City Council 09/29/2026

Okay, good evening everyone. Welcome to the Worcester City Council meeting. If you can please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and Star-Spangled Banner I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation,

Under God, Invisible, Liberty and Justice for all.

Great land you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars Through the perilous fight On the ramparts we watch were so gallantly streaming. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air They proved through the night that our flag was still there.

Or say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home

and the home of the brave.

Thank you.

Okay, we'll stand for a moment of silence for Paul Giorgio who was 40 or 50 years into politics and worked hard for the country and for the city. Thank you. Okay, we are on roll call.

Councilors Bergman? Here. Bilotta? Here Economou? Here Fresolo? King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey and Mayor Petty.

here. Motion is to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 15th, 2026 roll call.

Burgman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Yes. Mitra? Yes. Ojeda? Yes Rivera? Yes Rosen? Yes Toomey? Yes And Mayor Petty

Yes. Councilor King has asked that we hold 10-H for a second time. I'm gonna need four votes for that. that's the TIF, that's Franklin Street. All set? Roll call.

Burgman, yes. Bilotta? Yes. Economou? Yes, okay. Fresolo? Yes King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey and Mayor Petty.

Yes. Okay, we have a proclamation to read. Whereas access to mobility is fundamental to health, safety, economic opportunity and community connection enabling residents of Western Massachusetts to reach education, employment, medical care, food, recreation, faith communities and social networks. And whereas transportation is the second largest household expense for most families, and for the American Automobile Association estimates that the average cost of owning and operating a vehicle exceeds $12,000 per year. placing significant financial strains on households, particularly low and moderate income families. Whereas transportation costs are directly tied to housing in the land use decisions in communities that lack affordable housing near jobs, schools, healthcare and Central Services often require residents to travel farther, rely more heavily on costly car ownership.

Whereas nearly one-third of people in the United States do not have a driver's license due to age, disability, income Health Conditions or other barriers and may others face temporary or permanent circumstances that prevent them from driving. and whereas not all neighborhoods in Winston Massachusetts have safe sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, protected bike infrastructure, reliable public transit or land use plans that allow daily needs to be met with reasonable distance. and whereas transportation is a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, expanding safe accessible options for walking, rowing, biking, public transit supports climate action, clean air environmental stewardship. Whereas communities designed with multiple transportation options support local businesses, reduce traffic injuries and fatalities improve public health. and create vibrant connected neighborhoods.

Whereas experience a week without driving offers residents in leaders an opportunity to better understand the barriers faced by non-drivers and to identify practical solutions about safety, affordability, accessibility, climate resilience and equitable land use. Now therefore I, Mayor Josephine Petty do hereby proclaim October 1st through the 8th 2026 as Week Without Driving in Worcester Massachusetts encourage residents to community organizations, businesses and public officials to participate reflect and work towards a future where everyone regardless of age ability or income has a safe affordable and sustainable transportation options. Okay, so Councilor Bilotta?

Thank you Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to read this on behalf of Walk Bike Worcester Mayor Petty and City Councillors On behalf of the organizers, Walk Bike Wooster thanks you for declaring October 1st through 8th 2026 This is our third year making this now nationwide observance. The growth in the event over this time has been exciting to be a part of. As we have shared in our remarks accepting this proclamation in prior years, this initiative began with one individual, a woman with low vision. creating and promoting it in Washington state in 2021. Now communities in all 50 states market with pledges, sharing experiences via social media Community events and links to advocacy. Increasing across the US, local officials are taking social media to express their commitment to the week and describe their experiences not driving in places they need to go. This year we have been thrilled to see the city sharing its own promotional social media posts about how The Week Without Driving and encouraging residents to participate.

Now it's your turn as elected representatives. This year we want to bring special emphasis to the true focus of the week without driving, that is non-drivers. The number of people in any community who are non drivers is huge approximately a third of the population nationwide. The figure in Worcester is 16%, with some areas of the city as high as 38%. Some are non-drivers by choice, but the vast majority are children. Older adults for whom driving is no longer an option in people with disabilities or medical conditions and people who cannot afford a personal vehicle. Non drivers are your constituents. Travel conditions for non-drivers in our community are, for the most part, not rewarding or sometimes even dignified. They do not get the accommodation that drivers continually receive such as ample parking close to designation and many others. They are confronted with limited

Excuse me. The growing network of protected facilities that can be used by bicycles, scooters and wheelchairs. Efforts capture the mobility action plan in annual reports represent commitment to addressing these problems but Worcester needs its elected officials to come out in strong support and not continually oppose, criticize, and undermine efforts that improve the transportation system for all users. We ask you to make a pledge now for one more... or more trips without driving using the form on the 2026 Week Without Driving page at walkbikeworcester.org Thank you again for declaring October 1st through 8th, 2026 as the week without driving in Worcester. We look forward to seeing you out there. Sincerely, Blockbike Worcestr.

Okay. Public participation, the person may speak for no more than two minutes on any item appearing on the agenda. Mr. Clerk?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 in order to ensure active public engagement, the City of Worcester County allows for both in-person and remote participation at all of its meetings. To partake in a meeting, you can either come to the meeting location or you can join via Zoom. The Zoom link is listed on the agenda of this meeting, as well as on the Granicus portal. The phone number tonight is 1-646-828-7666 and the access code tonight is 161 363 1913. We do remind folks that are remote to please use the raise hand function if you would like to speak during this section of the meeting and also just quickly read relevant parts of Rule 39 and Rule 40 and the City Council. Rule 39, Items of Public Interest. At every meeting of the city council under the public participation portion of the agenda, the chair shall recognize any person seeking such recognition for the purpose of addressing the council on any eligible item

that for that meeting, both in person or remotely. Any person who wishes to speak on more than one agenda item shall combine their testimony on all items to one appearance at the microphone. the time for speaking shall not exceed two minutes for any one speaker or 30 minutes for all speakers. And then on rule 40 On the first occasion any petition appears on a City Council agenda, the primary petitioner may address the City Council for no more than three minutes on the subject of their position. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

So is your name and item number?

Thank you, Fred and Nathan Worcester. I'm going to start off with 8.12 . They're dealing with the issue of fire hydrants that there's so many fire hydrant that are broken, not able to be used. I want to know how in a city of this size with all the three-deckers and all the old property just in general something needs to be done and it needs to done today, not yesterday, not tomorrow, not 10 years from now. Whatever it takes, it has to be corrected 8.13c, the issue of all the police that are retiring or going to retire or about to put their papers in and since the unfortunate deaths of Officer Solomon, there have been a lot of police officers who are on the edge. Who could go out now, to go out a week from now or month from now

are going to be putting their papers in if they haven't already. So I just want to make you aware there's gonna come a point We're not going to have enough offices in the city on a patrol, and something will hopefully not go. AWOL, crazy. But next item is 10, no I'm sorry, yeah. 10 dash, I'm so you added 10B. No actually, I am sorry, 10A. With the violations of the noise ordinance, people have a right to be in their homes and not be subjected to all the noise. whatever it might be, however that noise might be. And you need to enforce the noise ordinance or make it stronger and then enforce it

I don't think any one of you here, if you were at home and there was noise down the street that kept you up at two o'clock in the morning, you'd be screaming bloody murder. So do something!

Next speaker, does your name say residence number?

Hello, I am Abby Mortillero. She her Worcester resident. I'll start with 10D. I think the new homeowner tenants is a good idea because it will be really helpful All right, 10F and G are about public bathrooms. Now I think public bathrooms are really important because you know All the pee and poo that's on the streets. People need a place to pee and poop, especially homeless people but everyone really, everyone. and you know I think they should be available 24-7 all right. And we shall have the port pies at first, you know immediate solution until we can build a permanent solution and it should be all over the city so All right, I'm going to go with 10H. No tie for Optiline. And now 10... Let's see.

10-0 through you. It's all about the homeless, you know? We need... Shelters and services for the homeless, things that can really help the homeless. Because I've been homeless before. I know what it's like. It's really hard. and, you know, we need shelters. You know? We need services. We need help to get people who are in that situation out of that situation. Help, and Services. And so that's really what we need. I'm going to go back to public bathrooms because that's really important too, especially for homeless and also for everyone. Because you know, homeless have no other option on where to go. But bathrooms are good for everyone too so yeah, My piece and what I have to say. Okay, good.

Thank you. Does your name see a residence land number?

Kirsten Frazier, Worcester. And I'm going to be talking about 10F and G as well as 10O through U. Public Bathrooms. The way that they operate in many cities, they're automated. You have 10 minutes and if you're not out by 10 minutes the doors will unlock and somebody will remove you Not a bad idea, something we should definitely invest in because if you're concerned about people urinating and defecating in public provide them a space to go. if you're concerned about people who are camping outside, work on the orders that y'all have had in front of you since November of 2023. That's over three years folks. to actually create and establish shelters that will provide for all of our unhoused residents. They need safe and supportive places to live. They do not need something that's going to charge them $25 if they're out camping because they've got nowhere else to go. Living on the streets is a choice of last resort.

If you've not been in that position or had that as an option, as like the thing hanging over your head because you don't have a job, you don t know what it's like. If you are out there and you were traumatized, the last thing you need is police officers or anybody else coming along telling me you've got to move your stuff. And if they're going to throw it away because then you are further traumatized You lose everything that you have left, which at this point isn't much. And you have to start over again. I would suggest that every one of you take the page from Aurora Colorado's mayor who spends one night a week in a homeless shelter. It would be an eye-opening experience, it would give you ideas to what our unhoused family members and friends are actually dealing with and it might teach you a little bit of compassion. And if you're concerned about where to find the money for things, y'all have orders in here requesting money

from the city government, finding ways to reallocate our funds and also asking our federal lawmakers to help us out. So I suggest we actually do that instead of sitting here trying to collect money from people who don't have it. Thank you.

Thank you.

My name is Gary. I'm from Worcester, and I'm a little upset tonight. But first I want to talk about from 10-0 to 10-U. You would think that you thought that homelessness just started A lot of you guys have been on the city council or other positions for a while. All of sudden we're in a crisis, what have you done in the past? What have you've done to make it better? can you answer that? I don't think anything's been done. Now all of a sudden it's a crisis and we have no place to put the homeless, and you introduce a bill that's gonna just tear their tents down and fine them. That should be the last thing. You should be coming up with home shelters Down in New York, they've created thousands of room for thousands of people by using smarts. Turning an old buildings that they have owned by the city, turn them over to public

Builders and charge less rent. And it doesn't cost the city anything. Another thing I would like to bring up is when you all ran for office this last time, Hugh said we need less divisive. City Council, and we need to get things done. Well right now how is that working out? This council's more divisive than ever. Is it a coincidence that the 63 votes- That's not on your agenda tonight, bud. I'm gonna say it anyway. It's coincidence that we do 63 votes here along with the President's Supreme Court 63 votes. As far as getting things done, just look at the voting record since you've been here. What has actually got passed for the average person? There's been nothing passed.

Our Vice Mayor is being treated like crap. I have one more thing to bring up.

We're all set, thank you your time is up. Your time is very important. No, your time's up.

I'm sorry, I will not leave.

No your time was up, I'm Sorry. Our next speaker please.

I received a letter in the mail

Your time is up. To show some respect, we let you speak every week. Please, your time is up. No, this time is out. You can use your time. It's not on the agenda either. I gave you extra time. Next speaker please. Okay, next speaker. You can put it on as a petition next week. Our next speaker, Gary, please. Come on, we're all done. You, please, Gary. Let's go next speaker, please. Please let the next speaker come up. Let the next speak come up, yep. Thank you, thank you. Is your name, see your residence and item number?

My name is Paula Schappett. I'm a Worcester resident. I am here tonight to ask the City Council to vote to make Esper Avenue and Midgley Avenue public roads. These are not paved roads with a few potholes that simply need to be filled. These are dirt roads, with significant drainage problems and ongoing erosion. In some areas the road is literally being washed away We currently have two extremely large potholes, approximately 20 feet by 20 feet. And the condition of the road continues to worsen after each rain This has become a safety issue. Emergency vehicles cannot safely travel down the road under these conditions. This isn't simply an inconvenience for the residents who live there, These roads are our essential access to our homes, and they need to be safe and passable for emergency responders and other vehicles.

The condition of the road also creates a significant accessibility issue. Because of the depth of the potholes, erosion and washouts vehicles with low ground clearance, including wheelchair accessible vans cannot travel down the road. There's also a walking trail maintained by the Greater Worcester Land Trust. This is a community recreational resource but the condition of the road can make access to this trail difficult, particularly for people with mobility limitations. I understand that these roads are currently private, but I believe the condition has reached a point where this is no longer simply a private maintenance issue. This is a question of safe access, emergency access and meaningful access to a public recreational resource. I respectfully ask the council to vote to make Esper Avenue and Midgley Avenue public roads, providing a sustainable way to address these ongoing safety drainage and access problems.

Thank you.

Thank You Give your name, see residence and item number.

Good evening, Mayor Petty and members of the City Council. My name is Dante Camparetto of Worcester. I'm here tonight in strong support Khrystian King's package of orders addressing our city's homelessness crisis 10F through 10U. Last week, this council rightly sent the administration's camping fines back for revisions recognizing that criminalizing people for being poor solves nothing. Khrystian King's motions replace that punitive mindset with public health infrastructure and accountability. First, I urge you to pass the order to establish permanent restrooms starting with District 2, along with the immediate portable units. Sanitation is a public health necessity. You cannot complain about street cleanliness while offering nowhere for people to use a toilet. Second, we need transparency with the Commission on Homelessness and the Related Task Force and a binding timeline on the Day Resource Center as well as clear rules governing encampment sweeps.

When state agencies conduct clearings, destroying personal identification, medications and survival gear only sets people further back while obtaining housing instability. However, basic amenities and suite protocols are only the floor not the ceiling. The only true solution to homelessness is permanent supportive housing. Wister has over 1,100 unhoused neighbors and fewer than 200 adult shelter beds. We cannot police or sweep our way out of a mathematical shortage. If this city can commit over $150 million for Polar Park we can only the necessary municipal resources to solve our housing emergency. We must expand low barrier shelter capacity, aggressively invest our affordable housing trust funds into permanent supportive housing and protect naturally occurring affordable units from speculation.

Support Khrystian King's items tonight, fund these services immediately and commit to a real solution, housing first. Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Thomas Duffy, lifelong resident of Grafton Hill. I'm the president of NEPBA Local 911 with the Police Patrolman's Union. I am here to speak on item 813C. Recruitment and retention are a huge problem in the Worcester Police Department. We've had no contract for over a year, we need a competitive agreement to help retain our officers from leaving for better departments with greater incentives and better wages. are also affecting employment as an anti-police climate. Recent city council meetings were anti- police demonstrations organized by activists who do not support the police, some of whom sit on this Council. on top of being down over 75 officers, which our compliment should be higher than it currently is. Hospital guards has become a disaster waiting to happen In the last 365 days, the Worcester Police Department has brought 819 prisoners to the hospital taking our officers off the street for 9,430 hours.

89 of those lasted more than 24 hours, averaging 12 hours stay at the hospital. This is a dangerous practice and it needs to be addressed. Operations Division needs to be supplemented with a much more aggressive overtime budget. It's the cost of doing business and public safety when no one wants to do this job anymore. We can't play games or jeopardize officer safety to save some money, It's only a matter of time before this shortage results in negative consequences for our residents and our offices. It's time to make public and officer safety a top priority. Our officers deserve it, thank you.

Next speaker.

John Haynes Honeycutt, resident of Worcester, Mass. Not sure the item I'm covering a lot topics homelessness finance so I'll begin. This moment marks the greatest wealth opportunity in human history for Western Mass. We must confront a city deficit. The American financial system is broken because it relies on debt-based expansion models that prioritize trillions in artificial liquidity injections, eroding the purchasing power of every existing dollar in circulation impacting our families and children. We must apply this belief from our founding fathers, not slavery but viewing long-term public debt not as a standard business practice but a severe threat to human liberty and civic obligation. By ignoring this, we continue to normalize permanent deficit forcing cities like Worcester into heavy interest payments in perpetuity. No child anywhere should know hunger. No resident should have to choose between food, heat during the winter. Who can relate? This isn't the fall of the council.

This is attached to a greater systemic issue. I say no more. I propose a new order. Neighborlings, our company wants to commit to providing a split revenue share directly with the city of Worcester beyond taxes. We are creating the world's first and largest decentralized physical infrastructure network making AI accessible to everyone, allowing a child in her bedroom the same building capacity as Nvidia and Oracle without the billions of required investment. leveling the playing field all while avoiding millions in asphalt digging, zero city water usage and no draining but adding clean surplus energy to the grid. Ultimately driving down energy costs to a fraction of where it stands today. We will create one point billion dollars in newly created revenue on an annual basis right here minimally. With that revenue, debt from Polar Park will be wiped out in under a year and the city debt will be wipe down in under decade We will eliminate hunger and homelessness in the city and afford anyone the ability to become homeowners and obtain generational wealth.

Under NeighborLinks, no resident will ever need to go hungry again.

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Grandma Wolf Paul and I'm a resident of Nipmuc territory. I wanted to read this real fast. Every week you come down the city hall and bitch. There are other towns you can live in. WPD department is authorized to turn body cams off when they pull you over.

What time, what item number are you speaking to?

We see then whose balls are gonna be broken. I read that for Gary so I'm gonna use my time. I have been homeless, has anyone ever been homeless here? Anyone? You have no idea what it's like. it's scary, especially if you're a woman out there. And I like to speak up here for Project Priceless again the one that has came to the city hall for help They're out there every night trying to keep safe. There's no safety out there for anyone. for anyone, but these ladies they've been through enough. And I'm tired of the city hall or whoever talked to them that is a council member here I heard Ignore them, they're not gonna work with him. I don't know who it was but this is my daughter's coalition so I'm going to be speaking louder about Project Priceless and I'm tired, sick and tired of this city kissing ass and having hard-ons for the developers.

You don't care about these. You know I've been here for quite a while speaking about the same issues and why is Queen Street still open? You have no idea how bad it is in there. It's really bad and I'm upset because it's still fucking open! It is very, it's a very unsafe place to be that's why these people don't want to go in there These shelters are not the best So you need to all think about it. Think about it if you guys are religious, think about is that the Christian thing to do? You don't care about the homeless, you're not showing it and look how long its been! Been speaking forever on this we all have So wake up! Wake up. That's all.

Mr. Mayor, I can recognize two folks currently raising their hand online First person I can identify is David Webb Just sent a request for David to unmute David Webb, unfortunately Worcester

First and foremost, I am absolutely thrilled to support 7M, a citizen requesting an update to the ADA plan. Worcester is locally inaccessible on many levels from its website to its streets, and I appreciate this person for coming forward and asking for necessary change. Likewise, I'm in support of 8.11 during everyone knows that electric bicycle is not a motorcycle In regards to 8.13a, police traffic safety measures, 8.11c the anticipation of many bad apples retiring with their pension plans intact and 10c putting two officers to a police vehicle

and I think this woman is intoxicated and she just slammed into my parked car on the street.

not actually sure how any of these petitions would help with a situation like this. I don't think we have actual public safety that might be an integrity issue that is above any one individual department in the city. She was trying to get away, she kept slamming on her gas. Officers such as Kerry Hazlehurst are being allowed to retire with a pension and there has been absolutely no accountability from the Department of Justice's investigation. It's understandable that you're going to have dwindling employment rates. The appeal of being a blister cop was previously the free prostitutes and drugs, and now that the public is paying attention, it seems like they're struggling. have you considered fixing the complete lack of accountability instead of hiding public records and burying investigations? Your propaganda campaigns can only go so far. and it makes perfect sense that the city and its police department are having trouble finding people willing to be associated. Do better, I am also in support

Mr. Mayor, the next person I can identify is Natalie Gibson just sent a request for Natalie to unmute

Hi, good evening. I'm calling in on two items. The first one is 7H. I oppose this one. If Councilor Rivera's requesting this because of the RV that has been parking in this location This will only force them to park on a different part of Mill Street. On-street parking was put in place for several reasons, which includes the road diet Parking for residents living on Mill Street, as well as those that live on the side streets which are hills. Additional parking for the beach If you place the signage in the winter when residents living on side street hills, I live on one of them. If they can't get up their hill to get to their houses including the Mill Hill Condos, which is where he's proposing this signage. How are they going to make it up? Where are they gonna park their cars?

because we already have DPW issues every single year. I've been here for 20 years and they have issues properly maintaining these hills over here, I agree with 10F and G regarding the public bathrooms, not only just for the unhoused people. But I wonder if most of you know that a lot of businesses in the city do not allow their own paying patrons and customers to use their bathrooms. They used the guise of we don't have a bathroom, it's broken, it is only for customers so that would actually be another good reason to create some public restrooms so that people that are in these stores can actually go out and use those bathrooms. Thank you.

