CITY OF WORCESTER | Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting | Thursday, October 24, 2024 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 4:05 P.M. | Recessed to Executive Session: 5:08 P.M.
Adjourned from Executive Session: 5:51 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Vice Chairperson Luis A Ojeda | | Councilor Donna M Colorio |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Morris A. Bergman
Councilor Luis A. Ojeda
Councilor Donna M. Colorio | | | | | Also: | City Solicitor Michael Traynor
Chief Financial Officer Tim McGourthy
City Assessor Samuel Konieczny
City Auditor Robert Stearns
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, 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. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9.
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 | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #5a
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| 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 July 17, 2024. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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 | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Auditor | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting the city's Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Program's Financial Reporting and Disclosures as of June 30, 2023 audited by KMS Actuaries, LLC.
# 9b CC March 19, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who read the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who discussed percentages paid into OPEB by new hires, the timeline for union negotiations, and state legislation relative to additional funding for OPEB with the City Auditor and the Chief Financial Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman compared the rate of return for OPEB to the rate of return for other investments made by the city, as well as how OPEB payouts are calculated with the City Auditor and the Chief Financial Officer and the City Auditor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the status of any pending state legislation that could aid the city in its Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Program obligations.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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 the status of any pending state legislation that could aid the city in its Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Program obligations. | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ended June 30, 2023 audited by the Certified Public Accountant firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.
# 9a CC March 19, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who read the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then discussed the actual and projected funding associated with the city’s budget, concerns relative to not meeting budgetary goals, the potential for the city needing to increase funding for Polar Park, and the city’s ability to meet any liabilities associated with Polar Park without affecting the taxpayers with the City Auditor.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who discussed bringing forth a report concerning the financial standing of Polar Park.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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 | |
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| | | 3c. | Transmitting an informational communication relative to the city-wide overtime for the nine (9) months ended March 31, 2023 with a projection for the 4th quarter.
# 12e CC June 13, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who read the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then discussed the trends concerning city-wide overtime in FY23 and FY24 with the City Auditor and the Chief Financial officer.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who discussed ways to expand the Summer Impact program with the Chief Financial Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman then discussed the beginning and end date of the Summer Impact program with Councilor Ojeda.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager consider reviewing the city’s budget to determine a funding source that would allow the city’s Summer Impact Program to be extended to occur from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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 reviewing the city’s budget to determine a funding source that would allow the city’s Summer Impact Program to be extended to occur from Memorial Day to Labor Day. | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to assessments of state buildings as they relate to real estate taxes.
# 9.27A CM September 10, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who read the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Assessor, who provided an overview of the item and discussed the tax revenue that would be generated from applying the commercial tax rate to the entire value amount of assessed properties, as well as the percentage for reimbursement with the state formula.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who discussed how land is deemed valuable, the most valuable land in the state and how to change what is considered a negative impact and positive impact usage of land with the City Assessor and the Chief Financial Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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 | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2025 financial update, as of August 31, 2024.
# 9.30B CM October 1, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who read items #4b through #4i collectively.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who provided an overview of the item and discussed the city’s strategies relative to where municipal funds can be invested due to drops in interest rates.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to file the item.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2025 financial update, as of July 31, 2024.
# 9.30A CM October 1, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4b) | |
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| | | 4d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of June 30, 2024.
# 10.30A CM August 27, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4b) | |
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| | | 4e. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of May 31, 2024.
# 10.30B CM August 27, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4b) | |
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| | | 4f. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of April 30, 2024.
# 9.30A CM May 28, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4b) | |
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| | | 4g. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of March 31, 2024.
# 9.30A CM May 14, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4b) | |
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| | | 4h. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of February 29, 2024.
# 9.30B CM May 14, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4b) | |
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| | | 4i. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of January 31, 2024.
# 11.30A CM March 12, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4b) | |
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| | | 5a. | Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - In accordance with Section 2 of City Manager Eric D. Batista’s Employment Agreement, the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby consider negotiating a subsequent employment agreement beyond his December 31, 2024 term.
# 10g CC June 25, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who read items #5a and #6a collectively.
Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved to amend item #6a to read as follows, “That the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations convene in Executive Session at its October 24, 2024 meeting for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel associated with the below item. The Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations will not reconvene in Open Session.
Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - In accordance with Section 2 of City Manager Eric D. Batista’s Employment Agreement, the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby consider negotiating a subsequent employment agreement beyond his December 31, 2024 term.”
Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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 | |
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| | | 6a. | That the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations convene in Executive Session at its October 24, 2024 meeting for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel associated with the below item. The Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations will reconvene in Open Session.
Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - In accordance with Section 2 of City Manager Eric D. Batista’s Employment Agreement, the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby consider negotiating a subsequent employment agreement beyond his December 31, 2024 term.
# 10g CC June 25, 2024 | Attachments | | | | | | | Order adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #5a CC) | |
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