City Council - Regular Meeting

Uh good evening everyone. Welcome to the West City Council meeting and uh we're going to start with the pledge of allegiance and the star spangle banners. If you can stand, please stand. Thank you.

I pledge allegiance to Oh, say you see by the dawn. What so proudly we held at the twilight lasting who brought stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight or the we were so gallently streaming and The rock is red. The bombs were singing in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangled yet for the land of the free and the home of the brave. Uh, roll call.

Councelor Bergman here. Councelor Bada here. Councelor Cona here. Councelor Vo here. Councelor King. Councelor Mitra here. Council here. Councelor Rivera here. Councelor Rosen here. Council Tumi here. Mayor Petty here. Okay. Motion to approve the minutes. All those in favor. Post. So ordered. Public participation. A person may speak for the more than two minutes on any item appearing on the agenda. Mr. Clark.

Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mayor. At every meeting of the city council under 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 on the agenda for meeting both in person and remotely. Any person who wish to speak on more than one agenda item shall combine their testimony on all items to one appearance at the microphone. Time for speaking shall exceed two minutes or uh for one speaker or 30 minutes for all speakers. Petitions. On the first occasion that a petition appears to the city council agenda, the prime petitioner may address the city council for no more than three minutes on the subject of their petition.

Okay. Is your names your residence and item number?

Uh, Fred Nathan Worester. Number um 8A. No, I'm sorry. Uh 10A. I thought we already had an ordinance dealing with property owners clearing out fire hydrants. I could have sworn we already had one. Uh um 10 D. Uh any issues dealing with the 311 service? I mean if there are issues, the city needs to correct them. Um 11. No. Yes, that's right. 11A. This is uh city council here. I support March um 2026, the women's history month. This is a no-brainer. Do do it. Um 12A. I know you guys will be going into executive session afterwards, but um if we if the city according to this can can get off the hook for 25 million instead of 35 million. Well, you're going to have to do it because the longer you put this off, the more the bill is going to keep on growing in keep and it's been growing for what? 15 years. Started out what? $12 million. We're talking $35 million. At some point, the city has to do the job. Uh the city seems to have a history of having fines and uh different things that cost them money dating back some 40 years ago when City Hospital had to pay back 26 million. Oh, actually the city of Worcester paid back 26 million for

city hospital double billing. Do the job. Whatever you need to do, vote it and do it. Thank you.

Abby Mortillero, your pronouns. Worcester resident, District 4. I'll start with speaking on item 11 A, Women's History Month. March being Women's History Month should be recognized by the city of Worcester. And you know I really do feel like it is you know important for you know the city of Worester to recognize you know march as women's sister month you know for women and for you because there are many great women throughout history that you know should be recognized on you know women's history on the march and I It is important for you know the city of Worcester to recognize women's history month. All right. So next item let's see uh yeah so 16 A and C as are both relating to housing. you know, I think it's important to have housing stability and rent control. You know, I I I think that's, you know, really really really really really important for a city. And 16 D and F accountability is also important. You know, police accountability, you know, systemic racism is, you know, there needs to be, you know, some accountability there. And I I keep saying it every week, you know, accountability, you know, accountability. We need to have accountability. Yeah, that that's all I have to say about that. That we need

accountability. Okay. Thank you. Does your name say your residence?

My name is Janice Stamand. I'm at Vill Avenue in Worcester. Um, I want to thank Satra Mitra for um beginning this process for me um to change Vill Avenue from uh private to public road. Um I did meet with you before um and I also um met with the planning board recently um and we made some amendments to um include um portion of Darling Street and Loren's um to convert Villy A into a public road. And I can only reinstate that the major issue with doing so is that there um is a tree planted on Villy Avenue that was done prior to us moving to that street in ' 92. Um and that was because it was private. I guess you could do whatever you wanted. Um but it it makes it impossible for any emergency vehicles if their GPS brings them to the wrong side of Elie Avenue to access which that's minutes lost in an emergency. I've seen it happen um within a year and a half for a little guy who was under two years old. Um so it's very important that that occurs and I'm so glad to be here once again that it got to this point and um Nico I want to thank you too because you helped me understand the process as well. Um so I I appreciate you as well. So that's all. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Good evening. Deborah Hall, District 5. Happy St. Patrick's Day and happy Women's History Month. I rise today in recognition of Women's History Month. A time to honor the contributions, achievements, and resilience of women in our city and across our nation. Women have shaped Wister in every field, education, healthc care, business, public service, and community advocacy. Their leadership and dedication strengthen our neighborhoods and inspire future generations. This spring, we look forward to the Wister Wall of Women, an important mule initiative led by YW.CA Central Massachusetts. This project will highlight 40 women from Central Massachusetts who have made a lasting impact on our community. True change makers whose stories deserve to be seen and celebrated. For too long, women's contributions have been underrepresented in our public spaces. Worister currently has only one monument honoring a woman. It is time for that to change and this initiative is a meaningful step in that process. Women make up roughly half of Whistler's population. Yet today, only one woman serves on this city council. Thank you, Councelor Tumi. That disparity is not acceptable. Representation matters and our leadership should reflect the community we serve. As we recognize Women's History Month, let us commit to uplifting women's voices, expanding opportunity, and ensuring women are fully represented in leadership across our city. Thank you.

Thank you.

Did your name? I didn't know. Gary Hunter, District 5. I do have a few things I'd like to talk items I'd like to talk about, but I'd like to bring something up. uh the city council in the last session, you know, there was you could see a divide. It there was divided and it was from this side to this side. Stick with the items on the agenda, please.

Well, it's it's very important because it's what I'm talking about is accountability of the city council. There was a bunch of u people on the city council used to call the people that spoke up and for their residents troublemakers. Now look at this last week's meeting. Mr. Rosen spoke up. It was great. Is he a troublemaker? Is Mr. King still a troublemaker? We need to get together over here and get some stuff done. I'd like you can see there's less people probably talking this week. Last week, Mr. Bergman says, "I don't listen to the people in the room. I only listen to 200,000 people."

No, I know that. Yeah, I know. It's a stick to the items on He's right. Stick to the items on the agenda. You're not going to be calling counselors out. It's not a lie. You told I don't listen to them. I listen. Direct your comments to the chair. I was here.

You have some items you want to speak on the agenda. We get your message. Go ahead. You have some items on the agenda. I'm talking about the 20 $35 million that or the $25 million that are trying to be appropriated and you want to go into executive session. That's what's leading up. This has already been decided by the court. I think what you got to do is have accountability and you need to talk in front and not in secret. You need to get up, be accessible to the people and be responsible to the people. So, I think you should do most of that in open session. Okay. Thank you. The next speaker.

Uh, good evening. Uh, Keith Lenire's one Germaine Street. Uh, I'm here to oppose 13A, the variance for three suburban road. Uh, this parcel is a unique environmental hazard, a Pete meadow and former landfill in a high-risk flood zone. Pete acts as a giant sponge. Once you dig it up, the flood risk to this neighborhood increases exponentially. Neighbors, myself included, already face flooding during heavy rain and snow melts. Nearby homes are literally sinking into the ground. Furthermore, unearthing a former landfill threatens the health of families like mine who will breathe in whatever contaminants are buried there once the construction starts. We, the neighbors, are being asked to take on a massive amount of personal and environmental risk. And we get nothing back for this. Expanding this RG5 spot zoning creates no public benefit. Once this change is made, there's no going back. The developer can build to a maximum density that isn't even reflected in their current repo proposal. And I want to be clear, I am not opposed to density when it's done right. I want a city where my family can walk to amenities instead of relying on cars and Amazon deliveries for the basic necessities of life. But this project is the opposite of good density. When I asked the planning board, does this follow now next? What benefits does this bring to us? They basically shrugged their soldiers shoulders and said, "It kind of follows now next. It kind of doesn't." Um, instead of having good well thoughtout growth, we're just stuffing units in wherever they fit in order to chase an arbitrary goal without the infrastructure to support it. This leaves residents like the neighbors who are here with an impression that Worcester has no real plan, just a housing at all costs mentality that ignores ecological reality and good urban planning and neighborhood building. I know this is going to move to subcommittee and I along with many of my neighbors look forward to continuing this fight. Uh we're going to keep

showing up and I ask you please don't trade our neighborhood's future and the potential that our city has for this short-sighted vision. Thank you.

Thank you. Katie Silverstein, Worcester. Um, I'm here to speak to item 13A. Um, I know this is just going to move to the economic development subcommittee, but I wanted to express my and my neighbors who can't be here tonight's concern that this is a zoning map amendment to increase the size of a spot zone without any clearly stated public benefit. Um, in fact, instead of offering any kind of public benefit, it seems to come with it more something along the lines of a public health risk, given the fact that there is evidence to demonstrate that this land is a former historic landfill sitting on top of a pete bog with areas of unknown depths and a high water table. Disruption of this land and displacement of that water risks flooding nearby areas of lower elevation with potentially contaminated groundwater. So that's neighborhoods around Elm Park all the way to Newton Square and anywhere that follows the trajectory of Beaverbrook as it flows southward. This is clearly a complicated issue that takes more than two minutes to talk about. So, we are looking forward to um having this item heard at the economic development subcommittee and having a further discussion there. Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you.

Good evening. Um my name is Paula Rosenlum and I live on Havlin Street in Worcester. I'm here tonight in opposition of item number 13A, a request that the city of Worcester zoning ordinance be amended by changing the zoning designation of the portions of three suburban road that are currently within the RS7 zoning district to the RG5 zoning district and changing the zoning designation of one suburban road from its current zoning designation of RS7 to RG5. As the petitioner has not demonstrated the public benefit of the requested zone changes, I request that the city council refer this item to the economic development committee. Thank you.

Thank you. Hi, I'm Sarah Sincer. I live at Havlin Street and I'm here to discuss 13A and in support of my neighbors as well that this is not sound thinking. And for every person that's here tonight, there are many of us that can't be, please um help us address this problem correctly. Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening. Al Trachamus, 18 Germaine Street, District 1. I'm here regarding item 13A. There are a lot of questions we have. There are a lot of comments we have. That is why we're looking forward to this being uh submitted to the subcommittee. Thank you. Thank you.

Hi, I'm Amy Trachamus, also on Germaine Street. Um I'm also an opposed of 13A. Um looking at our neighborhood, there's um single residential housing. I'm now at the age, do I carry on a house here in Worcester and continue to pay taxes here in Worcester and nominate some of these lovely people here in Worcester if I don't feel that I live in a safe area? Um, environmental testing hasn't been done yet and it's already big proposal plans and another, you know, more housing here in Worcester and luxury condos. That's not what we want. Um, that's not what I want. So, if that's what it's going to turn into and there's going to be health risks, then I'm not providing a family to this city and I don't feel that people would want to stay. Thank you very much.

Thank you. She names your residence. Item number

Idella Hazard, City of Worcester. I'd like to wish you all a happy St. Patrick's Day. I see everybody wearing green. Very nice. most of you. Um, I'd like to speak on 11A. I think it's wonderful the city is recognizing women considering the last census showed that 50% of Worester's population is was uh female. And I noticed that the wall down there crossing Franklin Street from Green on Southbridge, I think it's Southidge Street, is going to be a wall a wall of women. Um, I think that's great, too. But I think that women should be respected as well. Not just honored, but respected. Um, and I'd also like to say that we the public when we speak should be respected. And I think that um it was raised at another meeting that when we speak um does that go into reports or not? And also I would like to say that when counselors speak it goes on public record. So whether or not they say something and somebody quotes them or not

um from public record. Thank you. That's a fact. I still have 29 seconds. Speak items on the agenda, please. Okay. But um that came up so I was able to speak on it. Okay. That's the rule. Um, and I I think during women's month, we should be honoring particular women at the city council meetings to show that we're serious. Thank you.

Steve Art, District 1, here to speak about 12A and 12B. Uh, I guess it's encouraging to see some action on this, some movement. Um, I come before you folks with a request. U, I consider myself a somewhat informed citizen. And regarding this $35 million sum, I don't know exactly how it happened. I don't know if it's a succession of executive decisions to roll the dice, if it was in committee, if it was in this bo body, but at some point a certain individual has been rolling the dice with the city's money and that has come due. Uh I think the city is owed a detailed explanation of this chronology and how it happened. because otherwise we haven't gotten to the heart of the matter. How does this happen? Is it because of malfeasants in aptitude? Is it because of the committee and council nature of our government? $35 million. It's a lot of money. And uh again, I I I request that perhaps one of the city councilors can request a report for uh consumption review by the citizens to understand this more clearly because decisions have been made now and this is going forward. I appreciate any effort done along those lines. Thanks.

