CITY OF WORCESTER | Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting | Monday, December 18, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:00 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:56 P.M. |
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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 |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Sean M. Rose, who participated remotely
Councilor Khrystian E King | | | | | Also: | Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Robert Antonelli
Deputy City Clerk II Clare Robbins, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 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/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 | |
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| | | 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 December 12, 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 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3a. | Communication of Paul Matthews, Executive Director and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting, "Brief on Worcester’s Urban Forest Master Plan."
# 14b CC December 5, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with Items #4c and #4d.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided an overview of the items.
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 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3b. | Petition of David Ayoub request installation of signage at Lake View Park that prohibits activities after 7 P.M.
# 8u CC October 12, 2022
In Committee January 9, 2023 - Held
In Committee December 12, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the closing times for the parks in the city, possible closing times for Lake View Park to address issues relative to park activities at night and what park security can do to address issues at the park.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed whether there have been additional incidents at Lake View Park in the last four months, as well as whether it is feasible to install additional lighting and other security measures at Lake View Park with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed the challenges relative to closing the park at 7 p.m. and the needs for additional lighting in the park.
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 install additional lighting at Lake View Park and; 2) Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install a security camera at Lake View Park.
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 3Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install additional lighting at Lake View Park. | | | | Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install a security camera at Lake View Park. | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the regulation of street performers under the Worcester Revised Ordinances.
# 9.15B CM November 21, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the special event permit application process.
# 11.4D CM September 12, 2023
In Committee December 12, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the new changes to the special event permit application process.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed public input session concerning the new changes to the special event permit application process with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speaker:
1. Geoffrey Killebrew, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson the Chief Development Officer, who discussed the timeline concerning the updates relative to the special event permit application process with Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the timeline concerning updates to the vendor process and policy, the collaborative work between the Parks Department and the Economic Development Department, the different responsibilities by the respective department and contacting vendors from the previous year concerning the changes to the vending policies.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Speaker #1, who discussed creation of education program to help people to become street vendors and performers with the Chief Development Officer and the Deputy City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed the application for special permit event with the Chief Development Officer.
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 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
# 8.9A CM November 14, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #3a) | |
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| | | 4d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan Initiative public hearings.
# 10.9A CM April 25, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #3a) | |
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| | | 4e. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the University Park Master Plan.
# 9.9B CM April 11, 2023 | 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.
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 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4f. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the conditions of Elm Park Pond.
# 10.9C CM April 25, 2023 | 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.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed mitigations concerning invasive plants under the bridge in the Elm Park Pond with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed the feasibility of partnering with local colleges and universities concerning park projects 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 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4g. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update concerning dog parks.
# 8.9A CM October 3, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed current plans concerning dog parks.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor King, who discussed how the public can provide feedback relative to the dog park projects and why dogs are not allowed on athletic fields 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 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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