CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, October 27, 2020 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:13 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:00 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
Councilor Matthew E. Wally | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle
Cultural Development Officer Erin Williams
Commissioner of Inspectional Services John Kelly
Director of Housing and Health Inspections Amanda Wilson
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 October 6, 2020. | View Agenda | | | | | | | 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 11 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
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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: 173 696 8006) 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=e1b0a008b5d3bae3379127431937f7fb5 | Attachments | | | | | | | No speakers were recognized during this portion of the meeting. | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Leonid Turchinsky request to amend the Worcester Zoning Map to include 84 Lamartine St., 90 Lamartine St. and 91 Lamartine St. within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District.
# 11a CC September 15, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the request to amend the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District at 84, 90 and 91 Lamartine St.
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. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Arts Council 2021 Grant Applications and Grant Writing Workshop.
# 9.24B CM October 6, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and attempted to recognized the Cultural Development Officer, who was participating remotely, experienced technical difficulties and could not be heard.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who suggested the Standing Committee take the agenda item up at a later time.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a report as to status and condition of 18 Palisades Street.
# 9.16A CM November 12, 2019
In Committee January 28, 2020 - Held
In Committee May 12, 2020 - Held
In Committee September 8, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Director of Housing and Health Inspections, who provided an update of the enforcement order to 18 Palisades St. and next steps for the property if progress is not made.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the potential for the property to go into receivership with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status report on 65 Kenwood Avenue.
# 10.13A CM August 13, 2019
In Committee October 15, 2019 - Held
In Committee January 28, 2020 - Held
In Committee March 2, 2020 - Held
In Committee April 7, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with #4d.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed whether any progresses had been in made in the court orders issued relative to 65 Kenwood Ave. with the Commissioner of Inspectional Services and City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed information listed on the website for 65 Kenwood Ave. stating the entity is accredited by the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH), as well as whether or not that were truly the case with the City Solicitor and Commissioner of Inspectional Services.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Solicitor reach out to the various sober housing accreditation entities to determine whether 65 Kenwood Ave. has any accreditations.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed whether the owner of 65 Kenwood Ave. owned other properties that were being operated as sober houses and what court actions were upcoming with the Commissioner of Inspectional Services and City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed 17 Germain St. being another property owned by the entity that owns 65 Kenwood Ave. and if there had been any issues at the property with the City Solicitor and Commissioner of Inspectional Services.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the items be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request City Solicitor reach out to the various sober housing accreditation entities to determine whether 65 Kenwood Ave. has any accreditations. | |
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| | | 4d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status update concerning 65 Kenwood Ave.
# 8.16A CM June 19, 2018
In Committee June 25, 2019 - Held
In Committee October 15, 2019 - Held
In Committee January 28, 2020 - Held
In Committee March 2, 2020 - Held
In Committee April 7, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4c) | |
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