Thank you. Good evening talking on 16c I want to stand with tenants uh and in protecting their rights especially as it as it relates to the unrelated tenants rule uh for in single family apartments. So, at first glance, this rule may seem reasonable, but for many working-class residents, single mothers, immigrants, students, and young workers, it quietly closes the door to one of a few affordable housing options that they have. The reality is simple. Housing costs in Worester are rising faster than wages for many families. A two-bedroom or three-bedroom apartment that once supported working people now cost far more than many residents can pay alone. So people do people do what families and communities have always done. They share housing to survive. For for poorer residents, sharing an apartment is not a luxury. It is a survival strategy. This rule assumes that if four unrelated people can live together, a fifth somehow becomes a problem. But poverty does not follow zoning laws. When rent is too high, people will double up with friends, cousins, co-workers, members of their church community just to keep a roof over their heads. And we must remember something important. Many of these residents are the very people who keep our city running. They work in hospitals, restaurants, warehouses, construction sites, and service jobs. They are contributing to the economy of Worster every day. But when we restrict how people can share housing, we are effectively telling the poorest residents in our city that they must either pay more than they can afford or live. This is not housing stability. This is displacement. Cities across the country are recognizing that overly strict occupancy rules often punish the people who are struggling the most. If we are serious about affordability, then we must recognize that shared housing is one of the oldest and most effective

forms of affordable living. This issue is not about overcrowding or safety. Those issues can be addressed through building and safety codes. This issue is about whether we allow working people the flexibility to survive. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. We Mr. Cor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We got three online callers. First name is David Webb. Meet the resident now. Please state your name and city of residence. Absolutely. Yes. Uh, you're breaking up.

Okay, I will speak slowly. Was David Webb on from the city of Olympia regarding 16 and 16F so-called safety committee on investigating systemic racism and the mass discrepancy between the GOJ and fields of the city. Despite the social media campaigns were launched in response to the equity audit starring officers Casey and Angela Lon batch of fruits appeared entirely or nearly entirely white men. Okay confirmed everyone that was bad for people with mental health. They escalate situations that establish authority. You simply need to start taking responsibility for itself. It's unacceptable and concerning that you won't fix any of the problems until sc over it. It's important that a single staff so I think people actually care about it for resist the transaction 2024 the soldier was still alliance about trying to move one of the best bench midsize cities in the country how's that going Eric despite that he continued hearing from problem having moss about Joel Santana and nothing about the little brother dragged out of the mighty color to this office realizing he didn't actually have all the work it wasn't in the first place and the responsibility provided by WD officers placing the city liability instead of the license as he was allowed to he did nothing this is because administration supports colonizations colonization and stops protected property 10 seconds for the first amendment does not create to act instead. It's just to everyone they silently discourse public council

petitions and now social media too. Thank you. The next speaker thank you Mr. Mayor. The next speaker is Mimi Stevens. She'll meet the resident now. Can you please say your name and city residence?

Uh, this is Mimi Stevens. I'm at 46 Midland Street. I'd like to comment on 13A. I'm very opposed to the proposed zoning change, primarily for environmental reasons, and you've already heard about that from other speakers, so I won't belabor the point. Um, I'm also having some con safety concerns um about this proposed zoning change. Uh, as many of you know, Highland Street is uh, especially around Doherty High School is already quite difficult to navigate, and adding more cars uh, would pose serious traffic and safety issues. It's my understanding that the developer could still build up to 20 houses uh, without this zoning change. And so, this would allow Worcester to add to its housing stock without a serious negative impact on the environment, uh, the safety or the quality of life. I'm very happy to see that this item will be moved to the economic development committee and I hope that they will give serious consideration to this issue. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thanks speaker. Thank you Mr. Mayor. The last speaker is Natalie Gibson. I'm going to try to mute the resident now. Hi. Good evening. Uh Natalie Gibson, Worester, Mass. Can you hear me? Yes.

Yes. I'll be speaking on 10 A, 10 D, 10 G, 10K, 12 A, 14A. Uh 10 A. I'm just wondering uh in since people will be required to shovel out the hydrant, I'm wondering if there could be a decrease in their property taxes uh for shoveling out the the hydrant for the entire neighborhood which is obviously needed or if not uh lower their taxes something else. Uh 10D uh when it comes to potholes I continue to ask this question. Why do some of the workers not fill adjacent holes when they get the work orders? And what is the method that they use to fill these holes? And why do some of these uh patches uh begin to sink within a couple of days? Uh I can tell you that sometimes it's hand tamped and it doesn't seem like it's uh handtamped enough. Uh 10g uh in regards to using lowmaintenance materials um in the medians, what kind of lowmaintenance materials are we talking about instead of using grass? Um if it's natural uh plants, then that's great. Uh 10K, uh that is in regards to DPW and winter operations. Again, I keep asking when are the hills going to be prioritized? Why are sand and salt trucks only uh appear to only for the most part be doing down the center of a hill or on one side of the hill making two-way traffic even more dangerous.

Uh 12A I actually agree with the gentleman. I don't remember his name. I think that there does need to be a report uh find out Thank you. to find out what happened and will the taxpayers be flipping the bill for this 14A um ah the alert system. What is going on with this integrated 360 integrated directional ACU acoustics device that will be integrated into community in the future? Okay. What does that mean? Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Okay. Thank you everyone. appreciate it. Okay, we are on u executive session that the city council of the city of Worester is hereby convene executive session on Tuesday March 17th 2026 meeting for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy respect to the case of town holding versus department conservation recreation the city of Worester Superior Court see we will reconvene in open session after this roll call Bergman yes councelor Bada yes council econom Yes. Councelor Vo. Yes. Councelor King. Yes. Council Mitra. Yes. Council. Yes. Council Rivera. Yes. Broen. Yes.

Tumi. Yes. And Mayor Petty. Yes.

Good everyone. Welcome back to the West City Council meeting. We'll do a roll call. Councelor Bergman here. Councelor Bada here. Councor Cono here. Councelor Vo here. Councelor King here. Council Mitra yes. Council here. Councelor Rivera here. Councelor Rosen here. Councelor Tumi here. Mayor Petty

here. We have petitions 8A. Mayor Jose Petty Council Christian E. King request the Greenwood Park Basketball Court be renamed the Nancy Nia Bates 82 basketball court with the resolution. Excuse me, Mr. Mayor. Quickly, could we have just some explanation on who We're going Mayor. Yeah, we're going to get to that. Yeah. Oh, okay. Sorry.

Then we have the resolution that the city council of the city of Lista does hereby expresses its support for the designation to do a basketball court at Greenwood Park in honor of Nancy Mayor Bates creating a lasting tribute that will inspire future generations of athletes and community leaders. Council King and Petty. Council King went to Yeah, I go. No, you go for whatever you're down there. So So we're taking these both together, right? Yeah.

Okay. Um just want to begin by saying um this particular resolutions in honor of women's history month, the legacy of Title Nine, the growth of women's sports and honoring Lancer Mayor Meer Bates. Um as we all know, Worcester is a basketball city. Um and you know, there's another order on a little bit um about March Madness. So, we have the culmin the the culmination of March Madness, Women's History Month, and as a girl dad of three, um it's an honor to stand this morning. Um you know, recognizing um March celebrating achievements of of women who've helped shape our community um is important. Tonight, this resolution honors South High alumna Nancy Meyer Bates and supports naming um the Greenwood Basketball Park in her honor. Um, and part of this is because we know that over time, sports has opened doors across genders, across races, across socio economic statuses, and brings people together. Um, she's a proud alum of self high. um in honoring her, not only do we honor women who open doors, um we make sure the next generation of Worcester girls knows that doors are open and have been open for them as well. In Worcester, our courts um that many of us have played on, many of us has had our children and families play on in the fields um and on the basketball courts. Um, we know that they don't just build athletes, they build leaders. Right here in Worcester, we don't have

to go too far to find young girls who personify excellence. It's all around us. Our youth are inspiring. It's not a coincidence that Nancy Meyer Bates is an alumni of South High basketball where Diego Mlan leads a girls basketball program that makes history and continues to make history. We recognize the legacy also of Title N that's often tied to women's sports. But Title 9's law wasn't simply about sports, Mr. Chairman. Wasn't solely about that. It opened access to educational opportunities and leadership opportunities for our women and girls. It opened doors in the classroom, on college campuses, and of course on the courts across competitions. Before that, too many girls, too many women were left out. Title N allowed millions of women to compete, learn, graduate, and lead. We can look today and see the impact play out in real time. From the energy of March Madness, WNBA's growth, inspiring new generations of leaders, businessmen, athletes, academics, and more. Mr. Chairman, Nancy was an all-American at the University of Virginia, Nancy Meyer Bates. Um, she's been a uh teacher in our public schools. Um she's she's also um played for Jack the Shot Foley and was an all all ACC for four years um in Virginia. Um she's been known as not just an all-American basketball player but a devoted educator, coach, advocate, and inspiration to young people. Renaming this court provides

lasting inspiration to young people, especially young women in athletics. Mr. chairman. Um, I want to thank Mark Epstein for bringing this to the mayor and I. The mayor and I have been working on this for at least a couple months, right, Mr. Mayor? I think late last year.

Late last year. And, you know, we we know that this is also going before the parks commission um at their next meeting. And, you know, I don't I don't know that we have really had the opportunity to um honor enough women here in the city. and um you know taking this opportunity to do that um is certainly a step in the right direction, Mr. Chairman. Um and in closing um I want to just mention that Greenwood Park was was um suggested by myself um agreed to by the mayor and the team um because of the fact that that's where women college athletes played for probably two or three decades. um right there at Greenwood Park. Um and this is just a great opportunity um to really um lift up and pull together our basketball community and maybe for the first time perhaps ever um bringing back some of the collegiate and high school stars from across all of our uh city schools um and the folks that have attended our private schools um to one place for a celebration potentially in September. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just

say a few words. Mayor Petty,

thank you, Councelor King. And uh yeah, we've been working on this for a little bit. We should should have jump all I should have uh maybe included you, but we had started this last year and apologize to you. But uh this is I think this is a wonderful idea when uh Mark the Pathfinder Epstein brought this to our attention. We worked together and uh we have a pretty good plan. Uh we're going to need some money probably to get it right. Not much but uh but this is this outstanding player and scored over 10,000 points, averaged 20.5 points and 10 rebounds per game in the senior season. 1978 1980 member of the New England junior basketball team. 198 1981 to 1982 the tri captain the south eye basketball team led in field hockey and softball first player ever to be elected honorary captain of the torren gazette basketball allstar for three consecutive years parade magazine first team all-American and you probably can go more than Virginia stats but uh she very humble and uh she uh you know she's a superstar on a national level if you think about at that time in the 1980s um and when she played She was a superstar for the University of Virginia. She was one of the top rated women in basketball and then definitely at South High School back in the 80s. Uh so I think this is a great honor and glad to participate and get this done for her and her family and uh she's she's looking forward to this and uh I just want to say ask for your support here tonight. Thank you. Okay. So, the petition is referred to parks and reccks commission for the hearing coming up. That's a two-month process three this

month of March and it'll be back in May. So, uh refer to that. All those in favor post to ordered and the resolution. We need a roll call. Roll call. Councelor Bergman. Yes. Bada. Yes. Economo. Yes. Bolo. Yes. King. Yes. Mitra. Yes. Council. Yes. Rivera. Yes. Rosen. Yes. Tumi. Yes. Mayor Petty.

Yes. Okay. Planning board. We have uh 8B. Refer to the planning board. We have 8 C to 8H, I'm sorry, 8B, we're going to place on file. 8 C to 8H refer to the public works committee. 8 I to 8R refer to traffic and parking and um 9 A to 9B will be a motion to adopt. Roll call. Councelor Bergman, yes. Councelor Bada, yes. Councelor Konamu, yes. Councelor Rolo, yes. Councelor King, yes. Councilor Mitra, yes. Councelor Aa, yes. Enter Vera. Yes. Mr. Rosen, yes. Tumi, yes.

Mayor Petty, yes. 10A, requests a man provide a council with a draft ordinance that would require pro uh property owners to clear snow from fire hydrants adjacent to the property. The fines being established for property owners who failed to do so. Council Rivera.

Yes. Uh um through the chair to the administration. I I I will say that I was a bit surprised to find out that uh this ordinance um is not a findable offense, you know, and I actually found this out through one of the neighborhood meetings and I just figured out it has no teeth, you know, and uh this is a very serious situation. I mean, uh, I think even this storm I heard of, uh, uh, New Beford this happened where they were plowing out the fire hydrant during a fire going on, you know, and we know that every single second counts and it's an ordinance anyways. I just figured to to have something has some substance. Um, especially when we know that the city is taking care of the schools, the parks, and the conservation areas. um you know and even if possibly um throughout the whole winter storm I I I have developed a volunteer group to take care of the seniors and the people mobility issues and if we find that issue going on with uh the some residents then you know maybe uh developing also a uh hydrant maintenance team to reach out to those to those obviously they would sign up for that as well um possibly but you know I just think that we need something with substance for teeth, you know, and if we can make it a policy where, you know, that it's it's it, you know, maybe maybe one warning the first time, but but after afterwards, u it's just a fightable offense. You know, it's it's uh it's going to save lives and and it's going to hold people accountable. So, that's you know,

say that to the manager. Those in favor of proposal ordered request manager request police chief provide increased speed enforcement on forestry council as it reads, Mr. Chairman. All those in favor? Oppose? So ordered. Requesting manager provide council report concerning the number of service requests received by 311 over the past three days related to repairing port holes in the city. So report should also include how many of these those senior requests have been addressed. I mean service requests have been addressed and how many are outstanding and how long it took to complete the work associated with each request. Councelor Cono. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I'll just bring to your attention too. You missed I missed one tens, but that's our I'll go back to that in a second.