Next speaker.

Mr Mayor, the next person I can identify is Echo Toussaint Collins just sent a request for echo to unmute.

Can you hear me?

Very faintly.

Okay, let me try to fix this. That's better. Can you hear me better now?

Yes.

Okay. Thank you. Um, my name is Echo Lewis on Collins. I'm a resident of the city of Worcester as someone who works closely with young people throughout Worcestershire. I want to comment on E bikes Traffic Safety and Regulations. E-bikes provide affordable and accessible transportation and independence, but accessibility has to come with safety. UMass Memorial has reported seeing three to five e-bike and e-scooter trauma cases every week compared with roughly one per week during the same period last year. with the majority of those patients being between the ages of eight and 18. While larger regulatory questions are being considered at the state level, we don't need to wait to begin protecting and educating our community Massachusetts law already allows municipalities to regulate e-bike operation on bike paths and bikeways within their jurisdiction, including establishing speed limits after public notice and a hearing.

So my question is, what can Worcester do now? I encourage the city to consider a comprehensive e-bike and e-scooter safety campaign specifically for youth but also their parents and caregivers. Many adults are purchasing these devices for young people. We should make sure families understand what they're purchasing, their dangers, how fast these devices can travel applicable traffic laws, helmet use and helmet access, safety riding practices and responsibilities that come with operating them. Let's create short videos, digital resources, school and community education that is pushed out through the schools that parents can review and share with their children. This is consistent with Worcester's Vision Zero commitment that traffic safety should be proactive rather than waiting for a crash to happen. Thank you.

Thank You. So do you wanna speak? Yes. And is your name, state residence and the item number you're speaking on?

Harland, Shepard. I live at Esper Ave. Yep. I'm not sure the number is Medjoolie. That's okay we know you. I am talking for it and I'm asking you to please approve it I live at the end of Esper Ave. And I know my councilman has been there, he knows what it's like. Any one of you? visit me. It's at the end of the road, you'll see how it is. You probably won't make it down. I can't speak any better than my wife did but I'm asking you to please approve it.

Thank you Okay, seeing nobody else we are going to go up the petitions. This is first one is 7A and 7B which is Midgley, and Esparav. That's gonna go to the Shabbats that's going to traffic them to the planning board. Roll call.

Councilor Bergman? Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey and Mayor Petty

So 7C referred to Public Works, 7D through H referred to Traffic and Parking. Seven I referred to Veterans Memorials, Parks and Recreations. Seven J to seven I said a hearing date for October 6th, 2026. for kind of location on Canberra Road, Lincoln Street and Bower Street for joining on poll. and 7M, refer to the city manager unless Margaret Coffin is here. Can I speak on 7M?

Okay we'll come back in a minute so everything up to 7L roll call.

Councilor Bergman. Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey and Mayor Petty.

Yes, Mary Crawford requests City Council to request City Management by council within the update concerning the City of Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan and the process relative how it is monitored. Councilor Bilotta?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah I appreciate from YAA submitting this petition. I had asked for a report from the city manager's office on an update on the ADA transition plan back in March. It's been six months and we have still not, I've still not received that report The ADA transition plan is an important document. It's a federally mandated document that talks about, you know tracks the progress Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Through the chair or to the city manager, when can we expect that report? Because again as I said, I requested that report six months ago.

Mr. Manager?

Through the Chief to the Council, my understanding is there's been some internal work happening. I don't have the status update as of now in terms I would have to follow up with our department heads to understand what's the timetable so that we can bring it back to the council as soon as possible.

Thank you. Again, yeah I had you know have communicated with the City Manager and with Chief Equity Officer Mr. Levancy so again it's been six months we really need to get this report back thank you

Thank you. Senator Mandrill, roll call.

Councilors Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey and Mayor Petty.

Yes. Next is 8.232A, recommend appointment of Echo Lussant-Collins and Sharon Potang to the Advisory Commission on Youth. Roll call.

Councilors Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey and Mayor Petty.

Yes, 8.11a, Information and Communication concerning regulations pertaining to the use of e-scooters and e-bikes. Motion is to send it to Traffic Councilor Ojeda.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I have just a few questions. It's kind of tricky identifying these vehicles. I guess one of my concerns is The helmets that are required for 16 years of age or younger. I constantly see a lot of individuals, some I know, some i don't know but I know they're not of the age of 16 on these type of vehicles, on top of these bikes. Do the Chair to the Chief or Raleigh if we can figure out Yeah, you guys can do that. I'm fine. To figure out what are we doing when it comes to the helmets? I'm really, really concerned obviously a lot of the crashes

You know, are piling up and I'm really concerned with kids being able to not just make it out alive but be able to function. So come on up.

Mr. Riley, who's coming up? Chief?

through the Chair and the Councilor. When it comes to helmet laws, our main priority is education We're not going to pull a kid off a bike and issue them a citation for not having a helmet, especially if we don't know why they don't have a helmet. I believe education is the best course of action during something like that.

Thank you, no, I agree. You know, I run a bike safety program with the police department we do it over the summer We try to give as many kids as possible helmets. Every kid has to, when they leave, they leave with a helmet. We also get them a bike as well. So I guess through the chair to the chief, are we allowed to give out helmets when you say you see a kid without a helmet?

Chief.

through the Chair of the Councilor. If we had helmets, we would give them out, correct? Okay.

All right. So I guess to the chair, to the chief you say if we have helmets what can we do to get you helmets? To make sure obviously I don't want a car being filled with helmets but if there's a couple of helmets Warner, too. I'm pretty sure there's times where you've been in meetings with me where you'll see the kids just flying down the street without a helmet. Is there a way we can make sure we can get some helmets for the officers to at least hand them a helmet and hopefully they put it on?

through Chair of the Council, There are grants that come about. We could look into that, and I think it's a great idea. We can put them in the sergeants' cruises for each sector. And if we do witness somebody doing that, we can give him a helmet. That'd be awesome.

Okay, thank you. And through the chair to the city manager is there something that I guess just to make sure we support this? This is something I feel as though either started initiative or whatever. I mean, I've worked with UMass Medical. They've been able to drop off some helmets with your staff as well. So is there something that we can go look forward to making sure that we make this happen?

Mr. Manager?

To share to the council, yeah. That's something that we can look at and bring forward to the Council an initiative or a pilot idea. I know there'd probably be different partners. You mentioned UMass but they could be other partners who want participate in that. And that's something that I think the chief and their team can put together a plan to kind of start that initiative here in the city, and also include the schools as well. The schools could play a role in that so we'll kinda start having some conversations. I think it's a great idea and it's something to the council.

All right, thank you. I appreciate it.

Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Toomey?

Thank you Mr. Chair. I rise to just say that I would ask that they include what I'm sure has already been started A report on the order that I filed and was approved by this council on June 9th that provides city council with a report concerning recommendations for ordinances, bylaws Trial, sorry Trail Restrictions are enforcement policies pertaining to the regulation of scooters unicycles electronic bikes etc. Include that please

Okay, we'll send that to... Was there a motion? No. Okay, so send that. Can I just? Councilor Kim? Turn the traffic in pocket?

Yeah.

Okay, roll call.

Councillors Bergman. and Mayor Petty.

Yes, next item up is Transmitting Information and Communication to the Identification Repair and Markings of Non-Functioning Fire Hydrants. It's not the public safety or file it. Mr. Chairman has a hand up? Councilor Bilotta?

Just a comment on the report, I appreciate Chief Dyer bringing this to us and the administration. You know, it's great to hear that there is a very low number of non-functioning fire hydrants and it was very Interesting to learn how they're identified and how quickly they're updated in the system that the fire department has. I just had one question either to the administration or to the fire chief, just was curious if there Are the small amount of hydrants that are not working, are they in a concentrated area in the city or are they spread out? Just curious if they happen to be in a cluster or not.

Chief Dyer

Through the Chair to the Councilor, they are not concentrated. They are throughout the city usually related to a water main break or traffic accident or something like that.

OK. Thank you. Great report and it's great to hear that. It's a very low number. Thank You

Okay, Councilor Mitra. Thank you Mr. Chair to the Chief.

First of all, Thank you for the report that you have given. This is something I was waiting for a long time, and then there are 39 fire hydrants that we mentioned there that wasn't working.

Councilor Mitra, is your mic on?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I just want to thank you very much for giving this report and what I liked here is that There are 39 of them are not working and they're going to be probably fixed soon. And what you reported here is that if you have a dispatcher going there in a place where they don't have the fire hydrant working, they have the knowledge of that ahead of time and then they prepare themselves so where is the next available fire hydrant available that they can use. Am I correct? Even though there are some firefighters not working, it's still in a position that we can take care of the emergency situation when they go there. Am I correct with that?

Through the Chair of the Councilor, you are correct. It's important to understand that this system is built with redundancy so that we do have the ability to take other hydrants The platform that we use makes it very clear where the working hydrants are, and so we're always looking for what's the second choice? What's the third choice?

My point was to the Chair, to the Chief is that residents when they see there's a fire hydrant that is not working based on the top that is painted black or whatever color that is chosen to designate, that is not functional. They get worried, right? That the fire hydrant isn't working they're kind of and so on. Good enough to know before we go there to take care of the situation even though the fire hadn't is not working you're equipped to take Care of the fire if it happens

Through the chair of the councilor, it's difficult obviously to educate the entire public on this situation. But one of the ways that it communicates that the city is on top of it is that if the bonnet is painted black then we know that fire hydrant is out of service, it's been documented appropriately in the water department work order system and that it is on the fire departments response platform so all our offices are aware of that. So when they see that black bonnet, while I can understand the concern about it not being working, they can also be rest assured that we have backup plans ready to go.

I understand that, to the Chair and Chief. You are equipped, you know if there is a fire not working, you can take care of it. Your dispatchers who go for fires when they go there I'm just thinking about if I see a fire hydrant in front of my house that's not working, I'm always worried. Is there any way you can Put a notice on the city's website or somewhere saying that even if you see that, we are well equipped to not worry. That's all I wanted to make sure that they are understanding that this is not something that we should be worried

through the Chair to the Councilor. Thank you, I understand what you're asking now and let me take that back in work with the Commissioner DPW and see if there's something we can do

Okay, thank you. That's all I wanted to know but otherwise I'm very happy that we worked on it through the Chair. There is one more question that 39 of them are not working. I know it's a small percentage as you said there Is there a regulation we have or a standard operation procedure that we find out at the time? Or is something, how do you know it's not working? We have to find out they're working or not.

Through the Chief of Council, it's an excellent question and unfortunately sometimes we are waiting until we try to actually use the hydrant to realize that it's out of service right or that it is broken A lot of times it's obvious. There's a car accident, hits the hydrant, knocks it over, snow plow, knocks It over. It's obvious and it gets taken care of right away. If it's related sometimes to a water main break we are alerted to it right away but there has to be something that makes the city aware that there is something wrong with this. Sometimes it's usage, private contractors and vendors are sometimes utilizing them Street Sweepers. So there's a lot of opportunities to find them, it just that opportunity has to happen.

Thank you. One more question to the Chair, to the Chief is that I know now that it's detected we're going to take care to fix those how long it might take to fix these 39 of them any idea?

Chief. Through the Chair, the Councilor that's a tough one because they're all very specific to what's going on in certain area right and how many what has to be done to repair that hydrant So in a lot of circumstances and probably most of these 39 that still exist, the water main has to be shut off. which can be a very impactful thing for the community, right? So it takes coordination to shut the water main down. It takes vendors, appropriate vendors to be scheduled the water department staff to be available. It requires notification to the neighborhood that's going to be affected because their water service will also be shut off for that period of time So especially on the larger means, they tried to coordinate that work with regular roadwork repair. So if it's already scheduled

Let's say I have scheduled water work six months out from now and we're going to have to open up this street anyways, or roadwork where I shouldn't say not necessarily water work. they may decide to wait that six months so that it's all coordinated. They shut that water main down just once and impact the entire neighborhood only that one time, It's very dependent on the individual situation.

To the Chair, to the Chief thank you very much for giving this report I didn't realize that there are 39 of them but the process that you have started to take care of it is relieving. I want all residents to realize that if you see there is a fire hydrant that's not working, please let the water department or you know and you will do your best to fix them as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you. Councilor Economou? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Just real quick, thanks for the report, Chief. My question just has to do with hydrant spacing. So if one's out, how far away is the next hydrant on average?

Through the Chair to the Councilor, there's certain standards that you try to apply but in general we have them at almost every intersection right and so when we put in If we were to put in a new development called the SAC, we'd want one every 500 feet or so and would try to get them at the intersections. Obviously working with the developers and ultimately the water department would be the one that would permit it.

Yeah, so in an existing roadway that's let's say West Boylston Street. say there's one out on West Boylston Street. How, where would, is it 500 feet on that increment there on West Boyson Street as well? On a pre-existing street?

through the Chair to the Councilor in most cases, not in every case but in most.

Okay so they're not that far apart you are aware of it The blackout bonnet lets people know, too, that we are aware of it. And it's just a matter of coordinating whether it's street work, parts that you're waiting on to get the job done. Look, it's under 1%. which is great, but again the goal is to be at 0%, right? Because it all matters. But I know we're on top of it and it's not interfering with your response time or your job that you need to do for all of us so thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Councilor King?

Thank you Mr. Chairman just a couple of questions here indicates that 39 are out-of-service less than 1% is there any other category as relates to your assessment of the fire hydrants I appreciate the report Are there other levels of repair that we're looking at outside of out-of-service through the chair? Through the chair. Any other elements of needs improvement

Through the Chair, this report is only addressing the existing hydrant network and of that how many are out-of-service. There's not another element there it usually gets handled again if we're talking about a new development or there's a new building that may need some, we need to assess the level of protection. We're gonna handle that through the plans review as part of the building permit process in the plans

Okay, so as it relates to the total of 6,084 fire hydrants these 39 are out of service. Are you indicating that the remaining number have no need for the city to do any work upon them, Mr. Chair? Chief.

Through the Chair to the Council, I am not indicating that. What I'm telling you is that those are the ones that are out of service working with the Water Department. The Water Department has its own maintenance program that they perform on the Hydrant Network and that is their program that they apply.

Truth is here to the administration, do we have any data on that maintenance program? Is there any, Mr. Chairman, through the chair to administration is there any data on the maintenance repair program that he referenced regarding the fire hydrants?

Mr.

Manager? Through the Chief to the Council, I know that we have a program and DPW has that information. I don't have that readily available but that could be something that can be provided to the council because they have a program that they monitor and manage on a consistent basis. So there's definitely data points today that could be able to be shared with the council.

Thank you. I certainly would like that by way of an order and also that to be sorted in terms of level of need or level of Concern. Through the chair of the administration, 39 that are out of service. Is there a tiering of them in terms of addressing the issues?

Through the Chair? Chief?

Through the chair of the council, like I mentioned there they try to schedule the work basically is what it comes down to and schedule it with existing work. If you want to call that tearing that may be the case It's not as simple as just, it's broken. We're gonna show up tomorrow and fix it. It's a matter of making sure that you have the appropriate parts. Oftentimes there is a backlog on these parts so it takes some time to actually get the right part for the right hydrant, or it might be the valve in the water main that is actually your issue. So there's a lot of pieces to this and then scheduling it with major road workers, that other piece of it. That goes to the schedule. The water department has assured me that they address these as fast as possible. I've seen it, as soon as one is reported not working, they are on scene checking it out and making their initial assessment if it needs more work than they can do right then in there

It goes into their queue and their engineering process to schedule it out.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to the administration, the spirit of this order that brought this forward was to get an idea of the safety concerns and parameters as it relates to these hydrants. I know that there was some testimony this evening from the chief, you know, that there were mitigating risks based on various factors and redundancies, et cetera. What I'm particularly interested in is I mentioned where the additional hydrants outside of those that are simply out-of-service and what our responsiveness is. And also would be interested to know, as well as by way of an order, those 39, is there a tearing in terms Risk, or

and Operability in the need to move those forwards because as I understand there's a lot of intersection across the departments, different projects etc. You know I'm interested to see those higher risk areas where perhaps there's less redundancy and other mitigating factors, how we're moving forward in that regard. Mr. Chairman thank you.

Thank you. Okay Councilor Ojeda?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, I have several questions regarding some of the fire hydrants. To the Chief, can you... You say there's 39? Can you... is it able to locate what do you have a list of them prepared or which ones because my concern is I'll get to the point on at 5 May Street The one in front of 5 Main Street is out. Then there's one at the intersection of Silver and May, and I don't see any other ones so my concern is that small block area doesn't seem to have Fire Hygiene is working. And that's been out for a while, and then the one on Beacon in Oread, and the one at Boise Gila Subway in Main Street. So those have been out. I believe they've been noted So they've been sent in to be repaired and I would say probably almost a year now, maybe a little bit more for some other ones. They haven't been repaired.

So I know I threw a lot at you, but if you, I mean, I can repeat it. But can you just give me a breakdown on the 39? It seems like three of those so far are under my district. I'm pretty sure there's more from the last time we talked about this. And then what's the status on those three? Chief.

Through the Chair of the Council, I don't have a 39 right at my fingertips. We can absolutely provide that in the report. Please. And again, I can't speak to the individual ordering of how they're gonna be fixed or why 5 May Street, for example is not. I'm assuming that's because they have to shut down the main on May Street which will be very disruptive to the area so they're trying to coordinate that I may assume That's generally the reasoning of why hydrant will not be repaired relatively quickly.

Okay, as far as 5 May Street goes to the Chair, to the Chief. Five May Street has been, they just opened and that's been closed for many, many years so a disruption to I know other areas but Five May street has just been open and it's really concerning There's only one there. Can you let me know if there's any others? I couldn't see it online. I know this is one, like I said at the intersection of Silver and May.

Through the chair of the council just give me one moment to pull it up. So through the Chair of the Councilor, there is a hydrant on Main Street almost well it's on the corner of Hammond and Main Street. which is an excellent hydrant that would be one of our first choice. It's a 30-inch mean, so it's a very, very large volume hydrant Quite a bit of water. And then further down May Street between May and Silver, that's listed as being in service. You're saying it is not in service through the chair?

No, I'm just saying the one in front of May is non-service.

So May and Silva, which is just a few properties down as well. It's one building in one lot down has a hydrant that is on a 12 inch main that is operable. OK, so we have some good options there.

Yeah, that's good. I know the one it's right around the corner. I prefer one that'd be closer. I guess my concern is that this you know we did discuss this before so I just want to make a A note. We did discuss this before and we did mention those other fire hydrants when this was brought up last year, and nothing has changed so I'm really concerned why you know through the chair to the chief or to the city manager again Three within walking distance from each other are not working. I know this isn't commonplace, but for it to be close to a year and some of them over a year, I just don't understand why they haven't been serviced yet.

Mr. Manager?

Through the Chips of the Council, I think that what the Chief has stated multiple times during this meeting there are situations with each fire hydrant that are complex that may take some time because of the timing and the requirement of work to shut down the water in the area. And so they oftentimes try to time it correctly with any future development that's happening in the In this case, there's no those hydrants that are not functional in that area does not pose a threat to the neighborhood because there's enough hydrants within the area that can provide a network that's needed for our department. but to provide you specificity on what the work order is and the timetable of that work order, that would be a separate report that we would have to provide by DPW in terms of every single fire hydrant. What's the work or what's the timing?

and again, that's now getting into a very kind of specific about each and every single project timetable in construction et cetera related to each one. We can try to provide that in a report. I think it's going to be too extensive, or we can try and do that in separate conversations or meetings then we can then try and provide information to the public.

Yeah, I think there it is. I think that's the most important thing, providing information to the public. You know, I do share in some of the frustration with the residents. It's in their district. They see it's not working. They don't understand that, or maybe they don't know. I shouldn't say they don' t understand. They probably just don't now that there's other ones that are working as capable and they can do the work just as well as the one that's not working. But to see them not working in a certain area, in a district that are close to each other is telling residents you don't have to worry about it but they don't know that so in my mind if I don't get this information this doesn't work, the city doesn't care if this works or not and it's been down for three years. I mean sorry there's three of them down for over a year now so that's just a perception that we're giving to our residents and it is frustrating to know that because we did discuss so I would have loved to gotten a report back and say hey Councilor we're still working on it here's an update or just you know so then I can share with residents. I attend monthly meetings, and I promise you fire hydrants do come up in these meetings

and they continue to share. And the same conversation that's sent to me, I know it's sent DPW, it's send to the Chief as well So this is a constant conversation and I feel as though we just need to show that we are doing something versus we don't have anything. And last thing, Chair to the Chief, I noticed that you're able to pull that up and show where the fire hydrants are. Is there a way, probably through the chair of city manager, is there a ways to show online which ones aren't working?

through the chair of the council, just so I understand the question you're asking if it could be on the city website which ones aren't working?

