CITY OF WORCESTER | Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Meeting | Wednesday, March 3, 2021 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:33 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:04 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Matthew E Wally | | Vice Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey | | Councilor George J Russell |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Matthew E Wally
Vice Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey
Councilor George J Russell | | | | | Also: | Chief Information Officer Eileen Cazaropoul
Director of Urban Innovation Eric Batista
Director of Energy and Asset Management John Odell
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
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| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment hereby approves the minutes of the Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee meeting of February 24, 2020. | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Oder adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 2a. | In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Levi Lincoln Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 180 315 3253) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=e77b388bcdf465d60d2f40d5b97b197ed | Attachments |
| 3. | Communication of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to Municipal Broadband.
# 8.26A CM February 2, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and recognized the Director of Urban Innovation, who spoke relative to the potential for municipal broadband becoming a reality in the city, the creation of a task force to oversee said potential and outreach to other communities, such as Shrewsbury, that have municipal broadband set up.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Chief Information Officer, who discussed the importance of getting a consultant to determine the feasibility of creating a municipal broadband program.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed teaming up with other communities who are also interested in the potential for municipal broadband and whether the city has pursued a fully wireless system with the Director of Urban Innovation and Chief Information Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Wally brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s contract with Charter/Spectrum, including information relative to the city’s options during the renewal process, the consequences of not renewing said contract, the owner of the wires used to deliver the service and their value and whether the city or other companies would have access to said wires.
Chairperson Councilor Wally 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 detailing the city’s contract with Charter/Spectrum, including information relative to the city’s options during the renewal process, the consequences of not renewing said contract, the owner of the wires used to deliver the service and their value and whether the city or other companies would have access to said wires. | |
| 4. | Miscellaneous Communication | |
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| | | 4a. | Helen Friel, Ed.D, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting a response of the administration to the request to consider the MassINC report "Gateway Cities at the Center of the Digital Divide."
# 14a CC February 23, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and provided a brief overview of the communication, which covered information about internet and computer access for students in gateway cities.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Wally brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk provide the School Committee with the MassINC Policy Brief from November of 2020 titled, "Going for Growth: Promoting Digital Equity in Massachusetts Gateway Cities."
Chairperson Councilor Wally 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 Clerk provide the School Committee with the MassINC Policy Brief from November of 2020 titled, "Going for Growth: Promoting Digital Equity in Massachusetts Gateway Cities." | |
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