CITY OF WORCESTER | Finance Committee Meeting | Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:05 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:44 P.M. |
|
Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Joseph M Petty | | Vice Chairperson Khrystian E King | | Councilor Morris A Bergman |
| | Councilor Donna M Colorio | | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj | | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson | | Councilor Thu Nguyen | | Councilor Luis A Ojeda | | Councilor Jenny Pacillo | | Councilor George J Russell | | Councilor Kathleen M Toomey |
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | All members present with the Mayor as the Chair, except for Councilor Ojeda and Councilor Toomey. Councilor Ojeda arrived at 5:17 p.m. and Councilor Toomey arrived at 5:30 p.m. Councilor King participated in the meeting remotely.
City Manager Eric D. Batista
Assistant City Manager Hung Nguyen
Chief Financial Officer Timothy McGourthy
Budget Director Erin Taylor
City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli, clerk | | | | | Also: | Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink
Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility Stephen Rolle
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
President of Discover Central Massachusetts Monqiue Messier | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
| | | | | |
| | | 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.
Finance Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91727574825
Finance Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Finance Committee Zoom Access Code: 917 2757 4825 | View Budget |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
| | | | | |
| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Finance hereby approves the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting on June 6, 2023. | View Budget | | | | | | | 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 (Ojeda, Toomey absent) | |
| 3. | FY 2025 Budget Hearings - Department of Public Works and Parks | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3a. | Auditorium - IV-1, pg. 72 | View Budget | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take items #3a through #3k collectively.
Mayor Petty 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 Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the process relative to eliminating the position of Deputy Commissioner of Public Works and Parks within the department’s budget.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the scope of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works and Parks position, as well as whether there is enough funding for street repairs with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and City Manager.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who discussed safety concerns around private roads, including promoting the private to public street conversion process, with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed budget allocations for private road repairs with the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Councilor Mero-Carlson then moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to provide City Council with a report concerning the various duties that have been moved from the Department of Public Works and Parks to the Department of Transportation and Mobility. (Mero-Carlson)”.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman for a second time, who spoke concerning the process for filling potholes, as well as the impact drivers from surrounding towns have on the city’s roads with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and City Manager.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed the process for street resurfacing selections with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell for a second time, who discussed issues of inflation and concerns relative to the annual $1.2 million allocated for street repairs not being reevaluated accordingly with the City Manager.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Pacillo, who discussed the increase in trash removal funding with the Chief Financial Officer.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Colorio for a second time, who discussed the successes of the Green Hill Golf Course with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the rationale for the decrease in budgetary spending for the Department of Public Works and Parks, as well as how certain positions were transferred from the Department of Public Works to other departments with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and City Manager.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Pacillo for a second time, who discussed the partnership between the city and the YMCA, which will allow the city to staff its lifeguard locations with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda for a second time, who discussed moving the line item relative to safety supplies into the Human Resources budget with the Chief Financial Officer.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who then moved to, “Request City Manager include additional information in future budgets relative to where a line item have been transferred to, if such a transfer has occurred. (Toomey)”.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell for a third time, who discussed the amount of funding allocated to the city’s snow operations budget, including whether leftover funds would become subject to the city’s Financial Integrity Plan, with the Chief Financial Officer.
Mayor Petty moved to approve the budgets associated with items #3a through #3k. Budget approved. | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to provide City Council with a report concerning the various duties that have been moved from the Department of Public Works and Parks to the Department of Transportation and Mobility. (Mero-Carlson) | | | | Request City Manager include additional information in future budgets relative to where a line item have been transferred to, if such a transfer has occurred. (Toomey) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3b. | Administration and Finance - IV-2, pg. 74 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3c. | Engineering - IV-3, pg. 80 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3d. | Streets and Sanitation - IV-4, pg. 82 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3e. | Fleet Management - IV-5, pg. 86 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3f. | Parks, Recreation and Hope Cemetery, IV-6, pg. 88 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3g. | Enterprise: Green Hill Golf Course - IV-7, pg. 94 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3h. | Snow Removal - IV-8, pg. 98 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3i. | Streetlights - IV-9, pg. 100 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3j. | Enterprise: Sewer - IV-10, pg. 102 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3k. | Enterprise: Water - IV-11, pg. 108 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #3a) | |
| 4. | FY 2025 Budget Hearings - Transportation and Mobility | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4a. | Transportation and Mobility - V-1, pg. 114 | View Budget | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take items #4a and #4b collectively.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Transportation and Mobility budget.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed vehicular and pedestrian accidents occurring on Mill St. with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.
