CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, October 6, 2020 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:07 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:10 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Vice Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Councilor Matthew E Wally |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Sean M Rose, who arrived at 5:16 P.M.
Councilor Matthew E Wally | | | | | Also: | Councilor Gary Rosen
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on September 29, 2020. | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rose absent) | |
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| | | 2a. | In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Esther Howland Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 173 475 0507) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3.
https://cowevents.webex.com/cowevents/onstage/g.php?MTID=e0fa7961782a68b17a41309437fa4a5db | Attachments |
| 3. | Certified Project Application Item | |
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| | | 3a. | Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of a resolution to file an application to designate 340 Main Street as a Certified Project and approve a Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Plan for the property.
# 9.4B CM September 22, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the 340 Main Street Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Plan, including information relative to Commerce Associates’ Master Plan at 340 Main Street that includes Strawberries Early Learning Center and Maker to Main – two women-owned businesses – as well as SilverBrick Group, LLC reaching an agreement to purchase the property and 15-year term for the TIE Plan at an average exemption of 41%.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Aaron Papowitz, Manager of SilverBrick Group, LLC, who provided information relative to the history of SilverBrick Group, LLC, the types of floor plans that will be available to residents and the diversity of full-time and temporary employees at the project.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed gratitude for the developer’s contributions to a new Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the city.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed findings of the market analysis report completed by SilverBrick Group, LLC and lease-up marketing with Mr. Papowitz.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. Roberta Brien, Worcester Business Development Corporation, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed SilverBrick Group, LLC’s meeting with the Worcester Jobs Fund, as well as SilverBrick Group, LLC’s previous projects in the city of Springfield with Mr. Papowitz.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved. Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 4. | Communication of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of Economic Development.
# 11.4D CM September 8, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who highlighted some of the work being done by the Executive Officer of Economic Development, including work on Polar Park, Table Talk Pies relocation, The Reactory, the MBI Scale Up Center, among other projects.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson spoke to the many projects occurring throughout the city and the work being done by the Executive Office of Economic Development.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed the successes of the Executive Office of Economic Development despite challenges associated with COVID-19.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed ways to better highlight the individual successes in the city’s district and neighborhoods, as well as the city’s plans to create more pad-ready sites with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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