All right,

no problem. Um, really just I know 311's been the system that we've been using. Um, good or bad, in different, I've heard multiple different uh, scenarios play out on that. Um, but I think it's important before I even start, I just want to say thank you. I want to thank the commissioner, city manager for coming forward with your pothole plan for the next few few weeks and at post. Um it is it's bad out there. I'm not going to lie to you. And it's it's bad. You know it, I know it. We all know it. Um but it I do feel we need to hold our team accountable as to how much is getting done in a day. Uh are we getting to it in a timely fashion? How many calls are coming in? Just today, I just ran out to lunch real quick. I went down East Central Street and pardon me, Council Bada, for for using your district. And it's like it's they're every all the DPW employees that drive down east Central Street and that's got craters all over it. At the bottom of 290 on East Central Street, there's a huge hole there. and to to say we got to call in to 311 to get these addressed. We're we're past we're way beyond that. We need to systematically go street by street, fill them, fill them properly, too, by the way, because now I'm getting complaints too that they came by, they filled the hole, and the hole is depressed yet again. So, um the system needs in totality needs to be looked at. We owe the residents, the business owners here in our city. We owe them better and we're not providing it right now. And I'm I'm disappointed on that. But yet, I do appreciate the the effort that is being made. We have to look at

new materials. We've been doing things the same way over and over again for years. Um I had a conversation with Commissioner Raleigh about um when do you stop filling a pothole? You know, same thing with Commissioner Wesling. And you finally cut that out and patch it properly to a square patch. Um because I know we've all driven over them. Pothole patch on top of pothole patch. So um that's where I come from on this, Mr. Chairman. And I just I just want we we owe ourselves better. And that's the point I'm trying to make here. Thank you. Thank you, Council Rosen. Purpose of your eyes.

I'm going to tell you, Mr. Jim. Uh, from what I've through the ch from what I've heard about 311, and you do get some points about 311, but they're a clearing house. They take all the calls and they again refer them to different departments. And the problem seems to be not with 311 when they refer them because they do refer them all. It's just that the departments, the individuals that they refer these calls, many of these calls to don't respond in a timely manner. So when people say, "Oh, 311 is worthless. It's no good." They can't do any more. They don't do this work themselves. They refer it and then they hope they hope they follow up with the departments but they hope that those departments department heads and the the folks who work uh with those department heads get the work done. Uh maybe through the chair this has been talked about every year every winter at the city council. I know for a while uh as councelor Econom mentioned that when a complaint was made there was a big pothole they filled it in whether it did well or not but they filled it in and they did skip those around it because no one reported that to them. It wasn't on their list. So have we gotten away from that? If they come to my street and they fill a big pothole and there's 10 more, will they fill the other 10? That's all they want us to do. fill them all on each street.

Mr. Manager says to the council, it all depends on the vicinity of where that pothole was um reported. And so if it's in in the vicinity where that pothole is reported, and yes, they will take care of those. I think it all it all comes down to if it's there's another pothole a block away or two blocks away. Um they now because again, they have a list of potholes throughout the entire city that need to be addressed. And so if they focus their attention just strictly on that street of potholes that weren't reported on, then the potholes that were reported are going to be delayed in fixing. And so what they do is if they're uh report to an actual particular pothole that was reported on and they're fixing that and there's some around the vicinity, they address those. But if it's a block away or two, they're not going to address those because they got to move on to the next potholes that were on the list to address. So through the chair to the manager, you're basically saying with most potholes, they won't get done because no one's reported them. I mean, if there's 12 on my street, I should call each one in through the ch to the council. I I wouldn't I wouldn't characterize it that way. I think they would try to do as best they can to go back out there and address as many potholes as possible that they see in the road. I wouldn't characterize it. They wouldn't do they wouldn't address them unless you report it. But the best way to address them is to through reporting them.

So if there's 15 potholes, 15 phone calls through that. That's correct. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't think it's a good What was your amendment to get a report back on that? No, I didn't make an amendment at all. I'm just say let's fill If you go into a street, give me one and you see the potholes, fill them. I know I got a list and I'm due on the next street, but wait a minute. I got to finish this street. I get your amendment. Okay. It's crazy to fill one pothole and ignore another dozen. But no, I didn't make an amendment or anything. I just hope that the administration gets the message and says to the trucks, you know, do the whole street, fill fill them all. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.

I do have an amendment. I'll two friendly amendments at the end of of what I'm about to say. First, let me start off by saying something council Konamu said earlier. I do think the men and women of the DPW by and large almost exclusively work hard, come to work and and and put in a full day's work. I I have a good working relationship with the commissioner and uh I certainly know that he re he provides information to the council and he provides information to the city manager. I did not intend to do anything but sign on to this item today. That's all I intended to do. However, as coincidence would have it, I got a phone call this morning which which intrigued me because as councelor Rosen just said, many times over the years, I've been perplexed by the question whether or not if a DPW truck goes out to fill a hole, they'll take care of other potholes in close vicinity or whether or not, as was just described, multiple people on the same street have to make the same call. And I too through the chair to the city manager, I too, and I'm sure the city manager has too, have been told if it's close by, we fill them. If it's close by, if it was far away, you have to make a separate call. So this morning, I had a phone call from somebody who lives in the vicinity of Westchester Street. And they tell me, "Councelor Berg, you're not going to believe this." said, "I just watched DPW trucks fill um holes, potholes on my street, but they they went over like every other one and they skipped them." And I said, naturally, I said, "They must have been spread far apart." Oh, no. He said, "They're very close." So, I said, "That can't be because I've been told by the commissioner and others over the last few years that if it's close by, we absolutely fill those holes." So, having said that, and I apologize, this is not trying to be a guta moment. I didn't intend this conversation to evolve the way it has, but I went out on my own time and took some pictures and you

know, I I sent it to Nico and I want Nico to put a picture up for it because this is troubling. It's troubling because Mr. Mayor, Mr. City Manager, and to my colleagues, to myself, I don't think we've been getting accurate information. That's why it's troubling. So, the pothole in front, this is on Westchester Street. The pothole in front, I did not have a tape measure in my car. The pothole in front is not filled. the pothole. And that's literally the distance from my tip of my finger to my elbow because I went out and measured it. 20 inches or so away, maybe 24 inches, is filled, not filled to the top, by the way. So, I wouldn't even say that's a quality fill. What I will say, though, is somebody attempted from DPW to fill that pothole behind the one in front. The one in front they left completely unfilled. You can see there's water in it, too. Now, that's not the only example on that street. That's the only one I stopped to take a picture of cuz all of us who put on the street know it's not the safest street to pull your car over and take pictures. But when I see that, what tells me is tomorrow morning when the commissioner is watching this or or somebody reports back to him, heads should roll. That's a waste of of time going out on the street. It's a waste of taxpayers money. It's an insult to the environment to have the trucks out there filling one hole and skipping another. That's a half-ass job. That's the only way I can strike. That's a half-ass job. It's an embarrassment to It should be an embarrassment to the people doing the work there because most of them do a good job. It's an embarrassment to me as an elected official. Should be an embarrassment to all of us. And I want to make sure my amendment is that we get on the record from the commissioner or his staff whether or not potholes in the vicinity of other potholes get filled. And if that's the case, why weren't they filled on Westchester Street? That's really I did not intend to speak today. Did not intend to take that picture. I'm not trying to embarrass anybody, but when I've been told year after year that that's not happening anymore and it's happening, it really ticks me off. Thank

you, Mr. Chairman. Okay, we have um Council Vera. Okay, Councelor Mitra.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh thank you u councelor Economo for putting this order. I'll sign on to this. Anything do with the potholes? I'm really I think this is a severe problem for our city. We are trying to resolve it. I know city the DPW and the people those who work for it they work very hard to resolve these issues but I think the time has come as I had said before let's not wait for the phone calls because if there are 15 holes as councelor Rosen said there are 15 calls it's just not practical. So I think we need to see that how we can really rather than being reactive be proactive. That's what I have said before that let's time has come that we should be more modern. We should use the modern technology to find that our city has an inventory of all the potholes and then find out the time how much it takes for us to really fix those and then gradually fix them up rather than waiting for people to give us 15 calls saying I have 15 holes in different places. I mean it's not you don't have to give the example of only you know district two but I think if you go anywhere in district one there is not a single street that we don't have potholes you go on parkton full of potholes you go on Milbury full of potholes I mean it is obvious but it's for a reason we live in a region where it's cold where it snows harsh winter all those things are the causing factor for the potholes but we got to be rising ourself above the the stage that we are in we got to try to be more modern. We got to see that we are trying to use our all our technology to really resolve this issue. I'm just giving a suggestion. I know it takes a lot to even achieve that. It takes a lot to even you know the the budgeting but I think budgeting is a matter of you know what we can do for our people so that it this city can be more safer. Pothole is a severe concern. It's a safety issue. It's a health hazard issue. I think time has come for us to be a little bit rising oursel above than what we are

doing now and really resolve the issues of the parts. Thank you councelor Kane.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. It wasn't just a few meetings ago we had like five or six items on pertaining to potholes and I certainly support new technology minus the autonomous vehicles of course due to all the issues there. Um my question to the chair to the administration um as relates to potholes and folks being made whole. Um it was brought to my attention by a number of folks over the last I'd say month or so. um that when they're looking to be made whole after an incident with a pothole that has been determined was reported or whatever this the parameters are that they've been told that in some instances it might take up to six months to get money and I don't know if that's accurate or not. So through the chair to the administration um what is your understanding as to your department's as it relates to um recouping monies um as a result of road conditions through the chair. Yeah, through the chair uh to the uh counselor. Uh the claim process uh happens through the law department. And so oftent times when there is a pothole, there is a complaint that is claimed that's processed in the law department. The law department goes through the investigations. They work with the DPW and the respective departments to get the information. Uh they sometimes work with the insurance companies uh to also uh address the issue. Um but I'll have the solicitor give more explanation in terms of the time frame uh as that is a a a program as part of the law department.

Madam solicitor uh through the chair. So I mean once the there's been a determination if the city had notice then we would pay the pothole claim and um to be told that it will take six months that's not something that we should be saying or that I've ever heard. uh the process sometimes might take a little bit longer but from a decision where we say yes your claim has been approved and we're issuing checks um we have to get W9 from the claimant and then it goes through the vendor process so two months a month 30 it depends how fast that process is

and through charity administration what is the volume of of work that we have um you know for that specific need as it relates to renumeration or making folks whole Um and and I I I recognize that you indicated once a determination is made since a couple of months. What is that determination process in your experience in years that you've been here? Um what is the general ballpark range of how long that process is? You know, Mr. Mayor, we have a number of folks who um you know, for one reason or another are seeking uh recompense from the city. And you know, I've been approached with hostility, profanity, etc. And I don't can't respond without the knowledge and and and sort of an understanding of this entire process through the chair to whomever

uh through the chair. So our claims process historically has not been a fast one. I hope and I hope that we all receive good feedback this pothole season that things have been speedier. Um we've implemented a digital process. Our investigation is uh much quicker. We get a claim electronically. We pull a report from the city's server to see if there was notice. We have access to 311's server. We can see if that pothole was reported and then the decision doesn't take that long. The volume is based on the number of potholes. So, there's 975 potholes right now. Um, you could say there's probably 50% claims. Yeah, we have one claims agent, but we are all chipping in and that process this season should be much quicker than it has been historically.

And through the chair to the administration as relates to other um requests to be made whole if it's a a slip and fall, if there's a a lawsuit, etc. Um is the same staff handling that? Is it an additional staff person? Um, I'm just wondering capacitywise how we can meet the needs of the residents. Uh, and I would ask that by way of an order as well, just to report back. But just for the public's purposes, um, what does that look like through the chair?

Uh, through the chair, we have one claims agent. We recently just hired a claims agent assistant. So, we've restructured the office a little bit. So, there is probably, you know, one and a half or two people, say, dedicated to claims. That is different than a lawsuit. uh slip and falls. Usually people file them as claims but they're lawsuits. So it really depends on the type of claim but um there's one claims agent. So if that's what you're asking. Yes. Through the chair administration. Um I'm just wondering uh I'm sorry. Go ahead. Mr. Manager.

Yeah, Mr. Uh just to uh clarify the the claims agent deals with more direct claims that are related to my car was hit uh by a plow driver, I hit a pothole, etc. If there's related to any falls or any type of uh issues related to that, um that oftent times is different attorneys addressing that, not the claims agents.