Not necessarily. Like when you pull it up, it shows you where they are is there a way to ping those that say these aren't the ones that are working because you can't tell me right now. You'd have to go back and look it up, correct?

Through the chair of the councilor. This is just because I'm using this computer system here for me personally here. All of our trucks in... Please forgive me if I'm misunderstanding the question Every company has an iPad that they're looking at. The calls show up on that iPad, just like on my screen here there's all these calls happening right now When the company clicks on, the officer clicks on that call they would just touch it with their finger. It's gonna bring them to a map of that area. They're going to see all those hydrants immediately. Normally when a box is struck or a reported structure fire is dispatched, everybody's looking at it. The officers know to look at that and the district chief, that's the first thing he does is he looks at that. He sees the area hydrants and he calls out the hydrants to the responding companies so we have that situational awareness

Thank you. I mean, I get it. There's a process. There are layers to this. But again, I think we could do a better job in assessing them whatever projects are coming down the line or whatever it may be. 5 May Street was closed for many years, that was an opportunity. Beacon Street there's gonna be some work done on Beacon street So maybe there's an opportunity to look into it now because of some of the apartments that are being built on Beacon Street. So there's going to be a lot more water being used, a lot of a lot More safety concerns are gonna be put into that area and then you have the Boys & Girls Club way where the Boys and Girls Club is down the street. You have apartments, you have businesses up and down that street. Again it's just concerning to know that they haven't been serviced yet and there's just a delay but there's no report back to the residents to let them know that yes this is on our radar we are making sure we keep a close eye on it, but if there is a fire there are fire hydrants down the street that can maintain certain fires that do arise.

Sorry about that.

Oh, it's the first time. Thank you.

Okay, Council Bergman?

Thank you Mr. Chairman, very briefly to the Chief I also appreciate the report I guess probably two questions thereabouts one is do we take into consideration does your department taking into consideration of water pressure because i know we've had discussions in the past that certain parts of the city, the water pressure is different than other parts. So I guess my question is does a functioning hydrant also mean there's sufficient pressure God forbid if there's a serious fire, does it simply mean that it's working but that's an unknown? That's my first question.

You should throw through the chair to the councilor. I've said before, I believe on this floor that I believe we're blessed in the city with a hydrant network We have excellent pressure. A lot of our hydrants, you're talking 80, 90, 100 psi just right off the bat. That's enviable of many, many large municipalities. So it does matter. But volume also matters, so main size matters and that's why when I look at Hammond in May for example a 30-inch Maine, that's a lot of volume if I need more pressure, I can apply that pressure through our apparatus. That volume is what I really need so it gets a little bit complicated with the hydraulics but In short, we bring the pumps that can create the pressure. I need the volume through the hydrant system and we have some pretty good volume

Through the Chair, as long as you're satisfied I'm satisfied as well. My other question is that I believe this report does address the issues of those small number of hydrants that aren't working and what's happening to correct that. But my issue is one that comes up in my next question, maybe it's a month or two premature but It's coming, which is winter. And what I'm concerned about, and I think you are too, Chief, through the Chair, is what is the policy in the wintertime with identifying those hydrants that invariably don't get shoveled out even though they're supposed to because you can have all the hydrants in the city working, but if somebody can't find it then probably the equivalent will not work. So through the chair, that's my question.

through the chair of the council. Obviously, we would prefer that every item be shoveled perfectly and wide open but the reality of it is is that this again this program that we're talking about the GIS network It's really good and it's really accurate. And it gets us very, very close to where that hydrant is. We usually do a really good job of figuring out the hydrants there and this is where I'm digging.

Okay, great. Thank you. Thank You Mr. Chairman, thank you.

Councilor Rivera?

I'll be quick through the Chair to the Chief I don't know if this has been asked already, but in the whole city how many fire hydrants do we have? Do you have a number rough estimate? Chief.

Through the Chair of the Council, I believe it was 684. Excuse me, 6,084.

and thank you for the report by the way. So would you say, and I'm not minimizing it because we also know that fire hydrants are important but would you 39, not working at the moment is something that is not a big urgency on your end of the aisle.

Through the Chair and the Councilor. I want to be careful about saying what I'm comfortable with. Obviously, I want every hydrant working and when we need that specific hydrant, we really want it to work. But the reality of it is that these systems are engineered in a way so that it's understood that they are going to have failures at some point, and it's to make sure we have an ability to overcome that failure. and I think Worcester has done a phenomenal job of building out that network and making sure that redundancy is there. We bring to the scene also our trucks that carry Every truck carries every engine company carries a thousand feet at least of supply line so that we can make longer connections if we have to run a kind of like a, not a shuttle but a relay we can get multiple engines going. That's what's happening in the towns every single fire where they have to have multiple relay systems going because their hydrant network is not like ours.

We normally do not have to do that, one engine usually takes care of that system Each one of those engines is carrying 500 gallons of water, right? So we can make a really good initial attack and knock on that fire without even having the positive water supply from the hydrant. which gives us time to get that, maybe that secondary hydrant connected in established positive water supply. So there's a lot of things that we can do that are engineered on purpose so that we overcome some of these small issues.

Yeah, I appreciate that. And then I think like Councilor Heather mentioned it does come up in the neighborhood meetings and one of the things that it's important that they are aware of is We trust that the city and the chief and your department has this under control. So I know they get nervous, but I'm comfortable with the fact that you know, that you guys are moving in the right direction. So I appreciate that.

Thank you. So we're off to your orders, Councilor Rosen?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Through the chair to the chief maybe this is a better question for even the law department but since Mr. chairman we have an ordinance that says we have to shovel the city sidewalk when it snows, we don't own the sidewalk. We have to shovel it. Why couldn't that ordinance again maybe apply to the . You had the same question? Okay, it's gonna be heard soon in the petition. Yeah, okay I didn't remember that but we should even more important than the sidewalk is the hydrant I would think so that should be part of a similar ordinance through the chair to the chief. So there's no such thing when my tires go low, especially in the winter with the change of temperature. There's no gauges that tell you if a hydrant is functional. No such thing?

Through the Chair of the Councilor, I've had that same question for our water engineers and the reality is that no it does not.

Okay and I remember years ago I don't know if it was decades ago, might be. But in the summer, the youth always opened up the hydrants on those hot, hot days is that possible any longer or have we, we have no gauge for the hydrant but do we have some lock for the hydrogen through the chair? Chief.

Through the Chair to the Councilor, are you asking are we able to do that?

Are youth still able to open up hydrants during the summer? That was a problem 20 years ago maybe.

Yeah, through the chair of the consulate. We don't open them as a matter of policy.

I don't mean you. I mean the youth, the kids. Oh, can they? Neighborhood kids used to do that.

Through the Chair to the Councilor, we have not encountered that much at all. It doesn't seem to be much of a thing anymore and there were years ago, a lot of vandal proof hydrant nuts put on a lot our hydrants to stop that from happening.

So we've made them more secure? This isn't a hydrate question but this is A chief question, through the Chair to the Chief. How do the engines deal with the speed humps around the city? What would you say? Are you pleased that we have so many speed hamps in the City of Worcester?

Through the Chair to the Councilor, you're putting me in a tough position. That was the idea. No so look an engine driver does not want to have to navigate a speed bump they manage

Okay, and my last question is we heard about Esper Ave and Midgley here, private streets in terrible condition. I was the district councilor, beautiful District 5 maybe 10 years ago or so when we talked about Midgely and Esper then, so they must be a lot worse 10 years later. So is it true? And I've heard at few meetings people say public safety It has not been reported to me that there

has been over there and I know that they were rough over there. In those situations it's out of the fire department scope on whether a road is gonna get repaired or not, correct? So we just work in what can we do to overcome the problem and a lot of times it's just on an obstruction line.

Chair, I suggested those two streets but around the city has that been a problem for the fight about private streets in general?

Through the Chair of the Councilor, occasionally we run into problems. We may not get our best access because of the road condition but our firefighters do a phenomenal job of doing the best job they can to mitigate the incident.

Thank you, thank you Mr. Chairman.

Thank you Councilor Mitra.

Mr. Chair my question is on item number 8.12a so- Okay we're not on that, we'll go back to that in a minute.

Yeah. Council King?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm particularly interested in what do you call speed humps and public safety Fire, equipment getting through there as quick as possible. some time ago before we went down the road of speed humps I had orders between the speed cushions which are very similar. The difference is, I don't know if the chief is aware of this but the difference is that they're separated it's like a speed hump with some area in between we have some of those and some spaces I'm not sure if their exact speed cushions or not but there are supposed to allow for the axles of Public Safety Vehicles to navigate it quicker and easier. Those orders from many moons ago were ignored, and we went down the path of Speed Homes, but through the Chair to the Chief.

Just wondering are you aware of those sorts of things?

Through the Ojeda Councilor, IM. We have worked with DTM and tested those out. They are difficult. It's a similar situation to the speed humps is Remember, when we have a reported structure fire, we have companies coming in from a lot of different stations. It may not be going to their normal response area and they may not as familiar. with the roads and whether or not there's speed bumps or not. And so, there's a lot going on when you're driving a fire truck and to be able to see that far ahead align your wheels it's very difficult

and through the Chair to the Chief, is it in fact those sorts of speed cushions that they're designed allow for the axles of these sorts of fire vehicles to go through, Chair? Chief. Through the chair and consular. Not saying it's perfect but is that sort

No, I believe that's one of the design reasons for it. It's just in practice, it's not as easy as... Of course.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd just like another report back on speed cushions and back on speed cushions and sort of the advantageous aspects of it versus speed humps, which would potentially allow for easier navigation by public safety vehicles. Thank you Mr Chairman.

Okay, one item in tonight. We will send out to public safety and allow for the manager's request for reports. All those in favor or opposed, so ordered. Come to meet you. Yeah, I'm going there next. 8.12a, Transforming Information and Communication Related to the Language Translation Services used by the WISTA-5 Department. Councilor Mitra?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is through you to the manager. I'm thrilled with the news that we have this device to translate languages with the app that you have in the iPad and 290 languages could be translated I'm really excited about knowing this fact that we have this. Is this also used by other departments or is needed? Or just for my personal knowledge, like WP DPW, Worcester Police Department or DTM. Do they need such translation device? Do they have that or it's just for the fire department?

Mr. Manager

through the chair to the council. This one specifically was in addition to the already work that's happening in the city, the language line is available to all municipal employees This one was a specific initiative for the fire departments in their iPads and their ability to navigate that within their own systems. We have that with our police officers, we have that other departments that utilize the language line. DEI is a department that oversees the contract of that software but it's available to every single department

Excellent. I'm so glad to see that, thank you.

Thank you. So send out the public safety. All those in favor, opposed, supported? We are on 8.13A. Toomey has recused herself. Transmitting information, communication of the traffic enforcement measures. Councilor Rivera send that to your committee.

Just have a couple questions? Sure. Thank you. Through the chair to the chief, first grade report I also read like in 2025 the municipal formally adopted division zero safety action plan You know, your department in traffic division is short staff and stuff like that. and the traffic, the Vision Zero Traffic Plan from 2025. It goes 2035 is they're hoping to long-term goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035. Is your, right now the predicament that police department is in with being short staffed.

Is this going to delay the Vision Zero action plan?

Chief?

Through the Chair of Council, that's negative. That's a collaboration between us, Mobility Transportation and a couple other divisions. We work together. We were just at a meeting last week discussing different strategies

that's awesome because I know this is a big issue in our neighborhood meetings and so one of the things that I want to say is that you guys have just reading here Traffic Division has 1,466 traffic complaint assignments in response to identify locations and concerns. and has issued 4,508 motor vehicle citations this year to date. Considering our short staff as you guys been, you guys have been pretty busy could you give us an idea what would we be expecting sometime at the end of this year in a traffic division being hit, you know. What the numbers look like for us as a city?

Councilor, we are losing I believe five officers from that division. We are also losing multiple people from operations, so we have to move people around as needed to make sure we have appropriate coverage.

Are you guys working on that right now to prepare for the shortcoming that will be coming at the end of the year?

Through Chair to Council, that's correct. The manager and I have been speaking extensively on what we can do and I had other things in the works

If anything, uh... We should take that item up then.

Transformation of information from Kuhn Caves Road to the List of Police Department Retirement Participation. Okay. No, I just added the report to your conversation.

Oh, gotcha. So lastly, to the Chair and Commissioner, is there anything you need from the City Council? Please let us know.

Thank you. About 100 more offices would be good.

Okay, Council Economou? So we have A and C we're discussing right now.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Through the Chair to the Chief. First I just want to say thank you to all you guys do, the men and women of the Police Department. I know the demands for traffic enforcement are endless, as we all here at our neighborhood meetings that we attend. And I appreciate the effort that's put in to accommodate as best as possible all these locations that are asked for. So thank you on that. I just have a question in regards to manpower, I don't know, I have this angst in me about it as I'm sure you do that there's gonna come a day very soon where we're going to be looking around trying to fill whatever we can fill with whomever we can feel it with.

Two questions, has the age 32 to 39, have you seen any fruit from that yet? And do you expect to see more opportunity there to stop backfilling some of these positions. and then how does it work like the town of Rutland where they laid off quite a few officers? Is there any way for us to capture them and Arnett here in Worcester. Those are my questions, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Through the Chair of the Council Yes and yes. So as far as a person coming on in that area around 39 years of age, we were able to have an officer transfer, that officer is on the list right now. So not only do we get to pick from civil service now, it's almost like a transfer portal that's out there. We've lost officers the same way. but we are working diligently to get certified offices that are already academy trained so that we can put in the work. they still have to go through the same background and everything else that somebody that's just gonna go into the academy has to go though. But yes, it will work. I think we've got at least seven since that started to come over to us.

That's encouraging. and is it incumbent upon if an officer gets laid off in a department, is that incumbent upon that officer to to explore other options, or is it something that we can be proactive in chasing that officer through the chair?

Through the chair of the council, we are proactive and we go out to job fairs. We put a bunch of material on our website, on Facebook Telling officers that this opportunity is here and we do have, you can just go online and apply. Okay very good thank you Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Council King?

Thank you Mr. Chairman, just on 8.13a First and foremost, kudos for the blue cruise lights. I've spoken on this in the Boston media back last fall of 2025 supporting this measure and I think it's been impactful. I think that it has enhanced visibility, it has given many folks the awareness that there's a presence in the city. While we can't measure some of the intangibles, You know, it appears that folks pause and take notice for sure.

So let's appreciate hope that continues for infinity and beyond. That being said, Mr. Chairman I do have some questions There's some discussion here about staffing I don't have the other item in front of me right now I wasn't prepared to look at it and so forth. I don't know if that's been mentioned yet, but on this particular item it talks about continued coordination between WPTD, DTM that allow enforcement engineering to complement one another and address identified problem locations. Through the Chairtead administration, How are those problem locations identified and where is that information kept? Has that already come before council, I'm not recalling through the chair to the administration. Chief

Through Chair and Councilor, I can say just last week I was at a meeting. And whenever there's a recon event where Reconstructionists from Traffic Division have to come out and investigate an incident. That incident is automatically forwarded to DTM, they can then come out with their engineers and see if there was a defect within the roadway system or something else we could do so future accidents wouldn't occur in that location.

Thank you. I'm going to bring up a location I just got a call on today, and Councilor, I think it's Councilor Bilotta's area, District, where we've had multiple conversations recently and not so recently. And that's the bottom of Hamilton and Lake Appleton. Some folks called me after playing tennis just before the storm, and they called me again yesterday. Just reiterating the concerns there as it relates to traffic, as it related to accidents et cetera. So my question to the chair, to whomever is in that particular location for example That intersection of the interdepartmental collaboration and the problem identification, who comes up with the timelines?

as it relates to rectifying those sorts of hot spots in safety matters, through the Chair.

Commissioner?

Thank you, through the chair. So typically in a location like that That's a location where we know there is long-term structural needs with the intersection, right? That intersection needs updated traffic control. Either traffic signal or roundabout or something like that and we started that design process. We have funding for that but that's a longer term project because those are big projects, significant amounts of money required design public outreach all of that kind of stuff so it's Important that we also identify what we can do right away. So an example of that at this intersection are the blinking pedestrian lights that were recently installed That's something we worked with Councilor Bilotta on and the pedestrian crossings there are exceptionally long. Trying to get it all the way across this street, you have vehicles who are turning from Hamilton Street, who aren't maybe paying as much attention as they should be to the crosswalk.

So anything we can do to draw attention That was a relatively low-cost intervention that we were able to implement in a matter of weeks. So you really need to try to do both things, identify the longer term bigger projects and then also focus on what you can do in the near term

and Cantor Chair to the administration. One of the things that I've spoken about quite regularly with respect to Lake Ave, Belmont Street et cetera, is those four lanes Park Ave in certain locations perhaps that are significant concerns for safety. We've had some pedestrian deaths, et cetera and I talked about the hybrid beacon systems such as the one on Route 20 over by Burlington. And this seems as though this would be and area for a pilot. We talked about it down the hill over in front of Belmont, I'm sorry Memorial Hospital. Just wanted to do the chair is there any consideration being given to such a crossing device on Lake Ave through the chair.

Commissioner.

Through the chair, currently there isn't on Lake Ave we are initiating a planning and design process for one on Belmont Street and will actually be submitting a council item on that shortly but currently there isn't on Lake Ave. We are looking at, like I said full intersection control at that intersection where it's a combination of vehicular movements and pedestrian movements that we're experiencing safety issues with.

Thank you Mr. Chairman, I would like just a feasibility report on the Beacon Hybrid System over on Lake Ave area perhaps a little bit further down towards Maducas as well as the prior requests close to DYS facility which require I think MassDOT intersection perhaps in one of those locations Mr. Chairman these are measures that could actually save lives As it relates to this particular report, one of the things that we talked about some time in past orders on the Eric Batista's administration was related to ghost vehicles. And just for the public edification, as my colleague would say, those ghost vehicles The research shows work for a period of time.

What they are is in lieu of staffing issues and staffing challenges, they take police vehicles that are unoccupied and they locate them, rotate them through a municipality based on problem areas. And so let's come before the council, we've had this discussion before We know after a period of time it wears off, you move the vehicles. Just through the chair to the administration to city manager is there any that would be incurred as a result of using such a tactic as a tool in sort of managing traffic and traffic violators through the chair.

Chief.

Through the Chair and the Councilor, one issue we have is vehicles. They would have to be a pretty much a vehicle that was going to be going out of service then we'd have to get to that location and I must tell you immediately after that vehicle's there for a certain amount of time the people know it's a ghost vehicle and they'll discount it so I'm not sure what stats you have on that but there's nothing that's come to me that said it's an effective measure right now

Thank you very much. To the chair, to the administration, second order getting any research evidence-based research as it relates to ghost vehicles used in this sort of strategy, pros and cons. And I agree with the Chief that there is a numbing but we also know I think when they used to have during the prom time, right? They used to different things up and folks see a police vehicle to hit the brakes just like kind of look at that as a tactic Mr. Chairman, as the way of an order as well so this report is appreciated last question just for clarification I know a couple years ago we were looking at the scarcity of or the small number of folks in the traffic division and I'd heard there's a exodus of five are those folks on the

upper range of seniority, and then secondly what's the total number in the traffic division at this time? And what shifts are they on to the chair?

through the chair of council they are the senior people that are going to be retiring and that's five is not including I believe two or three that went prior One of them coming out is part of the truck team. Another one's part of recon, so those are... I have a meeting Thursday where we're gonna distribute the personnel from our class In July, we have to spread them out throughout operations and I'm going to add to traffic what I can. But we are down a lot in there. I'd love to get it six each shift but that's gonna be tough to do.

and currently there's five. Is that right or is it more? I'm sorry, I didn't know if I heard correctly. Five leaving? No total.

There's a day shift and there's a first half shift and I believe it is, there's only three or four at night. So five during the day but that includes recon officers and sergeants.

and do they respond to accidents?

Through the Chair and the Councilor, we set something up probably a year ago where I'm having traffic respond to all personal injury accidents as they are the experts. The way we're going right now with the depletion of the force, that's probably not gonna occur any longer either.

So that's the goal? Personal injury accidents. That's a good goal. Thank you, very much appreciated and I look forward to the report. I really do think that ghost vehicles can be a tool we can use

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair? Okay, thank you. We have next up we have Councilor Bergman for Economou, Mitra and Fresolo. Thank you Mr. chairman. Councilor Belagno-Fresolo. Oh, I was just renaming the order. Go ahead.

