City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colroio 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 (Rivera, Petty absent)

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

Mayor Petty discussed the expansion of the Traffic Division with the Police Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed the purpose of the Records Management System, the number of officers included in the upcoming recruiting class, a cost breakdown of ShotSpotter and the Worn Body Cameras and reimbursements associated with Great Brook Valley with the Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the association between summer overtime costs and the Summer Impact Program, locations for foot patrols and ensuring operations and funding for said operations be labelled as “John Stings” with the Police Chief and Chief Financial Officer.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the details associated with the precinct model, the successes of the ShotSpotter Connect Program and funding associated with building maintenance with the Police Chief, Deputy Police Chief and Chief Financial Officer.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the way the Police Department intends to use its new positions, payments towards new technologies in the department and percentage increases in pay for top employees with the Police Chief, Chief Financial Officer and the Assistant City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed the increase in ordinary maintenance costs with the Police Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the amount of patrol officers in the Police Department with the Police Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed determining factors associated with increasing the size of the Traffic division with the Police Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed why the Police Department’s budget did not include a “Previous Year DDP Highlights” section, the status of the department’s equity audit with the Police Chief and Assistant City Manager.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager consider keeping City Council apprised and abreast of the evolution of the Worcester Police Department’s Equity Audit, as well as any delays in other departments’ audits. (King)”.

Councilor King then discussed the efforts being taken to diversify neighborhood meetings, the dearth of black candidates available for WPD positions, the number of black individuals hired for the Police Cadet program, monies allocated to the horse trainer for the Mounted Police Unit (MPU) and how monies are allocated to various forms of training with the Police Chief.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the evolution and expansion of training the Worcester Police Department undertakes, including both required trainings as well as additional trainings requested by the department’s officers. (King)”.

Councilor King then discussed the reasoning and policies associated with integrating an unmanned aircraft system into operations of the department, differences between FY22 and FY23 relative to approved amounts for various positions in the department, consistency in the funding for overtime costs and a New York University (NYU) study relative to ShotSpotter with the Police Chief, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Police Chief.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Police Chief work with representatives from ShotSpotter to provide City Council with a New York University (NYU) Policing Project study relative to the technology’s usage. (King)”.

Councilor King then discussed the purpose of regrading a crime analysis position with the department, whether any grants received by WPD are listed in the department’s budget, how response times for emergency calls by the department are measured and removing the civil service requirements associated with the department’s hiring practice in an effort to diversify the department with the Police Chief and City Manager.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the Police Department’s “Previous Year DDP Highlights” for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). (King).”

Councilor King then moved to recommend the budget be held. – Not Put.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the procedures of holding an item in a standing committee with Mayor Petty.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rose, who moved to, “Request City Manager request Police Chief work with the Chief Diversity Officer of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) to provide City Council with a presentation relative to the diversity goals of the department. (Rose).”

Councilor Rose then discussed the needs for expansion within the Traffic Division with the Police Chief.

Councilor Rose then moved to, “Request City Manager request Police Chief create a plan to publicize the new Worcester Police Department (WPD) Precinct Maps. (Rose)”.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the successes of the ShotSpotter Connect technology and the need for expanding the Traffic Division.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed whether a single-member hold (Table Under Privilege) is procedurally allowed within the City Council’s standing committee procedures.

Councilor Toomey then moved to approve the budget. – Not Put.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the procedure for approving each department’s budget with Mayor Petty and the City Clerk.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the process for approving the Police Department’s budget with Mayor Petty.

Mayor Petty recognized the City Solicitor, who clarified that a single-member hold (Table Under Privilege) is not procedurally allowed within the City Council’s standing committee procedures.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the procedure for approving the department’s budget with Mayor Petty.

Mayor Petty moved to approve the budget, pending the City Council’s receipt of the various reports request by the Standing Committee on Finance. Budget approved, pending receipt of said reports.

Request City Manager consider keeping City Council apprised and abreast of the evolution of the Worcester Police Department’s Equity Audit, as well as any delays in other departments’ audits. (King)

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the evolution and expansion of training the Worcester Police Department undertakes, including both required trainings as well as additional trainings requested by the department’s officers. (King)

Request City Manager request Police Chief work with representatives from ShotSpotter to provide City Council with a New York University (NYU) Policing Project study relative to the technology’s usage. (King)

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the Police Department’s “Previous Year DDP Highlights” for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). (King)

Request City Manager request Police Chief work with the Chief Diversity Officer of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) to provide City Council with a presentation relative to the diversity goals of the department. (Rose)

Request City Manager request Police Chief create a plan to publicize the new Worcester Police Department (WPD) Precinct Maps. (Rose)

