Committee Agenda for Public Works Committee 05/10/2022

CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Works Committee Meeting

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:03 P.M.

Adjourned: 05:44 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson George J Russell
Vice Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Morris A Bergman

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor George J Russell Vice Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Councilor Morris A Bergman

	Also:	Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jarrett Conner Water Resource Coordinator Philip Guerin Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, 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. Public Works Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/99645485764 Public Works Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Public Works Committee Zoom Access Code: 996 4548 5764	Attachments

Approval of the Minutes



2a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works hereby approves the minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting on April 6, 2022.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Russell 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

Communications of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the FY23 Water and Sewer Rates. # 9.6A CM April 26, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with #3b. Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the proposed increase in prices associated with the Water and Sewer Rates for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). Chairperson Councilor Russell discussed why the out of town rate did not increase but the in-city rate did with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the difference in usage of water and sewers between the out of town communities and the city users, whether the city is maximizing revenue with out of town users, how the water is provided to out of town users, contractual obligations between the city and its serviced towns, why the city’s water usage has decreased and how the monies can be returned to the water and sewer rate users with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, Water Resource Coordinator and Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Russell discussed the work being completed at Upper Blackstone Clean Water, how the city tracks its sale of water to other communities, the monies appropriated to the water reserve account and how the department has utilized federal funding with the Water Resource Coordinator, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed how the increase in funds are associated with addressing issues at the Lake Avenue Sewer Pump station with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Russell 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


3b.	Transmitting supplemental information and communication relative to the FY23 water and sewer rates. # 10.6C CM May 3, 2022	Attachments

	Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (see Item #3a)