2026-10-13 - City Council
Summary
Meeting ran 6:31 to 9:40 PM. Jose A. Rivera's proposal to begin all Council meetings at 5:30 PM with an hour of public participation was referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations as amended (Rosen added a 6 PM option; King added a review of Rule 5 on special meetings), 8-3. The City Manager's letter on proposed Rules 61, 62 and 63 was referred to that committee 10-1. Under suspension, Mitra's order on rented mobile bathrooms and showers in municipal parking lots and Toomey's cost report on temporary and permanent facilities were adopted. King's orders on school-zone pedestrian safety notices and a Safe Routes to School plan were referred to Traffic and Parking, and a Central Square Technologies five-year contract was adopted 11-0.
Summary written from the official minutes; no transcript yet.
Issues discussed: Downtown Public Restrooms, City Council Rules Changes
Official Minutes
Journal of the City Council, posted on PrimeGov (summary of actions, not verbatim). Page headers removed.
CITY OF WORCESTER
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Esther Howland (South) Chamber
Convened: 6:31 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:40 P.M.
MAYOR
Joseph M. Petty
AT-LARGE COUNCILORS DISTRICT COUNCILORS
Morris A. Bergman Tony Economou - District 1
Khrystian E. King Robert A. Bilotta - District 2
Satya B. Mitra John P. Fresolo - District 3
Gary Rosen
Luis A. Ojeda - District 4
Kathleen M. Toomey
Jose A. Rivera - District 5
www.worcesterma.gov
CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER CITY AUDITOR
Nikolin Vangjeli Eric D. Batista Robert V. Stearns
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor as the Chair. Councilor King
participated in the meeting remotely until his arrival in the Chamber at 7:06 P.M.
4. PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE
4a. Mayor Petty provided Lee Anne Hooley, Cheryl Conn, Bianca Rullo, Joel Keisling and
Karen Wall with a Certificate of Mayoral Recognition for their parts in Worcester’s
Talking Book Library winning the Subregional Library of the Year Award from the
National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled/Library of Congress.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
5a. Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of
the City Council Meeting of September 29, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
6a. Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following Speakers:
1. Abby Mortillaro, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to item
#11b CC and spoke in favor of items #13a CC and #13b CC
2. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to items #9.7A
CM, #9.11A CM and #9.11B CM and spoke in favor of item #9.26A CM
3. Gary Hunter, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #13a CC and #13b CC and
spoke in opposition to item #11b CC
4. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke concerning an item not listed on the agenda,
spoke in opposition to item #11b CC and spoke in favor of items #13a CC and #13b CC
5. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #9.39A CM and #11b
CC and spoke in favor of items #12a CC through #12f CC
6. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to item
#9.14A CM
7. HEARINGS AND ORDERS
7a. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: CHADWICK ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: CHADWICK ST.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to open hearings for items #7a CC
through #7d CC. Mayor Petty's motion was approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
Mayor Petty asked if any abutters wished to be heard on the items. Hearing no speakers, Mayor
Petty moved to close the hearings. Mayor Petty's motion was approved on a roll call vote of 11
Yeas and 0 Nays.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the items. Hearing held and Order adopted on a
roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
7b. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: FRANKLIN ST. & ARCTIC ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: FRANKLIN ST. &
ARCTIC ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a CC)
7c. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GRAFTON ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GRAFTON ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a CC)
7d. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PLEASANT ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PLEASANT ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a CC)
8. PETITIONS
8a. Asaad Challab request sewer extension of approximately eighty-five (85) feet for 72A
and 72B Arlington St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Public Works
Committee. Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
8b. Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request installation of a crosswalk across Plantation St.,
from the Biotech Two parking lot, located at 373 Plantation St., to Mercadante Funeral
Home, located at 370 Plantation St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #8b CC through #8e CC to
Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of
11 Yeas and 0 Nays
8c. Amaris Gonzalez request removal of the handicap parking space in front of 63 Airlie St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #8b
CC)
8d. Laura Abbascia request a traffic and speeding study be conducted on Westview Rd. for
the purpose of installing traffic calming measures, including speed humps.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #8b
CC)
8e. Gladymill Canales request installation of speed humps on Wyman St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #8b
CC)
9. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
9.1 APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation
A. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of
Nayari Veras and Chris Michelotti to the Worcester Arts Council.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to place items #9.1A CM
and #9.1B CM on file. Placed on file on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
B. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of
Aashish Dhungana to the Conservation Commission.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #9.1A CM)
9.2 APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation
9.3 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
William Bagley, Jr., Esq., Chief Human Resources Officer
A. Recommend Adoption of an Amendment to Salary Ordinance.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to advertise the proposed
Ordinances associated with items #9.3A CM and #9.3B CM. Voted to advertise
twenty-five (25) ordinances on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
B. Recommend Adoption of an Amendment to Salary Ordinance Relative to
Public Health Nursing.
Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See
Item #9.3A CM)
9.4 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Peter Dunn, Chief Development Officer
9.5 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Kevin Lovaincy, Chief Equity Officer
9.6 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Division of Human Rights and Accessibility
Patricia M. LaFore, Director
9.7 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Administration Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
A. Transmitting Informational Communications Relative to Winter Readiness
for the Coming 2026–2027 Winter Season.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Economou and Councilor
Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Bilotta.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Fresolo.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Bergman.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey and Councilor Mitra, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Mitra.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Rosen.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Rivera.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Ojeda.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou for a second time, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Public Works Committee. Referred to Public
Works Committee
B. Recommend Adoption of Central Square Technologies Five-Year Contract.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order
adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
C. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to DPW Fall Leaf
Collection 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning
the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Public Works, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Ojeda.
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Public Works Committee. Referred to Public
Works Committee
9.8 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
9.9 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Operations Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
9.10 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND CEMETERY
Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Commissioner
9.11 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY
Stephen S. Rolle, P.E., Commissioner
A. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Miles of Bicycle
Accommodations Added in 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer the item to Traffic and Parking
Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee
B. Transmitting Informational Communication Concerning Traffic Safety
Initiatives on Belmont Street and Lake Avenue.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning
the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
responded to questions raised by Councilor Bilotta.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning
the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
responded to questions raised by Councilor Fresolo.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning
the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility and City
Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor Rivera.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who
responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager ensure the Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility and Superintendent of Public Schools collaborate to
provide students with proper notification and explanations related to the installation
of various pedestrian safety measures when they are implemented in the vicinity of
schools.” (See Item #14a CC).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Traffic and Parking
Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas
and 0 Nays
9.12 FIRE DEPARTMENT
Martin Dyer, Fire Chief
9.13 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Paul B. Saucier, Police Chief
9.14 DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner
A. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Enrollment
Numbers of ALERTWorcester.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to recuse
herself from the item and did not participate in the discussion.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda and Councilor Rivera, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Emergency Communications and
Management, who responded to questions raised by Councilor Rivera.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Emergency Communications and
Management, who responded to questions raised by Councilor Mitra.
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Public Safety. Referred to Public Safety
9.15 LAW DEPARTMENT
Alexandra H. Kalkounis, Esq., City Solicitor
9.16 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
Nicholas Antanavica, Commissioner
9.17 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
David Horne, Deputy Building Commissioner
9.18 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
Lee R. Hall, Director
9.19 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration
Seema Dixit, Commissioner
9.20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Elder Affairs
Amy Vogel Waters, Director
9.21 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Veterans Services
Alex R. Arriaga, Interim Veterans Services Director
9.22 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Youth Opportunities
Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Director
9.23 WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Jason L. Homer, Executive Director
9.24 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk
9.25 PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Brian Allen, Superintendent
9.26 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Administration
Timothy McGourthy, Chief Financial Officer
A. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Proposed New Rules
61, 62, and 63 of the Rules of City Council.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning
the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, who
responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra and Councilor Rivera, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Municipal and Legislative
Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations
Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay – King)
9.27 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
Samuel E. Konieczny, City Assessor
9.28 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
Erin E. Taylor, Director
9.29 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
Christopher Gagliastro, Director
9.30 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
Francisco Hernandez, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
9.31 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
James Bedard, Chief of Public Facilities
A. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Worcester
Ballpark Commission.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer the item to Public Works Committee.