Thank you. Um if we could just get a report back on what that process is. I know I've worked with a constituent, I know, uh Mr. BL, Council Bladez as well, um, you know, who was informing us that there was discussion about, you know, having to request, um, you know, through the Freedom Information Act for for information. Um, and that might be a a sort of, um, atypical situation, I'm not sure. U,, but if we can get an idea what that process is, Mr. gym. And um you know because I I know years ago when I had my little car and I got into one of those and our family was you know struggling a little bit financially. It took forever to actually pay for it, you know, and we are in a city where there's a number of financial challenges. the quicker we can turn around things um in a way that protects the taxpayer and also um compensates um folks when necessary it would be appropriate. Um so I would like to see that moving forward. Mr. Chairman, you know um we talked about trying not to become pothole city here in Worcester. Um and I don't know what we're doing um as relates to um the here and now. I know the the technology that we're talking about might be a bit ways out. We've done some stuff with WPI etc. Um but we really um perhaps could learn perhaps in committee you know what it is being done in those locations where there is a lot of snow there's a lot of precipitation um you know and and the like but um the last question I had to the chair and this goes back to how do we measure efficacy of departments the department heads are responsible for how the work is done city managers responsible for how the department head works. City council is responsible for the oversight

the manager has and have oversight over that. Um where we at as it relates to um evaluating our department heads um for performance reviews through the chair, Mr. Manager, uh through the chair to the council. Like I've stated previously, we've been working on these evaluation processes. Uh they're pretty uh extensive. uh we're hope that we would have something in place over the next few months that we could uh start kick off in the new fiscal year in terms of the evaluating every single uh employee starting with the cabinet members.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would certainly um like to sign on to this item. Um and I know 311's been a challenge this year. Um would also like a perhaps a friendly amendment to this that that would request um if not if it's not accepted, I'll make it as a separate order. um that we get some feedback on any contingency planning we have um in case the new system um you know encounters some difficulties as a way of notifying folks Mr. Chairman and uh the last question to the chair is um where are we at with onboarding the new system? Um what date will that go live? What system? Mr. manager.

Uh through the chair to the council, we expect to have a report to this council body for the 24th. Uh and our hope is to go live on the 25th. Thank you, Council Conwell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just make no mistake, I'm not here to point fingers at anybody doing their job or this or that. Quite frankly, the pothole situation was in place a year ago, over a year ago, and the 311 works great if I'm calling and saying, "Hey, right outside in front of city hall there's a pothole." That's perfect for the 311 system because then you can document that one thing. We are we are at such a point where, as Council Rosen said, as Council Bergman said, there's potholes next to potholes. I I challenge anybody here today, tomorrow, take a drive down West Mountain Street. Take your car. Don't take anybody else's car. Take your car. Drive west down West Mountain Street. Drive Brook Street. There's two inches of asphalt missing everywhere. There's potholes everywhere. Um, and I feel now I'm being put in a position where I have to do something I didn't want to do, but I have zero problem doing it and I'm going to do it. To make the point, um, if you want them documented, damn it, I will document them. And just be prepared for the amount that you're going to get. Um, that's all I have to say, Mr. Chairman. Um, this has to be priority number one. You've heard us all talk about it and it I appreciate the the um path that's been brought forward, but in two weeks, three weeks once we start streets sweeping, that's all going to fall to the wayside. And I've said it when I was on the council before. In my opinion, that's a perfect opportunity to have a crew with those sweeping teams to go around street by street and start getting this pothole mess straightened

out. Thank you. That's all I have to say, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. And I honor both amendments that uh came through. Okay.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and appreciate the order. And we brought it up three weeks ago. Then two weeks ago we had we just been talking about potholes and uh you know it's a serious business. No question about it you know and uh and I drive through the state the towns. It's not just Worester it's everywhere. You know and if you if you listen to the news today I think a pothole opened up on 495 as big as a car. And uh so they're everywhere because this is a tough winter. I remember back in 2000 I want say around Ray Maran was the mayor 2002 we had the same type of weather like in the two-year period where it was freezing ice warmth ice warmth which has a huge impact on the streets and uh we got through it. We'll get through it this time. To me it's not that difficult. We just have to stay on top of this. Make sure we have the the finances to do it, the people to do it and have a plan. I think you're coming with your plan you said next couple weeks. So I do look forward to that and the streets are a mess for all different reasons. I think weather is a big culprit of that. Utility company's a big culprit of that. Uh over the last all the infrastructure repairs or expansions that utility companies have done in the city of Worcester is part of that. I think I want to say council bar might have filed an order about putting more financial plan for the to do the streets. I think you did. them. So if you didn't, but uh um so we did that after some bad years and council Clancy did it. Uh the city council did it. We put $20 million into the streets. Um and I know if the auto was already filed, but we should look back when you do the budget, maybe come in with something if there's a way whether it's taxes, whe it's this. It was tough vote back then. Uh but it was I couldn't believe all the streets that were done. A lot can be done for a small amount of money. Uh so something to look at Mr. manager. That's my amendment to this or as you know, not

to tie our hands on this, but just to have a something we can discuss on how we can really upgrade the streets of city of Worcester because they are a mess in some respects. Like I said, it's not just the weather, it's the utilities, uh then not just keeping up too on some of the streets because we only put how much m how much money do we put away for street repair? City manager, it's it's not that much. one street can take up someone's pretty much budget up in some uh yes on uh through the chair to the council on the annual basis uh we fund roughly about $20 million of street infrastructure that's your pick city council's pick yeah uh any maintenance to the streets etc uh it's a roughly $20 million

and it goes that money goes by doesn't get big bang on your buck they used to get 20 years ago so um so if we get a report back on that some of the ideas that we could finance doing streets over at a quicker pace than we're doing $40 million. Okay. Thank you. Okay. District 2 council Robert Balada followed by councelor Tumi.

Hey, Mr. Chairman. Um yeah, just one question about East Central Street because to uh to um district counselor economist's point. Um yeah, it is pretty rough down there and and it is a well heavily traveled area. Um there's no doubt in my mind that that um DPW staff have traveled that. So, just to the chair, to the city manager, do to DPW, do they do spot checks themselves or like record or enter in work orders themselves when they see issues or is it strictly just getting calls from 311 or communications from us in in the commissioner? Mr. Mayor, yourself.

Uh to the chair, to the counselor, uh one of our the priorities of the staff that's working on the streets is to try to go and address the issues that they have at hand, right? And so they got a list or projects etc. And not every DBW worker that you see in a truck is an operations person, right? They might be an engineer, they might be and so it's not their responsibilities uh to do that. I know there's been a lot of conversations of if you're a DBW worker or any city employee, you see something, you report it. I think that often happens by different individuals. Um but they're not out there reporting every single issue they see. um they're have tasks at hand that they have to do and so they're either working or navigating the streets of Worcester to do whatever that next task may be. Um so I I couldn't give you a direct answer whether each individual DBW it's seeing each issue in each street and is reporting that. I do know that some of them report it um but oftent times they're focused on their task at hand which could be multiple different tasks not related to that particular pothole for example.

Okay. Just thank you for that. Just as a followup, do the folks that work on street in the streets department and and that are working on those potholes, do they have the ability or the capability to say while they're filling to to communicate back to put in a work order or I mean obviously they can, but like you said, they're working on the task at hand, but I think it would be beneficial for them to just keep their eyes open when they're out there and and not to if I understand that they might not be able to address the additional potholes while they're there if they're moving on to somewhere else. But at least having the encouraging them to just put it on on the roll, you know what I mean? To report it, I think would be helpful as well because, you know, all of I know Council Bergman talked about it like in the previous meeting like we're driving around, we see things, we're reporting it. So, um I just think that could be helpful. So, just wanted to put put that out there, but appreciate the information. burials. Council Tumi.

Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, everywhere in the city, um, we've had potholes erupt everywhere. There was actually on the corner of Westbrow on on West Bro and the corner of um, Pioneer and Westbrow. They did a wonderful job during the middle of the winter uh, there was a a a leak uh, that our DPW did a great job in the freezing cold weather filling it. Somehow something happened and I was coming out down the street and it was at least six to eight inches deep complet the the the tar that they used to to fill it in was almost gone. Uh and so uh it was left like that with a couple of cones in the street for about three or four days. Um so you know I know they knew about it but they needed to act on that a little bit faster. Um, but I've filed orders about Lake Gav for the past couple of years uh to have that put on the list. I think it is finally on the list, but that's a very long street. That's what a couple miles, two and a half miles maybe. Uh, and that needs to be done. And what I would like to have as a report uh coming back is the impact of the cost of um oil on our batuminous product because that's going to greatly impact our budget um with the the rise in in gas and all of that. So we really need to take that uh into consideration as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Council Bergman,

just very quickly, Mr. Mr. Chairman, I I just want to be careful in in how my words are interpreted. I certainly agree, Mr. Chairman, with what you said earlier that we're not the only city that has these issues. You know, Worcester notoriously gets whacked um during most storms and the temperature variations in Worcester are certainly more significant than other cities and towns in Massachusetts. So, I don't doubt other cities and towns have similar problems. But I also want to be clear about what my point that I was trying to make is even though other cities and towns have similar problems. I would like to think other cities and towns aren't filling one pothole and leaving one right next to it empty or unfilled. That's my issue. My issue is that I don't understand why if there's a work order for a pothole on one street, the truck isn't filled up with asphalt and the instructions aren't, every pothole until that asphalt is empty out of your truck within your eyesight should be filled today because we've revved up the engine. We've admitted the the the carbon monoxide. We've got you in the truck and we've got the location uh you know where you're supposed to go. Don't come back until the truck's empty. I don't understand that. Maybe I'm missing something, but I'd like to think that the residents and taxpayers of the city of Worcester at least deserve that despite the fact that we get an inordinate amount of potholes because of the weather here. I get that. Okay, we'll send that out to manager as amended as separate orders and etc. Others in favor both ordered. 10 C request C manager request police chief provide increased speed enforcement on FA Street in the vicinity of Cornell Road between the hours of 3 and 6 PM. Council Conno.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Real quick, this is um not too far from Midland Street School. Uh unfortunately, Intervail Road, Vasser Street, Midland Intervail, Vasser, people take the liberty of stepping on the gas there and there are a lot of young families in that neighborhood. And now as the snow's melted away, I know they'll be outside playing and they are playing in their front yards, but the you know the ball bounces away. So we just don't want anything to happen um that we can't uh have some input on. So whatever we can do there would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. Those in favor of post. So ordered. We are on um is it 10 ABCD E requesting may provide council to report as uh feasibility of conducting a study concerning how the Worester regional um transit authority has been serving with the public schools students including correct uh connecting routes online arrivals safety and overall reliability.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Yes. um not only just with public schools students, but um I think just um yes, mainly with public school students, but people in general um I've noticed um and just asking and get a better understanding of trying to get to school on time when they're coming from one part of the city to the other. They may have moved and now they're travel to schools a little further away. So, um I just would like to know, you know, where we're where we are at with that because, um sometimes it takes them over an hour to get to school based on what part of the city they're at and that's that's uh that's pretty concerning. Um so, I would love to see if we get a report on that. And then obviously it it'll be good to know, you know, um the safety of it. I'm pretty sure it is safe, but you know, until we we we hear from individuals, um we we just don't know. also the overall cleanliness and the re reliability. I know there's areas where we want more more routes. Um and maybe this this will help us as well, but I think it's really concerning to make making sure that our students are getting to school on time and if there's any ways um any way we can um you know work on that that that would be greatly appreciated. So thank you. Those in favor post so ordered. Requesting a committee on veterans memorial parks and recreation discuss current policies regarding uh planting of street trees with said discussion to include whether these locations are suitable and whether resources are adequate to maintain said trees. Council visor.

Thank you Mr. Chairman through you to the administration to my colleagues and to the general public. Uh I have provided some pictures tonight of uh what I'd like to speak about. Uh for some reason that last portion of uh the order where it says whether resources are adequate to maintain uh said trees and whether uh these locations are suitable. What I mean by that is we'll plant trees all over the city and for some reason some take f take uh are able to take and grow fine and then others uh look like what's on the screen. They start growing from the the base and actually from the ground. They start growing branches and buds. Buds turn into branches and if you don't get them early enough, you end up seeing what's on the screen. And uh I was just talking to council econom. I have adopted seven trees on Grafton Street from Sunderland Road to South Plaza that for whatever reason the businesses out that that have those trees outside ignore them and they grow uh wild like like uh I'm speaking of and uh they end up looking like a bush. Now, those those trees that I'm uh speaking of right there on the screen are on Roosevelt School property, and you know, that's a large uh um property for the custodians to uh take care of. So, I finally had enough and I went and I I trimmed those. But that looks like a bush. That doesn't look like a like a tree. So my point in all this is that uh I'd like to speak about this in in more depth at at the committee level because uh I understand that forestry falls under the parks department and I'd like to uh speak to

the commissioner and come up with some uh ideas and some plans to um definitely improve uh how we plant trees here in the city of Worcester. Thank you. Thank you. Those in favor councelor Tumi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I rise uh to state that um I've actually filed orders on this myself as well as spoken with the commission. I just love being um you know listened to and and and get responses back. I guess maybe I have to get up here and start complaining about it because this is this is not new. This has been going on for a long time and as recently as last spring uh I believe it was I had a conversation uh with the commissioner about this and saying can we get to the neighborhood groups because these these trees are city property. You can't just go and cut them without having um the instructions and uh knowing what to do and how to do it and all of that and and I believe you have to have permission to do it as well. So for the benefit of uh what councelor Folo is saying, the frustration level that I have of not being listened to or responded to when I file orders and requests and stuff, it's it's frustrating. This is should be a simple thing to do. Send out literature. We have literature. We have information on how to take care of trees, but we need to make sure that the right information is getting out there and to the right people. and and councelor V for solo was, you know, uh involved in the Grafton Hill Neighborhood Association. That would be a great uh thing for the association to uh get information on and help educate people. But I would like to see some positive uh responses to this because it's not just been my issue. I think every almost every counselor here has has spoken about this. But thank you.

