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 Rose, who moved to recuse himself from the item and left the room.

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

Mayor Petty recognized the Superintendent of Public Schools, who presented a PowerPoint presentation that outlined the Worcester Public Schools Fiscal Year 2024 Budget recommendations and themes.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed student enrollment, salary increases to WPS staff, capital improvements, and student to teacher ratios with the Deputy Superintendent of Public Schools, Chief Financial Officer and Superintendent of Public Schools.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed traffic congestion issues in the vicinity of Roosevelt Elementary School and the poor condition of the windows at Worcester East Middle School.

Councilor Russell then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding methods to reduce traffic congestion around Roosevelt Elementary School. Further, request said report include information relative to constructing a parking lot at the school, including estimates associated with its construction, as well as the proximity of the proposed parking lot location to any wetlands. (Russell)”.

Councilor Russell then discussed traffic and parking concerns at Roosevelt Elementary School, the cost of window replacement at Worcester East Middle School and the department’s strategy for building repairs and capital projects with the Deputy Superintendent of Public Schools and Superintendent of Public Schools.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed traffic concerns at Roosevelt Elementary School, the School Safety Audit, security cameras, intercom systems and municipal aggregation with the Deputy Superintendent of Public Schools.

Councilor Toomey then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed list of all administrative positions in the Worcester Public Schools budget, including each position’s salary and a designation of which positions are new. (Toomey)”.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed building maintenance, roof repairs, playground accessibility, trade education, and equity with the Deputy Superintendent of Public Schools and Superintendent of Public Schools.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed diversity, equity and inclusion practices within the Worcester Public Schools, transportation needs within the schools, Capital budget requests, the School Safety Audit, providing students with mental health resources, OPEB contributions, debt service and free cash with the Deputy Superintendent of Public Schools, City Manager, Superintendent of Public Schools and Chief Financial Officer.

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 (Bergman absent) (Rose recused).

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding methods to reduce traffic congestion around Roosevelt Elementary School. Further, request said report include information relative to constructing a parking lot at the school, including estimates associated with its construction, as well as the proximity of the proposed parking lot location to any wetlands. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed list of all administrative positions in the Worcester Public Schools budget, including each position’s salary and a designation of which positions are new. (Toomey)

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 then discussed open positions within the Emergency Communications Department with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed the status of opening cooling and warming centers with the Director of Emergency Communications and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the potential of securing grant funding with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the cost of health insurance associated with the department’s employees with the Chief Financial Officer.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed employee retention rates within the department, the pool of applicants that are applying for open positions, and remote work options with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who discussed the cost of new employee and volunteer training, overtime costs, and improved 911 technology with the Director of Emergency Communications.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed using the Senior Center as a warming and cooling center, as well as developing the 311 operating system with the Director of Emergency Communications and the City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who discussed language interpretation services with the Director of Emergency Communications.

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.

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

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor King, who discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the department, whether any additional monies would be required within the department’s overtime budget, technological advancements being undertaken within the department, any costs associated with implementing recommendations from the city’s racial equity audit, and whether the department intends on expanding its body camera policy with the Police Chief, Chief Financial Officer and City Manager.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the number of police officers on duty, retirement, and staffing concerns with the Police Chief and the City Manager. Councilor Rose then inquired regarding residency requirements for the Worcester Police Department with the City Manager. Councilor Rose also discussed the possibility of creating an incentive for the civil service exam with the Police Chief. Councilor Rose then discussed trauma and wellness programs with the Police Chief.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the growth of the City’s population, and the need for additional police officers.

Councilor Mero-Carlson then moved to, “Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the population growth in the city as it relates to the number of police officers on duty in the city. (Mero-Carlson)”.

Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the utilization of the Worcester Police Department boat to monitor Indian Lake and Lake Quinsigamond with the Deputy Police Chief.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the basis for the department’s “Problem Bar Overtime” account, “John” stings and expanding the Summer Impact Program with the Police Chief and City Manager.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed staffing levels within the department, the “Leases and Rentals” line item and building renovations with the Police Chief, Chief Financial Officer and City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the WPD Captain precinct system, police details, overtime assigned to Polar Park and traffic congestion at school dismissal with the Police Chief and City Manager.

Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning resolved lawsuit settlements and their impact on the city’s budget. (King)”.

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 request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the population growth in the city as it relates to the number of police officers on duty in the city. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning resolved lawsuit settlements and their impact on the city’s budget. (King)

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who discussed funding available relative to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the department, as well as the department’s budgetary needs as it relates to overtime with the Fire Chief and Chief Financial Officer.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the funding allocated to the Fire Department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. (King)”.

Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning how many of the city’s firefighters live in the city. (King)”.

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 request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the funding allocated to the Fire Department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. (King)

Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with a report concerning how many of the city’s firefighters live in the city. (King)

Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Bergman, Rose absent)