Referred to Public Works Committee
9.32 DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE
John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer
A. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Zero Waste Master
Plan.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item
#9.32B CM.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Sustainability Officer, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Bilotta.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Sustainability Officer, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Ojeda.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey and Councilor Rivera, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Urban Technologies,
Innovation and Environment Committee. Referred to Urban Technologies,
Innovation and Environment Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
B. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Department of
Sustainability & Resilience Project Updates – Climate Resilience and
Current Zero Waste Programs.
Referred to Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #9.32A CM)
9.33 DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Michael P. Hamel, Chief Information Officer
9.34 FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers
9.35 FINANCE ITEMS
Grants and Donations
9.36 FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers
9.37 FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year
A. Recommend that Forty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Six Dollars
and Fifty Four Cents ($47,836.54) be Authorized from Various Fiscal Year
2027 Department of Public Works Cost Centers for the Payment of Prior Year
Invoices.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt items #9.37A CM
and #9.37B CM. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
B. Recommend That One Hundred Sixty Dollars and Eighty Cents ($160.80) be
Authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost Center #CC1008, Department of
Sustainability & Resilience Ordinary Maintenance, for the Payment of a Prior
Year Invoice.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #9.37A CM)
9.38 FINANCE
Loan Orders
9.39 MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS
A. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Worcester’s 3-Star
Certified Welcoming Designation Through Welcoming America.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10. COMMUNICATIONS
10a. Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting an informational communication detailing a
completed school safety audit.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility and City Auditor, who
responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility provide City Council with a copy of the two (2) year strategic plan that relates to the
city’s Safe Routes to School Taskforce.” (See Item #14b CC).
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility consider the installation of a hybrid beacon system for the crosswalks in the vicinity
of Chandler Elementary Community School, located at 114 Chandler St.” (See Item #14c CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Auditor, who responded to questions raised by Councilor Fresolo.
Mayor Petty moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and
Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning parking limitations and regulations in
place in and around Roosevelt Elementary School, located at 1006 Grafton St., as well as Rice
Square Elementary School, located at 76 Massasoit Rd., to determine any potential improvements
that can be made at the locations.” (See Item #14d CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Bilotta.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to both Education Committee and Traffic
and Parking Committee. Referred to Education Committee and Traffic and Parking Committee
on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10b. Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, recommending approval of an increase in the
cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) maximum base from $16,000 to $17,000 starting July
1, 2027.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10c. Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting an informational communication relative to
how the Sale of Lots and Graves fund can be used at Hope Cemetery.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Municipal and
Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee
on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10d. Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk, transmitting an informational quarterly report outlining the
various City Council Orders and Chairman's Orders adopted over the previous three (3)
months, for the period of July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Municipal and
Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee
on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
11. HELD UNDER PRIVILEGE
11a. Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 135 KENBERMA
RD.
Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 135
KENBERMA RD. (Held Under Privilege - Fresolo October 6, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Fresolo, who moved to place the item on file.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote on Councilor Fresolo’s motion to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
11b. ORDER of Councilor Jose A. Rivera - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and
Legislative Operations review the Rules of the City Council relative to public
participation to discuss the feasibility of amending the Rules of City Council to have all
City Council meetings begin at 5:30 p.m., with public participation occurring from the
set time of 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each meeting. (Held Under Privilege - King October 6,
2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rivera and Councilor King, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Clerk, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, Councilor Bilotta and Councilor Mitra, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to amend the item to read as follows:
“Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations review the Rules of the
City Council relative to public participation to discuss the feasibility of amending the Rules of City
Council to have all City Council meetings begin at either 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m., with public
participation occurring from the set time of either 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. each
meeting.”
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who moved to, “Request Standing
Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations review Rule Five (5) of the Rules of City
Council, which allows for the mayor, or if the mayor is unable to serve, the vice chair of the city
council, or any five (5) members thereof, to call a special meeting by causing written notices
stating the time and purpose of holding such meetings, in an effort to determine any potential
amendments to the rule that would better assist City Council in completing its regular business.”
