Committee Agenda for Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee 12/20/2023

CITY OF WORCESTER

Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:21 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:40 P.M.

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

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E. King Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, who was temporarily appointed to the Standing Committee Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, who was temporarily appointed to the Standing Committee and participated remotely

	Also:	Worcester Regional Research Bureau Executive Director Paul Matthews Data Analyst Jeannie Michelson Chief Human Resources Officer William Bagley State House Representative Erika Uyterhoeven Massachusetts Action for PILOT Co-Chair Marianne Walles Deputy City Clerk Clare Robbins, clerk

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information



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/93823030890 Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Access Code: 938 2303 0890	Attachments

Communication of the City Clerk



2a.	Communication of the City Clerk recommend adoption of the accompanying proposed amendment to Appendix B of the Rules of City Council, in an effort to ensure all city boards, commissions, divisions, and departments receive oversight from a City Council Standing Committee. # 11d CC September 19, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who provided an overview of the item. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays: Request City Clerk provide City Council with an amendment to Appendix B of the Rules of City Council to assign the Advisory Commission on African American and Black Affairs, as well the Advisory Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs, to the appropriate City Council Standing Committee for oversight purposes. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who spoke concerning the item. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed City Council orientation process provided by the City Clerk to new City Councilors and the importance of having explicit definition for “oversight” with the Deputy City Clerk. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report defining “standing committee oversight,” as it relates to Appendix B of the Rules of City Council. Further, request City Clerk add the amended Appendix B to the city’s website. 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 Clerk provide City Council with an amendment to Appendix B of the Rules of City Council to assign the Advisory Commission on African American and Black Affairs, as well the Advisory Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs, to the appropriate City Council Standing Committee for oversight purposes.
	Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report defining “standing committee oversight,” as it relates to Appendix B of the Rules of City Council. Further, request City Clerk add the amended Appendix B to the city’s website.

Communication of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the demographic makeup of the City's boards and commissions. # 9.39A CM October 17, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the Data Analyst, who discussed efforts concerning recruiting diverse members for City’s boards and commission, as well as how to address challenges concerning filling in board and commission positions for District 3 and District 4. Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief Human Resources Officer, who discussed development of recruiting team for the City’s boards and commissions. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the mailing process to advertise open positions for City’s boards and commissions with the Data Analyst to District Councilors. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed utilizing the waiting list for applicants to fill open positions for boards and commissions and the importance of removing as many challenges and barriers to joining boards and commissions. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning auditing and assessing barriers and challenges residents may face when considering participating in opportunities for boards and commissions, such as childcare and transportation, as well as whether the city provides any subject matter training to the board and commission members. Chairperson Councilor King then discussed increased in diversity of board and commission 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 provide City Council with a report concerning auditing and assessing barriers and challenges residents may face when considering participating in opportunities for boards and commissions, such as childcare and transportation, as well as whether the city provides any subject matter training to the board and commission members.

Miscellaneous Items



4a.	Order of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations host a public discussion that includes representatives from the Massachusetts State Legislature relative to Massachusetts voters amending the state’s Constitution through the Fair Share Amendment, which may generate about $2 billion dollars to support transportation, public education and tax justice and racial equity. # 14d CC October 24, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the amount of monies the city expects to receive because of the Fair Share Amendment, as well as any efforts being made to work and lobby to ensure the city receives its fair share. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the needs for mechanism by way the Council receives updates from the administration. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays: Request City Manager develop a mechanism to ensure the city’s Legislative Director/Lobbyist provides City Council with a quarterly report concerning pending legislation that may impact the city, as well as potential funding sources for the city. 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 concerning the amount of monies the city expects to receive because of the Fair Share Amendment, as well as any efforts being made to work and lobby to ensure the city receives its fair share.
	Request City Manager develop a mechanism to ensure the city’s Legislative Director/Lobbyist provides City Council with a quarterly report concerning pending legislation that may impact the city, as well as potential funding sources for the city.


4b.	Resolution of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support Massachusetts HD 2091 and SD 761, which would amend Chapter 59 of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59 to make it easier for municipalities to collect a minimum of 25% of tax value from large nonprofits that own property valuing more than 15 million dollars. # 12a CC October 17, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized State House Representative Uyterhoeven, who provided an overview of the legislation brought forth at the State level. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed Boston’s ordinance relative to non-profit taxes with State House Representative Uyterhoeven. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed the ability for municipalities to opt-in to the program with State House Representative Uyterhoeven. Chairperson Councilor King recognized State House Representative Uyterhoeven, who discussed the historical timeline concerning the house bill. Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Mass Action for PILOT Co-Chair, who spoke to her experiences concerning non-profit organizations making PILOT payments. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Assessor provide City Council with a report detailing the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program and ordinance currently in place in Somerville, as well as any actions recently considered and/or enacted in Boston. Chairperson Councilor King then discussed challenges relative to the tax base and the needs for equity for taxpayers. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning assessments and evaluations of the city’s nonprofits that are over the 15-million-dollar threshold; and 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of establishing a task force specifically to discuss Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements. Further, request said report include an update concerning existing efforts with a PILOT task force. Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the previous taskforce relative to the PILOT program. Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Order on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of properties purchased by the city’s nonprofits that have since been taken off the tax roll over the last five (5) years. 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 request City Assessor provide City Council with a report detailing the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program and ordinance currently in place in Somerville, as well as any actions recently considered and/or enacted in Boston.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning assessments and evaluations of the city’s nonprofits that are over the 15-million-dollar threshold.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of establishing a task force specifically to discuss Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements. Further, request said report include an update concerning existing efforts with a PILOT task force.
	Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of properties purchased by the city’s nonprofits that have since been taken off the tax roll over the last five (5) years.


4c.	Communication of Paul Matthews, Executive Director of the Worcester Research Bureau, transmitting, "Governing for Excellence: Worcester Public Schools' Evolution in Governance." # 11b CC December 20, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the WRRB Executive Director, who provided an overview of the item. Chairperson Councilor King then discussed redistricting efforts relative to the municipal elections. Chairperson Councilor King recognized the WRRB Executive Director, who discussed recent updates concerning research relative to school districts and the 2023 municipal elections with the Deputy City Clerk. 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