That's all right. Thank you. Since we're including 8.13C, I think a majority of my questions will I think many of the items on the report things we've discussed in the past We've talked about population of the City of Worcester and the number of officers in relation to that, and there is somewhat of a goal standard. And Worcestershire is lower than we've talked similar situated cities like Providence, Springfield, Boston and others. So I think there's a good case to be made that in addition to trying to maintain what we've had as a number of officers. We need to actually expand it with the population that continues to grow and we've never taken into consideration, as far as I know when we talk about our population

for nine months a year, we have another approximately 40,000 residents in the city of Worcester by way of college kids. So we do have a much larger population I would say that the 210, I think the 210 now has grown since the census finished in 2020 to close to 220. So we're up there and we don't have enough police officers never mind maintaining the number we've had. We've had this discussion in the past, it predates the current city manager's administration I know all of us for the most part have talked about it in the and I think this report, these numbers call out to us that the time has come that can should not be kicked down their own anymore. And not that anybody intentionally did that, but the time is serious now as far as the numbers that this has to be addressed. So through the chair, to the police chief.

Chief is there any short term goals or avenues that you think could be taken to increase the number. What would your expectation or goals be in the short term? Let me put it that way, try to enhance the numbers of officers we have including the number of classes maybe We have in the ways we could attract officers to apply for the job.

Chief?

Through the Chair and the Councilor, I know our recruiting team. They do an unbelievable job. They're at job fairs. They go to high schools, they go to colleges. They are out in the community trying to recruit what we need to do is have two classes a year. If we can get 43 in each class, have two of those a year and then eventually over time the manager and I was talking about this is try to up that compliment. We currently have 478. If you look at Springfield, they had a population of 150,000. They have 500. Hartford, Connecticut, population 120,000 they have 413 officers. So we are below that, what is needed to effectively police the city when we have all these special projects going on. My goal or dream for this department, and will probably happen long after I'm gone is to get that up to at least 538 offices

If we could go to, and that's about 60 additional. If we can go to that, we could a different shift system where we could do four days on, four days off, 10 hour shifts that would be an automatic power shift overlap in between. That would enable us to cover, you'd have 20 officers per route, I'm sorry, per shift on the street after Vacation time, sick time. The way it works now is we roughly have 34 officers on one shift. Well 10% we allow for vacation so now you're down 3.4 you could have two people call and sit. Now you're down five or six offices. Now, you have several hospital guards on a weekend. We could be out there with 12 officers and it's a problem. So we need to work to expand that

and my goal would be to have 55 offices per shift. That's three shifts during that operation period, and also we would be able to add to traffic

Thank you. Just a comment more than any other questions. I understand this isn't going to happen overnight, I think we all do there are costs involved as well but I've said this in the past, and all my colleagues have as well. We have a billion dollar budget now. It's not like... People don't expect us to have increases when it comes to public safety. There's no more important public safety component of that budget in my mind than having enough police officers to maintain safety in the city. Police officers we have now do an amazing job, but the city continues to grow it's a popular place despite some people we hear say how bad the issues are in Worcester. People continue to want to come here so there's much more pluses than minuses and living in the city of Worcestere, and we all know that otherwise we wouldn't want to be City Councilors because

and appreciate how great our city is doesn't mean we can't always strive to make it better but a key component of all that is public safety. Objectively by any We do not have enough officers today, even with a full complement of what we've been having. And we're losing them to retirement. Otherwise, we need to come up with a plan. I'm sure I'll be filing motions going forward hopefully my colleagues will as well, working with the city manager to try and come up with practical fiscally responsible ways to increase the number of officers we have so that we can get to the goal that the chief has indicated is an appropriate goal for us to have. I don't expect it to take a year, but we certainly could have two classes in the upcoming year with more officers at each class. that make it onto the police department. And if we have the motivation and the desire to get this done, I'm confident in the next few years, we can get to where we need to go.

But we need start somewhere and hopefully with the next budget and I'll certainly be allowed cheerleader for that, that that budget includes a recognition of what's been said in this report. Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, we have Councilor Bilotta, Fiverr Councilor, Fresolo.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and I appreciate the report Chief and appreciate all the effort that WPD does with traffic enforcement especially in District 2 we know we have really some major roadways with Belmont Street, Shrewsbury Street, Lake Ave and it's always great to see the amount of tickets and enforcement that goes on on Shrewsbury Street in Lake Ave because we know what's needed. So I really appreciate that, I know the neighbors appreciate it too in our neighborhood meetings. One question I had was about the new recruits that are coming on, the new police officers. And is it they're all going through training on how to run radar and things like that? Is that correct? All right, Chief.

Through the chair of council, that's correct.

Okay, so just I know we talked about it before in some of our meetings. It's good to know that that's happening.

The issue with that though is we do not have radar on every vehicle

Okay.

It's in the, it's in traffic there.

Okay. Good. Nice to really appreciate that again. Appreciate especially I know Lake Ave has been brought up a lot and I think you know We talked about at the last Lakeview neighborhood meeting that, you know, unfortunately police can't be everywhere all the time. So I think that's where really investing in road infrastructure that can really help pick up slack to slow people down where you guys can't the men and women police officers of Worcester PD can't be there because again like you said we can't everywhere at once but I really appreciate the effort being made to keep these streets safer in the slow people down because it is a major issue so thank you

That's it, thank you. Next we have Councilor Fazolo

Thank you Mr. Chairman, through you I appreciate the report Chief and I also appreciate every time I've ever contacted you, you've responded to my request and I appreciate that. One minor or small intersection but has major The intersection of Hamilton Street and Fairmont Ave. We were able to, as a group in the Graffin Hill Neighborhood Association to file a petition to get

10 feet or so of no parking, a sign that says no parking about ten feet in front of Fairmont Ave. And I have to tell you Chief Every time I drive by, not every time but most times I drive there's a car there. and I never see a ticket on the windshield. And what's most frustrating, and I've talked to several constituents and people that live in around there It's almost amazing that a cow be parked in in that section of sidewalk where the no parking sign is and the end of the curb, they're parked there. And where you can park, no one's parked behind it I say, I can't believe that people don't read that sign.

No parking from this point on and they're parked there. So again we've had major accidents at that intersection Just a couple weeks back, I know Councilor Bilotta and I have talked about it because he has the other side of Hamilton Street. I have that side. So again if I ask if we could You know, drill home to the root call offices in that area. Just pound them with tickets in that short space of area because Especially at night, there's always cars from that pole to the curb. Again, it's the only issue I have as far as traffic is concerned, traffic division is concerned. You've done everything I've asked previously, and I appreciate it.

And I want to thank you for that. The only other issue I'd like to bring up is King. A question to Commissioner Raleigh. There is a new crosswalk, Councilor King mentioned it on Route 20 near the Price Chopper and Burlington Co-Factory, that side of Route 20 there where Wendy's is. And we had a fatality or maybe two in the last few years there. Is that up and running? I drive by there quite a bit and I've never seen the lights that are newly, you know State of the art light system that we have there. I just want to make sure that is up and running, as the general public knows that's the case.

Commissioner? Through the Chair, so it is operational and that's I think one of the challenges we're going to face with this type of signal. It's a new type of they're actually dark until a pedestrian activates them so as drivers experience these for the first time, they might tend to think that it's not operational yet or that the power is out or something like that. So we're going to need to really focus on an educational campaign as these start to get deployed in more places I know that particular signal is a MassDOT signal and they did have an educational campaign but something that we're going to want to supplement particularly as we start to see these on most likely on Belmont Street will be the next one but I think we'll start to see more of them around the city. So good observation, but they just operate differently than a typical traffic signal.

Okay, thank you for that Mr. Chairman I'm all set and I appreciate all the work you guys do Thank you Next up is Councilor Mitra

Thank you Mr. Chair, through you to the Chief thank you first of all for the reports that you have given really gives us a good idea about traffic enforcement measures and also the number of officers, those who are going to be retiring. First of all my question on the traffic enforcement measures you know we We have implemented 25 miles per hour since January 2025 to that period through now. Do you have any idea of like Are people really following that speed limit when they're driving? Is there any idea or knowledge we have that what percentage of the people are really driving is 100% What I would like to, I had said this before. I'd like to see that if it is possible through the chair to you

Can we do a survey, like maybe go to random streets where we have the signs posted for 25 miles per hour and kind of monitor that? Out of 100 cars, how many cars are really using that speed or not using, not following the rule? Is there something we can get an idea of the implementation of 25 miles per hour being used.

Chief.

Through the Chair and Councilor, I don't have any unless DTM has some type of measuring tool. We'd have to be out there with radar doing each street like that, which would be very labor intensive. As far as from observational standpoint I don't believe people are really going 25.

That's your feeling? So that's disappointing that people are not really following.

And again, when we are doing traffic enforcement you're not going to write somebody a ticket for 26

No, I understand that.

So there has to be a little leeway and that's part of that initiative right? If you say it's 25 maybe they're gonna go 30 well you still want

Any way we can, and we are doing everything to control that. But I just wanted to let you know so if I can go back and tell them that hey we have an idea Most people are really following or not following. For that purpose, I wanted to know where we stand. Good to know that you feel I mean, I understand 25 to 30, 35 maybe. But they're going really at high speed then we need to take some measures for them. The other question I have to you, Chief, is that you mentioned here that we have last year in 2026 given 4,508 citations. What does that mean? I mean, is that something good, something relative to other places? Is it too high or too many people are really driving too fast? What does the number mean if you can explain me? Chief.

through the Chair of the Council. I believe 4,508 citations is a good gauge that our officers are out there and actually working so those are violators right they may stop 8,000 people where there could be educational incentives as far as you know the law had just changed so when we did the 25 over, the first part we did was education. So this is actual written citations or warnings that have come out. I believe these are all written. From what we have for people, I think they're doing a great job. That's a lot of citations.

OK. So that's all I want to do through the chair to you. I just wanted to have an idea that 4,500 minutes is A lot of citation given and that includes warning as well as fines.

Through the Chair of Council does not include verbal warnings

But the written, on the citation do we write written warning on the citations sometimes? Correct. All right, so thank you. I just wanted to make sure that we are doing everything as possible. I like the police cars having the crews with the lights on. That really has been very impactful. It's a great initiative we have taken and I congratulate you for bringing that lead. Going back to the chair, to you on the other item on the retirement. Based on your report looks like by 2027 we'll have about 140 law enforcement officers retiring based on numbers you've given. and then based on the number of recruits, new recruits that we are having every year, we're probably still going to be lower than what we have now based on how many each class has about new classes.

through the Chair and Councilor, those numbers reflect those that are eligible to retire. That's not that many will retire. They're eligible at 32 years of service 55 years of age, they max out on their pension. So they're basically working for 20 cents on the dollar. So that's how they kind of compute it in their heads whether or not it's worth staying or leaving. The second part of your question,

The question was that in each class that you do every year. And at one point, there was a thought that we made on two classes to have more recruits at a time. How many candidates you can really take in each class?

Through the Chair and the Councilor, our class I believe is 43 seats that we could fill. and when you look at those numbers, I was part of one of these classes. And that class is the second class of two in that year. So when I came on we put 100 officers on in one year.

Okay. So to the chair, are you thinking to run two classes? Is that something you're planning to do?

Through the Chair of Council if we can do we'd love to do that. It's just, we have to get the number of recruits and then the budgetary cycle has to be that we can afford to do

So the chair to you, I personally feel that safety is most important. It's a paramount importance to all of us to give everyone safety law enforcement Department has a huge role to bring that safety to our residents, to our city. And considering that I was just thinking is it possible We know that we don't have that many officers as Councilor Bergman said, that we should increase it. You say that you would like to see that goes up to 538, which would be lovely if that can be done. Other cities have much better percentage of the number of law enforcement officers as compared to their population. We don't have that many. I was just wondering, is it at all feasible to see, to give some incentives to those who have retired to see if they would come back and do some light.

Police were like taking them to the hospital, I don't know if that's light work or not but is it something we can do to make up for the number of It is a good thought, but we cannot

Number one, we do not have light duty. And you also have to be post-certified if you're going to do any type of police function. So you're carrying a weapon and you have police powers Once you retire and we have a mandatory retirement at 65 so Anybody that you can't come back because you're still working within that pension system. I see, so that would be off the table

Just a thought that I had if it could be helped. But nonetheless, thank you for your report to the Chair. It is our responsibility through you to see how we can make our city be the most safest place to live and we have a lot of work to do. Anything that you think we need to do through Manager to us, I will be definitely looking into it as I see that in the next budget. We'd like to see that you get the things that we need bring the safety to the utmost level. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. We are on Councilor Ojeda.

Thank To the Chairman, to I guess Commissioner Rowley question for you. Chief we might have a question for as well. to the chair, to the commissioner. You and I have been doing a lot of work in District four crosswalk beacon flashlights beacon lights sorry road redesign stop signs etc but we continue to fall in I don't want to use the word fail, but we continue come to a headway or stop when it comes to the state roads that are in District 4, and they're wider particularly talking about like Chandler Street and Park F. you know, through the chair to the commissioner. What is it that we can do? I know there's wide, the streets are wide, crosswalks are wide but

There's the intersection, I want to say Parker and Park Ave. There's been many car accidents recently, motor vehicles as well. I mean, I'm sorry, yeah, motorcycles as well and that being a state road, how can we address these issues that we continue to have when they're not our roads?

Commissioner. Yeah, through the chair so that the challenge with those streets in particular is that they're two of largest, most busily used streets in the city. So they're major arterials that carry over 20,000 vehicles a day. and a lot of the treatments that we can employ on a more minor roadway even, you know, even a minor arterial or collector that carries say five to ten thousand vehicles a day You can't really deploy in the same near-term fashion on a major arterial, so you're really looking at From the and I'm speaking from the engineering perspective. There's certainly an enforcement piece to this as well but from the Engineering perspective you're really looking at longer term more transformative changes to address the safety for the most part on streets like that because the problems are

fundamental to the street design and the menu of options we have to treat them are more limited. So I think that those are the major challenges with those two streets, again from an engineering perspective.

Thank you. And again, Quinsigamond Ave and Endicott, multiple accidents there. I drive by there. And I'm seeing them, I don't want to say very often but just often enough, Park Ave, Chandler, and I'm just really concerned about those areas. And it seems like, you know in light of being able to do what we want to do, I think we really need to push for more enforcement there. So through the chair to the chief as you know these are some problem areas you know, how can we address these areas? I know you mentioned targeted education. Can you explain to me a little bit of when you say target education chief through the chair of the council

When I say that, we will go out and do a operation where we're gonna enforce a speed limit or stop sign at certain location and instead of issuing the citation, we will just educate the public as to what the violation is. So hopefully the next time they drive through there, but they will not do it. So everybody we pull over for that day, they would be educated versus a citation.

All right, thank you. I just wasn't sure. So you speak to that individual? Okay. But one of the issues, one of concerns I have is because of those state roads, what is the actual speed limit on those through the chair to DTM or I'm sorry, Commissioner Rowley

So even though those are state roads, they're both under our jurisdiction. So the city actually sets the rules and has administration on those two roadways. and others. Of the two you mentioned, Chandler Street is under the citywide statutory speed limit so it falls under Park Avenue is still under, and this does harken back to its origins as a state route. It is still and those vary from 30 to 35 miles per hour. Something we've talked with the police department about is that getting A more regular cadence of speed limit signs would be helpful from an enforcement perspective, so that's something we're looking at on the few routes we have that still have a regulatory speed limit like Park Ave.

Thank you, yeah. And to the Chair and to the Chiefs, I think it's important that we do see more enforcement, more officers out there. I understand sometimes it's limited but in these areas that there's known to be car accidents, I think we gotta try and find a way to get ahead of it. Quinsigamon Ave., It's two lanes. Then it seems goes into one lane, then it goes back into two lanes but there's side streets Endicott and I forget the other street entering into that and there's been accidents there so not sure what we can do there how do we address that? I'm really concerned. There was a lady with a child in the car a guy, you know they had got hit. You know that's an area that's obviously very it's highly used in the morning and the afternoon and at night as well so I'm hoping that we can try to get some more enforcement there Lastly, when you talk about do the chair to chief and talk about recruiting some officers.

I know when I spoke with the fire chief I had asked if we can make sure some of these recruitments are being held and other locations, I think they would just have certain areas where you would have like seminars or informational times where residents can come in and learn more about becoming a police officer. are there certain locations that you use right now and are there locations that plan on using in the future?

Chief.

Through the chair of the council, we go all over the city We go to schools, we go to community events. We had the August event down in Marieve. Our recruiters were out there so we are out in the neighborhoods and that's what we're doing. especially the colleges because that's more of our target age.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you. Councilor? King? Christian?

Mayor Joseph M. Petty followed by Gary Rosen, Mayor Petty.

I'll be quick, I think everybody's beat this issue but just to be clear Right, are we doing background checks now for the next class Chief? Mr. Chair?

Chief's Office. That's correct.

And what are we playing for right now for that next class?

To the chair, that should be happening. I believe it's January 9th sometime in January.

And they'll graduate by July, whatever it might be. There's a bunch of couple weeks now. That should be taken into account too. You go seven months almost for training

To the chair, that's correct. So the class of graduate in July are still in failed training. That's why you see more officers out there because they are riding double when usually they're not. So that should be ending within a week or so.

How long do I? 12 weeks. 12 weeks, do I double to get their training? Then you disperse them wherever they might go. They stay in operations or they move on to different departments?

To the chair, they have to bid out. It's a big job uniform so wherever they end up most of them probably gonna end up 11 or seven.

Operations okay. So how many recruits do you want to recruit for the January class?

I'd love to get 43.

Okay, so you should probably aim for 50.

We are going through our first round of backgrounds. Once they do the backgrounds it then goes to me and I believe that day we went through 40. So not everybody's gonna make the cut getting through the background.

Yeah, so if you do six to seven months it's almost impossible two classes a year correct? I mean you have to overlap into the next year.

To Chair, when I went through in 94 there was a class in April and then my class was November so we called it two classes in one year. And I graduated in March.

the training was less so back then.

It was five months.

Five months versus seven months, okay. And then you had to fail trainings as well. So I think Mr. Manager we just this happened I believe in the fire department several years ago where we were losing a lot of retirees retirement were just leaving the 555. Now I know it's even more complicated with the police department, because right to college is like a college portal that they go into this portal and get recruited to other parts of the country and other part of the state. And what we're hearing you tonight, we're also recruiting through ourselves. Hope we can Chief?

To the Chair that's correct. We were on that as well.

So maybe just inform a report. Some of the fire department, I know you're working on this chief strategic plan how to Maintain, how to recruit police officers here in the city of Worcester. How to apply for grant money. There's federal grant money out there that we probably could apply for. I believe there is and really get this going because I think it's important Recruit, Maintain and making sure that we have enough police officers on the force. That should be one of our number one priorities. Thank you Chief. Thank You.

Councilor Gary Rosen?

Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Through the chair to the chief, are there any cities or towns across the country that Chair, police officers. I was just thinking surrounding towns probably have sufficient number of offices. Is it possible to ever have a program? Does anyone have a problem where you might have two You might have two different employers as a police officer. I don't know if there's such a thing, but seems like it could be a possibility. Chief?

Through the Chair and the Councilor, area where that happens is with like a special tactical unit, where different departments like CEMWAC, Central Mass Law Enforcement Council they'll have like a SWAT team made up of different towns whereas we have our own but we would offer them mutual aid if needed.

through the Chair, do most of the surrounding towns, surrounding Worcester have a sufficient number of police officers? Unlike Worcester?

Through the Councilor, everybody's in the same boat right now.

Yeah, okay. Now, through the chair to the chief. Like all of us, Worcester Police Department's officers, officials care about traffic Traffic Safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclist. So you see that on a daily basis all these years, so you have a pretty good knowledge of traffic safety for those three groups. So maybe you could advise me on this little issue through the chair to the chief. And that's the fact that, and it's very controversial there's two opinions on it . And sometimes we as city councils are in the middle because we have to eventually take a vote Now I know Commissioner Raleigh's opinion, but I haven't heard yours.

So there's two experts here so I can ask you right now for the safety of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclist Do you think it's a good idea, and I'm not saying whether it is or isn't. Is it a good that we have two roundabouts outside Worcester State University?

For traffic purposes?

for traffic purposes, yeah, for safety.

Well we're on traffic, we're not on the two roundabouts tonight so let's stick with what we talked about. I know we've stretched a little bit but.

That's true, wait a minute isn't that traffic safety?

That's what I just said it's for traffic purpose, correct. You said yes, go ahead Chief. He's not going to answer about the whole...

Through the Chair and the Councilor. If it was me doing the engineering, I would do a pilot program see if it works before we do all of that and then have it fail.

What does that mean, a pilot program?

If you can put out fake speed humps, why can't you do a rotary?

Is that done anywhere? I don't know. We could be pioneers, certainly. I have to ask this question. I know that this has nothing to do with traffic.

No, stay on traffic and recruitment.

It's Worcester Police Department?

