIF's.

#7D CM  April 2, 2002

 

File

 

4.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the submittal of an Amendment of the Economic Opportunity Areas and application to the State's Economic Asistance Coordinating Council for the elimination of the existing eight EOA's and for the retention of existing Certified Projects and all future Certified Project Applications as "Site Specific EOA's".

#7K CM  August 20, 2002

 

Approve

 

5.       Communication of the City Manager relative to Certified Projects (TIF) Report as of June 30, 2002.

#7M CM  August 20, 2002

 

File

 

Chairman’s Order – Request Administration continue to update City Council relative to Certified Projects.

 

Chairman’s Order – Request City Solicitor provide clarification of TIF legislation concerning number of jobs created and if some type of voluntary compliance is possible.

 

MARKETING

 

6.       Communication of the City Manager relative to City of Worcester’s Business Retention Plan, the Worcester Business Support and Retention Program (WBSRP).

#8A CM  March 21, 2000

          In Committee July 20, 2000 – Held

          In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

7.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the exploration of alternative resources available through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Housing and Community Development’s “Downtown Initiative” and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Main Streets” program.

#8DD CM  November 21, 2000

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

Chairman’s Order – Request the Economic Development Office look into reports prepared by Julie Jacobson relative to Main St. and recommend to City Council whether or not there is any useful purpose in pursuing funding for Main St.

 

8.       Communication of the City Manager relative to a copy of the agreement between the City of Worcester and the Worcester Marketing Corporation.

#7C CM  March 13, 2001

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

9.       Communication of the City Manager relative to marketing the Ice Cats with the Marketing Corporation.

          #7D CM December 18, 2001

 

File

 

10.     Communication of the City Manager relative to 1988 “Main Street” report from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

#8BB CM  February 6, 2001

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

11.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Marketing Corporation.

          #7C CM  January 8, 2002

 

File

 

12.     Communication of the City Manager relative to list of the Board of Directors of the Marketing Corporation.

          #7B CM  January 29, 2002

 

File

 

13.     Communication of the City Manager relative to "side by side" review of Worcester County Convention & Visitors Bureau recruitment efforts.

          #7J CM  May 28, 2002

 

File

 

14.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Business Recruitment Committee.

          #7B CM December 18, 2001

 

File

 

15.     Communication of Worcester Marketing Corp. transmitting Marketing Plan 2002/2003.

          #81 CC  June 25, 2002

          In City Council August 20, 2002 #170 CC - Placed on File

          In Committee for Informational Purposes Only

 

File

 

16.     Order of Councilor Petty -  Request Commerce and Development Committee to do some benchmarking with the business community so that we know if we have legitimate and definable goals in order to recognize and achieve those goals in a one year period.

#36a CC  November 21, 2000

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

17.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Centre City Vision Plan.

#8C CM  May 2, 2000

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

18.     Communication of the City Manager relative to the completion of an economic development plan for the reuse of the Greenwood St. landfill.       

#8A CM  February 6, 2001

In Committee April 2, 2001 – Held

In Committee May 2, 2001 – Held

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

19.     Communication of the City Manager relative to the 2001 Annual Report for the Greater Worcester Area Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee.

          #7G CM December 18, 2001

 

File

 

20.     Communication of the City Manager relative to a development plan for approximately 67,000 square feet of vacant land controlled by the City of Worcester at the proposed South Worcester Industrial Park (SWIP).

          #7D CM  April 30, 2002

 

Approve

 

21.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Gateway Park Master Plan.

#7F CM October 9, 2001

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

22.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Gateway Park.

#7A CM  September 3, 2002

 

File

 

23.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Cultural Coalition $50,000.00 received in 3rd-year funding.

          #7G CM  May 14, 2002

 

File

 

24.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Microloan Program (Woosta Pizza).

          #7D CM  May 14, 2002

 

File

 

Chairman’s Order – Request Administration provide details of charge-offs on microloans as to principals involved.

 

25.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Microloan funding pool.

          #7F CM  May 28, 2002

 

File

 

26.     Communication of the City Manager relative to a report on microloans.

          #7A CM  June 11, 2002

 

File

 

27.     Communication of the City Manager relative to names of corporations that received microloans.

          #7D CM  June 25, 2002

 

File

 

28.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Website.

          #7Q CM  August 20, 2002

 

File

 

CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

 

29.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Worcester County Convention and Visitors Bureau Quarterly Report.

          #7A CM   November 20, 2001

 

File

 

30.     Communication of the City Manager relative to transmittal from the Worcester County/Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau.

          #7A CM  January 8, 2002

 

File

 

31.     Communication of the City Manager relative to the Worcester County Convention and Visitors Bureau Sales Report.

          #7E CM  April 2, 2002

 

File

 

32.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Convention Bureau Year-End Sales Report.

          #7E CM  August 20, 2002

 

File

 

33.     Communication relative to City Funds for Worcester County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

          #7B CM  September 3, 2002

 

File

 

Chairman’s Order – Request Administration report as to how the governing authority of the Worcester Convention & Visitors Bureau is appointed.

 

Chairman’s Order – Request Administration provide City Council with last year’s audited financial statement for the Worcester Convention & Visitors Bureau.

 

UNION STATION/COMMUTER RAIL

 

34.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station Report.

          #7A CM December 4, 2001

          In Committee January 28, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

35.     Communication of City Manager  relative to Union Station Urban Revitalization Plan (USURP).

          #7B CM  January 8, 2002

          In Committee January 28, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 – Held

File

 

36.     Report of the Committee on Public Works upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the Meredith & Grew Staff.

