Committee Agenda for Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee 02/07/2023

CITY OF WORCESTER

Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:07 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:07 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 Candy Mero-Carlson Councilor Sean M Rose, who arrived at 5:13 p.m., and participated remotely Councilor Khrystian E King

	Also:	Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Robert Antonelli Assistant City Clerk Clare M. Robbins, 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. Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/97625068393 Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Zoom Access Code: 976 2506 8393	Attachments

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 January 24, 2023.	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 (Rose absent).

Communications of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Foley Stadium improvements. # 8.9B CM May 24, 2022 In Committee June 29, 2022 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to file, as the public hearing relative to the item has been completed. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rose absent)


3b.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the design process to date as well as the future milestones associated with Foley Stadium improvements. # 9.8A CM November 9, 2021 In Committee June 29, 2022 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an update concerning the bidding process for Foley Stadium improvements and provided the recommendation to file, as the item provides information from before November 2021. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed efforts to procure more diverse responses through the bidding process with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays


3c.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the Master Plan for improvements to the new park at the former Becker College Property on Sever Street. # 9.9B CM April 26, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an update concerning grant funding received for park improvements and provided the recommendation to file, as the item was brought forth for public hearing purposes. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed the location of the new park with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays


3d.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2022 opening of Athletic Fields. # 10.9C CM April 5, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided the recommendation to file, as a new communication will be brought forth in Spring 2023. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays


3e.	Transmitting informational communication relative to a report outlining a comprehensive overview of this year�s Summer Recreation and Safety Initiatives # 9.41A CM March 22, 2022	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided update concerning the Summer Recreation and Safety Initiatives report for 2023. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the procedural process to transmit the informational communication relative to the new Summer Recreation and Safety Initiatives report for 2023 with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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


3f.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the tree removal associated with street reconstruction. # 10.7A CM July 20, 2021	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the item and creation of masterplan to maintain the trees in the city. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed how street repaving and sidewalk repair affect the tree maintenance and tree planting programs, the decision to move to request-based tree planting system, whether the locations of tree removal are tracked, the process to replace the removed trees and possible methods to increase communication with residents concerning the tree planting program with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the Urban Forestry masterplan and plans concerning the launch of the Urban Forestry Tree Commission with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman�s Order: Request City Manager work with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks along with Urban Forestry Tree Commission to analyze or edit the Urban Forestry masterplan and offer suggestions before reporting to City Council for full approval. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the language concerning chairman�s order relative to replacing trees that have been removed with the Assistant City Clerk, the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and Councilor King. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman�s Order: Request City Manager work with Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Urban Forestry Tree Commission to update the city�s tree ordinance to include language for the purposes of replacing a removed tree if conditions allowed, taking into consideration costs, street conditions and infrastructure. Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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 work with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks along with Urban Forestry Tree Commission to analyze or edit the Urban Forestry Master Plan and offer suggestions before reporting to City Council for full approval.
	Request City Manager work with Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Urban Forestry Tree Commission to update the city�s tree ordinance to include language for the purposes of replacing a removed tree if conditions allowed, taking into consideration costs, street conditions and infrastructure.