CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, October 26, 2021 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:05 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:46 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Vice Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Councilor Matthew E Wally |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Vice Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Councilor Matthew E Wally | | | | | Also: | City Solicitor Michael Traynor
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Director of Housing Development & Healthy Homes Jim Brooks
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
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| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-in Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may join us directly within the Esther Howland (South), follow the below link to join via the WebEx application or dial the direct line as indicated. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user you may dial *3. – Phone Number: 415-655-0001, Access Code: 2319 888 0594.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=edad906c4faeb1032c015e46346aa1b83 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the following speakers:
1. Gina Plata-Nino, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a
2. Judy Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a
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| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on August 5, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the order. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Recommend adoption of an ordinance establishing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF).
# 10.4C CM July 20, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed the current designated funding and additional sources of funding for the AHTF with the Chief Development Officer and the Director of Housing Development & Healthy Homes.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally, who discussed the applicant process, communication flow and flexibility relative to block grant funding with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the feasibility of purchasing existing homes to rehabilitate and convert to affordable housing and the requirements for the board members with the Chief Development Officer and the Director of Housing Development & Healthy Homes.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed conflicts of interest and exemptions relative to board members seeking funds from the board with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager consider amending the city's ordinance relative to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) by increasing the membership to nine (9) members and requiring the tenant representation to be at least two (2) members.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager consider amending the city's ordinance relative to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) by increasing the membership to nine (9) members and requiring the tenant representation to be at least two (2) members. | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the proposed Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
# 9.4A CM April 27, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an updated Economic Development Report.
# 11a CC March 16, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3d. | Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Division of Housing & Neighborhood Development Activities.
# 11b CC March 16, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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