CITY OF WORCESTER

Municipal Operations Committee Meeting

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 4:45 P.M.

Adjourned: 5:43 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
David J. Rushford

Committee Members

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Sale of Collector's Deeds. # 9.34A CM October 19, 2010

Transmitting informational communication relative to the legality of the local hiring requirement in a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Agreement. # 11a CM October 04, 2011

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Report from the City Treasurer as to whether oversight of school activity funds is within the capacity of the Treasurer's Office. # 8.27B CM February 14, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Online Permit Center. # 8.32B CM February 14, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Contract with Pat's Towing and Service Center. # 10.13B CM March 13, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Procedural Protocols Relative to the Acceptance and Oversight of Voluntary Donated Funds. # 8.27A CM March 27, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to Collector's Deeds and the City's Notification Procedures. # 9.27A CM April 24, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Final Certification of New Growth. # 9.24A CM May 22, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Report on the Compliance of Financial Institutions and the City's Securing and Maintaining Vacant and Foreclosing Properties Ordinances. # 9.27A CM July 17, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the laws governing the Administration of Elections in the City of Worcester and those Governing Polling Places Behavior. # 10.13B CM September 18, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Public Schools' Fiscal Year 2014 Budget. # 10.22A CM November 13, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Francis H. Dewey Charity Trust and the Cy Pres/Henry Harris Trust Fund. # 10.27A CM November 13, 2012

Transmitting informational communication relative to the DCU Center Special District Improvement Fund. # 8.27A CM February 05, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Department of Inspectional Services 2012 Year in Review. # 8.14A CM February 26, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to the List of 2012 Salaries of All City and School Employees. # 9.3B CM March 12, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Department of Inspectional Services Fee Schedule. # 8.15A CM April 02, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Animal Shelter Services Contract. # 10.32E CM June 18, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to Constables Appointed by the City of Worcester. # 10.32F CM July 16, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to operation of a Livery Vehicle and a Proposed Regulatory Ordinance Amendment and Reorganization Ordinance. # 10.13A CM August 20, 2013

(Reorganization Ordinance Only - Comprehensive Adoption Granted November 19, 2013) In Committee for Informational Purposes Only

Transmitting informational communication relative to an Update of Constable Fee Submissions. # 8.32C CM October 08, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to the manner in which the REAP Ordinance is Implemented and whether the Ordinance can be expanded beyond licenses or permits. # 8.27A CM November 12, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to an event titled "Know Your Rights" designed to provide the public with information about their employment rights. # 8.20A CM April 29, 2014

Transmitting informational communication relative to the DCU Naming Rights Extension Agreement . # 8.32B CM October 28, 2014

Transmitting communication relative to the DCU Center - Event Fund. # 11a CM November 18, 2014

Transmitting informational communication relative to the History of the Management Contract between the City and the DCU Center. # 11.13A CM December 16, 2014

Transmitting informational communication relative to Existing PILOT Agreements. # 11.13B CM December 16, 2014

Recommend adoption of an amendment to the City's organizational ordinances. # 9.13A CM June 23, 2015

Comprehensive Adoption Granted September 23, 2015

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Loan Order for the DCU Center Special District Improvement Fund. # 10.30A CM November 10, 2015

Transmitting report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, Compliance and Federal Award Programs for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 that was prepared by the City's auditors Sullivan, Rogers & Company, LLC. # 8e CC March 20, 2012

Transmitting Management Letter that was done in conjunction with the city's audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 by the City's auditors Sullivan, Rogers & Company, LLC. # 8d CC March 20, 2012

Transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Worcester Retirement System (WRS) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. # 11b CC June 26, 2012

Transmitting the Actuarial Valuation and Review as of January 1, 2012 for the Worcester Retirement System. # 11c CC June 26, 2012

Transmitting Auditor's Reports for June 2012 through September 2012. # 10a CC November 20, 2012

Transmitting the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. # 9b CC December 11, 2012

