CITY OF WORCESTER | Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting | Thursday, March 4, 2021 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:06 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:18 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Khrystian E King | | Vice Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey | | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E King
Councilor Kathleen M Toomey
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson | | | | | Also: | City Auditor Robert V. Stearns
Chief Financial Officer Timothy McGourthy
City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli | | | |
| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Municipal and Legislative Operations hereby approves the minutes of the Municipal and Legislative Operations meeting of February 3, 2021. | View Agenda | | | | | | | 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 | |
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| | | 2a. | In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Levi Lincoln Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 160 951 7800) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3.
https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=ecb2e43cc58f00023e9ce661dde94a4bc | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King recognized the following speakers:
1. Bill Coleman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4a CC
2. Peter Stefan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4a CC
3. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #4a CC
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| 3. | Communications of the City Auditor | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2020 audited by the CPA firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.
# 13a CC February 9, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Auditor, who discussed the audit report concerning the City’s financial standing.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the factors contributing to the decrease in the golf fund, the subsidy for the golf court, the revenue of the golf court, and the places that are included in the Enterprise fund with the City Auditor and the Chief Financial Officer. Councilor Mero-Carlson then discussed details concerning the debt for North High School and the time frame to pay off the debt.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Auditor, who discussed the intent and impact of advanced prefunding for the new school buildings.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the general bond offerings for new school building in comparison to school repairs, whether there have been changes in assets allocation with the City Auditor.
Chairperson Councilor King then discussed the growth of Unassigned General Fund, the City’s ability to take on additional debt in the future, the trajectory of the property tax levy, and the impact of raising the tax levy on bond ratings with the City Auditor.
Chairperson Councilor King brought forth the following Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager request City Auditor provide City Council with report concerning the total debt owed relative to North High School and; 2) Request City Manager request City Auditor provide City Council with report concerning new school investments and capital projects.
Chairperson Councilor King 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 | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request City Auditor provide City Council with report concerning the total debt owed relative to North High School. | | | | Request City Manager request City Auditor provide City Council with report concerning new school investments and capital projects. | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting the management letter for the year ended June 30, 2019, prepared by the independent CPA firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LP.
# 11a CC September 29, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and 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 | |
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| | | 3c. | Transmitting the single audit report for the year ended June 30, 2019 required by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
# 11b CC September 29, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Auditor, who discussed the single audit report for Title I and HOME programs.
Chairperson Councilor King 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 | |
| 4. | Communication of the City Clerk | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting an informational communication concerning the process used in the 2020 Election Season to collect nomination paper signatures during the COVID-19 pandemic and further report back options for potentially decreasing the number of signatures for the 2021 Municipal Election.
# 13b CC January 26, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor King read the item and recognized the City Clerk, who discussed the impact of the new law concerning the number of votes required for government election candidates.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the signatures requirement for recent elections and whether there are individuals who have made the ballot for City election with the City Clerk.
Chairperson Councilor King recognized the City Clerk, who discussed the time frame and process for the Home Rule petition and factors relative to the reduced signature requirement that would affect the election post-preliminary. The City Clerk then discussed the electronic process to submit papers for the candidates and whether there have been concerns raised relative to the signature requirement.
Chairperson Councilor King 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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