          #268 CC  January 8, 2002

          In Committee January 28, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

37.     Report of the Committee on Public Works upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to maintenance of grounds at Union Station.

          #269 CC  January 8, 2002

          In Committee January 28, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

38.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station/Washington Square Development Plan.

          #7E CM  January 15, 2002

          In Committee January 28, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

39.     Order Clancy - Request Commerce and Development Committee to look at the issue of rental of business office space in Union Station.

          #39j CC  January 22, 2002

          In Committee January 28, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

40.     Communication of the City Manager relative to questions asked at the City Council meeting of January 15, 2002 relative to the Union Station/Washington Square Master Plan.

          #41 CC  January 22, 2002

          In Committee January 28, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

41.     Communication of the City Manager relative to issues dealing with Union Station/Washington Square.

          #7E CM  January 29, 2002

          In Committee February 11, 2002 - Held

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

42.     Communication of the City Manager relative to a series of questions regarding Union Station.

          #7D CM  February 12, 2002

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

43.     Communication of the City Manager relative to a report on the south end of Union Station for buildout.

          #7B CM   February 12, 2002

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

44.     Communication of the City Manager relative to WRA expended state funds for buildout for private spaces.

          #7B CM  February 26, 2002

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

45.     Communication of the City Manager relative to westbound Shrewsbury Street traffic.

          #24K CM  February 26, 2002

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

46.     Communication of the City Manager relative to traffic study of Washington Square.

          #24J CM  February 26, 2002

          In Committee February 27, 2002 - Held

          In Committee March 6, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

47.     Communication of the City Manager relative to redesignation of exchange point of WRTA stops from City Hall to Union Station.

          In City Council  February 26, 2002 - #7D CM - Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee -

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

48.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station/Washington Square.

          #38CC  March 26, 2002

          In Committee April 1, 2002 - Held

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

49.     Communication of the City Manager relative to funding for roadwork at Washington Square.

          #24E CM  April 2, 2002

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

 

File

 

50.     Communication of the City Manager relative to  point person the City is communicating with at CIGNA.

          #7A CM  April 2, 2002

          In Committee April 8, 2002 - Held

File

 

51.     Communication of the City Manager relative to cost figure for fit-out of Union Station spaces 1D & 1E for commercial/restaurant activity as well as office space build-out.

          #7B CM  April 30, 2002

 

File

 

52.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station Update.

          #7H CM  May 14, 2002

 

File

 

53.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station Rehabilitation Tax Credits performed by City Bond Counsel, Attorney Loretta Richard of Ropes & Gray.

          #7B CM  June 11, 2002

 

File

 

54.     Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting report on the historic tax credit that was taken for expenditures made to rehabilitate Union Station.

          #51 CC  June 11, 2002

 

File

 

55.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station Update.

          #7B CM  June 25, 2002

 

File

 

56.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station Update.

          #7R CM  August 20, 2002

 

File

 

57.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Peter Pan Bus Lines, Inc. regarding the Worcester Union Station intermodal terminal project.

          #7A CM  August 20, 2002

 

File

 

ROUTE 146 - BLACKSTONE PARKWAY

 

58.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Blackstone Canal Feasibility Study Update.

          #7A CM December 18, 2001

 

File

 

59.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Blackstone Canal Feasibility Study.

          #7A CM  January 15, 2002

 

File

 

60.     Communication of the City Manager relative to the Blackstone Gateway Park Master Plan Project Grant.

          #7C CM  April 2, 2002

 

File

 

Chairman’s Order – Request Administration provide City Council with an update on the Blackstone Canal.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

61.               Communication of the City Manager relative to WPI “Interactive Qualifying Plan”.

#7D CM  May 15, 2001

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

 

File

 

Chairman’s Order – Request Administration provide City Council with a summary report relative to the WPI Interactive Qualifying Plan on the Prescott St. Gateway Park.

 

62.     Communication of the City Manager relative to reports which detail the Goals and Objectives for the Development Office.

#8A CM  November 14, 2000

In Committee November 28, 2001 – Held

File

 

63.     Communication of the City Manager relative to filing of special legislation involving the lease between the City and the Department of Capital Asset Management for Trial Court space in the Memorial Auditorium.

          In City Council December 18, 2001 - #16A CM - Order adopted.

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only

 

File

 

64.     Communication of the City Manager relative to a summary report on the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program.

          #18E CM  February 12, 2002

 

Refer to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

65.     Communication of the City Manager relative to small business liability relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act.

          #18D CM  February 26, 2002

 

File

 

66.     Communication of the City Manager relative to correspondence from the United States Environmental Protection Agency regarding Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Grant.

          #7F CM  May 14, 2002

 

File

 

67.     Communication of the City Manager relative to grant applied for and received to cleanup brownfields.

          #17G CM  August 20, 2002

 

File

 

68.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Worcester Courthouse Design Review Committee.

          #7B CM  April 23, 2002

 

File

 

69.     Communication of the City Manager  relative to RFP for hotel to be built at the location of the Central Street Fire Station.

          #7A CM  April 23, 2002

 

File

 

70.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Quinsigamond Village Visitors Center Action Plan.

          #7E CM  June 11, 2002

 

Hold

 

71.     Communication of the City Manager relative to Telecommunications Services in Worcester.

          #7I CM  August 20, 2002

 

Hold

 

72.     Communication of the City Manager relative to "New Market Tax Credit" Program.

          #7C CM  September 3, 2002

 

File

 

Chairman’s Order – Request Administration provide a first quarter 2003 report relative to the New Market Tax Credit Program.

 

 

Also considered:

 

Communication of the City Manager relative to Abbott Bioresearch Center Expansion and Tax Increment Financing request.

 

Approved