Thank you. So we send that to the manager. All those in favor of post, so a ordered. Mr. Chairman, I'd like that sent to the parks commission. I'm sorry, parks commission committee. I'm sorry. Those in favor of post ordered requesting a committee on veterans, memorials, and parks, recreation discuss the feasibility of the use of lowmaintenance materials in lie of grass and medium and sidewalk strips. Councelor Fazole.

Uh again, Mr. Chairman, through you to the administration, my colleagues, and the general public. Another uh reason uh why I filed this order is uh uh medium strips as well and uh uh the idea that uh we plant grass uh on medium strips and we don't have the manpower. It's not it's not that the DPW are not capable of taking care of it but we simply don't have the manpower to take care of it. And in some cases, uh, you'll go by and the medium strip can be two to three feet high before they're able to get back out there and cut it. So, uh, what my what my, uh, thought process is is stop designing streetscapes in the city that we can't maintain. shift from grass strips and highmaintenance tree pits to lowmaintenance plantings, hardcapes where appropriate and set a clear service standard so the general public can follow it and see it. And I know that uh one of the people that uh called in earlier mentioned uh this item and said uh you know I hope we're going to replace grass with plantings if if uh if we're going to make any changes which I state right here we need to look at some better choices than just grass because if we're going to plant grass we plant grass on medium strips. We plant grass on new sidewalks that we replace. And in all due respect, in in these inner city neighborhoods that I represent, I don't believe we should be planting grass by the sidewalk when the three- decker is not owner occupied. And

who's who's going to cut the grass? I'll tell you who. No one. And it becomes weeds. No one fertilizes the grass, so it becomes weeds. And it grows as weeds. And those weeds grow into branches and before you know it, you have a small tree growing out of your sidewalk. This is what happens. Uh happens a lot on Vernon Hill. It happens a lot in Green Island. I just drove by today on it on Endicott Street. Endicott Street. we did a couple years ago. And I couldn't believe when we were going to uh put put dirt down and and and and sprayed the grass uh uh material that that they do. Uh there's no one in that area that's cutting that grass. So, we have to make smart decisions. We have to make better decisions. Again, corrective criticism here. I'm not trying to criticize, but we need to be better. We need to make better decisions. And that's why I'd like to see this uh item also go to uh the parks committee and I'd like to speak to the commissioner about uh ideas of how we can improve and uh I'll leave it there. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Councelor Roa.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just uh I rise just to get some clarification and not that I'm against these orders. Um um due the chair to the commissioner. So, um I guess in the past or currently whenever I see issues like this arise, um I I I reach out to you um about my concerns about similar things like this and you reach out to department heads or whoever is responsible for this. Can you just give me um let us know like what is that process? I understand you know we we want to see this but what is that process of making sure um like I've had the issues on Milberry Street on Pleasant Street on Park a lot of the trees new trees are there then you have the overgrowth and that's not being taken care of can you just explain to me or to us like what is that process and how does it get done and who's who's responsible for that

Mr. manager.

Uh through the ch to the counselor, uh the the trees the trees when you're looking at the tree process uh that was discussed earlier um it depends on where that tree is situated within the private property or public property etc. Um if it's in a sidewalk, uh the responsibility uh oftent times uh uh that responsibility of maintaining that tree is on the the the city the city uh the parks department maintains these these these street trees. We also maintain the the islands uh as well. Um and so if there's any overgrowth or any kind of situations like that, we try to address them. Um, last year, as you saw, you know, part of the August kind of blitz that we put forward to address a lot of the overgrowth and trash in the city was one of the reasons we saw a very dry summer then. So, we saw a lot of weeds all over the city and that was something that was, you know, kind of a pet peeve of mine. Um, but oftent times I work with the counselors. The counselors come to me, they ask questions, they they request these things, whether it's through uh 311 or they bring them to me in my one-on- ones and and I try to address these as uh as we talk through them with the commissioners. There has been uh conversations about some of the products uh to utilize in some of these spaces. Um and so again, you know, there'd be a conversation that was to happen in committee. Uh but I know that they the departments have looked at different products. One of the areas that we've sampled a certain product is if you look at the canal district and other pockets in the city, what we tried is a is a certain product that uh that allows for um it's kind of like a a gravel uh in the base of the tree that allows the tree to expand over time as well because the tree needs to expand. Um but it also prevents from any weeds or any type of stuff growing as well. And so we've looked at products like that across the city. Um but again, one of those things that's important uh as

part of what we do on the base of the tree is to impact any runoffs uh as well. So all these types of uh grass strips uh uh or even uh at the end of the tree at the bottom base of the tree impact the ability for uh for these uh runoffs that we have in our streets.

Okay. Thank you. I I remember we uh we did a a walk with the mayor on on Milberry Street and there were some uh some trees that you you know like you mentioned your your pet peeves and and they were addressed and you know I just want to go back to councelor uh Bergman's point about you know some of the people in the department they're doing great work so say seeing as council econom mentioned but it's also the accountability on making sure that if it's part of their responsibility to go around and making sure that these trees are taken care of and you know they're cut down at the base and there's no overgrowth. I think um it's just that as well. So, we don't get to this point where where where things start to to get out of hand. And um you know, to to your point, again, I want to say thank you. Um I did see an obvious blitz like you you you mentioned the word blitz on um on on addressing those issues. So, again, thank you. But again, counselors, if if those are those issues, again, that's that's 311. reach out to, you know, obviously the city manager and u I'm hoping this spring that that we we can make sure we try to get ahead of it now before it it gets out of control. So, thank you

um Council King. Thank you. This is 10 G, correct? Yes. And we did 10F. Yes. All right. So, this is regarding both. It's similar. Um just a couple of questions because I I initially I stand in somewhat opposition to this. Um, I understand the nature and I I agree with the need to um be more meticulous around how we're managing all of this. That being said, Mr. Chairman, um I know from the time I chaired the urban tide committee

that we've been doing a lot of work on reducing the heat island effect um in uh certain areas of our city. Um, we know that disadvantaged areas of our city are less likely to have green spaces. Um, and I also know that as part of our greater mobility plan, um, that these sorts of of things, trees and, um, medians, grass, etc. U, um, have been explained to us serve a traffic calming purpose as well as pedestrian refuge. Also, um, from what I recall from my time as chair in that committee that in the areas of the city where we have this heat island effect, um, and lack of tree canopy, Mr. Chairman, um, that there's health disparities at play. The reports have shown us in committee and in this council floor that um you know folks are suffering from asthma um more um consistently in other areas for one example um so that these sorts of things can help folks actually breathe the improvements on folks mental health um as they see all of this. So while I agree 1,000% I have those questions. Um so you know I I I don't know that I can support this. I just want to ask through the chair to the administration. Am I off base here as it relates to the um impacts of greening medians um and the planting of trees through the chair?

Mr. Manager

uh through the ch council. There's been an effort from the department of sustainability and resiliency and also the parks department in partnership with a lot of the community based organizations and advocates around tree planting. I know there was an effort uh about a year or so back that we submitted a a grant to the federal government to try to do an aggressive tree planting effort in the city. Unfortunately, we were denied as part of that grant, but as part of the ARPA dollars, we also put an initial funding uh to enhance and increase. We worked with WPI to do a heat mapping uh index in terms of some of the areas in the city uh that were impacted by this heat islands um areas that we needed to improve our tree canopy. Um and there are there's number of reports from public health department to the sustainability office um overseeing and identifying the importance of green spaces, trees, canopies, um grass strips etc. Um because again one of the things that we want to reduce is the health outcomes in our city. Uh we want to improve those health outcomes and and one of those ways is to addressing the tree canopy. And so right now that's why we established the tree uh commission. We have a tree commission in the city and we have a uh uh an urban tree master plan that we've developed to address the grow uh the the the the tree plantings over a period of time. And also I know right now we have a report that's in economic development committee uh related to the enforcement of of tree removals or sustaining trees as well entry plantings. Uh so I mean there's been a big effort around this uh for many different departments for a number of years. Uh and we continue to have those conversations with the council body.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I I I um have questions about supporting this but I will do so based on that in that explanation. and I will support 10G, but I I I appreciate that because I I couldn't without it. And the reason I'm saying that, Mr. Chairman, um is that it is a fact um that we're trying to have these impact on these areas. So, what I'm hoping is as relates to 10G um through the charity administration, is there a way to prioritize um because this stuff isn't going to happen all night overnight that the counselor is looking for, but is there a way to prioritize in those areas um in the areas of of that we've uh indexed in the areas of um heat islands um and lack of tree canopy? Can we prioritize the upkeep in those areas? Like how do we go about I mean we have so many medians. We have I know we have some businesses that help out in communities groups and etc. But are we able to prioritize in those areas um you know the the maintenance um and the tree assessments through the chair?

Mr. Manager. Does that make any sense at all or no?

Uh through the chair to the counselor. It all depends uh because if there's they're fairly new trees, uh it requires less maintenance there. The maintenance is more so on mature trees where the council alluded to where you start to see a lot of the root area starts to significantly overgrowth. Um and so again, that's something that we will look at as part of our maintenance plans. oftentimes the the most uh the the the trees that are newer in terms of uh uh in terms of our ability to plant them oftentimes those require that maintenance and so depending on the on the heat islands areas. So if we put an emphasis on planting in those heat islands there's very likelihood that we would need to do enough maintenance around them the maintenance will probably happen in areas where we have more mature trees.

Thank you. Um Mr. Chairman, I I I'm going to support this. Um I'm hoping that the council will allow an amendment. If not, I'll file as a separate order. Just that um in the consideration of loose of the use of low materials, low maintenance materials in lie of grass that we get a report back on the impact um in any areas where there's a heat island effect um and the impact on any pedestrian refuge and traffic calming um as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. So, we'll send that to the committee along with the reports to the manager requests. All those in favor post. So awarded that the city council see hereby authorize the creation of an ad hoc committee on bringing NCAA March Madness to Worcester for the purposes of discussing the strengthening of the future submissions of a bid by the college of the Holy Cross andor Patriot League to the NCAA in effort to host a preliminary round of the division one men's match madness tournament said advocac committee uh will be established for a period ending on December 31st, 2027. For request, the mayor appoint members of the city councelor to said that our committee accords with the rule 48, the rules of the city council. Council came.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's March Madness time. Worcester is a basketball city. We have a number of folks that are participating right now in the NCAA tournament. folks who have graduated from our Wor public schools, from our private schools, Holy Cross College women's team. Um their basketball team is currently um going dancing in the NCAA. Um we know that uh there's a number of considerations here. Um I had intended on reaching out to councelor on this and I apologize for not reaching out on this matter u for the second time. Uh won't happen again. Um, but that being said, Mr. Chairman, we know that there's significant economic impacts on midsize cities who host this. We last hosted this in the beginnings of the 2000s um, and in the '9s. Um, and right now, what's being reported is that for midsize cities, it can generate revenue anywhere from 6 million to $20 million um, due to a number of things. um hospitality um hotel stayage tax revenue sales and excise tax visitors spending Mr. Chairman um and we're lucky we have what's the airport that's increasing its capacity as well um and we've seen in the media that there's some challenges around hotels so I've done a little bit of research Mr. chairman and it's not simply about having um hotels in Worcester. Um there's a standard and that standard is 30 minutes 30 miles, Mr. Chairman. 30 minutes 30 miles um as far as the application process. Um and I think that this ask here, Mr. chairman is for the office of the mayor to partner with the council um to try to augment and try to extend um and do something a little different um and

contribute to the college of the Holy Cross, the DCU um and the other stakeholders in their future submissions. Mr. Chairman, right now um bids will be opening um for I think 2028 and 2029. And I'll I'll double check. Um those bids are opening this summer. Bid responses are due in the fall, reviewed in 2026. In early 2027, sites will be announced for 2028 2029. Mr. Chairman, we can't simply um you know fold um because of concerns. We know that um we do have relationships um with the former governor of this commonwealth um who leads the NCAA um and we should exercise any influence we have as the second largest city in New England. Mr. Chairman um this is one of the most economically influential sporting events in the country. Some of the considerations that are made um in the application um is past history, how often applications are made. Um and in addition to that, Mr. Chairman, um they consider um the last time that you host it and the longer that's been, the higher up you get prioritized. Now, we are in competition. We're not looking for final four at this point. We're not looking for the finals. We're looking for the first couple of rounds, Mr. Chairman. It requires a full court press. Um this would be something new for us um as a council um and something new to to again um create this ad hoc ad hoc committee

um with the input of the mayor. Now, we do have ice hockey that's here, and I just have a question about that through the chair to the administration. Um, is that happening again this year? Has it happened? Is it happening next year? Um, Mr. Manager, how many years in succession have we had an NCAA ice hockey tournament? In what round?

To the to the council. Um, it is happening again this year. Uh I don't know which round it is. Uh but we'd be happy to get a report in terms of the consistency of number of years that these uh heist hockey usually is uh they call what they call um uh it could be like the frozen four, the final four, etc. Um so that's come to the city of Worcester multiple times, but we'd be happy to bring back a report that gives you more in detail the consistency and the number of times and the potential impact of that.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. really I'm really really am confident that our business community, our business leadership um will not be in the media undermining um you know any or bargaining or or negotiating against our application publicly. Um I hope that we're able to kind of pull folks together um and put a package forward. Um we have more hotels um in this area than we've had in the past. We have more in the city than we've had in the past. In addition to that, 30 minutes 30 miles talking about Northboro, Marboro, um Auburn, etc., Westboro. Um and we do have the ability to do this, Mr. Chairman. Um it just requires um a stick tuitiveness. Now, I will mention in closing, um that basketball is king. Um you know, when you think about um the men's tournament, the women's tournament is exploding. Um, and we've won a couple state championships and been in a couple more with our girls and our boys, and now we have people playing at the highest levels throughout the country. Um, ice hockey regional championships, Mr. Chairman, NCAA generated around 1.2 million or so. Again, first round basketball, first round 10 to 20 million, Mr. Chairman. Um, and we could certainly benefit from that. Thank you.