Transmitting Auditor's Report for October 2012. # 9a CC December 18, 2012

Transmitting Management Letter that was done in conjunction with the city's audit of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 by the City's auditors Sullivan, Rogers & Collins, LLC. # 9a CC March 05, 2013

Transmitting the Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, Compliance and Federal Award Programs for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012 that was prepared by the City's Auditors Sullivan, Rogers & Company, LLC. # 9b CC March 05, 2013

Transmitting Auditor's Report for March 2013. # 9a CC April 23, 2013

Transmitting Auditor's Report for April 2013. # 9a CC June 11, 2013

Transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) of the Worcester Retirement System (WRS) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. # 11c CC July 16, 2013

Transmitting the Actuarial Valuation and Review as of January 1, 2013 for the Worcester Retirement System (WRS). # 11d CC July 16, 2013

Transmitting Auditor's Report for June, July and August 2013. # 8a CC October 15, 2013

Transmitting Auditor's Reports for September and October 2013. # 8a CC November 19, 2013

Transmitting Auditor's Report for November 2013. # 10a CC December 17, 2013

Transmitting Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) of the City of Worcester for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. # 10b CC December 17, 2013

Transmitting Auditor's Report for December 2013 and a General Fund Report. # 8a CC January 28, 2014

Transmitting Auditor's Report for January 2014 and a General Fund Report. # 11a CC February 25, 2014

Transmitting two reports on compliance and internal controls and the management letter issued by the Certified Public Accounting firm of Clifton Larson Allen, LLP for the City of Worcester for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 (FY2013). # 9a CC April 08, 2014

Transmitting Auditor's Report for March 2014. # 9a CC April 29, 2014

Transmitting Actuarial Valuation and Review as of January 1, 2014 for the Worcester Retirement System. # 10a CC May 27, 2014

Transmitting communication relative to the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) of the Worcester Retirement System (WRS) for the year ended December 31, 2013. # 12c CC July 22, 2014

Transmitting communication relative to Head Start Audit Findings reported in Single Audit Report for FY13. # 12b CC July 22, 2014

Transmitting the Independent Auditors Report on Financial Statements and Supplementary Information and the Management Letter of the DCU Center for the year ended June 30, 2014. # 9a CC October 28, 2014

Transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 20, 2014. # 10a CC January 07, 2015

Transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) of the Worcester Retirement System (WRS) for the year ended December 31, 2014. # 10a CC July 21, 2015

Transmitting Actuarial Valuation and Review of the Worcester Retirement System (WRS) as of January 1, 2015. # 10b CC July 21, 2015

Transmitting report on the percentage of residents who do not respond to the annual street listing. # 10d CC April 02, 2013

Transmitting report detailing the number of absentee ballot applications received in connection with municipal elections. # 10e CC April 02, 2013

Transmitting informational communication relative to City Council's request for the process and timeline that was followed during the 1993 City Manager search and appointment process. # 10a CC December 03, 2013

Transmitting a copy of the Mayor's Social Service Task Force report that was submitted to City Council on October 11, 2005 by Mayor Timothy P. Murray. # 9a CC January 28, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to New Valuation Software for Assessments and Recertification. # 12.30A CM September 21, 2010

In Committee January 24, 2012 - Held

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Residential Exemptions. # 9.30A CM December 21, 2010

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Triennial Revaluation. # 8.23A CM January 31, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Tax Abatement Process. # 9.23A CM May 22, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative Fiscal Year 2012 Abatement Period Process. # 8.23A CM October 16, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Analysis and Changes to Land Valuations as Part of the Fiscal Year 2012 Recertification Process. # 8.23A CM November 29, 2011