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Fire Department budget.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor King, who discussed the importance of offering diversity and inclusion training to the department, the reasoning behind doubling the Fire Recruit Class, allocations for training, how the department plans to reorganize its high-level positions in accordance with the Fire Department Strategic Plan, the increase in salaries associated with the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief positions, how many high-level positions are people of color, continuing leadership and professional development training, whether there were any female people in high-level positions within the Fire Department and if additional funds would expedite the replacement of turnout gear with the Acting Fire Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who expressed gratitude towards the department for the work done the recent fire on Gage St.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the increase in funding for the line items for “Hired Services” and “Physician/Surgeon” within the department’s budget with the Acting Fire Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed whether the Diversity and Inclusion training completed by the Fire Department is done in-house or with outside consultants, requirements associated with living in the city one year prior to the civil service test date and decreases in EM incentive pay with the Acting Fire Chief and Chief Financial Officer.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the city’s contract associated with paying for fuel costs with the Chief Financial Officer.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed any negative impacts on staffing associated with retirements with the Acting Fire Chief.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed timelines associated with an equity audit for the department with the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rose, who moved to, “Request City Manager request Fire Chief work with the Chief Diversity Officer of the Worcester Fire Department (WFD) to provide City Council with a presentation relative to the diversity goals of the department. (Rose).”

Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who discussed the transformative change being undertaken at the Fire Department, as well as some of the successes of the department during his tenure as City Manager.

Mayor Petty moved to approve the budget. Budget approved.

Request City Manager request Fire Chief work with the Chief Diversity Officer of the Worcester Fire Department (WFD) to provide City Council with a presentation relative to the diversity goals of the department. (Rose)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Emergency Communications budget.

Mayor Petty discussed the amount of unfilled positions associated with the department with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the department’s responsiveness relative to issues with National Grid and the expanded usage of the Reverse-911 System

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the purpose of the quality assurance position, the competitiveness of the salaries within the department, opportunities for advancement for employees, how shift changes are structured and increasing opportunities to provide self-care to employees with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the number of languages spoken and available through the language bank to residents calling the emergency call center with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Councilor Toomey then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of languages spoken and available through the language bank to residents calling the Emergency Communications Department. (Toomey).”

Councilor Toomey then discussed marketing and education tools available to the department for reaching the public with information and changes to various line items moving into different departments with the Director of Emergency Communications and Chief Financial Officer.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed considerations relative to staffing support for the quality assurance position, the process for discussing quality assurance at-large, expanding engagement with the BIPOC community and training programs available to racially and ethnically diverse populations with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager ensure the Director of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer work with the Director of Emergency Communications to conduct exit interviews and surveys, as a means of increasing retention and analyzing the staffing of the Emergency Communications department. (King).”

Councilor King then discussed the optimal staffing level of the Emergency Communications department, expectations for community programs, how the department collaborates and communicates with the Police Department and concerns over lack of responsiveness associated with calls during shift changes with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report how data collected within the Emergency Communications department informed improvements relative to dispatching emergency calls during shift changes. (King).”

Councilor King then discussed the process for identifying language needs with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to data as to the linguistic capacity and efforts being made in response times within the Emergency Communications department. (King).”

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to response times associated with the Worcester Police Department (WPD) responding to emergency calls. (King).”

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the length of the meeting with Mayor Petty and the City Manager.

Councilor Russell then discussed the strategies associated with various departmental reorganizations including areas in transportation, emergency services, customer service and the Department of Public Works and Parks and the city’s planned processes associated with a 311 program with the City Manager, Director of Emergency Communications and Assistant City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed the certifications, stipends and sustainability of the Community Emergency Response Program and utilizing community members for their expertise with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed wellness and self-care curriculum with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty moved to approve the budget. Budget approved.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of languages spoken and available through the language bank to residents calling the Emergency Communications Department. (Toomey)

Request City Manager ensure the Director of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer work with the Director of Emergency Communications to conduct exit interviews and surveys, as a means of increasing retention and analyzing the staffing of the Emergency Communications department. (King)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report how data collected within the Emergency Communications department informed improvements relative to dispatching emergency calls during shift changes. (King)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to data as to the linguistic capacity and efforts being made in response times within the Emergency Communications department. (King)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to response times associated with the Worcester Police Department (WPD) responding to emergency calls. (King)

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 recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the implementing of a mini-golf benefit event with the Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the plans for expanding programs and events, the department’s efforts towards connecting its patrons with technology and the department’s hiring and retention goals relating to the BIPOC community with the Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who showed appreciation for the Worcester Public Library’s inclusion of materials for the visually impaired community, as well as for the immigrant and refugee communities and for its work associated with welcoming unhoused individuals.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the work completed to open the Roosevelt School Library with the Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the Worcester Room and its role in the city’s tercentennial, as well as the potential associated with expanding interconnecting the city’s resource through the City Archive with the Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty moved to approve the budget. Budget approved.

Mayor Petty read the item and moved to collectively hold items #7a, #8a, #9a, #10a through #10d, #11a, #12a and #13a.

Budget Held.

Budget Held (See Item #7a)

Budget Held (See Item #7a)

Budget Held (See Item #7a)

Budget Held (See Item #7a)

Budget Held (See Item #7a)

Budget Held (See Item #7a)

Budget Held (See Item #7a)

Recommend Hold (See Item #7a)

Recommend Hold (See Item #7a)