No it's on Traffic Tonight in Recruitment.

Okay, I understand that okay. I have a good question. I want to ask it again, you know? It's part of my job. You're telling me don't do your job! I can't be that way. I can not be less than I am. I got to ask this question. So through the chair to the chief, you've been talking about homelessness Ever and recently especially, and so on. And it seems like when we listen to speakers come up they seem to think that the Worcester Police Department is only concerned with Rousting people, getting them out of public property and so on. And they see the police department interacting with a homeless as a negative thing. to the Chief, I don't think that's the case though. Are you also involved in very positive things to help our homeless in this city?

through the chair of the council, we have a dedicated team that goes out there in plain clothes to help the homeless population in the city. We do what we can as far as we get calls for people being out there dealing drugs. We are gonna arrest them, whether or not you're housed or not they're committing a violation of the law. We have to enforce that law, that's our jobs but we also do the other part of the outreach and that's a big factor in what we do out there

through the chair for all my years often on the council, but especially on the Council. I've heard so many stories and we've heard them recently about the homeless shelter on Queen Street. And I've hear it for years and my colleagues have heard from years You know, I always think about it and I say, gee they keep... And when I did some volunteer work when we had the homeless shelter of Blessed Sacrament several years ago. And boy, we talked to people so I was inside talking to people and that kept coming up, coming up through the Chair, does the Worcester Police Department have any issues with that homeless shelter on Queen Street? Because we hear only bad things about it. That's all we've heard for years.

through the chair of the council, we have two offices are dedicated to that location as far as details. That is their location because they know the clientele, they know how it operates and you have Better Collaboration when the officer already knows what the policies are in that individual place and they work there nightly, I believe.

So that's just part of their job? they're not full-time at that location through the chair.

Through the Chair of Council, that's a detail. They're paid to go in there.

Oh, it's a pay detail. Okay so through the Chair, there are problems at that shelter We've heard so many people come in front of us over the years, maybe over the decades as long as they've been there and tell us stories about the problems there. So we want more shelters in the city of Worcester But if this problem is like that, I think the city has a responsibility to make sure we start changing what's going on over there. So there are some issues, I assume. If you have two police officers there at night, I assumed there's some issues.

Through the Chair of Council, there's one officer per night but there are two officers at work. It's basically their detail because they're familiar with it. So the people who run it, hire this private detail to make sure that people are safe.

OK. And my last question and I appreciate the opportunity to ask it even though it's not and other traffic related. are we doing for our certification process, the Worcester Police Department through the chair? Are we making a lot of progress and when do we expect maybe to have that certification? I think it's great for the city of Worcestern. Great for the police department if we can get there.

Chief.

Through the chair of the council, we are still actively engaged. It is a huge process. Right now, we have to buy several things to make sure we're in compliance with all our evidence and the cell room and things like that. So I'm hoping within the next year or so, that we could get full accreditation. That's my goal anyway.

Through the chair to the manager, I hope the manager anything you might need from a city council. for that accreditation process. That would be great for the police department, it would be good for the city of Worcester and people in the city so I think they deserve the accreditation and whatever we can do to help it out please come to us and let us know. King. Mr. Chairman, thank you for indulging me. I appreciate it.

Councilor King, for the second time?

Thank you, Mr. Chairmen. Back to the subject at hand. Cadet program. If you could just kind of speak to that as it relates to recruitment. I thought, I was under the impression perhaps it was sunsetted, I'm not sure how that worked. Is it still an effective chair?

through the shared accounts of that program was disbanded over a year ago. It wasn't feasible as far as where we could put the cadets, there is one I believe one cadet made it through and is still here. It's an active police officer.

Okay, I was being nice. I said sunsetted but disbanded. I appreciate that. You know Mr. Chairman I would like to get a report on models of cadet programs that are perhaps a little bit different. My understanding through the chair is that it was maybe a minimum wage job, I think and there were certain functions they could do I know firsthand that there's a number of folks that I've engaged with on a professional capacity that are young people. College, late stages of high school that have an interest. And it's not clear to me how to intersect them given students in our public schools, and they are also interested in this. And some of them actually are majoring in criminal justice right now.

So I would certainly like to explore that Mr. Chairman, maybe it's some other sort of system for those folks but these young people that are coming through our public schools certainly might benefit from that and I don't know if the The amount of money that was being paid was perhaps a deterrent for some folks having to be able to afford to live in Worcester, but it would be good to know. And you know, it's supposed to be a direct pipeline and I understand that it was not successful in the view of the Chief. but certainly like to explore if there's other perhaps ways to get these folks moving towards their career goals. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. So we'll go on with the orders to the manager, and we'll send this item to Public Safety. All those in favor? Opposed, so ordered. And notice that Councilor Toomey had recused herself from that item also. Going back to B, transmit information and communication relevant to two quarters of the drone usage inside at the public safety. All those in favor? Councilor Toomey has recused herself. All those on favor? Opposed, so ordered. Okay. I don't know, maybe we'll keep Jim Bilotta here a little bit longer, Tony. It says Treasury Information and Communications are over to the Burnt Coat School Building Project. I think they had this all night. Here it is, Chris.

Mayor Petty.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and thank you for the report from I believe it's Trinidad. And from the schools, this keeps people updated. I think we're meeting tomorrow night to take a vote on four schematic designs, I believe, that are going four alternative designs, three or four. And that we're gonna send to MSBA and they pretty much spelled out here right now we are in the feasibility study module 3 there's nine modules to this so people had to take that was really changed since I think 2022 when Mr. McGrath he wrote a report telling us that it's going to be expensive to do this and people have taken a look at the report, there's a few alternatives here. And I think these numbers are high in the sense in my opinion, if you look at this closely on the back it has a breakdown of different scenarios.

But new construction for the high school and middle school has cost $635 million to $640 million. And I think we've gone back, Mr. Bedard maybe you can come up and answer but, or Russ, Mr Adams, or Mr Manager? just to find out where we are, because I know we're gonna go back and try to reduce this cost. And you gotta remember one thing that Doherty High was built for $300 million the high school right now is looking at 435 depending on the size but I think we've reduced some of this stuff in this over the last, I think before we go into tomorrow night's meeting. I'm not sure who answered that question?

So before you respond, if the gentleman who just arrived to the table could announce your name and your title for the public. Before you respond to Mayor Petty please in order.

Sure my name is Jim Bedard I'm the Chief of Public Facilities

I'm Russ Adams. I'm the Director of Capital Projects for the Department of Public Facilities Thank you, and if you could please respond to the Mayor

Sure, through the Chair to the Mayor. Yes, to your point it has been a reduction in the overall size right now what we're dealing with this conceptual design of the building is strictly square footage We haven't started designing the floor plans or any of that in this feasibility. So originally, we the municipality, we met with the school department and we started what we call programming. And what does that mean relative to the two schools? We created a square footage number that was significantly higher than what we have right now. Then what we did is, we went back and actually went back to them and said that number is relatively too high. And we've had two exercises now to reduce that square footage. So that brings us to the square footage that we're looking at now. And again, moving into PSR and moving into schematic design, we're always looking for opportunities to do two things. Reduce the square footages if possible potentially lower the cost with fit and finishes of the building as we move forward.

So these are numbers that will be reduced at least, these are high right now because you've gone back twice you said to review these so these are the first original numbers correct?

No, these are actually numbers here that originally these numbers were These would be kind of in the middle of the road, I would think, right? Because the original numbers we came back, we immediately went back to them and said that these numbers were too high between the two schools.

Okay, and I know we don't need a vote on this tonight but it's good to people that read this and understand it it's one of my goals as mayor has been to do the three high schools Nelson Place in the three High Schools over again this is the last school and debate will be one of the alternatives. So you have to send the MSBA a base repair, renovation and new construction correct?

that's correct through the chair Mr. Adams if you'd like to elaborate on tomorrow night's meeting and then in the steps that brought us to here I'd appreciate that Director Adams thank you through the Chair to the Mayor the vote tomorrow is to

to have the Burncoat School Building Committee vote to send the preferred schematic, no I'm sorry, the PDP the preliminary design program to the MSBA. So we need a quorum of that committee, we need to vote and then if we get a favorable vote, we're gonna be sending that document it's about 1,000-2,000 pages of documentation related to burn code. We're gonna send that to the MSBA.

We can still work out depending on what's chosen we can reduce some of the costs here going forward still as we move forward.

Through the Chair, that's correct. Yes. Tomorrow's submission is strictly the options as you mentioned and we're not actually picking anything relative to the vote tomorrow so it all gets submitted then the team continues to work on what's called a preferred schematic, a preferred design and that will generate a particular preferred option as well as help narrow down and hone in on the cost.

Okay. And if you look at the page, I think three or four here, these are like Mr. McCarthy's budget analysis that he gave us this year during the budget People look at this and what the cost of this will be and some of the demands that some of the challenges that will occur regarding other projects here in the city of Worcester. So I think people should take note of this, I think Bernco area deserves this they've gotten a lot of storms, a lot tree damage. They just got a new street. You don't get much up in that neighborhood and I think this is important and everybody understand that I know also we talked about the unused tax capacity but this all could be reduced depending on free cash to reduce these other items going forward, correct? I know the first year we're talking about free cash because we built these people. We got a high school fund now, correct?

We've had other funds which have combined into this one fund The council should thank themselves because I think we're up to about 25 million in this fund. Maybe it's even more, I can't remember. It's around $25 million. but we could have nothing because we were thinking ahead. I wish we had put more into it, but this is our chance going forward that we should put as much money into this fund before we have to start paying on this in two or three years. So thank you for the report and probably maybe send this to committee if you want us to go over it. and because I think the council should read this. This is probably one of most important reports you could read, is this right here tonight? Because every week we come in here we ask manager for money and for different projects so just to be clear okay thank you

Thank you. Councilor Economou, District 1.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Through the chair first, I just want to thank the gentlemen sitting before us for their work. It's always a pleasure working with you guys. You guys work hard to bring things to fruition for us all. There is no doubt there's no doubt that Burncoat High School and Burncoat Middle School need to be brought into this century. I went to both schools, I'm a proud graduate of Burncoat High School Burncoat Middle School at the time, junior high has not changed in my life. My mother actually went to Bernco Junior High and she's in her 80s.

So if there is a school that needs to change, it's certainly the Bernco quadrant But I will say this, there are going to be some very difficult decisions to be made in the coming years. do they need the schools without question? The Burkard area deserves them, they've been patient as other schools have been done. Now it's their time and there are gonna be some significant choices to be made. We just had a conversation about how do we get two classes, police classes on? How do we upgrade our streets? We're constantly talking about street work. How do you upgrade our parks? These are the things

that we as a body are gonna have difficult decisions to make on what takes place and what doesn't take place. in order to have these schools built to today's standards. Through the chair, maybe to the manager or to Mr. McCarthy Are the numbers that are provided before us today, are those numbers our responsibility or are those just the total numbers?

Mr. McGurthy

Through the Chair. So, the total cost of the project is an actual total cost to the project that would be split about 50-50 with the Mass School Building Authority. That's our assumption. The debt service numbers in the document, in the memo represent half of that cost. So that would represent the cost to the city assuming a 50-50 split.

Okay so the debt service is on the split? That's what I want to just confirm. When you talk about, through the chair to Mr. McGurthy too, about the tax levy What are those implications going to look like going forward in three years?

So through the chair, this is a 30-plus year project. So everything we're looking at right now are estimates. We're looking General numbers of estimates even on the project costs, let alone estimates of debt service and the actual amounts due each year. But what we do know is there will be significant highs within the debt service as you You borrow money for a project of this scale, you're borrowing it over multiple years. By year six or seven as all the debt is fully borrowed and is at its maximum debt service obligation We anticipate costs of about $30 million a year. That will have to fit within the city budget. It is absorbed fully by the city. We will either need to grow our revenues to cover that additional cost, plus the year-over-year growth that we experience on a regular basis whether it's health insurance costs, salary growth due to colas or step increases and the like.

cost of obligations for various intergovernmental responsibilities, the schools, the WRTA, CMRPC. Pension obligations as those go up as well. So we'll either have to increase our revenue to absorb these additional costs, or we'll have to reduce our costs to be able to fit this new obligation within the existing budget framework. The long story short, I can't imagine our budget growth will be sufficient to fully cover this new cost. I anticipate we will have to increase our revenues in some way As was mentioned earlier, I think the manager has made a consistent effort working with the city council to put new monies aside into the new high school fund. The mayor referenced that. through free cash opportunities, through new growth of our budget opportunities.

That's helped but we're gonna need to significantly grow at this point as we look at that debt service coming in.

have any other, I know 10 years ago we were talking about the North High Fund. Have any of the high schools Probably not, I don't even know about North High. Is that even transitioned off our ledger yet? No.

To the Chair, no. We have another at least 10 years on North High. but we did approach it the same way where we created a reserve to help address those costs. So, we're actually paying an amount this year in the FY27 budget. We did not need to put money in because the reserve generated sufficient interest over the last couple years to cover us for a year. But yeah, we still have a number of years to go to pay off that full debt.

Thank you, thank you very much. Either way Mr. Chairman in the upcoming years there are going to be some major difficult decisions that will need to be made by this council and you know whether it's increase in tax revenue, whether its going into the tapping into our Unused tax levy capacity, whether it's not doing this but doing that. They will be significant decisions to be made going forward. I just want everybody to understand because I think this is probably going to be, in my opinion, probably bigger than if just the bottom fell out of the economy and we had to slash our budget. That's how I see this.

I see is a significant move going forward, and also a tremendous investment in our future. in all honesty as I read the report, I became torn a bit reading the report this weekend and I was just Lamenting to myself, it's like oh man this is significant. We've come to that point and With all due respect, I agree that the schools need to be done. I agree with the path that this city has taken over the years to redo our high schools. They've all been needed plus some of the other grammar schools along the way King, but please make no mistake about it to my colleagues that this is going to be a significant undertaking going forward. So thank you.

Thank you Councilor King followed by Council Toomey. King.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to having this in committee as well as Chair of the Education Committee. We have an upcoming meeting hopefully in October if we can get the school site on board and it'll be an opportunity, I guess. Through the Charity Administration one of the things that we're talking about is there's been reductions in size et cetera, exactly what is being voted on tomorrow through the chair and who are the representatives of the council that are on that voting body? If any.

Through the Chair, the School Building Committee will be voting tomorrow. We've had I think this is the fifth or sixth meeting with the school building committee. and at different points during the process, the MSBA's scripted process. The school building committee would vote on various items Tomorrow's vote doesn't pick a schematic. It doesn't Pick an option there are I believe to the mayor's point earlier There are a series of options that they've come up with a base repair and and Adreno, and multiple I think it was a couple two or three New Construction. And the reason that there's a couple of those, right? Of each one of those is because they looked at both doing high school and the high school in the middle school. So I think there's total eight actual options and those will all be submitted to the MSBA as a package to say these are the options that we looked at for the project. And moving forward, as we get into PSRs preferred schematic review we will then start narrowing that down.

For example, do you rule out base repair? Do you rule add reno? Rule out new construction? This work that comes up next will narrow that down to a preferred solution

Thank you. And to the chair, I'm not sure to whom, who's representing the council in terms of votes on that building committee?

Is it you? No, Council Bilotta.

Okay.

and the Councilor, former Councilor Purcell is on there. Then we have school community members on there also.

I'm open to being on that board as chair of education given that we have a former sitting city councilor, Mr. Chairman. That being said, Councilor Pacillo, former Councilor That being said, Mr. Chairman as relates to East Middle that's mentioned in this document I have some real questions Burncoat was a long time coming I've said on the record before, I'll say it again. In my opinion they should have been that these schools should have addressed earlier in the process we've had South, we've and now North prior to that, but leaving Berncoe to last. Hopefully we save the best for last but certainly there was opportunities to address this earlier. We've had a longstanding issues at East Middle, we've done a lot of work there

the delegation and Senator Moore, and State Representative Donahue, Leader O'Day. have led on these things. But through the chair to whomever, if you could speak to why it was important to mention East Middle in this document and what the considerations are in that regard through the chair.

Through the chair, I can mention that I was one who added Worcester East Middle as an example simply because I know this council has discussed the need to redevelop Worcestershire Middle. and my concern is unless we manage the finances of this project correctly, it could preclude other projects from occurring around the city.

Thank you. And through chair to the administration, how real is that concern? Because I have the same concern. So this is to the city manager if you could speak too from your vantage point what we're looking at in that regard. And then, in addition to that we're talking about I can remember I can hear George Russell right now taxed to the max What are the real implications we're talking about as it relates to a new Burnt Coat Middle and a new Burncoat High School that's co-located through the chair? Mr. Manager?

Through the Chair to the Council, there's some real concerns not just this there's real concerns about the Availability of funds that we would have in the future to be able to redevelop a school like East Middle and build it brand new. We would potentially have to confront land acquisition and then go through a whole process of that. And depending the years, future years, East Middle could probably be 300 millionth and just as a middle school based on the cost and interest rates that we are experiencing. but that's just one school, East Middle. We're talking about 52 schools or 50 some odd buildings that the School Department has All the municipal buildings, there's been discussions in this floor for new police headquarters. There's discussions about Central Garage and DPW and others. This impacts

Overall, our ability to do more or even to do what currently is being asked of the administration. One of the things that we're suggesting as part of this document is to begin the process of us putting money away into a reserve account, into a stabilization account that could generate interest over time. And that is factored here in one of our pages that the CFO put together to be able to take advantage of that right now, understanding that this is a 30-year project or so. We not only would have to make some investments with our free cash allocation that's coming before the council in the next couple of months but also looking at the FY28, the next budget. The FY28 budget in putting in and with pulling out or withdrawing whatever term you want to use

from the unused tax heavy capacity, we currently have $26 million requesting a $15 million allocation from there to this stabilization account. That means that we would be intentionally raising $15 million of taxes to the city. that's a big number, but that would be something that we would then be committing not just the one time. That's a commitment that the city administration and the council will be making to the city over the next 30 years for that, to pay the debt service of this project in this magnitude. that does not take into consideration. Again, everything else has been asked of this administration to be able to deliver whether it's roads More vehicles, infrastructure, et cetera. So I think the mayor and Councilor Economou alluded to it. This is probably one of the most important documents in discussions that needs to happen in this council

because we're talking about real dollars and real potential implications for the future of this city, for the next 30 plus years of this City. That it's all upon us right now in this moment to that will not today, but over the next few months or so if not year that we will be making this decision.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is an important decision as relates to education in the city and I reiterate as chair of the Education Committee, I would welcome the opportunity to be a part of that. Mr. Chairman, through the chair as it relates to the $15 million that we're looking at potentially 7.5 in free cash that's discussed here as well. What it says in the short term, free cash up to 7.5 million. What are we talking about in terms of the average impact on the tax the taxes of folks here in this city pertaining to the 15 million through the chair. What's the projective analysis?

Through the Chair, I don't have that number in front of me. You have an estimate? I could get you an estimate if you give me a couple minutes. The goal is the more forward funded this reserve is, the greater the interest that it will earn and generate. And therefore offset the city's actual cost. You can see based on the chart, the table included with a fairly conservative estimate of two and a half percent which currently we're earning more than 2.5% Over time, we know there's kind of a national debate over interest rates. They're going up a little bit but there are others who want them to go down. We assume about $17.8 million in interest generation based on the formula we've constructed here.

It can be done in different ways, but the more you can forward fund, the more offset the ultimate cost to the city by generating additional revenues. on the 15 million, I can run something real quick based on prior year taxes. It'll take me a minute but on the whole, it's not a significant cost for the average household or the average commercial. But obviously the outliers, the larger homes are the larger businesses especially. It could add up a bit.

Yeah, I'd certainly be interested in a projective analysis of that for our commercial business folks and our homeowners. And we know that there's a trickle down impact upon are renters as well. I think, as we move forward, the more information we have, the better as relates to some of the decisions that will have to be made. As he's trying to figure that out, I'd like to pivot if I could a bit to the different models When it comes to the new construction, is there two models? Is there three? And what are they and what are the numbers we're talking about? I thought I saw them somewhere. It might have been in a newspaper. I don't see it in here through the chair. So with that.

Through the chair to the council, it is actually in the report. I can't find it. It's the second-to-last page. I apologize. The pages are not numbered.

Oh, I see it. On the back page here.

