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 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (King, Wally absent)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rose, who moved to recuse himself from the item and did not participate in the discussion.

Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Worcester Public Schools Budget.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the development of the Dual Language Program, as well as projected enrollment numbers with the Superintendent of Public Schools.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed advertising the universities that Worcester Public Schools students will attend with the Superintendent of Public Schools.

Councilor Bergman then moved to, “Request City Manager consider aiding the Superintendent of Public Schools to advertise the universities that Worcester Public Schools students will be attending in the fall of 2021.”

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed whether public schools would return to entirely in-person, how the city has prepared for the mental health needs of students returning from COVID-19, the percentage of students who have been vaccinated, the number of students that utilize the school buses and funding above net-school spending with the Superintendent of Public Schools, Chief Financial Officer of Public Schools and City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the amount above net-school spending that the city is allocating to the department’s budget, police involvement within the city’s schools, the ratio of adjustment counselors and wraparound service workers to students and efforts made to diversify the school system with the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer of Public Schools and the Superintendent of Public Schools.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed marketing strategies the Public Schools Department are undertaking to encourage students to come to their schools, as well as the increase of full-time employees within the school department with the Superintendent of Public Schools and Chief Financial Officer of Public Schools.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the importance of highlighting the successes of the school department, the Roosevelt Elementary School parking lot, plans for leasing the former St. Stephen’s School and repairs required at Worcester East Middle School relative to its windows and ceiling with the Chief Financial Officer of Public Schools and the Superintendent of Public Schools.

Councilor Russell then moved to, “Request City Manager distribute the plans for the Roosevelt Elementary School parking lot with the community members and business owners in the area.”

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed working with realtors servicing the area to highlight the successes of the Public Schools Department, the Roosevelt Elementary School parking lot, the impact COVID-19 had on students receiving services through the McKinney-Vento Act and the effect gasoline prices have on the school buses with the Superintendent of Public Schools and Chief Financial Officer of Public Schools.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who moved to, “Request City Manager work with the Superintendent of Public Schools to create an action plan that addresses the peeling, chipping paint in the auditorium and the draft coming from the windows at Worcester East Middle School in the summer of 2021.”

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budget. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay – Russell) (Rivera absent) (Rose recused)

Request City Manager consider aiding the Superintendent of Public Schools to advertise the universities that Worcester Public Schools students will be attending in the fall of 2021. (Bergman)

Request City Manager distribute the plans for the Roosevelt Elementary School parking lot with the community members and business owners in the area. (Russell)

Request City Manager work with the Superintendent of Public Schools to create an action plan that addresses the peeling, chipping paint in the auditorium and the draft coming from the windows at Worcester East Middle School in the summer of 2021. (Russell)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Health and Human Services Department Budget.

Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who provided information relative to the expanding role that new positions within the Health and Human Services Department Budget should have in FY 2022.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the increased services the city has provided to the various towns it has partnerships with during COVID-19, as well as federal monies available for appropriations in the department with the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the work done by the Health and Human Services Department during COVID-19, as well as the City Manager’s commitment to growing the department.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed monies required to increase the department’s capacity to respond to community needs, as well as any rubrics associated with said initiatives with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the department’s various goals for FY 2022, the department’s overtime expenses accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased staffing levels within the department, the city’s commitment to growth of the department and providing increases to the youth services aspects of the department with the Chief Financial Officer, the City Manager, the Director of Human Rights, Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Medical Director and Youth Office Coordinator.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing monies allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services to cover overtime expenses while the department dealt with COVID-19.”

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke to steps being taken to reengage with community members as concerns around COVID-19 begin to decrease with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Director of Elder Affairs, City Manager and Veterans’ Agent/Director.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the work completed by the department relative to COVID-19, as well as the Veterans’ Department’s alignment with Elder Services.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed potential needs for public health nursing positions, the work being done to aid individuals who are panhandling, when the Senior Center will be reopened to the public and whether any work is being done to have the city’s youth engage with the city’s elderly population with the Director of Public Health, Homeless Project Manager, Director of Elder Affairs and Recreation Worcester Program Coordinator.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the involvement outside social service agencies have had working with those in the community who need mental health services, whether there has been an increase in individuals who are panhandling and the caseload of veterans within the city with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Homeless Program Manager and the Veterans’ Agent/Director.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed whether homeless individuals are being referred to the city from other communities with the Homeless Program Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed any new earmarks allocated to Recreation Worcester with the City Manager.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with the department. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Mero-Carlson absent).

