CITY OF WORCESTER | Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting | Thursday, March 2, 2023 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 6:34 P.M. | Adjourned: 8:18 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Khrystian E King | | Vice Chairperson George J Russell | | Councilor Sean M Rose |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E. King
Councilor George J Russell
Councilor Sean M Rose, who arrived at 6:37 P.M. and participated in the meeting remotely | | | | | Also: | City Manager Eric D. Batista
Assistant City Manager Hung Nguyen
Chief Financial Officer Timothy McGourthy
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
City Auditor Rob Stearns
City Solicitor Michael Traynor, who participated in the meeting remotely
Assistant City Clerk Clare Robbins, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 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.
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/99524470181
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Access Code: 995 2447 0181 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Municipal and Legislative Operations hereby approves the minutes of the Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee meeting of October 19, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Frank Callahan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #6a, #7a and #7b
2. Barry Fradkin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #6a, #7a and #7b
3. David Coyne, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #6a, #7a and #7b | |
| 3. | Communication of the City Auditor - Financial Item | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ended June 30, 2022 audited by the Certified Public Accountant firm of ClifftonLarsonAllen, LLP
# 11a CC January 17, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
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 | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager - Financial Items | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 financial update, as of December 31, 2022.
# 8.29A CM February 7, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with items #4b through #4d.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the city’s financial status, including information relative to income receipts and interest rates.
Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the items be placed on file.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 financial update, as of November 30, 2022.
# 9.29A CM January 10, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4a) | |
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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 financial update, as of September 30, 2022.
# 9.31A CM October 25, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4a) | |
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| | | 4d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 financial update, as of August 31, 2022.
# 15i CM September 29, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4a) | |
| 5. | Miscellaneous Financial Item | |
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| | | 5a. | Order of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing a list of properties purchased by colleges and universities from 2019 to the present, whether the college or university kept the property on the tax roll, any signed community benefit agreements associated with new projects on these properties and what changes, if any, were made to PILOT contributions.
# 10a CC January 17, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | 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 | |
| 6. | Communication of the City Clerk - Community Preservation Act Item | |
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| | | 6a. | Transmitting an informational communication relative to the notice of acceptance relating to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Election Results, as well as the specific language of the Ballot Question approved by the city's voters.
# 12a CC November 29, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with items #7a and #7b.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the possible procedural actions for the items.
Chairperson Councilor King then read a statement submitted via email by Ann Lisi and Frank Callahan relative to suggested changes to the Community Preservation Act Ordinance.
Chairperson Councilor King discussed the recommended structure for the Community Preservation Committee, adding the amendments to the Community Preservation Act and appointment of the committee chair with the Chief Development Officer and City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized Speaker #1, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Russell and Councilor Rose, who discussed the appointment of city councilors to boards or commissions.
Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager consider allowing the inaugural Community Preservation Committee members to determine their own chairperson; and 2) Request City Manager consider implementing restrictions relative to not allowing city employees and elected officials to join the Community Preservation Committee.
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 | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager consider allowing the inaugural Community Preservation Committee members to determine their own chairperson. | | | | Request City Manager consider implementing restrictions relative to not allowing city employees and elected officials to join the Community Preservation Committee. | |
| 7. | Communications of the City Manager - Community Preservation Act Items | |
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| | | 7a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to Community Preservation Committees.
# 8.4A CM February 7, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #6a) | |
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| | | 7b. | Recommend adoption of an Organizational Ordinance relative to the Community Preservation Act.
# 9.4C CM January 24, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #6a) | |
| 8. | Communications of the City Manager - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Items | |
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| | | 8a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the framework for achieving diversity, equity and inclusion for our City family.
# 8.40A CM February 7, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with items #8b and #8c.
Chairperson Councilor King provided a timeline of actions taken in the city relative to hiring a Chief Equity Officer, including information relative to diversity, equity and inclusion staffing challenges, the need for increasing the salary of the position, and the lack of progress associated with creating a Request for Proposal (RFP) for hiring the position.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Manager, who discussed the development of an RFP for a Chief Equity Officer position, as well as determining a salary for a Chief Equity Officer position.
Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager reprioritize and expedite, to the extent practicable, the Request for Proposals (RFP) process going out as soon as possible for a Chief Equity Officer position; and 2) Request City Manager establish a certain date for releasing an annual diversity report.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed hiring all open positions associated with an Executive Officer of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as ensuring the office will work out of a physical location of great importance with the City Manager.
Chairperson Councilor King discussed completing an in-depth salary review process for DEI related employees, as well as ensuring virtual components of work for said positions with the City Manager.
Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with bi-monthly reports concerning engagements and updates relative to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work completed in the city.
Chairperson Councilor King then discussed the importance of creating a “roadshow” to discuss DEI initiatives with the community.
Chairperson Councilor King then brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning beginning the process of collaborating with the Chief of Staff of City Council to create a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “road show,” which would include a rotation of City Councilors attending said road shows.
Chairperson Councilor King discussed public outreach options, including involving various neighborhood groups in the process with Councilor Russell, Councilor Rose and the City Manager.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Manager, who discussed media-consistent messaging relative to the equity audit and recommendations thereof, the goals associated with changing the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion model, the workload for the Human Rights Commission and an Executive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the transition of the Human Rights Commission, as well as the relationship between the Commission on Latino Affairs and the Human Rights Commission.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Solicitor, who provided a clarification that the structural reorganization must be voted up or down, per the City of Worcester Charter.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Russell and Councilor Rose, who provided recommendations that the structural reorganization associated with the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion be moved forward.
Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager keep City Council abreast of changes made relative to the transition of Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee members to the Human Rights Commission, given concerns relative to the Human Rights Commission’s workload.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Manager, who discussed the involvement the Commission on Latino Affairs will have with the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Chairperson Councilor King then brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with an update relative to the establishment of a commission similar to the Commission on Latino Affairs Latino Advisory Commission specific to African American and Black community members.
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 | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager reprioritize and expedite, to the extent practicable, the Request for Proposals (RFP) process going out as soon as possible for a Chief Equity Officer position. | | | | Request City Manager establish a certain date for releasing an annual diversity report. | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with bi-monthly reports concerning engagements and updates relative to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work completed in the city. | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning beginning the process of collaborating with the Chief of Staff of City Council to create a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “road show,” which would include a rotation of City Councilors attending said road shows. | | | | Request City Manager keep City Council abreast of changes made relative to the transition of Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee members to the Human Rights Commission, given concerns relative to the Human Rights Commission’s workload. | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with an update relative to the establishment of a commission similar to the Commission on Latino Affairs Latino Advisory Commission specific to African American and Black community members. | |
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| | | 8b. | Recommend adoption of a Reorganizational Ordinance for the Executive Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Department of Health & Human Services.
# 8.14A CM February 7, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #8a) | |
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| | | 8c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Racial Equity Audit Report for the departments of Human Resources and Health & Human Services.
# 15c CC September 29, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #8a) | |
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