CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, March 8, 2022 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:07 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:35 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Vice Chairperson Khrystian E King | | Councilor Sarai Rivera |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Vice Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E King
Councilor Sarai Rivera | | | | | Also: | Discover Central Massachusetts Executive Director Monique Messier
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle
Preservation Planner Michelle Johnstone
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
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| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Economic Development Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/93387484291
Economic Development Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Economic Development Committee Zoom Access Code: 933 8748 4291 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on December 7, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved to adopt the order. Order adopted. | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an analysis of the Discover Central Massachusetts initiatives showing support for and promotion of the BIPOC community.
# 9.40A CM November 9, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Discover Central Massachusetts Executive Director, who provided a presentation on the operations of Discover Central Massachusetts, the types of businesses that are categorized as tourism and hospitality, the importance of tourism industry and its impact on the city.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed whether the organization works with a DI or consultant and the importance of working with specialists to improve and produce purposeful work with the Discover Central Massachusetts Executive Director.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed actionable items resulting from the efforts relative to promotion of jobs and membership in the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), analytics from online traffic for the articles and the website, the funding the organization receives, and the needs for diversity in staffing and programs with the Discover Central Massachusetts Executive Director.
Chairperson Councilor Rose then discussed how the organization determines which programs and activities to promote with the Discover Central Massachusetts Executive Director.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the topic of design review and the potential roles of a Design Review Commission.
# 9.4A CM October 19, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed the research concerning the creation of the Design Review Commission with focus on architectural and urban design qualities, the design review process in other municipalities, the development of local history districts, and plans relative to incorporating design review into current processes, including the Worcester Now Worcester Next plan, and the current development process.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed the plans concerning the overhaul of zoning ordinance process, and the plans concerning the design review process with the Assistant Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update concerning improved outcomes when contracting with underrepresented businesses.
# 10.5A CM September 22, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who discussed actions taken to address challenges relative to government contracts and improve outcomes when contracting with underrepresented businesses, current goals concerning government contracts and certifications, timeline for reports and implementation of recommendations, and plans concerning new staffing for the department.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed the percentage of contracts with underrepresented businesses relative to current projects, the role of the purchasing department in government contracts, and the challenges concerning government contracts with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the initiation of a study by the Worcester Historical Commission to consider the potential establishment of a new Local Historic District in the Elm Park neighborhood.
# 10.4A CM July 20, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, discussed actions taken concerning the establishment of a new Local Historic District in the Elm Park neighborhood, and the plans and timeline relative to future actions
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King and Councilor Rivera, who both spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3e. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status update on the UNUM TIF agreement.
# 8.4B CM November 10, 2020
In Committee December 8, 2020 - Held
In Committee November 10, 2021 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who discussed the TIF agreement between UNUM and the City, how UNUM has been using the space and plans concerning marketing of free space in the building.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the importance of job creation for downtown Worcester with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed the number of Worcester residents who are employed at the building and the timeline for reports relative to TIF agreements with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of Worcester residents who are employees in the UNUM Building.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of Worcester residents who are employees in the UNUM Building. | |
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