Thank you. We have council Tumi, followed by council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I actually filed uh uh an order to take a look at this um before and um uh there were a couple of reasons why we didn't get it. Uh one of the major reasons that we didn't get it is because we don't have what the NCAA is asking for in terms of facilities, in terms of hotels. They want 10 fullervice hotels. Not a, you know, country in that doesn't do room service, that doesn't have a full restaurant, that doesn't. They want full service hotels. 10 of them. 10 of them in the community. We have three. We used to have more. Um, they've also increased the uh uh number of uh seats because you know, every seat brings in extra dollars. So, uh, our our facility at the DCU currently has 1,400 14,500 seats. Uh, they're looking at 17 to 20,000 seats moving forward. Um, the we're not I don't think we're at a place to have an ad hoc committee on this without a frank discussion of how feasible uh it is to overcome these deficits. And as stated in the WISA telegram article on March 14th, Holy Cross's 2020 application was rejected because the NCA requirements on the number of full service hotels in the area. Also from the article, while Wister is the second largest city in New England, and we certainly should have this, we did it. We did it well for so many years, right? Uh we also, you know, we've we've just been the center of of a basketball here uh in in Massachusetts, in New England. Um, but our stock of full service hotels, the hotels that the NCAA defines as having a restaurant, room service, and other important perks is far too low to meet the organization's standards. Bid documents

show we have three, as I said, and the NCAA likes to have 10 full service. I'm re quoting from the article. Um, so until we have those hotels, we're on the outside looking in. Um, and even if we get them, we still have to compete with destination cities and be chosen. So, let's discuss how we can encourage hotel development first so that we we can continue to work toward this. Um, I think that's something that's needs to be addressed and I'd like to see this go uh to economic development to be discussed rather than an ad hoc committee. Okay. Thank

you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, I was just wondering, um, since I was forgotten twice, if we can add a a friendly amendment, um, to include division 2, division 3, but also the other sports. Um, you know, shout out to Assumption College men's hockey team. They've actually won their second um, Northeast Championship in three years. And then also just recently, Anaria as well um to their conference. So the these teams obviously get bids into their into their uh into the NCAA tournament. Division one, two, and three as council King says uh said that you know basketball is obviously he whisted at the boys and girls club a but we'll continue with that. But I think it's important for us to to include those uh those other sports because um I could be wrong but you know as we look into it maybe what's requested because it's a division two or division three the the request for the amount of hotels and stuff like that might change. So that's why this I I I I approve of this even though again council king forgot me twice but he won't do it again. I trust him on that. But I think it's important to, as I said, to amend it to make sure we include these teams because we are having multiple sports really really uh putting Whistler on the map on on many levels. So, thank you.

Thank you. Okay, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And uh I know we had NCAA basketball here was probably 20 years ago, right? Maybe around there. It was cool. you know, you might want to get like the third or fourth round, but I think the first round is the best because that's when you get like eight teams and uh and you you come into the city, it was so packed here. I know since then the rules have changed. Uh, I don't mind doing the ad hoc committee, but if I ask council to take this and just maybe bring something back to the council parameters so we can have the ad hoc um, and make people chair like I don't have to chair it, but just put councils on there and just because what when I first read I said to myself, I said, "Well, we need 17,000 seats." I think something like that if I remember right. and uh and so many hotels space and 30 miles just to come back. So would people be interested coming on this to say look we can do this and put a good ad hoc committee together and say yes or no because I think people are going to be concerned how do we address the 17,000 seats how do we address the hotels but if we actually did a survey of the area maybe bring discover central mass in uh just to say what we have how we going to go about doing this then do the ad hoc committee and that's my suggestion anyways so u because I like to do this I'll be honest with you and uh but I think we need some base path from council and say this is what we have for facilities. This is what we have for hotels and the other amenities that Holy Cross might say we need from the schools and didn't bring the the thought committee together. Um just a thought anyways because it was pretty cool to have the NC even even hockey was pretty cool to have the hockey in here and I think council mentioned the level two teams would be pretty cool too and might be different requirements for that too. So something that we probably could do

um maybe It's not the same standard, but uh just have a pathway to this and uh get people interested and do it quickly so we can get this done. I think would you mention 2027, Mr. Chairman, at the end of 27 to have this done by? Um that's okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. We're going to go to uh Council Jose Rivera, District 5, followed by at large counselor Satra. Councelor Rivera.

Um yes. I just like to add on to this, but I also don't want us to forget that in 1992 we had the uh boxing Olympic trials here at the DCU and that was a great great experience. Uh so if we can line up with the United States Boxing Federation and uh you know future events, national events, it's also brings athletes all over the country, all over the world something to think about. Don't think about baseball. That's king. Okay. Who's next? Council me.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh through you to councelor King. I I think this is an exciting thing to happen in Worcester. Uh if we can have this NCA March Madness happening here. No doubt about that. I remember the first in the in the past when as Mr. mayor mentioned that about 20 years back. I watched those NCA initial rounds here and it was really fun. But I think if we can make an amendment to your to your order that ad hoc committee to discover requirements for bringing in this NCA March Madness tournament here. We know some as council Tumi mentioned that we need about 10 hotels or five-star category. We also probably need so many seats. Do we know exactly what are the requirements for us to have this event held here? Maybe we should find that out first and then do it and then at the same time it's not only the basketball like we mentioned the hockey many other sports can be held. I remember that in the past we also used to have NBA Celtics team used to come here and play as well. I mean that doesn't require probably a you know a five-star hotel because this could be local team coming in but I think something like that could be explored because this city has risen to that level where we really want to reflect that we are second largest city and we should have that vision to make this city be very exciting with different kinds of events being held here. So March Madness, NBA teams coming here and playing maybe one night and giving the people of this city a joy and entertainment and excitement. I think I I like to see this uh you know uh requirements are found out and we can bring in the NCA final four team or if not final four at least the first round team here. Thank you for the order. Chairman, I I don't know if this is an

amendment or just a suggestion, but it seems to me there's been a lot of good debate. I think we're all in agreement that if we can get the NCAA tournament here, if we can get soccer, we can get women's basketball, we can get boxing, I would like if if the proponents of the order and and those that made the amendments, I would like to see this an economic development where we can look at each sport and each deadline for each sport tournament and then kind of come up with a a report, bring back to council as to what the time frames are in applying what the criteria is for being a host city and then then Mr. Mayor, you can decide about the ad hoc committee and go from there because yes, we could start first with NCAA basketball, but there's been a lot of good arguments and I don't want to exclude any specific sport. I think we could do that relatively short period of time. If somebody can tell me tonight that the deadline is in two weeks, then I would say forget it. We're never going to get to in two weeks. But if we've got a little bit of wiggle room, I can make this, you know, our committee can make this somewhat of a priority and I think we could come back with a very good report covering all major sports and give the council a lot more feedback and from there you can decide on the ad hoc committee.

Okay, councelor Rosen. I'll councelor King.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just maybe a friendly amendment. uh if we don't have the hotel space the hotel capacity and we don't have the capacity of 17 18,000 seats in an arena we could look to the NIT the other tournament maybe competing tournament which is a little smaller but very well respected very uh uh good tournament and they do draw some very big crowds and I think a city like Worcester could certainly handle that and if we did host the NIT tournament I think that might help us in the future to move up a little higher and interest the NC nca. So I would make that as a friendly amendment. Look at the NIT over the next year or two also. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Council King.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I certainly appreciate um the discussion. Um, I would encourage my colleagues not to publicly um negotiate against ourselves first and foremost. Um, that being said, Mr. Chairman, we've done this in the past. We can do it again. As relates to other sports, NIT, etc. That's great. Um Um, I I don't necessarily oppose that. But I will say is this. We have to take a shot. Mr. chairman, division one basketball is where the money's at. It's quite clear. It's not even close. Um when it comes to other sports, you're talking about, you know, 1.6 million versus 10 to 20 million for a first two rounds. Uh impact on the city. Um I can appreciate sounds like the majority of the counselors on economic development want this. Um I'm glad people are excited about it. Um, but let's not get in our own way. Let's not get in our own way. Um, you know, and I certainly um we will we'll make a motion um that we get the parameters as it relates to um bringing the division one basketball tournament to the city um that was filed on on this date um for the specific reason that we're approaching March Madness. Mr. Chairman, it'll amend it to say men and women's. Um Mr. Chairman, um I know that an ad hoc committee during my time on this council is not something that folks are all too familiar with. Um but the rules are there for this specific purpose. um when it comes to matters that aren't are are for a

certain duration of time um and for which we don't specifically have um you know a a committee or or uh routine uh workings with certainly economic is is is uh an important impact that we need to assess but again um I'm hoping that as we move forward with this Mr. chairman um that we're all on the same page and we're advocating for the city and not undermining our own application or position before it's even done. Let's let's be a little more strategic than that. And I would once again encourage our business partners in our community to do the same. Um Mr. Chairman, I would like to see this ad hoc committee come to fruition. Um, I certainly support um the motion that I made that it that the um requirements and parameters go to economic development. They want to explore all these different sports. That's great, too. But, Mr. Chairman, um I'm going to ask for your support in this item. I'm going to ask um that we do something a little different. Let's create with your leadership an ad hoc committee um to engage in this. The time is ticking. Councelor Bergman said he'll do a quick turnaround in his committee. That's great, too. Um but I would like to take that up separately, Mr. Chairman. I would like this to go forward. Um let's us begin that process. You can begin your thought process. Um and concurrently we can send to um economic development for their stamp of approval um a report indicating uh what the parameters are. Um there's no reason that we can't concurrently move forward on this matter, Mr. Chairman. Um and um

you know, let's not get lost. I like councelor Rosen's idea about the NIT. Um but I think we can do this. Our airport is sometimes 15 minutes away. Um, you know, I I Holy Cross is a great co-host. Um, we have a we are a destination city. Um, you know, and we should be in competition and us not getting this out and not applying for this in the time frame that I'm talking about, you're talking 2030, 2031 through the chair to the administration. With respect to hotels, um, do we have any more coming online? Mr. Mr. Manager,

uh to the chair, to the council, there's been uh two hotels has gone through the planning process. Um there's uh and so we expect those two hotels to be uh on the ground hopefully either one of them hopefully this spring, if not the fall, and the other one probably about a year out as well. Thank you. And the last thing I'll say, Mr. Chairman,

paralysis by analysis is something my mom used to always say. Let's not get caught up in that. Thank you. Okay. So, okay. So, we have a motion to send to the committee, but let's just think about for one. I think everybody's excited for this if we could do it. There's no question about it. Council King, um, whose motion is to send to committee, Mr. Chair? Uh, councelor Tumies. Okay.

Um, with that with that said, that said, um, I think council Bergman I think council king has asked for councelor Bman come back with the parameters whatever we need to do. In the meantime, I could start working if we go forward with this. We have in my mind who how we going to set the ad hoc up. Council King, I mean, council council Bergman.

Sorry. Um, so I'm just confused about one thing uh through the chair. Um, actually it's not through the chair because I'm not addressing council king, but councelor King mentions it's March Madness. Yes, I I get that. But the the de is there a deadline coming up for an application for March Madness in the future that that has to do with March Madness starting in March of this year because if there is no application that's due, I don't know what the rush with the ad hoc committee is. Mr. Chairman, I've been on this council now 13 going on 14 years. I can't remember an ad hoc committee being put together ever. But I have no objection to an ad hoc committee. I just think the work this is clearly within the ambit of what the economic development subcommittee should start off doing. You know, now I'm being asked to make it a priority for something that another group is going to be working on. I really don't feel that that's fair to us. We got other priorities, too. I'd make this a priority if you're waiting for our answer. But if you've got another group working on it, God bless them. If that's your decision, let them go ahead and do it. We've got other things that that involve economic development for for that much or even greater values of money. I'd like to do it, but I'm not going to beg to do it. Um if for some reason um Councelor King uh decides or feels that this isn't relative to economic development, which I would disagree with strongly, then an ad hoc committee of other folks can take it on. And like I said, they have my blessing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Okay. Council Mitra.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Through you to council king. Um, you know, it comes to the the end of the as you mentioned that uh if we have it event here for one week, we're going to make x million dollars uh 5 to 10 10 to 12. But at the end of the day, that million dollars that we are going to make is reflecting economy is reflecting the economic development. So I personally think that if we really think it that way, this whole project should come to the economic development committee to really find out what are the requirements for us to do it. And I I I also agree with council Bergman that uh if there is a deadline to really uh make the application quicker. Yes, that is a different issue to form an ad hoc committee to get going with it. But I don't see there is any rush to do it and it should it should really go to the economic development committee to really vent it out and come up with the plan so that we can really see whether we can do it or not. It's exciting thing to do. Uh but we need to have all the uh bases covered before we do that and the economic development committee is the right place for it to go. Thank you.

