City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and spoke to the item, including information relative to the Chief Diversity Officer being hired and becoming a cabinet level position, the position’s work to the importance of position, including ensuring diverse individuals have the ability to work and live in the city across departments and sectors within the city’s local government.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed language relative to the duties and responsibilities of the position, including information relative to whether policy changes would need to come before City Council with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed policies that may need to come before City Council for approval, as well as language relative to the duties and responsibilities of the position with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the following speakers:
1. Maritza Cruz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Stacey Luster, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the role the Chief Diversity Officer would have relative to the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the hiring process associated with the new Chief Diversity Officer with the Director of Human Resources.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the role individuals had during the hiring process of the Chief Development Officer with the Director of Urban Innovation.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend approval of the item.

Recommend Approval of the two (2) proposed Ordinances on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the adoption of a Declation of Trust, as filed by the “Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund Board of Trustees” (OPEB Board) with the City Auditor.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed how many members of the OPEB Board had already been appointed with the City Auditor.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the need for updated information relative to the representatives on the OPEB Board with the Chief Financial Officer and City Auditor.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the information relative to the OPEB Board membership being available on the city’s website.

Chairperson Councilor King put forth the following two Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated list of the members currently serving on the Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund Board of Trustees (OPEB Board), and a notification to City Council upon the appointment of new member to fill the vacant positions and; 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the hiring of the investment advisor.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated list of the members currently serving on the Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund Board of Trustees (OPEB Board), and a notification to City Council upon the appointment of new member to fill the vacant positions.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the hiring of an investment advisor.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided a brief overview of the city’s financial position.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Assessor, who provided a brief presentation relative to Fiscal Year 2021 market trends and adjustments. Councilor King then discussed said trends with the City Assessor.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the impact COVID-19 has had on the commercial spaces within the city, any projections associated with those spaces moving forward and whether there had been an increase in abatements with the City Assessor.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed whether COVID-19 would have a larger effect on property values in Fiscal Year 2023 or Fiscal Year 2022 with the City Assessor and Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the timetable associated with City Council setting the tax rate, as well as a desire to receive the presentation provided by the City Assessor with the Chief Financial Officer and City Assessor.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman's Order: Request City Clerk provide City Council with information relative to Fiscal Year 2021 market trends and adjustments, as provided to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager request City Assessor provide City Council with information relative to Fiscal Year 2021 market trends and adjustments, as provided to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who discussed the city’s aim to monitor local receipts and expenses associated with the DCU Center, as well as following a conservative budgeting approach when providing financial updates to the City Council.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed designated funds received by the city relative to the CARES Act and the city’s Bond Ionization Project with the Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who provided the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the funds being used to provide the cleaning supplies and PPE being used by the various city departments.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the stability of revenues associated with the water and sewer account, expenditures and whether any additional monies have been received by the city as it relates to COVID-19 other than the monies received relative to the CARES Act with the City Financial Officer and City Auditor.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the funding and reimbursements associated with the field hospital at the DCU Center with the Chief Financial Officer and City Auditor.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the funds being used to provide the cleaning supplies and PPE being used by the various city departments.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and discussed the process the city used for advocating for increases in Chapter 70 Education aid with the Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning all funding sources associated with COVID-19 related expenses.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning all funding sources associated with COVID-19 related expenses.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview relative to the city’s general fund, enterprise accounts, special revenue, capital project, debt services fund, health insurance fund and other trust funds.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the monies gained through the city’s hiring freeze, as well as any other monies realized through the city’s budgeting process for FY21 with the City Auditor.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the city’s Community Development Block Grant monies used to provide the city’s small business resiliency grants with the City Auditor.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview of the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) to the Standing Committee.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.