Councilor Bergman then moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the cost of returning Mill St. to its original configuration in as quick a manner as possible. Said report should include the funding source for such a project. (Bergman)”.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who addressed concerns relative to large increases in pay for top management positions with the City Manager.
Councilor Russell then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the rationale behind providing various management level positions with raises in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). (Russell)”.
Mayor Petty moved to approve the budgets associated with items #4a and #4b. Budget approved. | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the cost of returning Mill St. to its original configuration in as quick a manner as possible. Said report should include the funding source for such a project. (Bergman) | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the rationale behind providing various management level positions with raises in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). (Russell) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4b. | Enterprise: Off Street Parking - V-2, pg. 122 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #4a) | |
| 5. | FY 2025 Budget Hearings - Economic Development | |
| | | | | |
| | | 5a. | Economic Development - VI-1, pg. 124 | View Budget | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take items #5a through #5e collectively.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the funds provided in the Economic Development budget.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Pacillo, who moved to recuse herself from the portion of the discussion associated with Discover Central Massachusetts and left the room.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed consultancy costs associated with the Worcester Now | Next Program, as well as the funding sources associated with Discover Central Massachusetts with the Chief Development Officer, City Manager, President of Discover Central Massachusetts, and Chief Financial Officer.
Councilor Russell then moved to, “Request City Manager work with the President of Discover Central Massachusetts to provide City Council with a report concerning the contributions other communities make to the funding of Discover Central Massachusetts. (Russell)”.
Councilor Russell then put forth the following motion: That the City Council does hereby cut $500,000.00 from the Discover Central MA Marketing portion of the Executive Office of Economic Development Budget.
Mayor Petty discussed contributions other communities provide to Discover Central Massachusetts with the President of Discover Central Massachusetts.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed affordable housing needs and initiatives being undertaken in the city with the Chief Development Officer.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote on Councilor Russell’s motion. Motion failed on a roll call vote of 1 Yea and 8 Nays (Yea – Russell) (Nays – Bergman, Colorio, Haxhiaj, Mero-Carlson, Nguyen, Ojeda, Toomey, Petty) (King absent) (Pacillo recused).
Mayor Petty moved to approve the budgets associated with items #5a through #5e. Budget approved. | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager work with the President of Discover Central Massachusetts to provide City Council with a report concerning the contributions other communities make to the funding of Discover Central Massachusetts. (Russell) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 5b. | Worcester Redevelopment Authority/Union Station - VI-2, pg. 132 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #5a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 5c. | MassHire Central Region Workforce Board - VI-3, pg. 134 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #5a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 5d. | MassHire Central Career Center - VI-4, pg. 138 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #5a) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 5e. | Community Preservation Act - VI-4, pg. 142 | View Budget | | | | | | | Budget approved (See Item #5a) | |
| 6. | FY 2025 Budget Hearing - Sustainability and Resilience | |
| | | | | |
| | | 6a. | Sustainability and Resilience - XVIII-1, pg. 258 | View Budget | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to hold the budget. Budget held. | |
| 7. | FY 2025 Budget Hearing - Inspectional Services | |
| | | | | |
| | | 7a. | Inspectional Services - III-4, pg. 64 | View Budget | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to hold the budget. Budget held. | |
| 8. | Fiscal Year 2025 Budget | |
| | | | | |
| | | 8a. | Communication of the City Manager recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget.
# 10.39A CM May 7, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
| | | | | |
| | | 8b. | Communication of the City Manager recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget.
# 10.39B CM May 7, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
| 9. | Communication of the City Manager | |
| | | | | |
| | | 9a. | Recommend adoption of amendments to the Worcester Financial Integrity Plan.
# 10.39C CM May 7, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Mayor Petty read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
|