HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION

JANUARY 30, 2002

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 6:00 p.m.

Adjourned: 7:15 p.m.

 

Present were:               Chairperson Councillor Dennis L. Irish

                                      Councillor Juan A. Gomez

                                      Councillor Joseph M. Petty @ 6:05 p.m.

 

Also:                              Director of Neighborhood Services Dennis Hennessy

                                      Housing Director Scott Hayman

                                      Ruth Carlson, Executive Director WHA

                                      Craig Leslie, Deputy Director Operations WHA

                                      City Clerk David J. Rushford, clerk

 

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

1.       Relative to status of In-Fill Housing Project for South Worcester, 2-2A Douglas St.

          #18B CM  May 29, 2001

          In Committee November 28, 2001 - Held

Recommend File

2.       Relative to status of City’s Housing Programs, Initiatives and Policies – FY 2001-2003.

          #18B CM  June 12, 2001

          In Committee September 24, 2001 - Held

          In Committee November 28, 2001 - Held

Recommend File

3.       Relative to citywide housing market study.

          #18F CM  August 21, 2001

          In Committee November 28, 2001 - Held

          In Committee November 28, 2001 - Held

Recommend File

4.       Relative to Article VII - Inclusionary Zoning & Density Bonuses to promote affordable housing.

          #18A CM  September 25, 2001

          In Committee November 28, 2001 - Held

Recommend Refer to Land Use for consideration of amendment to the Zoning

Ordinance to add density bonuses to promote affordable housing.

5.       Relative to the ComNet Summary.

          #29A CM  October 9, 2001

          In Committee November 28, 2001 - Held

Recommend Hold

 

Invite Dr. Roberta Schaeffer of the Worcester Municipal Research Bureau and representatives of the four neighborhoods mentioned in the report to the next meeting of this Committee to talk about the ComNet program and progress.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration provide the City Council with an update of progress made-to-date with the ComNet initiative.

 

6.       Relative to disposition of City Owned property located at 809 Main St., 68 Ward St., 33 Merrick St., 5 Dudley Pl., 10 Ripley St., 36 Dale St., 124-125 Dewey St. and 2-4-6 (9) Blake St.

          #18B CM  December 4, 2001

Recommend Approval of disposition of properties as listed as recommended

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration post in an appropriate location on the City of Worcester’s web site the policy of the City concerning the disposition of tax foreclosed properties.

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration review the current policies for the disposition of tax foreclosed properties comparing our policy with any additional allowances under State Law and make recommendations to the City Council to speed-up the process in the City of Worcester.

 

7.       Relative to the announcement of the annual HUD Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant Award.

          #18C CM  December 4, 2001

Recommend File

8.       Relative to Worcester Redevelopment Authority's Audit Report.

          #7E CM  December 18, 2001

Recommend File

9.       Relative to the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Walk.

          #18D CM  December 18, 2001

Recommend File

 

Chairman’s Order request the Administration provide the City Council with an update on the problem items referenced in the Manager’s December, 2001 communication concerning the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Walk.

 

10.     Relative to a Citywide Housing Market Study.

          #18C CM  January 29, 2002

Recommend File

 

11.             Relative to DHCD award of $720,000.00 in matching funds to the City’s commitment of HOME funds for rehabilitation and sale of 24 units of housing to first-time, low-to-moderate income homebuyers and renters in the next eight to twelve months.

#18A CM January 29, 2002

Recommend File

Chairman’s Order request the City Clerk communicate with Chairpersons of the

Massachusetts House and Senate Committees on Housing, the Speaker of the House

and the Senate President the grave concerns of the Worcester City Council that the

delay in enacting a housing bond bill will not bode well for Worcester and other

urban communities and exhorts them to move expeditiously.