(See Item #14e CC).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Municipal and Legislative Operations
Committee as amended. Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee as amended
on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera,
Rosen, Toomey, Petty) (Nays – Bilotta, King, Ojeda)
12. TABLED ITEMS
12a. ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager request City
Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the process of instituting a
residential rent control program and the resulting impact of implementing such a
program. (Held Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019
and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019)
No action taken
12b. RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby support Representative Rebecca Rauch and Senator Sonia
Chang-Diaz’s SD 699 HD 1283, An Act effectuating equity in COVID-19 Vaccination
Bill. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February
23, 2021)
No action taken
12c. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager
work with appropriate departments and stakeholders to establish an Office of Housing
Stability in an effort to prevent the involuntary displacement of city residents who are in
the process of being evicted or at the risk of losing their housing, as well as to enact
policies to combat displacement, homelessness and enhance tenants’ rights. (Held Under
Privilege - Haxhiaj July 18, 2023 and Tabled - Haxhiaj August 22, 2023)
No action taken
12d. PETITION of Gordon Davis request City Council request Standing Committee on Public
Safety investigate the issue of systemic racism and public safety with public hearings
included. (Tabled - Toomey May 14, 2024)
No action taken
12e. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager conduct an equity audit
of all city departments every five (5) years. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson
December 10, 2024 and Held Under Privilege - Toomey December 17, 2024 and Tabled -
Nguyen January 7, 2025)
No action taken
12f. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication
relative to how the U.S. Department of Justice's report on the Worcester Police
Department differs from the account of the municipality. (Held Under Privilege - King
April 29, 2025 and May 6, 2025 and Tabled - King May 13, 2025)
No action taken
13. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the October 6, 2026 City Council meeting.
13a. ORDER of Councilor Satya B. Mitra – Request City Manager explore the possibility of
installing rented, mobile bathrooms and showers in the city’s municipal parking lots until
such a time that permanent bathrooms and showers are reviewed and completed. – Item
#20a CC Order adopted
13b. ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City
Council with a report concerning the costs associated with installing temporary and/or
permanent bathroom and shower facilities in the city. Further, request said report also
include information concerning funding sources and/or grants available for the
installation of such facilities. – Item #20b CC Order adopted
13c. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report related to the city’s current and future workforce development, in response
to artificial intelligence (AI) and increased/improved technology. – Item #20c CC Order
adopted
13d. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report concerning the feasibility of any plans to complete two (2) Worcester Police
Department (WPD) police academy classes prior to the end of calendar year 2027,
wherein one class would utilize funds from Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) and other would
utilize funds from Fiscal Year 2028 (FY28). Further, request said report include an
analysis of the fiscal impact of such a decision. – Item #20d CC Order adopted
13e. RESOLUTION of Councilor Tony Economou – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby go on record recognizing the students and faculty at Francis J.
McGrath Elementary School, Midland Street Elementary School, Worcester Arts Magnet
School, and Columbus Park Preparatory Elementary School for earning state recognition
for their academic progress toward accountability targets in English Language Arts and
Mathematics, while ranking above the twentieth percentile of schools statewide. – Item
#20e CC Resolution adopted
14. NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the October 13, 2026 City Council meeting.
14a. Motion King @ #9.11B CM – Request City Manager ensure the Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility and Superintendent of Public Schools collaborate to provide
students with proper notification and explanations related to the installation of various
pedestrian safety measures when they are implemented in the vicinity of schools.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #9.11B CM)
14b. Motion King @ #10a CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a copy of the two (2) year
strategic plan that relates to the city’s Safe Routes to School Taskforce.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10a CC)
14c. Motion King @ #10a CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility consider the installation of a hybrid beacon system for the
crosswalks in the vicinity of Chandler Elementary Community School, located at 114
Chandler St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10a CC)
14d. Motion Petty @ #10a CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of
Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning parking
limitations and regulations in place in and around Roosevelt Elementary School, located
at 1006 Grafton St., as well as Rice Square Elementary School, located at 76 Massasoit
Rd., to determine any potential improvements that can be made at the locations.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10a CC)
14e. Motion King @ #11b CC – Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative
Operations review Rule Five (5) of the Rules of City Council, which allows for the
mayor, or if the mayor is unable to serve, the vice chair of the city council, or any five
(5) members thereof, to call a special meeting by causing written notices stating the time
and purpose of holding such meetings, in an effort to determine any potential
amendments to the rule that would better assist City Council in completing its regular
business.
Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3
Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty) (Nays – Bilotta,
King, Ojeda) (See Item #11b CC)
Transcript
Transcript pending: YouTube captions can't be retrieved yet (see the Worcester playbook).