Okay. Council K.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Um I believe every member of the economic de development committee smokes so and they want it. Um there are timelines. I mentioned them in the beginning. I tossed them in the recycling bin. I don't have them um in front of me but I mentioned them at the beginning um when I spoke. And um you know the division of an adhawk committee um is a is a little bit different than uh a sitting committee on economic development where you have a lot of matters before you. Um the way I envision this um and hopefully the mayor will have his vision as well is that this is an ad hoc committee specific to this one item. um they're able to focus on it, pulling other stakeholders, and they're not dealing with anything else. Um this is going to require an effort given the parameters and the requirements that that that we're speaking about. Um I know it was just brought to my attention the NIT right now is losing money that tournament. Um so again, um if that's where it's got to go, that's great. This is not circumventing the economic development committee. If you want to put those three folks on the ad hoc committee, have at it. But this really is about um having a committee dedicated to this issue because the way we've gone about it over these past few years has been the exact same thing and the exact same result. Um this is an opportunity to think differently. Mr. Chairman, you want to go this go to committee? Go right ahead. Um I've never stated that it was no economic impact. Um that was part of the presentation. We talked about the dollars. Um, but if that's what the chair wishes, um, so be it. Um, and if it's prioritized and this committee, I I get it guess it gets prioritized. But my own point, Mr. Chairman, is that we should have, uh, authorized the creation of an ad hoc

committee. Um, so we can do some concurrent plan. It's not about doing the job of the economic development committee, Mr. Chairman. Um, thank you.

Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Um I just want to support what councelor King is saying. I think a ad hoc committee, you know, it would be beneficial to do that because again like councelor King said, they can focus on this. This is their one mission. They can pull in other stakeholders from outside of the city, uh other you know, cultural um entities and other folks that that this is their bread and butter to really that focus on bringing events and I I think it makes sense to do that. economic development, I think, has a lot of their plate. We're in a housing crisis. We're working on housing. I think that should really be the the focus um and and let an ad hoc group, you know, really pursue this um to the to the fullest and and have nothing else on the agenda. So, I just wanted to speak in support of an ad hoc.

Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, we have a motion to send to economic development. No, I thought you said no. Okay. So I have a motion to send the economic development roll call. Councilor Bergman, yes. Council Bada, no. Councilor Economo, yes. Council Po, yes. Councilor King, no. Council Mitra, yes. Council, no. Council Rivera, yes. Councelor Rosen, yes. Councilor Tumi, yes. And Mayor Petty, yes.

Okay. Next item up to request city manager city council with an update concerning the city's current drought in reservoir levels entering into the spring and summer season. Let's talk about this Mayor Petty.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I'll be quick on this. Uh, I was reading on this was sort of surprising. This is after we had the the two feet of snow or etc. was on the news that we're in a level three drought in central Massachusetts, which is I think more east to go. It's even worse through the state. And uh so I started thinking about I think one year we we got we started to wait with restrictions which put us in a bind and in the city making sure we had enough water. So if we're going to have restrictions Mr. Manager we should come out sooner than later. Um I know you I think you just said you've been work you start by coincidence too you started working on this uh because it's been highly publicized. cuz that's why I saw I joked a few weeks ago when the commissioner was here talking about the snow how bad when we talking about the snow remover that oh I thought the reservoirs would be full after all the rain we got last in the last week the week week all the snow we got and I guess it didn't happen even though we had a good snowy season too. So um sorry to get a report back as soon as you can as far as what we should what uh impact this has on the city of Worcester and our water and we should start conservation me um procedures now and not to wait to the last minute like we did several years ago. Thank you

Mr. Petty. You got another one coming up right after it. Um anyone else on this item? It's a motion 10 I to request city manager provide the council with an update concerning the city current drought and reservoir letters levels entering into spring and summer session. I'll be I'll be all those in favor pro. So ordered. You're at 10 J. Crest city manager worked with the chief development officer and appropriate cultural division staff members to organize watch parties and other events for all communities represented in Foxboro during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. said task force should include but not be limited to representation from the Ganaian, Haitian, Moroccan, Scottish, English, French, and Norwegian communities. Petty,

I just want to make sure that this is all centralized. I know Council King working hard on this. I'm working on this. We have other people working on it. I just want to make sure we have one central point where someone is in charge. And uh I think the cultural office, I believe, when someone thinks different, Mr. manager. I think that'd be the perfect spot uh to just to work with us, the city council and have that person um the cultural office be in charge of this and make sure this all gets done. So, if we council King and I want to get together and uh really proceed on this that the cultural office is in charge and that uh we will work with them in order to get this done. Okay? Because this is important. This is coming up pretty quick and the more people it's centralized here in the city. I know council King's been working on this Uh also so I think this is this could this is be as good as the AC NCAA and sense. So thank you

councelor Jose Rivera District 5. So let's sign on. Sign on. Is anyone else? Everyone signed on. All those in favor post so ordered.

Okay. Okay, send it to the manager. Favor, post awarded. Next, I request city manager consider assembling a group of third party public works experts specializing in winter weather operations to provide city council with a report concerning practices as they relate to DPW winter weather operations. That report should be provided prior to the upcoming budget. Council Bergman.

Um, so I I know the hour was late. comedy is limited, but I I would say this is not asking for an ad hoc committee. Um, this is something a little bit different. And let me just explain explain why. I started off on other topics tonight regarding DPW by saying the same thing I'm about to say which is there are some there are many many many overwhelming me uh number of people that work for DPW men and women that are hardworking um put in a full day's work and deserve are tipping our hat to them uh and that includes you know administration there as well and um I don't want the criticism of tonight that's been directed there to be taken as being personal or being or be being singled out. But there are issues um there are issues and these aren't issues that are necessarily new. Um I started off this fall, I don't remember whether it was October or November and I asked the commissioner before the first snowflake fell, I asked him, "How are we looking this year? Do we have enough employees uh enough subcontractors? is do we have enough equipment to tackle this year's winter upcoming winter? And I'm not going to quote because I don't have the quote in front of me, but the answer I got at the time was basically we're we're we're doing okay. We're holding our own. Flash forward to a few weeks ago when Commissioner Wesling was here and he acknowledged and I appreciate his honesty that because of the lack of of equipment andor personnel that some streets don't get snow treatment and snowstorms generally those are the streets that are flat and not well traveled. But as a resident and/or taxpayer, I got to be honest. I'd be pretty offended to know that I pay the same taxes as everyone else, but my street gets omitted. There was some

misunderstanding, I guess, between the answer I got in the fall and the reality in the spring. But that's not the first time it hap it's happened. I would also say that I'm not trying to be critical on the big storm we had um a short while ago because I understand big storms are out of the exception. But I started my concern over the response of DPW the very first snowstorm we had which was I think more or less about 7 in. And I asked Commissioner Westerling and I remember the question I asked and I remembered his answer because a big red flag went up of concern to me that night. I asked him, are were there any lessons learned? Some of you may remember that question. Were there any lessons learned after the storm? Because most of us, if not all of us, got a boatload of complaints. And the answer I got back at the time was the lesson, and again, I'm not quoting, but this was the gist of it. The lesson, counselor, is to always support the DPW. Now, that's a bureaucratic answer. I get it. That's not the answer I want to hear. And then let let's flash forward to what's happened other than the major storm. Even a few weeks ago, we had an ice storm. I'm sure my other colleagues and myself, numerous complaints that salting never even I'm sorry, salulting and sandy never even came to their streets. And then you've got other issues like the brine. I've been on this council 14 years now. I don't know how long Brian has been a tool in the toolbox for DPW, but I can think of maybe twice in 14 years that I've ever heard it was used. Maybe it can't be used, but I hear excuses. Every storm it's too warm, it's too cold, you know, we don't have we don't have enough brine, we ran out. It's like every storm, again, excluding the major, there's excuses. And then I I was given, you know, fairly recently a list of streets that had more than 10 complaints over the last couple

years. And there are streets here, there are streets here with Milton Street, 19 complaints, need sand or assault, reboly street or Raboli Street, 20 complaints. Um I'm trying to go just off this list quickly and on and on and on. Over a dozen complaints. These are over a hundred streets now. Not everyone is a dozen complaints. Some are as little as six or seven, but most of them are closer to 10 plus. And then when I ask the commissioner, "What about the inspectors and supervisors? Aren't they paying attention to the number of complaints on the streets?" I don't get an answer. I even understand. It's like, well, they do, they don't. Nobody even has a log book that that can say that the inspectors going out to inspect and what the problem really was. Was it a citizen that was expecting more than they should have expected or was there really an issue? And then was the contractor paid more than once to go back multiple times for doing a bad job? There are layers and layers and layers of concerns that I have. Um layers of concerns that I have. And you know, I was on this council when we increased the budget for $4.8 million to $6 million, which is a 20% increase. And I got to be honest, I've said this before, this comes as no surprise. I don't think the quality of snow removal has gone up since we increased the budget. I actually think the number of complaints have gone up, the quality has gone down. So before this budget comes before me, at least I can't speak for my colleagues. I need to have some answers because quite frankly, I will not if if the status quo remains the same and I don't get answers to some of these questions, I will not myself vote for a dollar more for snow removal operations. And also I would consider removing some funding from that department if they can't justify the increase with better service. You know, one of the most important things in public safety is be able to leave your house in the morning, your loved ones be able to leave their house in the morning, whether it's snow or ice, and feeling a sense of

confidence you can get to where you need to get to without taking your life in your own hands. And let me just finish by saying one more thing. I think the tip of the scale to me in wanting to make sure that we have other people outside the department look into this issue, report back to us, is not because I have a sense of um disrespect for anybody in that department, but when we were here last time and had a lengthy conversation when the excuse then more than any anything else that I heard, the new excuse was that too many people are parking their cars during the snowstorm and we have to tow the cars. That to me just sent me over the edge. I mean, every single storm there's a new excuse. And I can't justify to my constituents, to all our constituents, all the residents and taxpayers of the city of Worcester. I I can't keep up with the excuses. And I've been on this council too many years. Some people might think that a great job is being done. I personally think there's a lot more to be expected from that department. It's not getting done. And the only way we're going to get answers is to have outside people that have experience in snow removal. They could be former employees of the city. They could be former employees of of Mass Highway. I don't care. I'm just asking the city manager to get new sets of eyes on best practices. And maybe I'm going to be surprised. Maybe they're going to come back with a report. They're going to say DPW and Worcester does everything they're supposed to do and they're using all the best practices. I doubt that. I would love to hear that. But what I really would like to hear is as moving forward, this is what we need. And maybe they need more money because maybe there are some deficiencies. They're not willing to admit to us. When I asked that question in October, November, you know, are you all said for this year? I wasn't asking that question because I was trying to withhold funding from them. If the commissioner had told me no, we need x number of more dollars that we didn't expect, I personally would have voted for it. But when somebody tells me everything is fine, it turns out to be the opposite of that, I

have to be deeply concerned. Council,

thank you. Um, yes. I just wanted to sign on to this because uh I felt a similar order last week requesting a third party um for lack of a better term audit of the DPW to find out what can we do better, what's missing and and I don't know why uh councils of the past 5, 10, 15 years haven't, you know, moved to do that. Um I something I filed within my first three months of being on council. So I think it's really worth doing and I do want to support this. Um, if we can't get an audit, for lack of a better term, for the whole department, it's well worth doing one for winter operations, uh, to find out where there's gaps, how we can support DBW to do better, um, and and what can be, uh, fixed and and changed. So, thank you.