Correct, there's what you're gonna look at and this is scripted by the MSBA as mentioned earlier. What they want you to do, the MSBAs program asks you to primarily look at three different options. One is a base repair. So if you were going to go in and just renovate an existing building, bring it up to ADA code, bring up the various building codes and bring it up to the current standards of what a building would be, that's option one. It doesn't increase any square footage, it doesn't give anymore programmatic space it doesn't allow for growth in student population, right? Part two which you've seen at times is called add reno. So they do all of the base reno in the existing building and then they put an addition on. And what that does is it does everything that's described in the base reno, and then you add square footage to the building to increase program space and the final option is new construction. After you've analyzed those two, they ask you to analyze new construction in similar models that you've seen elsewhere in the city where we've done it with South Nelson Place

Doherty, is one of two things. If you have land on the existing property which Worcester has been very lucky to have that in all those applications where we've just built next to the existing a new construction and then when the building is done, we move all those students over. We tear down the existing building and build the fields or some landscaping features that you've seen in previous So a lot of that is very scripted by the MSBA's program. And this is what's gonna be submitted to them, all of these options will be submitted based on the vote tomorrow night.

and through the Chair, what is the amount that we're looking at for the co-located model with the most amount of student capacity?

So there's two groups of eight here you'll see.

It's hard to read, yeah.

Yeah I apologize for that too but there's 2 groups of 8 on the top it kind of gives you a little bit of a layout of what the potential again I don't want indicate that this is what the plan is going to look like, right? They're doing kind of large-scale conceptual drawings to show you the building, the fields, some of those. The group below, the two at the top left are the base repair. Again one for 18-25 students for both high school and middle school. 1,100 students would be if you just did the high school and then Ad reno would be high school, middle school and high school only as well. That's on the top two on the right. And then all the new construction is on the bottom.

So we're looking around 460 million? Oh I'm sorry 500 million? For the 1,400 students?

So the bottom left that's new construction for the high school and middle school 21-25 students is 635 to 640 million estimated. Oh, bottom left. Right?

OK. So those two. And In this process through the chair, again I know there's been four or five meetings but with respect to capacity You know, we've had some challenges at Doherty. We have some challenge at some of the other new schools where folks with the school's growing, the city is growing and in some instances their over capacity, maybe itself also or close to it. Through the chair to the administration is that accurate? Or am I making this up?

Through the chair, I'll defer to Mr. Adams on that he was involved in the capacity issue with currently Through the Chair of the Councilor yes that is correct in both schools The enrollments are set very early on in the process. So, in the experience with South High and with Dougherty when we finally got to opening day there was somewhat more students than were originally proposed in those rooms. So there was furniture, extra furniture bought at the end of those two projects to fit the current number of students in each classroom. So you are correct.

Tutor Shea, what is that actually? I guess it's an education question. I'm just trying to figure out what it means. Never mind. Yes, so with regards to MSPA issues I was under the impression there was something in the legislature as it relates to the funding and the formula. Is that accurate through the chair, and is the city manager working with stakeholders in that regard? I know that we have the fair share amendment. There's a lot of money for education. What I'm getting at, is there any other ability for the city to tap in to more state or federal funding, through the Chair.

Through you Chair and Councilor, I am aware that there's been some discussion with the State Delegation and the State Legislation on increasing the funding or the formulas related to MSBA specifically for gateway communities. I think this has been a challenge in many communities across the state, including Boston most recently had a school that was I think they were projecting over $800,000 as well. It's become a challenge. I think there's been some real advocacy from our delegation. I know Mary Keefe, Representative Keef has been a great advocate in kind of communicating that at the state level Right now this is ongoing conversations. I think one of the things that's been helpful to us, especially with the Doherty project, that was a project where we had a particular percentage that we were receiving funding from the state. And part of the impacts of COVID, there was an additional tranche that was submitted to the city that helped us get to a more of a 50% or a little bit just over 50%.

at Doherty. So there's complete, this constant advocacy at the state level to do that and we work with the delegation as best as possible addressed these funding issues or funding gaps. One of the things that we see here, you know depending on the property for example Doherty has solar panels and other efforts So we sought other fundings to try to support those efforts as well. I want to just also state that these options include It's not just the building of the school. It also includes the field and the uses of the fields, and the different types of fields for that. So it's a complete Design, and there's a complete kind of campus feel to it that adds not only the actual buildings but also multiple fields in the area.

Thank you. Three minutes left. And through the Chair, as it relates to those inequities in MSBA funding from what I remember and I don't have the exact numbers Some time ago when we talked about this on the floor, it was indicating that gateway cities, urban cities have a disproportionate amount of that funding. fortunate to have some schools funded. We have a lot of needs as do a lot other cities and from what I recall maybe 20% of Gateway Cs are getting access to particular funding pools as it relates to others. Municipalities or towns through the chair to administration. What can we do as a council to support the mayor and to support? The administration, as relates to this fiscal issue with the state

and our role as a gateway city needing more through the chair. Mr. Manager?

I think constant advocacy, not only with the state delegation having been locked in step with them and then working through the legislative process. Any funds additional funds that could be available to us working in tandem so that I can be able to submit those requests to the actual delegation or to the state administration. I think that constant advocacy and us working together the more inform you all, the more we then can put together some packages opportunities that we can try to push. Also the other element is MMA, the Massachusetts Municipal Association plays a role in this they played an active role with other municipalities and bringing them to the table to either submit letters or provide any commentary, Mass Inc is a researcher. They do a lot of great work in trying to provide more support to the MMA and the municipalities in regards to that advocacy.

So I think the more we're informed and involved, in terms of what's happening there it helps us as an administration, as a city to be able to advocate on our behalf as well.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd just like to report back to the council of the efforts of MMA or what they're reporting for further discussion. You know we're required to take the votes as a city that comes from our budget Additionally, Mass Inc. has indicated that 60% of overcapacity schools are either in Boston or Gateway City. We've had significant challenges. We're talking about potentially having to choose between schools, perhaps, to one degree or another. We have East Middle. We know Rice Square School was we had kids in learning in closets about a year or two ago. Yes, closets. No they weren't. Absolutely. and they were able to make some adjustments. And now those, some of those kids are or the added seventh and eighth additional grades over at East Middle and some of the other schools so there's been adjustments

So as it relates to all of that, I think that we as a city Councilor King assist in this sort of advocacy through the Charity Administration. It might seem a little bit off-topic but as it as it relates to RMV, formal registry of mobile vehicles. What are we doing with those properties? Are we trying to you know create revenue, and perhaps we can put that towards something. Like what are we doing with those properties? And could it have an impact through the chair?

Mr. Manager?

Through the chair to the council, so the Denholm building has been awarded to a developer who was working on design efforts to develop that property. the idea of that property so that then generates tax revenue for the city in addition to the RMV. That is a property we will be submitting an RFP or releasing an RFp to the public for seeking proposals from developers to build mixed housing there as well. All of these efforts that our Department of Economic Development, under our Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn is finding ways in which we can increase the revenue of this city in ways through development, commercial development, residential development. finding ways that we can increase that tax levy for the city because that helps the day-to-day operations of municipal government, and what we do for the residents in our community. So those play a role, until we play an active role in working with the developers

Finding the right solution, finding the right packages and supporting them through that effort so we can get these projects online as quickly as possible. Sometimes they are little hiccups within these projects, but the goal is to move them forward and get them developed as quickly as possible.

Excuse me? Who owns the Denholm building, Denholm Building?

To reach out to the council. The Denholm Buildings is currently still owned by WRA.

OK. So how will that generate revenue for us? How's that work? That dance.

Yeah, through the shits of the council currently right now does not once the once the property is turned over to the developer then that's when and they fully develop the property that's what we will then start to receive new tax revenue

And is McKitty involved with that still?

McKitty is currently the development company that was awarded the proposal to be granted the developer for that site. But it's going out to bid? Sure. No, the RMV. The RMV is what we're releasing a request for proposals probably within the month.

Thank you Mr. Chairman, we can get continued updates on that Mr. chairman and I just want to kind of go on the record you know we've had new schools where capacity has been exceeded or projected capacity as relates to new construction at Doherty itself. and I certainly support trying to get the most amount of students in a co-located Burncoat Middle and Burncoat High School. And understand that we have to, sort of button up the budget as we move forward. And we'll see where things land, but I hope that's the goal moving forward Mr. Chairman and appreciate the report. Thank you.

Okay, next up we have... Mr. Chairman if I may just to respond to the question regarding the annual cost to the taxpayer of the 15 million? for the average residential, it would be about $192 or $48 a quarter. For the average three family, it'd be $283 or $70 a quarter The average apartment would be $824 or $206 a quarter. The average CIP, commercial industrial personal property, would be one thousand three hundred and forty five dollars. or $336 a quarter and then the median CIP would be $500 or $125 a quarter. That's all based on the selected tax rate that we're currently within, selected last year and the values from last year.

Mr. Schumer, I'd like to get that as a way of report. I'm also with the percentages of increase related to that for further review. Thank you.

Thank You. Councilor Toomey, followed by Mitra.

Thank you Mr. Chair. I hate to say it but all three of my children attended Middle and Burncoat High School through the magnet program and it is an exceptional program I think for the entire city. All three of my children went through and we're in STEM fields now. So it's really an incredible educational opportunity. I really believe, as a former school committee member too that Burncoat, this Burncoat school project is more than replacing aging buildings. It's an opportunity to give the Burncoat students a safe modern and equitable learning environment that they deserve while making a responsible long-term investment in Worcester's future. School facilities shape students' daily experience, access to opportunity, sense of belonging and ability to succeed

Burncoat students should not have to learn in buildings designed for a different generation and educational system. School facilities shape their ability to learn and grow in the future, Facilities that support effective teaching, collaboration and diverse learning needs in preparation for college careers and civic life. but it's also an issue of equity. Worcester has made major investments in new and renovated schools throughout the city, and Burncoat students deserve the same opportunity to learn at facilities that reflect the quality of education we expect from our public schools. A modern school would affirm that Burncoat students and families are valued, and that every neighborhood deserves access to excellent educational resources. A new or substantially renovated Bernco campus could provide modern science and technology classrooms, arts and performing art spaces

Athletic Facilities, Special Ed Accommodations, Career, Technical Opportunities and Welcoming Common Areas. These improvements would expand hands-on learning strengthen student support and support educators and help students develop the skills they need after graduation. Considering the middle school and high school together could create stronger educational pathways and smoother transitions into high school, It could also provide earlier access to specialized programs and allow the district to use facilities and resources more efficiently. Investing in Burr & Coat schools is a long-term value decision, Martin efficient facilities can reduce maintenance burden, improve accessibility, adapt to changing educational needs and serve students for decades. and the cost of action must be weighed against the educational, operational and financial costs of continuing to rely on the buildings that may no longer meet the needs of students or staff. and I don't think they've met them for the past 30 years.

At the same time, we have a responsibility to our taxpayers and we should not build simply because we can We must determine which option provides the greatest long-term educational value while protecting public resources. And that means carefully comparing renovation, Steele, Renovation with additions and new construction and evaluating operating and maintenance costs over the project's full life and understanding the state's potential MSBA participation before making a final decision. The question should not simply be, however, how much this will cost. We should ask what will it cost Worcester if we do not address these facilities for another 20 and many more. The cost of delay may include deferred maintenance, inefficient operations, missed educational opportunities and the continued inequity of asking some students to learn in facilities that do not meet the standards available elsewhere

This is a once-in-a-generation decision, and it should be guided by the evidence and transparency that I see here right in this report in careful financial planning. If the feasibility study demonstrates that this is the best education long-term financial solution, we should be prepared to make the investment. The goal should be a project that delivers measurable value for students, strengthens community, improves the city's educational infrastructure and uses public resources responsibly. Burncoat students should not have to wait for a better future. They deserve schools that reflect Wiss' commitment to opportunity, equity and excellence, and they deserve them now. Our children should not have to wait for tomorrow's Worcester, they should be able to learn in the Worcestershire that we're building today. I absolutely believe that the effort has been put into this so far is very admirable and I think it's very thoughtful. And hopefully we'll

not have to worry about accreditation with the lack of cafeteria space and library space. I mean, that's been going on for 20-30 years So with that being said, I do have to mention we do have other schools that are as needy. And we do you have to plan for the future for that as well. and I think that you know we've been talking about you know different types of funding, different types investments and things like that so perhaps you know we could take a look at some creative investment or incentive for businesses and organizations nonprofits, or whatever to invest in Worcester's future. And that certainly is, to me, investing in education is a win for everybody. So I just wanna thank you all very much and I look forward to the report, what comes out next. Thank you.

Thank You. Okay we have Councilor Mitra?

Thank you Mr. Chair, to you, to the Chief The report that is presented to us my question is that What's the City Council, what is that you want from us by presenting this? What role do we have today?

Mr. Bedard

So through the Chair to the Councilor, at this point for tonight nothing. It's an informational transmission to give you an idea of the process of the MSBA, the process where we are in the construction or design excuse me, we're not in construction at this just to kind of update you on that. And then as we moved into the process, we started to really understand the financial impacts of it So working with Mr. McGurthy and working with the city manager, it was prudent to bring it forth again. And the previous manager had brought it forth to the council at times. This was going to be an expensive project and this has been discussed for quite some time, but it was time to bring it forward. What are we gonna ask from the council? and the future is to vote on loan authority and vote on the ability to move forward with the project.

So all the things that you, to the chair, to

I just want to add to exactly what Jim Bedard just mentioned. Tomorrow, this goes to the committee and then these documents become public and the information was going to become public. or well known to everyone. And so we wanted to make sure that the council saw it before we presented to the committee and then it became available to everybody. because once it becomes available to the committee and everyone and he goes online then all of you may be asking me how come we don't know about this what's going on So we wanted to make sure, proactively provide the information that Jim referenced to all of you before that goes before the committee tomorrow.

Thank you, Mr. Manager to the chair and to the manager then in that case you are saying As I understand, all the things that we are saying doesn't really mean much. It's just for us to know before it goes to the public that this is where we stand today. Whatever we are saying really has nothing to add to tomorrow's vote or anything, right? Understand. So really speaking, if I say something it doesn't matter at this point.

To the Chair, to the Council. I can't answer that directly. I think anything you say as an elected official on the floor does matter and presents your opinion in your position on the situation. And so again, it all depends on what information you want to be able to share for the public to understand kind of your rationale and your thought process.

Thank you. Mr. Chair, to you, the Chief, to the administrators I'll just say something that I feel knowing the fact that this is just an information given to us I think the common sense says that we should do what we can afford to do. That's the common-sense. This council should see what we could afford to when we have so many other things to do as well. I hear Burncoat School is very important for us to Improve it, renovate it or just do a new construction. I see here the new construction is cheaper than renovating and adding if I'm not wrong right? I mean, if that is the fact then why don't we do the new construction rather than what's the purpose of giving me something which is more expensive but not as good. Well, I'm going to do the construction which is cheaper

I don't know why I'm getting that message because I'll say, let's do new construction. Because that's cheaper, that's new. So I don' t know if this has anything to say in tomorrow's voting but I just want to say We as a councilor, we should see that what do we need for our city. Yes, we need schools. We need good education. In my opinion, education is not in the building We need good buildings, state of the art. You know having the facilities that our students can do well, learn well but education isn't giving them knowledge. Having good teachers in there bringing in high class teachers and teaching them what is required for them to be the distinguished students in the nation. That's what I think is important to me, I'm not saying that, I am not discounting that we shouldn't have the building

But we also have to see, like Councilor Economou mentioned that I personally see that we have several things that we need to do. I think we should secure the possibility of the funding It's important that we know that we may increase the taxes, but is it something going to happen? If it doesn't happen then what's our plan B? I mean, it's an expensive project. We all agree with that and with that we may have to compromise somewhere in other things which are Not to be ignored. We have safety, we have roads, sidewalks, unhoused people issue now, police chief came in and we need to include that Law Enforcement Officers, that we have to serve the city. As a council I think we should see where we can do our priorities and do the best.

While I understand the need of doing the Burnt Court School, renovating it probably is good to do a new construction which comes out to be cheaper But my point is that let's all be using the common sense and see what best we can do, how much more money we need That we can really think that we can get it through the either funding from the state or some other sources Or by increasing the taxes. By increasing the tax, as we know is not going to be It's a battle and we all do always have every year an issue with the tax classification. So it's not going to be something that we need to, I would like to see how we can secure the funding needed to move with this. I'm not against the building. We need to improve its safety purpose, we need to fix it. like in partially this year, partially next year to make our budget come through.

What are the other issues or possibilities we have? I hope that's something being discussed tomorrow and come up with a solution Thank you. That is the common sense used. That would be my two cents, knowing the fact that we have the information but really what we say today doesn't matter much tomorrow's voting I'm sure that body will do the right judgment But I would just like to say that as a council all of us should think what is best for our city. Is this the project we can afford to do? Can we secure some funding through the Chief Financial Officer? I would say if there are sources that you can tell us, that we can probably do this. Make it doable. That's all I'm saying. So thank you very much for giving the information. We see it, what it is.

I hope it happens but at the same time I will be very careful about not compromising with other things that we need to do for this city as well because city belongs to everyone I have always said the budget is a matter of compromise. We should put money more towards the factor where it impacts everyone, or most. Yes, school is very important. Education is very I'm very high on education myself but as I said to me definition of education or giving education is not indicated through how big a building we have is an indication of how good the teachers we have, how we can infuse the knowledge in our students to make them be most knowledgeable. But I'm not against it. I just want to see that we can afford to do it if we don't have enough Revenue or money, we need to see secure how we can all work together to see where we can get the money from and get going on. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Did you have your hand up? Oh, you didn't. I thought you did, okay. Okay so along with the motions and as the manager we'll send this to education. All those in favor, opposed, so ordered. Okay, we are on the finance items. 8.35 A through D, 8.36A through D and 8.37A through C. Adopt on the roll call.

Mr. Chairman I'd like to speak on a C please. 8.3C. 8 point three five C?

C. Which one?

C. And there's three Cs, which one? 8.36C. Okay, 3-6 okay.

Okay, so you are okay. Recommend $21,000 community fund gate fees, Councilor Fezzola?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Through you I want to thank the city manager and the administration for coming back so quickly with my request for this amount of money This, so the general public knows this was a request to do a study for a proposal restrict trailer truck traffic on Lake Ave and Hamilton Street. And we had a good group show up at the Traffic and Parking meeting back a few weeks and so on. And they couldn't be in more support those residents of I look forward to this money paying for that report and going to the state, then coming back and restricting trailer truck traffic. And the perfect route

for those trailer trucks is to stay on 20, go to 146 and onto 290. And get off at that exit right across the street from the entrance to CSX. That's the best way to get there, and this is the way we're gonna do it I hope Mr. Chairman through you thank you

Thank you. So take those items, three items 8.35A through D. Councilor King?

Thank you Certainly support the adoption of this. I just had a question to the chair. Which one? Before I support this, am not going to be able to unless I want to hear a little bit more from the city manager regarding the committees that's supposed to be assembled to make decisions relative to this pot of money. I filed orders in the past that the committee, similar to the ones that was in the pass, decided how these funds were dispersed. outside of individual counselors would be re-initiated and reassembled. just run through the chair. If you don't have an answer, I'll just give a report back on a status update on that group. Mr. Manager?

Yeah, through the chance of the council. I spoke to both councillors involved in this process that represent these districts. Each counselor gave a conversation with them and chose to take different paths. One councilor created a committee within his district to try to get feedback on what they wanted to do within that district, the other councilor works with neighborhood meetings in other avenues to get community impact and then make recommendations. And so those recommendations come before the floor, and then the council makes the vote to appropriate those funds to the respective projects that are being supported or being endorsed by those counselors. No committee, what it used to be that committee has not been established. Again I've provided that So we had orders from the council, unanimous orders as relates to those committees and the purpose of those committees

is to ensure that funds are dispersed. Now, we had a situation with former district councilor of District 2, where monies hadn't been used for an extended period of time. and they were not dispersed, they were used. They were not accessed on behalf of the neighborhoods and those bodies were intended to make sure that there's community engagement, that's not just reported from a counselor. That those groups have meetings, they have notes and they have recommendations. And so that's a standing order to the administration, going back there has been nothing filed to remove that I understand the preferences of our counselors, Mr. Chairman and what I would like by way of an order is just to report back on what the old formation used to be

what the function was to the City Councilor Pacillo we can have a clear understanding of that Mr. Chairman and Again, those groups were purposeful. They were intentional and they were documented in transparencies everything we don't want to get ourselves into another situation like we've been in the past thank you

Thank you, so take those items collectively. We want the items in motion for report, roll call.

Bergeman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty.

Yes, 9-8 they're ordaining the roll call. Roll call.

Councilor Bergman? Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Mayor Petty.

Yes, you're on tent A. I have a motion to recuse. Councilor Toomey has recused herself on A, B and C, A,B,C and M. Okay, Chairman Donovan of the Committee on Public Safety request City Manager to request City Services to provide Council with a draft ordinance amending the city's noise ordinance by increasing fines associated with violations of excessive noise. Okay, this is an order going to the city solicitor.

Mr. Chairman let's have a question to the chair. Sure, Councilor King?

