City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent).

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed funds associated with the auditorium and the agreement to sell the Architectural Heritage Foundation with the City Manager and Chief Development Officer.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budget. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent).

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed vacant positions in the Department of Public Works and Parks, the citywide hiring freeze resulting from economic uncertainties brought on from the COVID-19 outbreak, and the number of potholes filled during the fiscal year with the City Manager.

Councilor Colorio then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the number of potholes that were filled in on multiple occasions. – The motion was not put, due to the Department of Public Works and Parks’ inability to track the information.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the various divisions of the Department of Public Works and Parks that had vacancies with the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed vacancies within the Department of Public Works and Parks and how those vacancies might have an effect on the water and sewer rate recommendation with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed whether the overtime funds in the Administration and Finance portion of the budget are associated with snow removal operations with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed the funds associated with city’s recycling program and whether the city planned to increase the fees associated with the yellow, City of Worcester trash bags with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the rubbish removal line item and the contractual obligation increase with Casella Waste Systems with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty moved to take the item up collectively with #2e.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the rate difference between in and out of town residents for usage of the city’s water with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty moved to take the item up collectively with #2k, and #21.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed expenses associated with parks equipment and supplies and the expiring contract with Casella Waste Systems at the conclusion of FY21 with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Councilor Mero-Carlson then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a review of the various contracts and rates associated with other municipalities using water associated with the city’s water filtration plant.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the balance of the Water Enterprise Account, the notion of reducing the Water Enterprise Account by whatever amount the Sewer Enterprise account is increased and the Integrated Plan with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with #2b, #2e, #2k and #2l.

Budgets approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a review of the various contracts and rates associated with other municipalities using water associated with the city’s water filtration plant. (Mero-Carlson)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the decrease in the telephone line item and the increase in the Parts/Equipment supplies line item with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the Parking Control Officer’s duties during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and telephone related costs with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Councilor Russell then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager include a column in future budgets showing the amount approved in the previous fiscal year and the amount spent in the previous fiscal year.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budget.

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager include a column in future budgets showing the amount approved in the previous fiscal year and the amount spent in the previous fiscal year. (Russell)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the one-year warranty associated with work on city streets done by outside contractors with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the process for line painting in the city with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed the timeliness for work done for street and sidewalk repair by private contractors with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed whether the increase in the line painting line item would have an impact around crosswalks located near city schools with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed flashing pedestrian crosswalk signals and the material used for line painting with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budget.

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #2b)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed whether the city has had success advertising in its garages and the prices being charged at the city’s garages with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty moved to take the item up collectively with #2m.

Chairperson Councilor Wally then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the price increases at city-owned garages over the last several years, including how the current rates compare to other similar communities.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with #2f and #2m.

Budgets approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the price increases at city-owned garages over the last several years, including how the current rates compare to other similar communities. (Wally)

Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with #2h.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the prices associated with installing monuments at certain locations and the Department of Public Works and Parks’ role in preparing the location for said monuments with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the City Manager.

Councilor Bergman then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the Department of Public Works and Parks’ policy relating to preparing sites for veteran memorials and monuments. – The motion was not put following the City Manager stating it was his position that the Department of Public Works and Parks will begin to complete site work for veteran memorials and monuments.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed paving repairs at Hope Cemetery with the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed breaking down the monies associated with the various park projects in the city with the City Manager.

Councilor Colorio then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report breaking down the anticipated usage of funds associated with park projects in FY21.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed the memorial growth project, the Skate Park at Crompton Park, the reopening of dog parks and water available at Hope Cemetery with the City Manager and Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the increase in the hired services line item in the department’s budget, the security upgrades at Hope Cemetery and hiring of seasonal employees with the Assistant Commissioners of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the tasks associated with seasonal staff hires, including whether more or less staff was needed due to COVID-19 and the removal of trees with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who discussed marketing for the city’s driving range and the all girls City team with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with #2g and #2h.

