City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

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 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Nancy Negoshian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a
2. Donald O’Neil, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item, including information relative to the affected area near Varney St, and Goldthwaite Rd., which was approximately one acre in size.

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

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with Item #4b.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed revisions desired to the initially proposed ordinance, including an amendment to the board size from five members to seven members and that a board member always be a laborer. The City Solicitor then provided an overview of the responsibilities and duties of the proposed Worcester Ballpark Authority (WBA).

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the similarities and differences between the WBA and the Civic Center Commission (CCC), as well as how membership of the WBA would be appointed with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed the authority of scheduling non-baseball events at the ballpark, as well as concerns regarding transferring the authority of decisions dealing with the ballpark from the Council to the WBA with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed whether any issues had ever arisen relative to the Civic Center Commission being the governing body for the DCU Center, as well as items that would come before City Council for the ballpark instead of the WBA with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the proposed amendment of increasing the board from five members to seven members, the licenses that the WBA are able to provide, and whether the WBA will have authority over the picket park with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning details associated with the licenses the proposed Worcester Ballpark Authority would be authorized to grant.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the general mission and goal of the WBA, whether an advisory board would be able to fulfill the general mission and goal of the administration, whether it would be possible to put a sunset clause for the WBA, the WBA’s authority over the parking for the ballpark, whether there is a way to repeal the board in the events that the City Council is not satisfied with the board and whether the City Council can initiate for the repeal process for the WBA with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the appropriateness of the WBA and appreciation for the seat of labor being added to the proposed WBA.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the timetable associated with establishing the WBA, the City Council’s ability to propose amendments for WBA responsibilities, confirmation votes for the board members, City Council’s authority to remove members from the WBA, whether a member has been removed by the City Manager with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the timeline for the City Council to act upon the item, as well as a desire to have as much information associated with the WBA in front of the Committee as possible prior to a decision being made.

Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rosen for a second time, who discussed the difference between commissions and authorities with the City Solicitor.

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

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning details associated with the licenses the proposed Worcester Ballpark Authority would be authorized to grant.

Recommend Hold (See Item #4a)