CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:10 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:13 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
Councilor Khrystian E King, who arrived at 5:14 P.M.
Councilor Sarai Rivera | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Chief Development Officer Michelle Smith
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 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://us06web.zoom.us/j/91026766826
Economic Development Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Economic Development Committee Zoom Access Code: 910 2676 6826 | 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 November 29, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted | |
| 3. | Zone Change Hearing Item | |
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| | | 3a. | Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Richard Herlihy request the Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of the entire block bordered by the Belmont St., Plantation St., Natick St. and the railroad tracks from ML-1 to BG-3 for the properties located at 350 Plantation St., 306 Belmont St. and the adjacent 2-story parking garage.
# 14a CC October 25, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed feedback from the community relative to this item with the Assistant Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Jobs Fund FY22 Annual Report.
# 9.4A CM November 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed tax levy contributions with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rose brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning justice impacted applicants associated with the Worcester Jobs Fund Program, including information concerning the number of applicants who participated in the program and the number of applicants who have succeeded in job attainment.
Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be placed on file.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning justice impacted applicants associated with the Worcester Jobs Fund Program, including information concerning the number of applicants who participated in the program and the number of applicants who have succeeded in job attainment. | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the City Administration’s efforts to develop a plan to improve outcomes relative to contracting with underrepresented businesses
# 10.4B CM September 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the item, including the key findings and recommendations by the study.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed improvement plans for accessibility and communications relative to MWBE bids, barriers for smaller businesses, MWBEs in getting government contracts and holding businesses accountable to adhere to TIF policies and plans concerning prioritization of recommendations with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the staff capacity for the Economic Development Office to implement the recommendations from the study, communications with unions and labors and business’ access to capital and efforts to work with local lenders with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose then discussed funding and budget plans for the implementation of the recommendations with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Rose 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 | |
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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a report regarding licensing by the Worcester License Commission.
# 25d CC September 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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