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 recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of programs being implemented and continued through the city’s American Rescue Act (ARPA) monies.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed gratitude for the city continuing to prioritize rental assistance and food insecurity programs.

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

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with items #4a and #4b.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the following speakers:
1. Grace Ross, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
2. Terry Cherry, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
3. Martin Omasta, Hatfield resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
4. Ruth Adafi, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
5. Peggy Kozak, Leicester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
6. Stephen Jenkins, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
7. Chris Horton, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
8. Sherry Stanley, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
9. Deirdre Dundon, Grafton resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item
10. Mary Pettrone, Boylston resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to the item

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the court’s jurisdiction over the appointment of special process servers.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager notify the Worcester Consumer Rights Program as to concerns brought forward by the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team relative to the appointment of special process servers, to assist individuals who have raised said concerns regarding evictions and foreclosures.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the importance of advocates working with the appropriate entities to amend State law that could change the procedure for appointing special process servers.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the limited ways City Councilors can support residents during foreclosures, the need for the city to provide informational guidelines concerning foreclosures and whether the city has any health and safety related powers to aid individuals going through an eviction or foreclosure with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations meet with members of the State Delegation for the purpose of discussing testimony received by the city from the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team as it relates to special process servers actions during evictions and foreclosures; and 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with a side by side comparison of the opinions provided by City Solicitor and retired Federal prosecutor Sarah McKee relative to court appointed special process servers and constables not licensed through the city evicting and foreclosing upon residents.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed whether the City of Worcester would be liable for fraudulent acts with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning whether body-worn cameras are engaged and on when police officers respond to calls regarding evictions and foreclosures.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Speaker #1, who discussed the Worcester Police Department’s involvement relative to foreclosures and evictions that occur in the city.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Speaker #2, who discussed regulations relative to moving companies that are used by constables during foreclosures and evictions.

Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning whether the city’s consumer affairs personnel can aid in ensuring trucks that are used by moving companies during foreclosures and evictions have vehicle plates that are registered properly.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the items #3b and #4b be placed on file and item #4a be held.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rose absent)

Request City Manager notify the Worcester Consumer Rights Program as to concerns brought forward by the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team relative to the appointment of special process servers, to assist individuals who have raised said concerns regarding evictions and foreclosures.

Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations meet with members of the State Delegation for the purpose of discussing testimony received by the city from the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team as it relates to special process servers actions during evictions and foreclosures.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a side by side comparison of the opinions provided by City Solicitor and retired Federal prosecutor Sarah McKee relative to court appointed special process servers and constables not licensed through the city evicting and foreclosing upon residents.

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning whether body-worn cameras are engaged and on when police officers respond to calls regarding evictions and foreclosures.

Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning whether the city’s consumer affairs personnel can aid in ensuring trucks that are used by moving companies during foreclosures and evictions have vehicle plates that are registered properly.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the Assistant City Manager, who provided an overview of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives being undertaken by the city, including recruitment initiatives occurring to hire a Chief Equity Officer.

Chairperson Councilor King then brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the status of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) Equity Audit.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed whether there has been any discussion about putting out another RFP for an executive search firm to aid in the hiring of a Chief Equity Officer, as well as how the city and search firm intend to value internal candidates for the Chief Equity Officer position with the Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor King discussed the review process used by the city to ensure all cabinet and department head level positions are held accountable with the Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor King then brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the status of implementing recommendations made in the city’s Racial Equity Audit Report for the departments of Human Resources and Health and Human Services. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning reviewing and potentially adjusting all job descriptions for cabinet level positions director level positions. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning the status of developing performance reviews for positions, as they relate to raises, promotions and demotions.

Chairperson Councilor move for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nay

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the status of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) Equity Audit.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the status of implementing recommendations made in the city’s Racial Equity Audit Report for the departments of Human Resources and Health and Human Services. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning reviewing and potentially adjusting all job descriptions for cabinet level positions director level positions. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning the status of developing performance reviews for positions, as they relate to raises, promotions and demotions.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rose absent) (See Item #3b)

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rose absent) (See Item #3b)

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and discussed the State earmark process with the Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor move for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nay