Committee Agenda for Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee 05/04/2021

CITY OF WORCESTER

Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:07 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:31 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Khrystian E King
Vice Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E King Vice Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson

	Also:	Director of Urban Innovation Eric Batista Chief Diversity Officer Stephanie Williams Director of Human Resources Dori Vecchio Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk

Approval of the Minutes



1a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Municipal and Legislative Operations hereby approves the minutes of the Municipal and Legislative Operations meeting of April 8, 2021.	View Agenda

	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

Public Participation



2a.	In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Esther Howland (South) Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 160 222 8723) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3. https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=e34804ccb8977d7eedcef14d9392e8cfa	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the following speaker: 1. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #3a

Communication of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to proposed reforms and an executive order that acknowledges structural changes that will assist with eradicating institutional racism. # 13b CM March 2, 2021	Attachments
	In Committee for informational purposes only

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and discussed the various recommendations brought forth by the city to support the objective of eradicating institutional racism. Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief Diversity Officer, Director of Human Resources and Director of Urban Innovation, who discussed their involvement in the process of conducting a racial equity audit, the discussions had with the Worcester Police Department in its regard, increasing diversity trainings within the city, establishing an Equity Cabinet and the definitions of diversity, structural racism and white supremacy. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s definition of white supremacy; 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the timetable and process for establishing both the Chief’s Equity Advisory Council and the Equity Cabinet; 3) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the administration’s expectations of the working relationship between the Chief Diversity Officer, Human Resources and the Chief’s Equity Advisory Council; and 4) Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the timeframe, as well as previous actions taken towards the planning and establishment of the working group as relates to School Resource Officers (SROs). Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed clarification concerning the Chairman’s Order as relates to the Equity Cabinet. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed clarification on policies and procedures relative to calling the roll for Chairman’s Orders with the Deputy City Clerk. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the process for creating an Equity Cabinet and definitions of issues it will address, the different departments that will participate in diversity trainings and the use of the “Train the Trainer” model with the Chief Diversity Officer and the Director of Urban Innovation. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the procedures that will be followed by the Equity Cabinet, as well as a timeline for the Equity Audit with the Chief Diversity Officer. Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s definition of white supremacy.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the timetable and process for establishing both the Chief’s Equity Advisory Council and the Equity Cabinet.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the administration’s expectations of the working relationship between the Chief Diversity Officer, Human Resources and the Chief’s Equity Advisory Council.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the timeframe, as well as previous actions taken towards the planning and establishment of the working group as relates to School Resource Officers (SROs).

Miscellaneous Items



4a.	Order of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Council amend Appendix B, Section C, “Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations” of its Rules to include under “Related City Departments and Divisions,” the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, for the purpose of City Council and public oversight. # 12q CC April 27, 2021	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and discussed the City Council rules relative to the Municipal and Legislative Operation Committee with the Deputy City Clerk. Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief Diversity Officer, who discussed the establishment of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the mission statement of the Office. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with the mission statement of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed procedural motions concerning the placement of Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the purposes of advisory committee with Councilor Mero-Carlson. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with the role of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved. Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager provide City Council with the mission statement of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with the role of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.


4b.	Resolution of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to create a Division of Investigations through the future adoption of an organizational ordinance and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal. # 16f CC March 2, 2021	Attachments
	In Committee for informational purposes only

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays


4c.	Resolution of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to increase the diversity trainings offered through the Human Resources Department to foster cultural change across the City Administration, and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal. # 16m CC March 2, 2021	Attachments
	In Committee for informational purposes only

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and 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