City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview of the item, including information relative to the financial health of the city, the city’s general fund balance, OPEB liability, free cash and debt service funds.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who spoke with the City Auditor regarding the various types of accounts the city has, including unassigned and undesignated funds.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke with the City Auditor regarding pension liability, what strategies would be most appropriate for debt payments and projections for marijuana host agreements.

Chairperson Councilor King continued discussion over various items pertaining to the city’s finances, including information pertaining to the City Auditor’s involvement with determining the budget and whether accessing the city’s “rainy day” fund would impact the city’s bond rating.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief of Staff of the City Manager, who responded to questions about revenue projections, as well as the schedule and flexibility for the city’s FY21 budget.

Chairperson Councilor King then put forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Order: 1) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing Sections 7 and Section 8 of House Bill No. 4617 pertaining to the use of revolving funds and amortizing deficits; and 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the risks and benefits associated with utilizing funds associated with the Bond Rating Stabilization Fund in the event of fiscal distress.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to send the two (2) Chairman’s Orders to City Council for approval. Councilor King’s motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing Sections 7 and Section 8 of House Bill No. 4617 pertaining to the use of revolving funds and amortizing deficits.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the risks and benefits associated with utilizing funds associated with the Bond Rating Stabilization Fund in the event of fiscal distress.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Auditor, who provided an overview of the item, including information concerning investment data and demographic data found within the report.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Clerk, who provided an overview of the applicants for the position, the steps being taken to complete the hiring of the Chief of Council position and efforts to procure a diverse pool of applicants.

Chairperson Councilor King put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Chief Diversity Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the role she played to ensure a diverse pool of applicants applied for the Chief of Council position.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to send the Chairman’s Orders to City Council for approval. Chairperson Councilor King’s motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who put forth the following Chairman’s Order: That the City Council prefers the applicant hired for the Chief of Council position be a resident of Worcester.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to send the Chairman’s Order to City Council for approval. Councilor Mero-Carlson’s motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Director of Human Resources ensure the rubric for the Chief of Council position provides for an individual who shows the ability to maintain confidentiality and nonpartisanship.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to send the Chairman’s Order to City Council for approval. Councilor Toomey’s motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Request City Manager request Chief Diversity Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the role she played to ensure a diverse pool of applicants applied for the Chief of Council position.

That the City Council prefers the applicant hired for the Chief of Council position be a resident of Worcester.

Request City Manager request Director of Human Resources ensure the rubric for the Chief of Council position provides for an individual who shows the ability to maintain confidentiality and nonpartisanship.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Clerk, who provided information relative to structure of the City Clerk’s Office and current vacancies within the office.

Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the timetable for advertising the various vacant positions within the City Clerk’s Office with the City Clerk, including the Assistant City Clerk and Principal Clerk positions.

Chairperson Councilor King put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with information relative to whether the salary monies allocated to City Clerk David J. Rushford had to be exhausted prior to City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux taking the position.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to send the Chairman’s Orders to City Council for approval. Chairperson Councilor King’s motion was approved on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King 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.

Request City Manager provide City Council with information relative to whether the salary monies allocated to City Clerk David J. Rushford had to be exhausted prior to City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux taking the position.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Clerk, who spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor King read the item and stated that many of the questions pertaining to the discussion were brought up during the discussion of item #2a.

Chairperson Councilor King moved for a roll call vote to end the discussion.

Discussion closed on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.