City of Worcester City Council Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: September 17, 2025 Governing Body: Worcester City Council Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Attendees: Mayor Joseph Petty, Councilor Morris Bergman, Councilor Donna Colorio, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, Councilor Khrystian King, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Luis Ojeda, Councilor Jenny Pacillo, Councilor George Russell, Councilor Kathleen Toomey. (Note: Councilor Nguyen was present for a roll call vote but not explicitly marked "Here" during the initial roll call.)
Executive Summary: The City Council meeting on September 17, 2025, included proclamations for "Week Without Driving" and "Emergency Preparedness Month." Public participation highlighted concerns regarding infrastructure, drone usage by the police department, and the adequacy of UMass donations. Several agenda items, including reports on street and sidewalk projects, fire blanket use, and police drone systems, were referred to various committees for further discussion. Financial items were approved via roll call vote.
1. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
- The meeting was called to order.
- The Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner were recited.
2. Roll Call
- Present: Councilor Morris Bergman, Councilor Donna Colorio, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, Councilor Khrystian King, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Luis Ojeda, Councilor Jenny Pacillo, Councilor George Russell, Councilor Kathleen Toomey, Mayor Joseph Petty.
- Absent: Councilor Nguyen (initially, but present for later roll call vote).
3. Proclamations
3.1. Week Without Driving Proclamation
- Proclamation: Mayor Joseph M. Petty proclaimed September 29th through October 5th, 2025, as "Week Without Driving" in the City of Worcester.
- Purpose: To encourage residents to experience alternative transportation methods and raise awareness about the challenges faced by non-drivers.
- Speaker: Karen Valentine Goins, Walk Bike Worcester, accompanied by Japhne Rude.
- Summary of Remarks: Emphasized the importance of empathy and experience for decision-makers regarding transportation. Highlighted that a significant portion of the population does not drive due to age, disability, or income. Encouraged participants to take at least one trip without a personal vehicle and share their experiences on social media using #weekwithoutdriving and #weekwithoutdrivingworcester.
- Key Quote: "Everyone, but especially people involved in making decisions about our streets, needs to experience the world in more ways than by private vehicle and empathize with those who don't have this option or don't want to exercise it all the time."
3.2. Emergency Preparedness Proclamation
- Proclamation: Mayor Joseph M. Petty proclaimed September 2025 as "Emergency Preparedness Month" in the City of Worcester.
- Purpose: To encourage residents to prepare for emergencies, aligning with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) national observance.
- Theme: "Preparedness Starts at Home."
- Speakers: Luca Calavini (Red Cross) and Emily Mew (Salvation Army) were recognized for their organizations' contributions to emergency response.
- Key Points:
- Residents are urged to know their risks, make emergency plans, build emergency supply kits, and get involved in their communities.
- The Worcester Department of Emergency Communications Division of Emergency Management, in partnership with other city departments, coordinates the municipality's emergency management program.
- Partner organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Worcester Emergency Medical Services provide critical emergency support.
4. Approval of Minutes
- Motion: To approve the minutes of August 19th, 2025.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
5. Public Participation
- Rule 39: The Chair read Rule 39 regarding public participation, allowing speakers up to two minutes on any eligible agenda item, or three minutes if they have a petition.
- Fred Nathan, Worcester:
- Summary of Remarks:
- Item 8-13A (Drones): Suggested that reports, especially those perceived as important, should be readily available in the hallway rather than requiring requests to the City Manager or Clerk.
- Item 8-35A (UMass Donation): Criticized UMass's donation of "almost $4,000" as insufficient given their property holdings, suggesting a donation of $100,000 would be more appropriate.
- General Comment: Stated that political violence of any kind cannot be tolerated.
- Summary of Remarks:
- Gary Hunter, Worcester:
- Summary of Remarks:
- Item 8-11A (Streets and Sidewalks): Expressed concern about the daunting number of streets and sidewalks needing repair, noting visible issues even around City Hall. Hoped for quick action.
- Item 8-13A (Drones): Questioned the cost-effectiveness of the police department's drones, noting they were used only "something like eight times" for activities like softball games. Suggested a cost study and considering borrowing drones if needed.
- General Comment: Questioned if the current agenda adequately addresses critical city issues like housing, given the recent vacation period.
- Summary of Remarks:
- Natalie Gibson, Worcester:
- Summary of Remarks: Requested clarification on the public participation rule regarding speaking time for individuals with petitions, confirming it is three minutes in combination with other agenda items.
6. Referrals to Committees
6.1. Item 7A
- Motion: Refer to the Planning Board.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
6.2. Item 7B
- Motion: Refer to Public Works.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
6.3. Items 7C to 7L
- Motion: Refer to Traffic and Parking.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
7. Department of Transportation and Mobility
7.1. Transmitting Information and Communication of the Construction Staff for the Ongoing and Forthcoming Street and Sidewalk Projects as of August 31st, 2025 (Item 8-11A)
- Discussion:
- Councilor Russell requested this item be referred to Public Works for discussion. He also asked for clarification on the budget year for projects and the status of unallocated funds.
- Councilor Mero-Carlson requested that future reports include the year each street was selected for work, especially concerning the "two years worth of streets" initiative.
- Commissioner's Response: Confirmed that the report covers all active ongoing street projects under construction or design. Agreed to include selection years and status updates for prior year selections in future reports.
- Motion: Refer to Public Works.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
8. Public Safety
8.1. Transferring Information and Communication Relevant to the Residential Use of Fire Blankets (Item 8-12A)
- Motion: Refer to Public Safety.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
8.2. Transferring Information and Communication Relevant to the Quarter Report Regarding Worcester Police Department's Small Unmanned Aircraft System (Item 8-13A)
- Motion: Refer to Public Safety.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
8.3. Transforming Information and Communication Road to the Municipality's Tornado Response (Item 8-14A)
- Discussion: Mayor Petty acknowledged the good work of DPW and the Emergency Response Team during the tornado response.
- Motion: Refer to Public Safety.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.
9. Finance Items
9.1. Items 8.35 A through C and 8.37 A and B
- Motion: To approve financial items 8.35 A-C and 8.37 A-B.
- Roll Call Vote:
- Councilor Bergman: Yes
- Councilor Colorio: Yes
- Councilor Haxhiaj: Yes
- Councilor King: Yes
- Councilor Mero-Carlson: Yes
- Councilor Nguyen: Yes
- Councilor Ojeda: Yes
- Councilor Pacillo: Yes
- Councilor Russell: Yes
- Councilor Toomey: Yes
- Mayor Petty: Yes
- Vote: Yes: 11, No: 0, Abstain: 0. Outcome: Approved.
10. Adjournment
- Motion: To adjourn the meeting.
- Vote: All in favor, opposed: 0. Outcome: Approved.