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 discussed why FEMA funding was not included in the report, as well as the city’s potentially FEMA-eligible costs with the Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the city and school’s funding received through the CARES Act with the Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed whether there are any prohibitions with using CARES Act funding to match FEMA funding, as well as the monies associated with the usage of the DCU Center as a field hospital with the Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the new FEMA policy to provide 100% reimbursement.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who discussed the cost sharing process as related to the School Department budget for FY21.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost-share process as related to the School Department budget for FY21.

Chairperson Councilor King then discussed whether the PPE purchased by FEMA reimbursement can be utilized for general community distribution or whether it can only be utilized for municipal direct needs, recent submissions for additional technologies for remote work, and anticipated impact of additional federal and state aid with the Chief Financial Officer and the Budget Director.

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

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

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the new FEMA policy to provide 100% reimbursement.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost-share process as related to the School Department budget for FY21.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the impact COVID-19 has had on the city’s tax base, as well as the city’s current vacancy factor with the Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Chief Financial Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the vacancy factor that the city had at the midpoint of FY20.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed anticipated construction in the fall with the Chief Financial Officer and the Budget Director.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the meetings concerning FY22 Budget process with management from all municipal departments, utilization of Governor’s recommendations for the budget with the Budget Director and the Chief Financial Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King then brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Chief Financial Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the process for budget building for the new financial year.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who discussed the City’s resiliency and ability to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the bond ratings process and communication with bond rating agencies.

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

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

Request City Manager request Chief Financial Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the vacancy factor that the city had at the midpoint of FY20.

Request City Manager request Chief Financial Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the process for budget building for the new financial year.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the Senior Staff Assistant, who discussed the advertising and recruitment process, and challenges concerning maintaining a social media presence or PR campaign for the city’s boards and commissions.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed putting flyers in supermarkets, providing City Councilors with documents to post on social media and speaking to youth and cultural groups about civic engagement with the Senior Staff Assistant.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the vacancies that are currently listed on the city’s boards and commissions with the Senior Staff Assistant.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the demographics of the city’s residents who serve on the city’s boards and commissions, and impact of going remote on individual attendance to the civic meetings with the Senior Staff Assistant.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to flyers be explored for recruitment purposes, including provision of flyers in jpeg form to City Council and other stakeholders to further advertise for boards and commissions recruitment; 2) Request City Manager work with young adults and seniors in high school to create dialogue concerning civic duties; 3) Request City Manager include At-large Councilors and District Councilors in conversation concerning improving recruitment for boards and commissions; 4) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact of virtual attendance at the various board and commission meetings and; 5) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning strategies to resolve challenges concerning Internet connectivity for boards and commissions members for virtual attendance purposes.

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

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

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to flyers be explored for recruitment purposes, including provision of flyers in jpeg form to City Council and other stakeholders to further advertise for boards and commissions recruitment.

Request City Manager work with young adults and seniors in high school to create dialogue concerning civic duties.

Request City Manager include At-large Councilors and District Councilors in conversation concerning improving recruitment for boards and commissions.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact of virtual attendance at the various board and commission meetings.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning strategies to resolve challenges concerning Internet connectivity for boards and commissions members for virtual attendance purposes.