Budgets approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report breaking down the anticipated usage of funds associated with park projects in FY21. (Colorio)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #2g)

Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with #2j.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the salaries associated with snow removal inspectors coming from the overtime expenditure of the Snow Removal budget and his belief that only one snow plow inspector per car was necessary with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Councilor Bergman then put forth the following motion: That the City Council does hereby cut $100,000.00 from the Overtime Expenditure portion of the Snow Removal Budget for the purpose of decreasing the number of snow removal inspectors per vehicle from two to one. Councilor Bergman then amended the motion to cut $60,000.00 from the account following a discussion with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks regarding the amount of funds typically allocated for that purpose.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Wally, who spoke concerning the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks’ request for Councilor Bergman to amend his motion to cut $60,000.00 from the snow removal budget.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the Department of Public Works and Parks’ policy relating to having a reserve list when individuals are unable to snow plow, the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks’ stance that having only one snow inspector was unsafe with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who moved for a roll call vote to hold the Snow Removal budget and Councilor Bergman’s motion to cut $60,000.00 from the Snow Removal budget.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman from a second time, who discussed whether removing the second snow inspector would be a union issue.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rose, who supported Councilor Mero-Carlson’s motion to hold.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the procedure for having two snow inspectors per vehicle during snow removal operations with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to hold the budget associated with #2i and approve the budget associated with #2j.

Budget held on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #2i)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #2b)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #2b)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #2f)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who moved for a roll call vote to approve the budget. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).

Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to take up items #4a through #4d collectively. Mayor Petty then recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with #4a through #4d. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #4a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #4a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #4a)

Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take up items #5a through #5e collectively.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed two grant funded positions within Economic Development Office and information relative to posting the recipients of the Small Business Grant Program to the city’s website with the Chief Development Officer and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed funding levels associated with the MassHire Central Career Center and the appropriateness of allocating monies to the city’s Marketing Campaign portion of the budget during the COVID-19 pandemic with the Chief Development Officer and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed the process for lead paint inspections, including whether most cities and towns utilize their Economic Development Offices for said inspections with the Housing Director.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the Small Business Grant Program, the inspections completed related to lead paint and the possibility of receiving federal and state monies to fund the city’s marketing campaign with the Housing Director and City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether more lead paint inspections could be completed if the operation was brought in-house as opposed to bid out to private contractors.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the decrease in security budget associated with the Redevelopment Authority, funding allocated to the marketing campaign and Discover Central Massachusetts with the Chief Development Officer and the City Manager.

Councilor King then brought forth the following Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s contract with the Chamber of Commerce as it relates to Discover Central Massachusetts; and 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the pros and cons of having the city’s Marketing Campaign be done in-house, as opposed to being contracted out, should monies for such a task be made available.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the diversity of the city’s business and concerns associated with foreclosure crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic with the City Manager and the Housing Director.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed whether there would be potential challenges associated with the Complete Streets Policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the Chief Development Officer.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio for a second time, who discussed the increase in janitorial services in the Union Station portion of the Economic Development department’s budget with the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who discussed state and federal aid and how any aid becoming available may impact reductions in the budget.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with #5a through #5e. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether more lead paint inspections could be completed if the operation was brought in-house as opposed to bid out to private contractors. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s contract with the Chamber of Commerce as it relates to Discover Central Massachusetts. (King)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the pros and cons of having the city’s Marketing Campaign be done in-house, as opposed to being contracted out, should monies for such a task be made available. (King)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #5a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #5a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #5a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #5a)

Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take up items #6a through #6c collectively.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed the process relating to submitting claims electronically with the City Solicitor.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed how the city budgets for judgments and settlements with the City Solicitor and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the nature of duties associated with the Public Information Officer and technology that can be utilized to process those requests with the City Solicitor, City Manager and Director of Urban Innovation.

Councilor King then put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning ways the use technology can decrease the volume of public record requests received by the city and improve the method and responsiveness of claims filed with the city.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report comparing the amount budgeted for court judgments against the amount paid out for the last five years.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with #6a through #6c. Budgets approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning ways the use technology can decrease the volume of public record requests received by the city and improve the method and responsiveness of claims filed with the city. (King)

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report comparing the amount budgeted for court judgments against the amount paid out for the last five years. (Bergman)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #6a)

Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to take items #7a, #8a, #9a and #10a collectively, and to recommend the items be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a)

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a)

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a)