Through the Chair of the Administration, what is the percentage of increase in complaints regarding noise ordinances or the percentage increases in fines relative to violations of excessive noise stewardship? Well, Mr.

Manager? I don't have that readily available.

Are you aware of any significant increase in those complaints?

Through the shift to the council, the- Significant. It's relatively speaking, it depends on the situation or the matter. I know that there is one particular property that has been questioned here but overall across the entire city we have not seen a significant increase We know that there's one particular situation that has come forward and I believe that's probably why kind of the order is before us.

Thank you. I'm of the same opinion, Mr. Chairman. This is a knee-jerk reaction to a singular situation. A situation that I think it's regarding Related to the issue up on Lincoln Street and the property over there. And I know the mayor, city manager, I know as recently as yesterday, Councilor Economou have been effectively addressing that recently I was unable to make the meeting yesterday due to childcare issues and by the time I got there, meeting was over. It's my understanding that meeting went particularly well With the leadership of Representative O'Dea that was present, Councilor Economou. So I just wanted to state clearly for the public I will not be voting in support of this. There is no significant upsurge or uptick as relates to this. Fine increases are there for deterrent purposes,

O'Connell, and there's nothing before me that indicates that that is an issue at this time. Thank you.

Thank You Mr. Chairman. Councilor O'Connor?

I'm sorry, Councilman. Thank you Mr. Chairman. So is it specific to this situation? Sure. but it is an issue, make no mistake about it. It is an issues to those residents who live in their community so to just dismiss it like that's not an issue I don't think is right. I'd look forward to hearing back from the solicitors, see what the solicitor has to say. If my colleagues wish to have voted another way that's fine, that's their prerogative and I will say we did meet last night. We met as a group with the pastor, the neighborhood, the special services division chief of police I believe at this juncture, we're on the right path. We're all playing off the same playbook which i think is important

but whether it's here or somewhere else, I think it's something that needs to be looked at Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank You. Councilor Bilotta, Barbara Rivera and Bergman

Yeah, thank you Mr. Chairman. No I do want to say that this all of this has been a response to significant concerns and ongoing concerns from folks in the neighborhood up on Lincoln Street. And even in my district, I have residents on Waverly Street that have had very similar issues with a Pentecostal church on Providence Street, the corner of Providence and Waverley and I think some of it boils down to you know the halls are being rented which is all well and good but i think sometimes whoever's renting or certain noise ordinances aren't being enforced, but this really boils down to being a good neighbor. and whether you're a resident, whether you are an institution. It's just about being in good neighbor. And when you have music We have residents calling us asking, saying this has been an ongoing issue for years.

It's our duty to try to respond Again, this is happening in different areas of the city, different socioeconomic areas of a city. So I think to paint it as only being addressed because it's happening in one particular neighborhood Thank you, Councilor Rivera.

I'm going to concur with Councilor Bilotta. This is definitely not a one neighborhood issue. I got complaints going on at the moment, right now three different areas in District 5 so So this is something that we gotta take seriously.

Thank you, Councilor Bergman

Yeah, I recall us talking about this at Public Safety. And I'm sure there's been other conversations prior to that This may have been driven by one particular instrument, but it certainly includes many others in many other districts. I don't see any issue with looking at increasing fines and we lowered the speed limit. And we asked questions tonight of the police chief, how many citations did you give out? It's OK to do that. It's okay to tell people you need to and you should. If you're not playing the law, you should pay a fine But here, it seems like there's an issue for some folks about finding people or at least proposing that fines should be increased. We had a long, lengthy meeting. A lot of respect to some of my colleagues who may not agree with this. I didn't see them at that meeting. Maybe they listened after the fact but this isn't a knee-jerk reaction to anything.

It may not be the only solution, it may turn out not to be the best solution but it's an opportunity to try something new, something different and I'm gonna support it.

Okay, Councilor. Okay, so we'll take a vote on this. A yes vote to adopt and no vote not to adopt. Roll call.

Mr. Chairman, so it's 10-A BNC?

Oh, no, no no no. No, it's ten A.

Berkman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen,

You're not there.

Okay. Councilor Toomey, recuse yourself with Mayor Petty.

Yes. Okay, 10B. Councilor Rosary and Weinberg on the line. Okay. 10B, request City Manager review of feasibility requiring that public hearings take place before the License Commission for all one-day event license applications with the prognosis being sent to all butters in the vicinity of the proposed location. A yes vote would be adopt. Everybody all set? Council King.

Does this pertain to one day event license applications for events in parks? So if the Dominican Festival wants a one day permit in addition to everything else they gotta do, they have to come before I don't understand this. Someone explain this to me through the chair, what does this mean?

From my understanding, I haven't spoken to the councilor that put this forward. But my understanding based on just reading is requiring all events that are requesting a one-day application to have a public hearing. And the idea is to notify the abutters of that event. Most events like the Dominican Festival, they have to go to the license commission because they're required to have an entertainment license. And if they're serving alcohol, they had to come before There are some events that don't have to go before the License Commission. And so just on the face of this, it seems a request is that requiring public hearings for those events that potentially don't have to go to a licensed commission. Such as?

Any event that may not require an entertainment license, it may not a legal license. Not any of them. Oh, but yeah. So for example if there's a summer league event, if there is a event at a park that's happening, there's no entertainment required There's no serving of alcohol. You're simply just having a one day event where you're not needing those types of services. Oftentimes, you can get your permits for food permit, et cetera maybe on but you're not required to attend the License Commission, depending on the event. Depending on how big it is and all that? Yeah. This is not just attending the License Commission. What I'm reading here is about notifying the abutters,

You know, proposed location or that event that's happening.

Okay. This is just a report back for whatever it is.

Okay, thank you.

Councilor Economou?

Thank you Mr. Chairman just to help add some clarification on this too and at the time of our subcommittee meeting I wasn't...I understand that if somebody's having a A festival or a party somewhere where there's food, liquor, entertainment going on that they would come to the License Commission. What I did not know is if anybody, if the abutters are notified on that and that's where the clarity that I'm looking for is to make sure that abuters are notified if that's the case So they are aware of what is going on in their neighborhoods.

Rivera.

So for clarification purposes, it's not to create a public meeting for one day events is more for when they do go in front of the License Commission. The butters are made aware. Okay, that's good, yeah.

Mr. Manager?

Yeah, three chits to the council. There are many organizers who plan events, do not seek in a butters list by the assessor, pay for it and then distribute out and communicate to everybody. in the abutting, that currently does not happen from my knowledge. If there's an event organizer that's currently doing that, kudos to them for doing it but from my knowlege that's not currently happening in this city so I think the spirit of these orders is to encourage or to require all event organizers to do that. They are events that do not have to go to the license commission, and so I don't know if that also would apply to those events that don't have to go to the License Commission. Events that go to License Commissions are seeking particular permits or

particular applications or different things that they're requesting, permits that they need from the life-giving commissions and approvals.

Okay. Councilor King, second time?

Through the Chair, different size events have different requirements in our parks, correct? Through the chair. And some of those require going to license commissions. Some don't. Is that correct? So this would make it blanket across the board. Is I correct?

Mr. Manager?

I don't know. OK. All right, so fine. A feasible report's fine. Whatever.

I don' t know what exactly if this is a blanket for all events or just the ones that attend the license.

I certainly understand. What I'll say publicly is this, we've had a lot of concerns about events in the city. barriers put in place. City Manager has worked to try to reduce some of those barriers we've had over the years plenty of folks coming up in here and we want to make sure that we're as friendly as possible while being as responsible as possible, as it relates to noise. and neighborhoods. I know that in some instances, you're asked for a plan for notifying neighborhoods depending on the size and nature of the event I'm just concerned that this is going to be additional barriers for folks in the spirit of communicating to the butters. But when you're talking about purchasing, you know, a list and all those things. I certainly will probably sustain on this but look forward to the report back

But I'm just hoping we're not increasing barriers to folks that want to use our spaces. Thank you.

Thank You, Council Rosen.

Mr. Chairman a motion to file 10B

Okay, motions to file takes precedence. All in favor all set? Okay, motion to file, roll call.

Berkman, no. Councilor Bilotta?

Yes.

Council Economou? No. Council Rosolo? Yes Council King? Yes, Council Mitra? No, Council Ojeda? yes, Council Rivera? yes Council Rosen?

Yes

Toomey, and it recuses itself. Mayor Petty?

Yes. Six to three.

Sorry, it was 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-2 or 3.

Okay, request the City Manager to provide counsel with a report detailing the feasibility of increasing the list of police department's personnel to ensure the staffing of two officers per route. Costs are requested also include estimate cost analysis into such a practice. Okay, motion is to approve. Council King?

Thank you to the Chair and to the administration. just want to make sure, because the only way I'm going to support is that I currently stand in opposition. But let me just feel my way through this. So we know that increases safety of officers I'm wondering what it does for responsiveness, what is does to vehicles. Are we looking at less vehicles? Is there a cost savings there? What it means for visibility in terms of less visibility, less cars, locations that folks are in. So, in this feasibility report I would also like to see a cost analysis as well as evidence-based research on the issue, because there's pros and cons. And there's fiscal

and what we'd be looking at in terms of numbers. But again, Certainly just kind of throwing something out there like this from a committee without any data happens. So I'm not going to oppose this, but from the research that I've done over the past week it could have a significant impact on operations and responsiveness due to a reduction in officers and where they're located in their specific sectors. depending and I also know that the research shows that it could be safer as well. So we can get a balanced report without a recommendation so we can have a real exploration of this, thank you Mr. Chairman

Okay, so they approved all those as amended. All those in favor, opposed, so ordered. Next is the order of Councilor Bilotta and Rosen, request that you manage to request the Chief Development Office with housing partners and stakeholders New Homeowner and Tenant Summit to Educate Residents About Housing Programs, Benefits, and Tenants' Rights. Councilor Bilotta?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, I wanted to submit this over close to 60% of Worcester's housing units are occupied by renters. It's great to see that we're having the inaugural homeowner summit coming up on November 7th We have the Landlord's Summit, but again a significant portion of Worcester residents are renters. It would be great to provide them with some education about what their tenants' rights are. I think this order I think about Gage Street and the fire that happened at Gage street. And, and that was a house that was in property that was poor condition maybe those some of those residents could have benefited from knowing what their rights are and how to report you know unsafe conditions unsanitary conditions a lot of our again half more than half of our and many more. I think it's important to note that the number of occupied housing units are

Beneficial thing to add on maybe next year to the inaugural, or excuse me, to the homeowner summit. But it's something that's needed. Thank you.

I'd like to sign onto that Mr. Chairman

Okay, all those in favor of a postal order that's mandatory by signing on. 10E. Bilotta and Councilor Rosen. Christy, Manager of Development Policy, Standardized Mitigation and Community Benefits for New Developments. Sub-policy should create clear standards for mitigation funds are accepted to address negative impacts created by the project and Chair, ensure community benefits to ensure that the surrounding neighborhoods through improvements to public infrastructure and neighborhood amenities. Councilor Bilotta?

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I wanted to submit this because I think it's important. I know this happens, I know Mr. Dunn and his team do this in the administration does this with on case by case, but I think it would be really helpful for us to have some type of standardized policy that creates clear standards for mitigation. you know 50 unit building comes into a neighborhood what type of mitigation funds are they going to provide to offset the impact to road infrastructure, to our sewer or demand on sewer. We talked earlier today about traffic enforcement what I hear from my constituents across the district is they're concerned about traffic and the concern that all these new you know buildings coming online what's that going to do the traffic? What's that gonna do to our infrastructure so I think this could be a great way to have when developers come in whether it's Biotech, or Housing to find out what can they do?

What benefits can they bring to the neighborhood tangible benefits to residents. So I think this is important and also not just mitigation funds but what other type of community benefits would they want to do to enhance the surrounding neighborhood whether it's like arts and culture or O'Neill, and things of that nature. So neighborhood amenities but I know Councilor Fresolo has that big new development coming in on his district. Franklin Street and what that's going to do to bring traffic through that intersection with Franklin, Norfolk and Suffolk. So it's gonna cause some challenges I think this could be a great way again to say if you want to build here we wanna expand here what can we do to improve quality of life for neighbors?

Thank you.

I'd like to sign on to that, Mr. Chairman.

All those in favor? So we'll send that as amended to the manager. Those in favor of postal audit? Barton, King, request City Manager to otherwise open your funds to higher public bathroom monitoring maintenance staff similar to the bathroom programs in Miami and New York City. Can we take 10G too? Yes please. and the City. We request to manage and find identity locations throughout the city, beginning in District 2 to create permanent public bathrooms in their interest of providing necessary public health measures with Pallotta. In respect to human conditions, further while said permanent public bathroom location is identified in the bill requesting a manager determine suitable locations that store polar bodies as a temporary measure while awaiting the permit bathrooms. Councilor Pallatta? Yes. Okay.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Submitted these because I've heard a lot from the residents and business owners down in the Canal District and Shrewsbury Street areas where we have you know, unhoused folks that very unfortunately don't have anywhere to use the bathroom and so they're using streets. They're using alcoves and it's terrible for those folks that have to do that, that don't a place to use and it's also a quality of life issue for the surrounding neighborhood. And it's a public health issue, frankly. So be really important for us to try to do something to address this issue. It's been an ongoing issue in the canal district for years prior to me being elected. So I'm really trying to do something to see what can we do to install some public bathrooms, but also make sure we have monitoring and maintenance in place to make sure that it's successful other cities have done this Miami, New York City.

They've hired folks that I know in Miami they actually hired someone who was formerly unhoused and had some peer experience with the community that they were providing bathrooms to, and it was an overwhelming success. And it translated to public bathrooms for the broader community as well which is equally important. So that was the emphasis behind this, and I appreciate Councilor King for partnering on this to try and say that we're trying to do something to address the issue instead of just not doing anything. So thank you.

Thank you, Councilor

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate Councilor Bilotta and his advocacy and his initiative in this regard. It's a pleasure to work with him. City Administration and folks in their team trying to talk about problem areas as relates to this issue. With the problem areas comes some challenges you know we know that public bathrooms are a necessity. The last I recall, we had the downtown group Bidd, who is reportedly pursuing public bathrooms in the bid district right here downtown. and it doesn't appear that's ever come to fruition. At that time, we had some discussion as the person who testified today spoke about as it relates to 10 minute and so forth.

We have a lot of time frames where up to 10 minutes you can be in there, we talked about specifically, we referenced the public bathrooms Motion Detectors, et cetera and what have you. And so we know that It's not just about folks that are unsheltered. They serve seniors, folks with medical conditions, children and families throughout the city a lot of establishments may or may not allow folks to use their facilities. If you think about our parks, a lot Those facilities as well are significantly restricted, and in some instances they rely on the leagues to really open and close and what have you.

There is a basic contradiction when we're complaining about human waste, public urination, et cetera and fail to provide an adequate place for folks who use the bathroom. We need the city to identify locations for permanent and accessible public bathrooms that are properly maintained as well as temporary facilities where there's an immediate need. A number of the businesses in the Canal District, Lincoln Street. I mean, the list goes on where folks are having challenges with this sort of public urination and human waste. And in addition to that,

you know I've worked with and identified some business partners from the private sector who actually initiated contact with myself included Councilor Bilotta to identify their desire to temporarily fund porta potties in districts in need, pay for them and also pay for their upkeep. We cannot do this. as a municipality by ourself. We've already talked about budget buttoning tonight, if you look at the MMA and what they're talking about, fiscal crisis that's coming to municipalities

We know that we have challenges ahead, so certainly just want to sound the call to the private sector and some of our business folks to partner with us. and I'm looking forward to continue the work with the business folks that have come forward, to help solve this. We know that this is an issue for the unsheltered. We know it's an issue with folks of medical conditions, the seniors, our kids and our families throughout the city of Worcester Mr. Chairman. And my question is, the other issue that has come forward over the years is when there is human waste that occurs on a public space or in front of a business and there's phone calls made. There's always a question of what sort of assistance and what sort responsiveness will the city have in that regard.

Student Chair to the administration, what's your understanding of the support and responsiveness that's provided by this city Two businesses as it relates to these concerns about human waste in public areas. If it's down the plaza, ballpark, if it's wherever under a bridge, if it's in front of the business. What is our responsiveness? What's our timeliness in that regard and what should businesses and the community expect also in public spaces through the chair.

Mr. Mayor?

Through the chair to the council, we try to respond as quickly as possible whether it is being notified through the quality of life team or DPW or the parks department. to try to provide the necessary maintenance and clear out, clean this space as quickly as possible. Oftentimes it doesn't mean that we get there right away but there might be a lack of time but there is an effort to try and address that I think the challenge happens right after hours. Nighttime, after hours if things are happening in the neighborhoods where most of our municipal employees are not working 7-8pm etc um and so that then we when we're notified whether it's at that evening or what have you within the next morning try to follow up and address that uh that issue If it is on private property, then the private property owner would have to take that responsibility to clear out that space and clean the space for their prospective businesses.

Is there any room for improvement from the city side through the chair? You know, it certainly stinks that we have to deal with this. No pun intended. But is there any

Mr. Manager?

To the chair, to the council there's always room for the city to improve in any way on every operation and every way that we do our business so there's

Thank you, and we gotta do the best we can to make sure that folks with disabilities are able to access such bathrooms. We need a timeline so I commend that to include a timeline We need this stuff quickly. I understand that there will be differences of opinions as relates to this, but it's definitely a public health issue. So any attention on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank You Councillor Bergman

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I certainly understand the spirit of this. I have some concerns over the way it's worded. I do think trying to provide We heard Commissioner Dixit last week. say that they need to do further study, provide a report on whether the unhoused population is moving. Certainly dozens of encampments and when they do move, how often they move or where they move to. So I don't know unless the city manager volunteers to tell me otherwise, how we could ask a city manager to help identify locations throughout the city, to create permanent public bathrooms where we don't know. And let's be honest, predominantly this is directed for and for the benefit of which is fine the outhouse population. There will be others that will benefit from this, no question about it.

But how through the chair to city manager? Mr. Manager are you prepared right now without the input of the neighbors and business owners to identify locations throughout the city as the order is asking.

Mr. Manager?

through the council, we would have to have conversations with business owners residents in the area. In those particular areas that we were then potentially identified We know the hot spots in this city are where we oftentimes unhoused people will congregate or spend their time. But again, similar to what we did with our wool bins where we went out and surveyed the community as businesses and folks in terms of what would be the best location. I think we should go through that process. I don't think me myself should dictate where that place should be, but again it should be a public process speaking with business owners and residents so that there is coming understanding and support as knowing that this bait would potentially come to that neighborhood.

I appreciate the response. I can't imagine that there are business owners out there that have no opinion on whether or not you place port-a-potties and permanent bathrooms in front of the business, and I also can't that some of them won't welcome that. Now, that may be too bad for some of the sense that if it goes there, it goes here but they should at least have a say they should at least be part of the conversation. They shouldn't be shut out. My motion on this is to change the wording on this, to request the city manager consider a process to help identify locations throughout the city. And beginning at District 2, to consider creating permanent public bathrooms in the interest of providing necessary public health measures further while said permanent public bathroom location are being considered others in identified and so on, so forth. So essentially I'm asking that the language ordering the city managed to do these items

Be substituted for consider a process. I think that's fair to everybody. I don't think it's a good idea to pit business owners against the manager and or the council without them having a say on whether or not It's a Good Idea Or Not. I also think it is premature without Commissioner Dixon coming back and telling us where the hot spots are are and are expected to remain. I also would like to know more information about the opportunity make sure there are funds available to do this the right way. Let's be honest, port-a-potties if they're not done and cleaned on a regular basis and not done the right way, I can envision people not using them even if they have to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, quarter parties don't have a great reputation. Thank you Mr. Chairman

Thank you.

Councilor Rosen? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm glad to have this discussion again with the City Council about the need for bathrooms throughout the city and especially downtown Worcester I'm just gonna read two orders I filed. One was almost six years ago, because the shortage of public restrooms for the homeless, this was the homeless we were talking about that especially during the pandemic is a threat to public health the City Manager Bee and is hereby requested to recommend steps that need to be taken to provide mobile, portable or in-building toilets we forget in building is better even, and hand washing facilities. That was January 2021 almost six years ago. This one was only in June of this year. This is three months old

I think it was voted on by us, 11 to nothing. The city manager B and has hereby requested to survey the downtown Worcester Business Improvement District bid to determine whether there are sufficient number of public restroom and hand washing facilities for residents, workers, visitors or homeless individuals in the downtown area. which is becoming a vibrant hub for art, culture, business eateries services and community events. Further, the City Manager Beein has hereby requested to provide city council with an updated report concerning my previous city council orders filed relative to public restrooms. So I know the manager is working diligently on that report and I hope that he'll come back with it as soon as possible. He's got only 2,000 others we've requested maybe even more But if we'll make this a priority, come back with that report. Something has to be done.