Thank you. So, we'll send that to the manager, Council King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I can't stand in support of this without a response from the city manager, Mr. Chairman. Um, so before I cast a vote in the affirmative, I'd like to hear a response. Um, I know last week, um, or I think it was last last meeting, we had, I thought the exact same thing, asking for a third party review of the entire department, which would include weather operations, but um, it's been a lot said tonight through the chair to the administration. Um, I I want to hear from our city manager. Thank you,

Mr. Manager. through the chairs to the council. I think um we've been pretty clear um I've been very clear um uh in this body here that we have significant areas of improvement in the department. this department uh just to contextualize a little bit over the past two to three years since I've been on the role of city manager has seen significant significant turnover from the top uh uh in terms of the leadership and so there's been a lot of changes a lot of historical knowledge a lot of um uh leadership that has left for many many years for various reasons uh many of them was retirements um and I think because of that there's been uh uh some challenges in the department in understanding and uh some of the uh things that they currently do or they've done in the past. In addition to that, there's been an evolving kind of uh community in terms of demand and and and in terms of demand of and expectations of the department and that I uh uh take full responsibility as a city manager and knowing to manage those expectations, but also at the same time making sure that the department delivers the way they need to on a day-to-day basis. There's a lot of areas in this department. Um, that's why we've tried to transition components of this department out of the department so that we can harness and focus on the areas that we need to address. I don't want to uh point any fingers to previous administrations of that department uh in terms of why we've had the issues that we've had, but there's this number of issues that have been brought up in this council floor uh that we've talked about

that was I wasn't even aware that was happening or things that were occurring in the department. We've taken corrective action in some areas. We've had to uh take corrective action with personnel in terms of discipline. Uh there's been individuals who've uh who've who've made some choices that uh has impacted their their kind of uh status here in the city of Worcester and we've had to take some corrective actions to address some of these challenges. There's a lot going uh on in this department. I think there's a a great number of individuals now in that department. and they're fully staffed in terms of the leadership and way down. We we've come down to maybe roughly about 40 vacancies from the initial close to a hundred that we had. Uh they've been done a great job in hiring people. We got way more to go. Um and and so they've made significant efforts. They've reached out to experts. They've reached out to whether it's Brian experts. uh they've done significant trainings in the department to try to bring people from the outside to give better perspective. They're trying to be creative and new technologies of asphalt etc. Um they're doing everything they can to in some ways kind of rip the band-aid, look under the hood and and address some of these issues. The issue is that these issues are occurring in real time as they are also trying to assess how can they better improve the department and what are the resources they need to better improve the department. Um I I do have confidence in my department. I do have confidence in the commissioner. I do have confidence in the leadership that he's been able to assemble uh in that team. Um they have some great ideas, some things that they want to improve. They want to get better. They know it. uh the leadership there uh uh knows that, the department uh uh knows it as well. And so we look forward to bringing forward some some some information that hopefully brings some confidence to the council and our

ability to deliver as a community because for me I've always said there's two departments in some reality and I and I don't want to minimize any other departments in municipal government but there's really uh well two three departments that are the core of municipal government right you need a police department you need a fire department to provide public safety and you need DPW It's the core of municipal government services. Uh I acknowledge that and I know that uh and that's an area that we're trying to put a much emphasis uh uh into supporting this. I do want to clarify uh something that in last year's budget, we talked about reducing uh the actual $6 million that the council had appropriated for uh snow operations. We reduced it to five and a 5.5. And the reason why we reduced it to 5.5 because it was a historical trend where we were not spending this full $6 million. We were spending less than that. That's why every year we were coming in with a request to allocate the surplus of those monies to allocate them for acquisition of equipment for the department. Um and so last year we reduced it to 5.5 $5.5 million and then the additional $500,000 we applied that to capital outlay for the purposes of applying and uh I mean uh purchasing equipment as we did that in this current year's fiscal budget and the council approved that we had probably one of the worst storms in 10 years. Uh and so that that budget and we'll come back to the council with report on that has definitely uh uh surpassed the the the budgeted amount that $5.5 million. Um so I just wanted to clarify that point but there was we raised the dollars years ago for $6 million. Uh last year we reduced it to 5.5 uh because of the historical trends

and that was something that was communicated to council and alo adopted by the council body.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. Um I think you've changed my mind. I'm going to vote in favor of this. In addition to that, Mr. Chairman, um the question that comes to me is based on what the manager just testified to secession planning, career development. um we're talking about a loss of um historical knowledge in that department, turnover, retention, um lack of retention, etc. Um and I don't know what the secession planning is. I don't know if we are giving career development, leadership development, educational development opportunities um to folks um who are um aspiring and I'm wondering whether or not um if we are in fact to what degree are those being accessed what are the contributing factors um if there is a lack of um volunteering ing or or folks moving in that direction. Is there incentive? Um, you know, I I think that we have to look at this systemically. Um, in addition to sort of um where we're at currently. Um, so I would like um a report back as relates to all of that, the succession planning, career development, um, educational development, um, you know, and and to what degree their workload impacts their ability to access, sorry, um, those types of opportunities because at the end of the day, um, we once we get this department to where it needs to be, um, sustainability ility is the key and and what you've heard over the last few weeks um while you have

confidence that department um the majority of this this body has expressed a lack of confidence um you know and I'm I'm I'm hopeful um that we can get to where we need to be. Thank you Mr. Chairman. Go send that to the manager council. I just like to sign on Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Okay. As amended Those in favor post awarded resolutions that the city council of Worester does hereby support recognize March 2026 as Worester history month in city of Worester and that the city council see hereby call upon its public officials, community members and residents observe and celebration of women's history month by participating in the various happenings to honor the many achievements of women's throughout history. Council Tumi.

Thank you Mr. Chair. um as uh it was very nice to hear uh me being recognized as the only woman on the council. It's the first time I think publicly I've heard that from someone. Um so it's nice to hear. Um I wish we we did have more women on the council but here I am standing tall. Um so this month uh we celebrate the incredible women of Worcester past, present and future. uh like Abby Kelly Foster, Lucy Stone, Francis Perkins, Josephine Wright Chapman, Esther Howland for whom the chamber is na named Sarah Robertson was first woman mayor and Connie Luke's first popularly elected mayor Stacy Luster the first African-American counselor former councelor Riviera first Latina and every woman from all backgrounds who have run for or been elected to office those who are shaping our schools our businesses our neighborhoods their impact is everywhere Women have built our city, lifted our communities, and inspired us all. And honoring them isn't just applause. It's a challenge to support, uplift, and open doors for every girl and woman in Wester. Let's also honor every woman who in their everyday actions help their neighbors, help an elderly person, assist a single mother who's struggling to raise her children, volunteer in the community, or against all odds who overcame addiction or domestic violence and take their lives back. So today, this month, let's celebrate women, all women, regardless of race, religion, creed, political affiliation, and more because we are one. And let's remember from city hall to Worcester city common from Main Street to every corner of our neighborhoods when women rise Worister rises. So together let's keep lifting, supporting, and inspiring because Worester shines brightest when women shine. Thank you, Councelor Bergman. I like I like to sign off, but just very briefly um

you know, we had a couple people in the audience uh people speaking, you know, saying, "I hope you guys will sign on to this resolution." I mean, I don't think realistically anybody could expect us not to sign on to this. So, it was it was rather puzzling how that could even be a question. But, I really rise just to to make note of a couple things. It's easy to say and it's true that there certainly is a disproportionate number of statues and memorials to men in the city of Worester. are uh mechanics hall you can look up and only recently a few women have been added but it was predominantly men and the history of of Worcester is no different the history of many other cities and towns in Massachusetts except for the fact that I think even though we haven't given full due uh up until more recently to women we've certainly done better than most cities and towns 1860 and 1861 were the first women's rights conventions and they were held in Worester Massachusetts uh in 18 I believe it was 78 women were given the right to vote in Worcester albeit only for school committee but it was still something novel and unusual and not something that happened everywhere else in the state but it happened here in Worcester and as councelor Tumi correctly pointed out this very chamber when this building was built in 1898 and then finished in 1899 was named thereafter for a woman who owned a business in the city of Worcester. So, yes, we have come a long way and uh we started off not necessarily um where we should have been, but I think we've made up for a lot of that and we certainly have a long way to go and I'm proud of the role um that we've recognized of late particularly women have had in the city of Worcester and contribute to the well-being of the city of Worcester. And I just don't want to leave um the notions out there uh that Worcester um

hasn't been on the leading edge or or on the leading curve of recognizing women's rights. And I would just say that the suffrage movement and many other movements supporting women. Uh Worcester has played integral role. Uh this council, majority of this council, there are some newer members participated in a recognition in a monument for Sarah Wall who refused to pay her city taxes when she was told that paying her taxes didn't give her the right to vote. And the house was auctioned off by the city assessor and lo and behold, her neighbors, many of which were men, came to make sure that the house didn't get sold uh and that it was reclaimed um by by Sarah Wall and her family. So I think we have a lot to be proud of. We have a lot to look back on and probably regret. But looking forward, I think we have a lot to to say, a lot of reason to say that Worcester should hold its head up in recognizing and celebrating women and hopefully we continue in the future to even be more equitable and more responsible in recognizing the women's roles women's role in Worcester's history. Thank you.

Thank you. We have council.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um just wanted to share some words about women's history month. So throughout uh American history, women have played an instrumental in supporting and supporting roles in civil rights and social movements. Uh leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Catty Stanton used lobbying marches uh even civil disobedience to achieve the ratification of the 19th amendment. Uh abolitionists like Abby Kelly Foster and Worcester. the women who led the civil rights movement like Audrey Lord, Fanny Liu Hammer, Rosa Parks, and the countless women who supported the networks and organizations in the civil rights movement. Uh women who led the disability rights movement like Judy Hume, Bridget's Bourne, Furl, the countless mothers of children with disabilities who never give up hope and are fierce advocates for their children. Uh in 1990 during the Capitol Crawl, a demonstration where disabled activists literally crawled up the stairs of the US capital, uh an 8-year-old girl decided to join in. Uh Jennifer Keegan Chaffins joined demonstrators. She herself was disabled. Crawled up 83 marble stairs to the US capital. 10 months later, the ADA was signed into law by a Republican president, no less. Every young woman can make change. Um these women dedicated themselves to freedom, equality, and justice. It's important we honor those who led these movements, and it's even more important to not acknowledge that their work was not comfortable nor safe. These same women we celebrate were ridiculed, harassed, and faced the weaponization of politics, power, and the justice system. Here in Worester, we have so many great women working in services and nonprofits doing the work to better people's lives and our community. Uh countless women to name, Harriet Chandler, Senator Robert Kennedy, uh Senator Robin Kennedy, Parley Jones, Sue Mailman, Julie Bow, Utella GI, Meg Coffin, Deb Hall, Anne Bureau, Miy Morales. I could go on and on. We have so many women that are doing great work in our community and we're we're lucky to have such a strong uh community of women here in Worcester. So, just wanted to say cheers to everyone and cheers to Women's History Month.

Thank you, Council King.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, as a legislative body, um, I want to take the opportunity to point out once again the importance of legislation. And I'm going to speak a little bit about Title N. Um, we know that in this country, education has been um, considered the great equalizer on a host of levels. Um, so economic um equity, parity, all of those things. Um and Title 9, which was passed in 1972, prohibited sex-based discrimination, federally educated education funded programs. And its impact has been significant. the 1970s, men earned uh PhDs eight times higher rates than women. Um, currently as of 2010, women have earned more earned annually more doctorates than men. Mr. Chairman, this particular legislation was important um as we can see in uh sports of course. Um going back once again as we talked about earlier um women went from 1 in 27 athletes to two and five normalizing the elite athlete. Um for women, academic opportunities were increased from legislation, Title 9. Um that allowed women to enter academic professions of law,

engineering, STEM, medicine at higher rates. And legislation, Mr. chairman evolved um the Title 9 legislation evolved to include covering issues of sexual harassment and sex violence um that hinder educational um access. Um, so as we honor and as a father of three girls, a girl dad, as we honor women, as we recognize the soul woman in our council, um, it's important to note what our job is. Our job is legislating as a body. We're the legislative branch of the city of Worcester. Um, and we have the opportunity when we have the political will to make a difference as it relates to equity. Um, and in this instance, as it relates to our young women, our young girls, um, and for their families. So, it's an honor to support this. And I'd like to sign on.

Kazra. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I rise here to applaud for the inspiring speech delivered by council Tumi. That was really nice and uh I think it's the right thing to do. Uh I'm proud to celebrate the women's history month for the city of Worcester and uh really this is something this resolution is one of the best resolutions that I can enjoy so much. So thank you Mr. Councelor Tumi for the beautiful speech you gave and we're doing the right things. Thank you. Thank you.

I sign on to this. Real quick, I want to thank councelor Tumi and the council and uh what was was spoken by council king, councelor Tumi and everyone else and how important this is and uh we do have our first women city solicitor. Yeah. and who's doing a great job for the city and uh some I think we had the first woman DPW um committee and public works public works committee I mean and uh one time and the first woman public safety first woman economic development all women economic development I think one time and uh so we're making progress and the council's going the right direction so I just want to thank everybody So, we'll send that. Oh, everybody wants to sign on. So, do a roll call. Roll call.

Councelor Bergman. Yes. Council Bada. Yes. Economo. Yes. Pullo. Yes. King. Yes. Aitra. Yes. Oh, yes. Rivera. Yes. Broen. Yes. Tumi. Yes. Hey, Mayor Petty. Yes. Okay. We have 12 A and 12B. Adopt on a roll call. Roll call. I'm sorry. on Wednesday when they advertise the proposal loan order and Wednesday's to adopt on the roll call. Councelor Bergman, yes. Councelor Bada, yes. Economo, yes. Folo, yes. Councor King, yes. Mitra, yes. Oh, yes. A Va, yes. Rosen, yes. Tumi, yes.

Mayor Petty, yes. 13A, refer the ED. Motion to reconsider, Mr. Chairman, afterwards. Okay. on the last two. Oh, the last two. Yes. Okay. Motion reconsider the last two. Roll call. Councelor Bergman. No. Councelor Bada. No. Councelor Economa. No. Councelor Rolo. No. Councelor King. No. Councor Mitra. No. Councelor Aada. No. Councelor Rivera. No. Councelor Rosen. No. Councilor Tumi. No. Mayor Petty.

No. Okay. 13A refer to ED. 13B refer to public works 14 A and 14 B's motion to accept. All those in favor oppos. So ordered 15A and 15Bs are on the roll call. Roll call. Councelor Bergman. Yes. Belada. Yes. Councor Economo. Yes. Councelo. Yes. King. Yes. Mitra. Yes. Aita. Yes. Councelor Rivera. Yes. Broen. Yes. Tumi. Yes. And mayor Petty. Yes. Motion is to adjourn. Those in favor so move. All right. Get out of here.