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing monies allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services to cover overtime expenses while the department dealt with COVID-19. (King)

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

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

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Economic Development Department.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed program and compliance efforts for city projects, duties that Rehabilitation Specialist will assume, the department’s goals for expanding the affordable housing stock in the city and the city’s gentrification mitigation strategies with the Chief Development Officer and City Manager.

Mayor Petty moved to take items #5a – 5d collectively.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with the department. 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 #5a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #5a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #5a)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Department of Public Works and Parks Budget.

Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Department of Public Works and Parks Budget.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed expanding the spring clean-up program, expanding the hours of the Millbury St. drop-off center and using infrared patch technology to repair potholes in the city with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed enhancing customer service options within the department, hiring practices within the department and how the department assesses its properties with the City Manager, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the productivity increases associated with infrared patch technology, how streets are selected to be repaved, the increase in rat activity in the city and the successes of the Green Hill Municipal Golf Course with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Director of Engineering.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed improving sidewalk repair and maintenance programs in the city with the Director of Engineering.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the goals of the Comprehensive Clean City Program, increasing wages within the department and the need for increasing the number of parking control officers and parking ambassadors within the department with the City Manager, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Director of Engineering.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who spoke concerning the department.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke to the vacancy factor and diversifying efforts being undertaken within the department, the nature of Senior Security Guard position, current strategies around keeping neighborhoods in the city clean and budgetary allocations around a traffic analysis for the Canal District with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, City Manager and Director of Engineering.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks with a report detailing the defined timelines and responsiveness goals of the Department of Public Works and Parks as they relate to park complaints, lead inspections, playground complaints and trash complaints.”

Mayor Petty moved to take items #6a – 6m collectively.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with the department. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks with a report detailing the defined timelines and responsiveness goals of the Department of Public Works and Parks as they relate to park complaints, lead inspections, playground complaints and trash complaints. (King)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #6a)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Law Department.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the department’s plans to further diversify the office, the number of Worcester residents who work within the department and strategies around using outside legal counsel with the City Solicitor and City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed staffing for various city cases with the City Solicitor and City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed whether the number of court cases brought to the Law Department has increased with the City Solicitor.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rose, who moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of city employees that are city residents.”

Mayor Petty moved to take items #7a – 7c collectively.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budgets associated with the department. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of city employees that are city residents. (Rose)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #7a)

Budget approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #7a)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Worcester Public Library Budget.

Mayor Petty discussed the renovations taking place at the Main Branch of the Worcester Public Library with the Head Librarian.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the new policy of waiving fees associated with borrowing books from the Worcester Public Library with the Head Librarian.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed parking concerns at the Worcester Public Library with the Head Librarian.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the Worcester Public Library’s objective to build a diverse set of programs to engage and meet the interests of the community with the Head Librarian and City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke to the partnerships between the Health and Human Services Department and the Worcester Public Library with the City Manager.

Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the budget. Budget approved on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (King, Wally absent).

Mayor Petty read the item and moved to collectively hold items #9a, #10a, #11a and #12a. Motion approved on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).

Budget Held on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent).

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #9a CC)

Note: Mayor Petty stated for the record his intent to file a motion with the City Clerk to request City Council suspend its rules at its June 8, 2021 meeting to take up the Report of the Committee on Finance Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Operating Budget for City Council review and consideration, as presented by the City Manager and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance as Item #9.39A CM on the City Council agenda for May 12, 2021, along with related budget items pending before the Committee.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #9a CC)

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rivera absent) (See Item #9a CC)