In Committee December 6, 2011 - Held In Committee January 24, 2012 - Held

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to frequently asked questions of the Assessing Division. # 8.23A CM February 14, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Property Assessments. # 8.13A CM February 28, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Residential Property Values. # 10.23A CM March 13, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Commercial Property Values. # 9.23A CM April 10, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Commercial and Industrial Property Assessments. # 20a CM May 15, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2012 Abatement Process. # 10.23A CM June 26, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2012 Abatement Process. # 9.23A CM July 17, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2012 Abatement Period Process. # 11.23A CM September 04, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Standard Notifications Mailed Annually to Businesses and Commercial Property Owners. # 8.23A CM April 02, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to research regarding lowering the current 8% Interest rate in the Elderly Tax Deferral Program. # 8.23A CM November 12, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Non Profit Exempt Properties. # 8.23A CM January 21, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a Report from the Urban Institute Relative to Property Tax Exemption Revenue Implications. # 9.23A CM February 04, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report that compares all actual commercial real estate sale prices over the last six months with the assessed values for those same properties. # 8f CM December 09, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a revised report that compares all actual commercial real estate sale prices over the last six months with the assessed values for those same properties. # 14d CM December 09, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a revised update as to the status of petitions made by property owners to the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board. # 15b CM December 16, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to properties in the City that are assessed at over One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and whether or not these properties should be reviewed in light of the recent sale of the Higgins Armory Property. # 8.23A CM January 20, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative property tax exemptions available to veterans. # 9.23A CM February 24, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal 2015 Abatement Process report. # 9.23B CM February 24, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to tax exempt properties at The College of the Holy Cross. # 9.23A CM March 10, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to enhanced public notification and education of the rights and responsibilities involving the sale of "Collectors Deeds". # 9.28B CM March 10, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the FY15 Property Tax and abatement process, as amended by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Acts 2015 Chapter 10, Sec. 62. # 8.28B CM April 28, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues for the First Month of Fiscal Year 2013. # 11.24A CM September 04, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Revenues and Expenditures for First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2013 through to September 30. # 10.24A CM October 30, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester Fiscal Year 2013 Revenues through October 30th. # 8.24A CM December 11, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City’s Recent Bond Anticipation Note Rating. # 8.27A CM February 26, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Five Year Fiscal Forecast for Fiscal Years 2015 through Fiscal Year 2019. # 5a CM September 17, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the August Revenue Report. # 8.24A CM October 08, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Current Status of the City's Municipal Bond Rating. # 8.24B CM October 22, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to City Revenues and Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2014 First Quarter per the City Five Point Plan. # 8.24A CM November 12, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues and Expenditures Through October for Fiscal Year 2014, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 10.24A CM November 26, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues and Expenditures Through November for Fiscal Year 2014, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 8.24A CM January 21, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the recent Bond Anticipation Note Sale and Rating Agency Report. # 9.27A CM February 04, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenue and Expenditures Through December for Fiscal Year 2014, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 9.24A CM February 04, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues and Expenditures through January for Fiscal Year 2014, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 8.24A CM March 11, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues and Expenditures Through February 28th, 2014. # 8.24B CM April 08, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues and Expenditures Through April for Fiscal Year 2014, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 9.24A CM May 27, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues and Expenditures through August for Fiscal Year 2015, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 11.24A CM September 30, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Revenue and Expenditure Report for the 2nd Quarter of FY15. # 10.28A CM November 18, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues Through November for Fiscal Year 2015 per the City's Five Point Plan. # 8.28A CM January 20, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's revenues and expenditures through February for Fiscal Year 2015, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 8.28A CM April 28, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's revenues and expenditures through March for Fiscal Year 2015, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 9.24A CM May 26, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report that includes details of the usage of funding for park improvements in the FY16 Capital Budget Plan. # 9.24A CM July 21, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's revenues and expenditures through August for Fiscal Year 2016, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 8.24A CM October 27, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's revenues and expenditures through September for Fiscal Year 2016, per the City's Five Point Plan. # 11.26A CM November 24, 2015

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Report Entitled, "The Crushing Burden of Municipal Retiree Health Care Liabilities." # 8.32C CM January 31, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability. # 11.32A CM September 04, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Other Post Employment Benefits and Valuation as June 30, 2012. # 10.32B CM September 18, 2012

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to summary of Preliminary Fiscal Year 2014 Health Insurance Rates. # 8.3B CM April 02, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Health Insurance Open Enrollment. # 8.3B CM October 08, 2013

