CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting | Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:00 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:13 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Sarai Rivera | | Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Morris A Bergman
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj | | | | | Also: | Councilor Thu Nguyen
Commissioner of Health and Human Services Dr. Matilde “Mattie” Castiel
Director of Public Health Soloe Dennis
Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsch
Coordinator of Community Initiatives Leah Serafin
Central MA Housing Alliance Data Quality Coordinator Jack Moran
Central MA Housing Alliance CEO Leah Bradley
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.
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92440181651
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Access Code: 924 4018 1651 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order- That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services hereby approves the minutes of the Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting on January 10, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Councilor Rivera 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 Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a grant to Community Health Link to implement crisis intervention.
# 10.18A CM March 21, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Year One Plan.
# 11.18A CM November 29, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 4a. | Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services meet quarterly with the Department of Public Health and the Board of Health in an effort to discuss public health issues within the city, including but not limited to the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project.
# 10f CC March 1, 2022
In Committee March 29, 2022 - Held
In Committee May 23, 2022 - Held
In Committee September 20, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 4b. | Petition of Terry Kelly request City Council request City Manager stop sweeps of homeless encampments and address adequate sanitation concerns such as trash, human waste and used waste.
# 8q CC March 28, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with #4c.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera discussed safety issues and sanitation associated with homeless encampments, the importance of temporary shelters housing, and accessibility.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the following speaker:
1. Maydee Morales, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items of #4b and #4c.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera brought forth the following Chairman’s Order, “Request City Manager work to establish a Homelessness Task Force or Working Group.”
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who discussed the homeless community, encampments, congregate shelter, and solutions for permanent housing.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed permanent housing, neighborhood concerns, and encampments on municipally owned properties with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera discussed the need for guidelines regarding potential a moratorium on encampment sweeps, along with pros and cons. Councilor Rivera then discussed a timeline for a meeting of a Homeless Task Force with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed his reservations with a moratorium on encampment sweeps and his experience during a recent walkalong of an encampment area. Councilor Bergman also discussed his concerns regarding homeless people who are not city residents.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera discussed her willingness to support a mortarium with specifics in place.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the CEO of Central MA Housing Alliance and the Data Quality Coordinator of Central MA Housing Alliance who presented a PowerPoint concerning the Worcester Data on Persons Experiences Homelessness and possible solutions to address homelessness.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed shelter capacity with the CEO of Central MA Housing Alliance.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the following speakers:
1. Eric Tars, no residence given, spoke in favor of items #4b and #4c.
2. Brian Bickford, Worcester Resident, spoke in favor of items #4b and #4c.
3. Dr. Barbara DiPietro, no residence given, spoke in favor of items #4b and #4c.
4. Dr. Hugh Silk, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #4b and #4c.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera brought forth the following Chairman’s Order, “Request City Manager work with housing experts and specific providers from the Housing First Task Force and a Homelessness Working Group to explore possible solutions to address the homelessness situation in the city, including, but not limited to a temporary moratorium on encampment sweeps or establishing suitable temporary housing/shelter. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the possible solutions, timelines to implement any solutions, and the discussions that take place within said Working Group.”
Chairperson Councilor Rivera then moved to recommend items #4b and #4c be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager work to establish a Homelessness Task Force or Working Group. | | | | Request City Manager work with housing experts and specific providers from the Housing First Task Force and a Homelessness Working Group to explore possible solutions to address the homelessness situation in the city, including, but not limited to a temporary moratorium on encampment sweeps or establishing suitable temporary housing/shelter. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the possible solutions, timelines to implement any solutions, and the discussions that take place within said Working Group. | |
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| | | 4c. | Petition of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, on behalf of Maydee Morales, request City Manager work to either issue a temporary moratorium on encampment sweeps or find a suitable site to properly and safely support individuals living in encampments throughout the City, while the City works on a plan to expand shelter beds, temporary housing options, and bring permanent supportive housing units online. Further, request that this item be sent to the next meeting of the Public Health and Human Services Standing Committee for further discussion.
# 13p CC May 2, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend Hold (see item #4b) | |
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