City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj 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

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj read the item and recognized the Chief Sustainability Officer, who provided an overview of the process for procuring a consultant to complete a Heat Risk Assessment, which reviewed heat exposure, heat sensitivity and the city’s adaptive capability relative to dealing with heat.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj discussed the neighborhoods that do not have enough trees, which is a factor in creating areas that are most impacted by heat, hospitalizations associated with heat stroke, the impact of environmental justice, and the recommendations from the Heat Assessment that are tied to the Urban Forestry Tree Plan with the Chief Sustainability Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed whether the City has reviewed tax incentives for creating green roofs in the City, the hanging of canopies to shield individuals from the sun and creating cooling stations in the City with the Chief Sustainability Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Russell, who brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide a list of trees planted for Arbor Day as it relates to the areas of the city discussed in the Heat Risk Assessment.

Councilor Russell then discussed planting and removing of trees in the Vernon Hill neighborhood.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the spread of root systems of trees.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj discussed the importance of planting of native trees with the Chief Sustainability Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost, sources of fundings, and timeline for implementing recommendations 1, 3, and 4 of Heat Risk Assessment, which pertain to increasing the total tree canopy across the city by 30,000 to 35,000 trees, assessing the number and siting of cooling centers for extreme heat events and establishing a citywide heat surveillance system; and 2) Request City Manager coordinate with the appropriate representatives from Eversource to ensure any trees planted in the city do not interfere with existing gas lines or cause gas leaks.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized the following speakers:
1. Tracy O’Connell-Novick, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
2. Paul Matthews, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj then brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide the Superintendent of Public Schools with a copy of the Heat Risk Assessment for the purposes of review by the School Committee.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost, sources of fundings, and timeline for implementing recommendations 1, 3, and 4 of Heat Risk Assessment, which pertain to increasing the total tree canopy across the city by 30,000 to 35,000 trees, assessing the number and siting of cooling centers for extreme heat events and establishing a citywide heat surveillance system.

Request City Manager coordinate with the appropriate representatives from Eversource to ensure any trees planted in the city do not interfere with existing gas lines or cause gas leaks.

Request City Manager provide the Superintendent of Public Schools with a copy of the Heat Risk Assessment for the purposes of review by the School Committee.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj read the item and recognized the Regional Director of Verizon, who discussed the work being done by Verizon as it relates to building their fiber-optic network in the city, as well as the company’s decision to not pursue a cable franchise in the city.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed why no cable-related services were available through Verizon, when fixed wireless service will become available in the city and the appropriateness of using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies for upgrades as it relates to broadband services with the Regional Director of Verizon and Chief Information Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the rate of technological growth in the city.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized the following speaker:
1. Cecilia Doucette, Ashland resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
2. School Committee Member Tracy O’Connell-Novick, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
3. Paul Matthews, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
4. Ed McKeon, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
5. Guillermo Creamer, Jr., Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj discussed the creation of the Worcester Municipal Broadband Taskforce, as well as the potential for creating a Master Plan around the creation of a municipal broadband network with the Chief Information Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed partnering with local colleges and universities as it relates to expanding broadband networks in the city with the Chief Information Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj brought forth the following two Chairman’s Orders 1) Request City Manager procure a feasibility study on municipal broadband to serve as a blueprint for a municipal broadband master plan that will include policies, designs, and financial plans the City can pursue. 2) Request City Manager apply for the Municipal Digital Planning Program in an effort to develop data concerning digital equity gaps in the city, as well as to develop a roadmap to bridge the digital divide.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Request City Manager procure a feasibility study on municipal broadband to serve as a blueprint for a municipal broadband master plan that will include policies, designs, and financial plans the City can pursue.

Request City Manager apply for the Municipal Digital Planning Program in an effort to develop data concerning digital equity gaps in the city, as well as to develop a roadmap to bridge the digital divide.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj read the item and recognized the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative Program Manager, who provided a presentation relative to supporting the Blackstone River Watershed Needs Assessment Report and Blackstone Watershed Collaborative.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Russell, who brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request City Solicitor review the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative Resolution to determine whether there are any conflicts between the resolution and any current zoning laws or regulations.

Councilor Russell then discussed the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative’s affiliation with Clark University and the potential of removing dams.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the environmental impacts that have occurred to the Blackstone River.

Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj 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

Request City Manager request City Solicitor review the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative Resolution to determine whether there are any conflicts between the resolution and any current zoning laws or regulations.