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative the Preliminary Health Insurance Rate Projections for FY15. # 8.3A CM April 08, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Annual Medicare Retiree Open Enrollment Period from October 20, 2014 through November 7, 2014. # 11.3A CM September 30, 2014

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the FY16 health insurance plan rates and open enrollment information. # 8.3A CM April 07, 2015

Order Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council review the process for removing and exempting the positions of Fire Chief and Police Chief from civil service requirements and to make recommendations regarding filing of appropriate home rule legislation. # 12c CC April 24, 2012

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request Mayor and the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations obtain and submit a copy of the resume of the City Manager candidate whose appointment was moved by the Mayor on November 26, 2013 in order to establish a rationale for negotiations for a salary ordinance and a contract of employment. # 12g CC December 03, 2013

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request the Mayor and the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations obtain a list of job qualifications routinely required in the recruitment of a new City Manager by search firms such as the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management in order to aid the City Council and the Municipal Operations committee in the negotiations for a contract with a new City Manager or interim Manager. # 12i CC December 03, 2013

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council and Mayor immediately formulate and commence the process for the selection of a permanent City Manager. # 8l CC January 14, 2014

Order of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - Request City Council consider utilizing "Recruitment Guidelines for Selecting a Local Government Administrator" from ICMA when developing the process for selecting the next City Manager. # 12b CC January 14, 2014

Order of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney - Request City Manager provide a Scope Document, Task List and Timeline as per the Project Management Disciplines already used by the City of Worcester to be used for the search and hiring of the permanent City Manager. # 11v CC January 28, 2014

Communication of Mayor Joseph M. Petty transmitting an update concerning the search process for a City Manager. # 17a CC July 22, 2014

Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations develop a timeline for the process for searching for a new City Manager. # 15c CC February 11, 2014

Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Tony Economou - That the City Council consider an amendment to the Salary Ordinance so that a salary range, rather than a fixed amount, be set as the yearly compensation for the position of City Manager. # 11f CC April 01, 2014

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations invite the city’s external Auditors to a committee meeting to discuss their reports, procedures and historical analysis of repeated issues in past audits. # 11c CC April 08, 2014

Communication of Joseph Connarton, Executive Director of PERAC, transmitting communication relative to the amount required to be appropriated to the city's retirement system for Fiscal Year 2013 which commences July 1, 2012. # 15a CC December 19, 2011

Communication of Joseph Connarton, Executive Director of PERAC, transmitting communication relative to the amount required to be appropriated to the city's retirement system for Fiscal Year 2014 which commences July 1, 2013. # 9a CC December 11, 2012

Communication of Joseph Connarton, Executive Director of PERAC, transmitting communication relative to the amount required to be appropriated to the city's retirement system for Fiscal Year 2016 which commences July 1, 2015. # 14b CC December 09, 2014

Communication of Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Worcester's FY13 Budget: Post-Recession Observations. # 11a CC June 26, 2012

Communication of Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to "Fare Play? Regulating Worcester's Livery Vehicles and Taxis". # 11a CC October 09, 2012

Communication of Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Worcester's Demographic Trends: 2010 Census. # 11a CC February 12, 2013

Communication of Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to "A Prescription for Retiree Health Care: How Worcester can vanquish its OPEB liability while keeping its workforce happy and healthy". # 12a CC May 07, 2013

Communication of Timothy J. McGourthy, Executive Director for Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Inc. transmitting communication regarding "Worcester Almanac: 2015". # 13a CC February 24, 2015

Communication of Timothy J. McGourthy, Executive Director for the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to "Don't Boo. Just Remember to Vote" Civic Engagement in the City of Worcester. # 11c CC April 28, 2015

Report of the Committee on Municipal Operations Upon the Order of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Council amend the Salary Ordinance of the Mayor to be equal to twice the salary of a City Councilor effective January 1, 2016: recommend adoption of the accompanying new Order that the salary of the Mayor be a yearly flat rate of $43,500, effective January 2, 2016. # 20e CC February 25, 2014