CITY OF WORCESTER | Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting | Monday, January 9, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:31 P.M. | Adjourned: 7:21 P.M. |
|
Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Vice Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Councilor Khrystian E King |
|
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Sean M. Rose
| | | | | Also: | Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Robert Antonelli
Assistant City Clerk Clare M. Robbins
| | | |
| 1. | 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.
Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96951929457
Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Zoom Access Code: 969 5192 9457 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
| | | | | |
| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation hereby approves the minutes of the Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee meeting on August 29, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the 149 West Boylston Drive master plan.
# 9.9A CM October 12, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the public hearings held by the Parks and Recreation Commission relative to building the Master Plan for 149 West Boylston Dr.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the funding process and benefits associated with completing and approving Master Plans for parks that are in need of improvement with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan Initiative public hearings.
# 10.9C CM September 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with items #3c and #3d.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the public hearings held by the Parks and Recreation Commission relative to building the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed funding needs associated with implementing various phases of Master Plans approved within the city with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the work being done by the Department of Public Works and its contractors associated with forestry within the city with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. Colin Novick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the items be placed on file. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan Initiative.
# 8.9C CM May 24, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) (See Item #3b) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
# 9.8A CM October 19, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) (See Item #3b) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4a. | Petition of David Ayoub request installation of signage at Lake View Park that prohibits activities after 7 P.M.
# 8u CC October 12, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the standard hours of operation for all parks within the city.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed focusing in on security needs in the vicinity of Lake View Park and partnering with the Lake View Elementary School to provide recommendations for park safety with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4b. | Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Donna M. Colorio, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, Councilor Khrystian E. King, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Thu Nguyen, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request Standing Committee on Veterans’ Memorials, Parks and Recreation meet with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to hold a discussion reflecting on the positive efforts and shortcomings related to hiring lifeguards during the summer of 2022. Said discussion should include current lifeguards to get a sense of their commitment to the city and feedback on how we can better recruit and retain lifeguards in the future.
# 12k CC July 19, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the lack of applicants associated with lifeguard positions in the city, the pay for lifeguards in the city and trainings the city provides lifeguards hired each summer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed strategies to encourage the city’s youths to apply for lifeguard jobs within the city with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. School Committee Member Tracy O’Connell-Novick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Arthur Peterson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Nicole Apostola, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the feasibility of having conversations with previously employed lifeguards on their experience with the city, the negative impact not having pools in the city has had on trying to recruit new lifeguards and challenges associated with closing pools previously available in the city with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed ensuring exit interviews are completed by appropriate staff to determine ways to provide better opportunities for outgoing lifeguards, as well as clearly outlining lunch and break times during lifeguard orientation.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the city’s ability to provide free swim lessons to the city’s youths. Further, request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review partnering with other entities to provide said lessons if the staffing level of city workers will not allow for such an action; and 2) Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks ensure exit interviews are completed by appropriate staff to determine ways to provide better opportunities for outgoing lifeguards, as well as provide City Council with a report concerning efforts made relative to hiring lifeguards for the summer of 2023.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the city’s ability to provide free swim lessons to the city’s youths. Further, request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review partnering with other entities to provide said lessons if the staffing level of city workers will not allow for such an action. | | | | Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks ensure exit interviews are completed by appropriate staff to determine ways to provide better opportunities for outgoing lifeguards, as well as provide City Council with a report concerning efforts made relative to hiring lifeguards for the summer of 2023. | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4c. | Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with the Greater Worcester Land Trust to seek improvements and/or rehabilitation to Roosevelt Oak Park on Indian Hill Rd.
# 9m CC November 23, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed improvements that are in the process of being made relative to Roosevelt Oak Park, including signage that is set to be replaced.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. Colin Novick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the city’s ability to partner with the Greater Worcester Land Trust to make improvements to private property with public funds, including the potential for an acorn program associated with the Roosevelt Oak Tree and signage options available in the public right of way.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | |
| | | | | |
| | | 4d. | Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request the Standing Committee on Veterans’ Memorials, Parks and Recreation review the attached Indian Lake Walk audit found at the following site: https://sites.google.com/WalkBoston.org/walkbostonworcester/home.
# 11o CC February 23, 2021
In Committee April 13, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | In Committee for informational purposes only | | |
| | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed potential funding options for the improvements and renovations associated with parkland in the vicinity of Morgan’s Landing and Indian Lake that were outlined in the Indian Lake Walk Audit.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed potential improvements outlined in the Indian Lake Walk Audit, as well as whether those improvements can be completed in a more simplistic way.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the challenges for residents on Grove St. outlined in the Indian Lake Walk Audit, as well as improvements that have occurred in said area.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (King absent) | |
|