I understand Councilor Bergman's concerns about the porta potties. You know, I wasn't looking for that either but there are bathroom facilities out there that really are helpful to people who were downtown. I'm thinking downtown right now. That's the area we really have to look at, I think first but there are facilities, portable facilities and so on that work. Maybe you have to have an attendant there. That certainly works out better. But there are little stores too, tiny little stores I see on Main Street that usually aren't rented and if we could do something with those, maybe as bathroom facilities. I think I said it before once that I'm probably the only one on this council who remembers where the bathrooms used to be for City Hall and they were outside where I guess the skating arena is they were downstairs. This is back in the 50s, you had to go downstairs and they were there men's room and women's room. And they were very popular. They were being used all the time.

So we do have an issue out there in the community and if you don't believe it's an issue, we could do an experiment. We could lock all the bathrooms every Tuesday night in Worcester City Hall Lock them all. Now we're in the same situation as some of many of our residents, there's no place to go indoors. I don't wanna do that, but I'm just saying this is a problem. It's been brought up by different councils over the years. We can solve this. It not gonna cost us millions and millions of dollars but it isn't a sin to have to go to the bathroom. So, it's something we should be addressing. We should address as a group and I hope that report does come back in a reasonable amount of time so we can really make some progress on this finally. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank You, Councilor Economou

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a few comments too. I would agree with Councilor Bergman on this and a couple other comments I would just add to the conversation as well So if we do go with a port-a-party somewhere and it gets knocked over on a Friday night or on a Saturday, what's the game plan? I'd like to know what that action would be. As we talk about the unhoused, how about all the people who use our parks throughout the city? Whether it's families, individuals who use out parks. They're always... I got somebody who's always asking me for a potter party down at Duffy Field, for their families when they're down there. So it's a broader discussion. I would agree with the city manager. I think it should be a discussion that is had not just in the neighborhoods, but with the business community as well. And I think action should be taken accordingly from there if we can afford to do it.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Councilor Bulana?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to say I agree with what everyone is saying. Again this is trying to respond to a community need in a challenge so thank you.

Thank you Council Bilotta and Council King

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I certainly look forward to some movement in this, no pun intended. That being said, Mr Chairman, Just have to respond to some of the comments. When we're talking about honestly, this is for everybody. As my colleague just stated, we have issues in our parks as I mentioned. for our youth, for our families that are using it. Yes the unsheltered absolutely. It's a broader issue under no circumstances, and I'll make this clear for the public or any media that's watching, any podcasters, whoever it is. Zero intention to move forward on this without community or business input. We've actually already had community and business input with myself, Councilor Bilotta.

And yes that needs to continue to be teased out. To not do so would be unproductive and be unfair. So let me just correct the record there's nothing in here that indicates that should be occur. So as I say that, I do not accept the friendly amendment but what I will do is amend this matter myself and add to the matter that this process will include Community and Business Interfacing, and Feedback. But again my conversations over the years goes back to 2021 when we were talking about this 2019 when I was talking about this and here we are. We need to move on this, we need to have some movement and I'm looking forward to exactly that, but to present this as some sort of rushed inconsiderate Act towards businesses.

And yes, in fact there are businesses who are open to this. There's businesses that are willing to support it. All the questions are legitimate that have been brought forward from everyone, including what happens if it's tipped over. What happens if all of those things have to be addressed prior to any implementation? I would also like an additional, I think there's a report already requested from the bid but when we had that those that potentiality, the bid actually I think they did a report or an analysis that was provided to the council. I would ask by way of motion that it comes back also in addition to the feasibility that was requested by my colleague. I look forward to the vote, Mr. Chairman. My amendment will address

the concerns that were brought forward regarding actually the unfounded and unnecessary assertions that we don't involve community or businesses. That's exactly what we do as part of the process. I don't have a problem outlining that and I look forward to that, and again this work has already begun in that district and it's already begun with the city, businesses and community. Mr. Chairman I look forward to moving that forward thank you.

Councilman Bergen for a second time?

I just want to say my motion stands on its own and just point out two things why I believe it's distinct and different from King. First of all, while this motion has to manage to help identify locations doesn't mention with participation from business community one can argue it doesn't say not either

It's amended. Go ahead, he's talking.

Second of all it says for the while said permanent public bathroom location identified and Bill request city manager to determine suitable locations. And then top it all off, and if I misheard something, I apologize but I'm pretty confident Councilor King asked the City Manager a few moments about how quickly this could get done so it doesn't sound to me There's a lot of opportunity to engage the public, particularly business owners and the residents of where these locations might wind up being. King, all I'm asking for is the city manager to consider the process in doing so. I don't think what Councilor King's friendly amendment or modification of his own order does addresses those concerns. And quite frankly, I go to every Shrewsbury Street Business Neighborhood Association meeting I can go to and I've gone to several in a row now

The conversations I have, at least in private with many of the business owners are totally inconsistent with what this order is asking. Now maybe They say other things to other Councilors.

We're not looking at Shrewsbury Street, Mr. Chairman. That's a mischaracterization. You're out of order.

Go ahead and finish, go on.

We are not looking Shrewsuvery Street.

I could say, Mr. Mayor that District 2 which is mentioned here does include Shrewsbury Street but- We're not talking about Mr. Shrewbury Street, Mr Chairman. Usually this happens in the audience so I'm gonna finish my time thank you Mr. Chairman

Okay, so we have I don't know to me. Maybe I'm tired but the amendments are almost the same I thought but it is process that will include the business and community use of process correct Council Bergman They're all considered. It's always considered.

Um, it's your call Mr. Chair. I'm asking you to take them separate. Mr. Chairman can we move the question?

Okay so we are going to take this as amended by Councilor King, then we're going to take Councilor Bergman's motion separately. Okay. Councilor has amended. Roll call.

Councilor Bergman? No. Councilor Bilotta?

Yes.

Councilors Economou? No, Councilor Fresolo? No Councilor King? Yes Councilor Mitra? No councilor Ojeda?

Yes

Rivera? No. Councilor Rosen? Yes. Council Toomey? No Mayor Petty? Yes Mr. Mayor that is five to six, that motion fails

Okay, so this next will be as amended by Councilor. Can you read that please? So Councilor Bergman request the manager help identify locations for request City Manager consider identifying locations throughout the city beginning in District 2 to create a I guess a process to create permanent public bathrooms. Mr. Chairman, I would object that's the same order Did I get that right?

No. Good try, though. It is late and I give you A for effort. It was request the city manager consider a process to help identify locations throughout the city, and beginning of District 2 to create permanent public bathrooms in the interest of providing necessary public health measures with respect to human condition. Further- Can we talk? Same thing.

Go ahead. I didn't hear that, but go ahead.

Oh, I heard it. Further, the city managers should consider a process for permanent public bathroom locations to be built to determine suitable locations to install port-a-potties as a temporary measure. As I said a few moments ago, basically everywhere where there's requests for city manager do something, I'm asking that the manager be asked to consider a process, not to do it yet but to consider the process or a process on how to do. That's what I'm ask which again It's not the same thing.

Mr. Chairman, a point of order to the chair. I just have requested a ruling. That is the exact same thing as my motion, just different words. Can we vote yours down? I'm saying you can't he can't file the same thing for another 90 days, whatever it is. He's filing this exact same thing.

This is important so let's stop it.

Let's get this thing done. I think everybody agrees with me. it's a personality issue here that's going on. This is the same order, what are we doing here?

What are we doin' here? He's asking to consider. It's the same thing. So roll call. Mr. Chairman I'm gonna hold this.

We're gonna continue to work regardless. We're going to hold it, and you know what? This is nothing more than a personality issue. It's the exact same order. This is absolutely absurd. I'ma hold it. Ridiculous. It is.

Absolutely ridiculous. Okay, Tanay. Next on is what? Yes, we need a vote on the hold it. So we need four votes to hold. Roll call.

That's Bergman? No. That's Bilotta? Point of order, four orders to hold what? 10G.

You want a whole 10G right?

Yep. Councilor Bilotta say yes, Councilor Economou? No. Council Zolo?

Yes.

Councilor King? Yes. Councilor Mitra?

No.

Councilo Ojeda? Yes Councilor Rivera? No Councilor Rosen? No, Councilor Toomey? No Mayor Petty? No So Mr. Mayor it is held 10G Are those four votes? Four votes. Oh, who's the four? I'm sorry. Councilor Frizzell voted yes. Okay. So that's Councilor Bilotta, Fresolo, King and Ojeda.

Okay, next item up. When Custody Manager requests Commissioner of Public Works to fill potholes on Oriental Street as soon as possible.

As it reads, Mr. Chairman.

Mr.

Chair, can we amend that to say consider? What are we doing here?

Clouch. Request City Manager, request Commissioner of Public Works stop. Can we just respect one another and move out the comments? request City Manager, request Commissioner of Public Works review and repair the pavement around manhole covers on Bay Street Road at the intersection of Bellingham Road which has sunk below the surrounding street area causing a loud noise with speeding cars driving over the area. Comfort, Economou.

Thank you Mr. Chairman in this case here it's probably about an inch difference from the top of the manhole to the street level and unfortunately, I sat there with the neighbor who abuts it just listening to the cars as they come down Bay State Road. And it does make a lot of sound. I know it doesn't sound like much but it does make a difference so if there's anything that DPW can do to mitigate that, it would be greatly appreciated

all those in favor of proposal order, we have to go back to 10F. I think we're also on this one city manager utilize opioids funds to public bathrooms monitoring main staff similar to the public bathroom program Miami New York City. Everybody else with that? All those in favor, opposed so ordered. O'Connor, Councilor Economou, request to Manager, request Commissioner of Public Works conduct immediate emergency repairs and sidewalk slab at 2 Winterville Road in the interest of public safety.

Thank you Mr. Chairman here on Intervale Road there are three panels the middle panel is I guess wobbly is probably the best word to use it just if Wobbles. So it's just the other two panels on either end of it are at different angles, and it's a safety hazard there. It's on the way to Midland Street School If there's anything that DPW can do to address that, it'd be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Roll call. Councillor Bergman? Yes. Councillor Bilotta?

Yes Councillor Economou? On this item, sir? Yes.

On Fresolo? Yes On King? Yes on Mitra? Yes Ojeda? Yes Rivera? Yes Rosen? Yes Toomey? Yes Mayor Petty

Yes. Request City Manager, request Commissioner of Transportation Mobility by Council to report recommendations concerning the areas surrounding Columbus Park Preparatory School Rivera, Ocadia 75 Lovell Street. Said the recommendation should include but not limited to ensuring safe passage for students crossing May Street and Lovell street. Councilor Rivera? As it reads. Roll call.

Councillor Bergman? Yes. Yes. Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey and Petty

Yes, request the manager to request police chief provide increase enforcement of traffic regulations in the vicinity of Worcester State University located at 486 Chandler Street. and Maystreet Elementary School, located at 265 May Street to ensure children crossing guards in the area are protected from drivers. Councilor Toomey has recused herself. 10 N?

As it reads.

Roll call. 10 A?

M.

Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, and Mayor Petty.

Next item up, requesting a man to determine whether the city or school department is responsible for molding and clearing an extremely overgrown plot of land adjacent to the left of the new Doherty High. Rosen, School Building located at 299 Highland Street approximately across from Jermaine Street. Councilor Rosen?

Mr. Chairman, as we all know Doherty High, the new Dohery High looks great. Beautiful new stone wall right down the front of Doherry High. The whole area there, grass in front that whole stretch and then you get to this one point, to the left of Doherty High opposite your Main Street. There's a driveway into the back of Doerty High and right next to it is a plot of land that's all overgrown. And when I used to hold my sign during last year's campaign at Market 32 Price Chopper, several people from Germain Street kept coming up to me and say can you help us get that mowed? and I didn't know whose land it was. And the school department had trouble figuring out who it was, I even went to the group that works in the summer at Elm Park and they seemed to come up to Doherty High and do work there so Finally, I don't know who I finally talked to but someone did cut it and if you go by now it's about five feet tall the grass. It looks awful.

as I said, the rest of Doherty High looks terrific. So we have to determine which department, the city department or the school department owns this land and it has to be mowed soon and it should be maintained because it looks terrible, it looks awful. And it's right next to certainly a beautiful looking school in Grounds. Thank you Mr. Jim.

Thank You. Roll call.

Burgman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty.

Yes, we have 10-0 through you.

Mr. Chairman if we can take 10 O P and R together?

OP and R? request the manager provide counsel with their report concerning efforts made by the city to establish a homeless strategic plan which would include the creation of congregate and non-congregate shelter spaces in the city for unsheltered individuals including women, families, trans, queer and senior residents. That plan should also include implementation timelines online funding opportunities to discuss available resources and identify potential barriers to implementation as referenced in the previously adopted orders of November 14th, 2023 and April 8th 2025. And P with an update concerning the previously adopted order on November 19th, 2024 which read request the city manager provide City Council's report detailing the timeline efforts made to secure a day center and general public facilities for this city's homeless population.

and request a manager by council with an update concerning the previously adopted order on February 2025, which reads request the manager enhance and develop the policy of Department Health and Human Services in its outreach team with respect to terms or engagement intersection of when the state conducts homeless encampment sweeps. Further request, Manager Delaney, how municipal workers engage in state and private sector outreach workers in said regard?

Thank you Mr. Chairman, we'd like to get something back forthwith from the city manager on these are previously adopted orders that were looking for updates on Mr. chairman only thing I want to say in addition to that is that we have had situations over in District 3 at the Overpass heading near Walmart there. I'm going towards the 7-11 where there was engagement with state and private sector folks, and just kind of understand the policy and the practice on that Mr. Chairman and 10P, some of that information was answered at our last council meeting regarding the shifting in timelines of the day resource center. We'd like that codified and brought back to the Council for further discussion. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Okay, take those three items. Roll call.

Councilor Bergman? and Mayor Petty.

Can we take 10 Q&S, Mr. Chairman? Interesting time. Yes.

Request city manager to provide City Council with an update concerning the previously adopted order on November 26th, 24 which read request the city manager reach out to members of Congress including the government to advocate for federal support provides city's homeless population. And request a manager by council with an update concerning previous audit on March 18th, 25 which read Red. Request City Manager consider identifying via earmark findings for additional service to the city's homeless population.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be brief on these as we know We've been talking about budget. We've talked about this particular population, there's only so much the city can do. One of the things that I'm going to repeat to the city manager is what I've said in the past as relates to the capacity of Health and Human Services, the number of clinicians and outreach workers that we have. So while the number I believe of homeless has perhaps declined. The number of the folks overall, the number of folks who are chronically unsheltered and visibly unshelter has increased. And with that increase we have not seen a comparable increase and staffing, and HHS. So this is another call to the city manager in addition to these orders to do that without increasing the tax levy by way of a reorganization and so forth.

I'm going to reiterate that as a way of an order, just the We know that we can't, we need money. Let's be frank as it comes to the unsheltered crisis, the homeless crisis, gaps, the financial challenges of a population. who are situationally and chronically unsheltered, Mr. Chairman. As we move forward, we have to do all we can I'm going to ask again that we get some report back on the ongoing efforts with Congressman McGovern to advocate for additional federal support. I know that when we're talking about the manager's homeless steering committee or the unshifted steering committee, or the housing steering committee whatever the correct name is.

That there are concerns about losing federal funding due to this current administration in Washington, DC. But we'd like to see if there's something that can be done when you talk about our central mass delegation We know, as I mentioned previously that Boston got $4.1 million to fight their unsheltered situations and this order stood from some time ago March of 2025 asking the city manager to consider Consider, consider identifying earmarks for additional services and funding for cities homeless population. and that needs to be re-explored. I've already been in communication with leadership, Representative O'Day and others in this regard. I know that I've communicated with Councilor Bilotta about this, there are meetings set up.

He's also been integral in that process. I know Senator Kennedy's at the ready. And so this is important when you talk about gateway cities being a hub for services, being a help for shelters and the deficits that we're facing in so many areas. The folks who are seeing our symptoms of a failed system, Mr. Chairman. So would like some movement and some transparency on this and I look forward to continuing to participate in that process, thank you. Thank you. Councilor Bilotta?

No. We took his hand down.

Yeah, no thank you, sorry.

Okay. Okay, and I've had discussions with the Governor too. And the Governor's on top of this too so all hands on deck. And I know Mr. Manager you have and we will roll call.

Bergman, Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo, King, Mitra, Ojeda, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Mayor Perry.

Yes, request to see a manager who requests the Commissioner of Health and Human Services. Provide counsel's report within 45 days dealing with implementation of municipal ID programs should be information pertaining to vendor options and cost data, security and privacy features eligibility and verification pathways integration private social service non-profit models in the library city services outreach programs and proposed launch timeline with key milestones. King.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This was 10T, right? 10T. OK. Mr. chairman, the establishment of a municipal ID program will create an opportunity for accessible Worcester municipal IDs that can help Residents can help folks that are here access important documentation. The lack of identification sometimes occurs when folks are in shelters, when folks in unusual situations. Some of our youth that are navigating their way through life. This would be available to all city residents, and this is actually a request for an update because we've already had this actual item unanimously supported.

We'd like to get an update, we know that these ideas are especially important to vulnerable populations. I did a second round of presentations with the city manager along with some community folks to have further discussion. And in our discussion with the city managers, three or four different models that occurred. Boston did a pilot program of this right around COVID in addition to that there's other municipalities that do it and the different models some are municipally solely, solely municipal. Some are municipal and private sector nonprofit ventures There's some that involve libraries, et cetera. And what those do it again eliminates barriers and makes folks more comfortable as well. It requires community engagement of course

There's research out there that says 8% of seniors don't have picture IDs in many cities due to some challenges. Again, our youth. immigrants, and folks that are unsheltered. Some of our formerly incarcerated as well when they come out have these challenges I met with some folks over by the rotary under the bridge over there who are struggling to access. Now, it requires at times a dance with State on some of this, but we really just like a feasibility study back as soon as we can. It can help folks navigate processes and you know they can be used in different ways. In some cities, they're not just used as a form of identification. They could be used as membership to cultural institutions Library Cards, etc.

You know it's important that we do what we can when instance when they're run by community organizations for example it's effective, private vendors government run and you know what's done in New Haven for example a city that similar there's also mixed models et cetera. So eligibility requirements, accessibility all those things matter and of course cost so we'd like to really do some research into this outside of what I've done and eliminate barriers to essential services, employment, and financial stability. Mr. Chairman so would like to get a follow-up from our discussions over the last few weeks, couple of weeks two or three weeks and as well as to pass order.

Thank you Mr. Chairman

Thank you, roll call.

Excuse me?

I'm sorry, Councilor Rivera followed by Councilor Toomey.

Just for clarification purposes, I understand this is a report and stuff like that so we're not voting anything today but How would it work, let's say we're working with helping some of the unhoused population getting an ID. How would it work getting them an ID if they don't have birth certificate or social security card? I mean, just get my library card. Is that what we're talking about here? Just trying to get a... I mean, we're not getting licensed at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or nothing. What's the report? When are we getting here? What are we doing?

Mr. Manager?

King. Yeah, I'll accept that as a friendly amendment.

Okay, so we get an amendment, okay. Councilor Toomey?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I filed a similar order which was approved voted on Actually last September, actually I think it would be a day. Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary and I'm pretty confident that the manager had started working on some of that. So, I want to make sure that's also included. Thank you.

Yes, Mayor Petty.

Yes, request the manager to request the commissioner of health and human service ensure all materials from the homeless steering committee are published monthly through public archive on those city's websites. And material should include agendas, attendance, meeting notes and who should describe how input from providers and residents are incorporated into the information. For request to see manager, request Commissioner of Health and Human Services provide counsel with an annual report relative said Homeless Steering Committee detailing the committee's goals of Progress Metrics.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Basically as it reads, only thing I'll add to that is I encourage and the administration to fill the homeless commission forthwith with the nine members that it occurs, that's an executive level and that means they create policy They create policy, et cetera. And I encourage the administration to fill that as soon as possible. I've spoken to folks in the community over the last few days and what I'm hearing is many of them have gone through the process and they're waiting to hear back. So I'm asking the city managers to certainly work with his team to accomplish that, thank you Mr. Chairman.

Okay, roll call. Councilor Bergman? Yes! Councilor Bilotta? Yes. Councilors Economou? Yes, Councilor Zolo? Yes Councilor King? Yes Yes Councilors Mitra? Yes yes Councilor Ojeda? yes Councilors Rivera? Yes councilor Rosen? yes councilor Toomey? Mayor Petty. Yes.

Motion to adjourn, roll call.

Councilor Bergman? Yes! Councilor Bilotta? Yes. Councilors Economou, Fresolo? Yes, Councilor King? Petty. Yes. Councilor Mitra? Yes.