CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting

Monday, February 4, 2013

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 4:32 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:08 PM


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
David J. Rushford

Committee Members

Chairperson Konstantina B Lukes
Councilor Tony Economou
Councilor Sarai Rivera
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Konstantina B Lukes Councilor Tony Economou Councilor Sarai Rivera
 
Also:Mayor Joseph M. Petty Councilor Philip P. Palmieri Transitional Housing Manager Kristen Garza Assistant City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk
 
1.

Henry Lee Willis Community Center

1a.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the transition of Food Pantry Services currently provided by the Henry Lee Willis Community Center. # 9.4B CM January 22, 2013

Attachments

Recommend Hold

Speakers:
1. Pat Yancey, representative of Worcester NAACP
2. William Breault, Worcester, resident
3. William S. Coleman, III, Worcester resident
4. Grace Ross, Worcester resident
5. Martha Assefa, Worcester resident
6. Chris Horton, Worcester resident
7. Reverend Clyde Talley, Worcester resident
8. Brenda Jenkins, Worcester resident
9. Terry Kelly, Worcester resident
10. Keith Scott, Worcester resident
11. Reverend Jose Encarnacion, Worcester resident

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager communicate with SMOC and obtain information as to their intentions regarding the purchasing of properties in Worcester in particular sites owned by the Henry Lee Willis Center.

Request Mayor invite a representative from the appropriate state funding agencies and the city’s state representatives to the next meeting of the City Council’s Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services when the Henry Lee Willis Center is discussed.

Request City Manager report how the employees of the Henry Lee Willis Center are being protected.

Request City Manager report how the vendors are being selected to provide services that were previously provided by the Henry Lee Willis Center.

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor report the following: 1). Provide a legal opinion as to what options are available to the city, members of the public and those serviced by the Henry Lee Willis Center to pursue any legal remedies; 2). What is the process for holding those state agencies accountable if there is one; and 3). Does the city have the ability to request a rehire clause for new social service contracts and what would be the ability of the state agencies to comply with this request.

Request Mayor consider establishing a task force or advisory group that would work to keep the state accountable for their commitment to help local culturally competent services to grow.

1b.

Communication of the City Manager, transmitting informational communication relative to the Henry Lee Willis Community Center. # 13a CC January 22, 2013

Attachments

Recommend Hold

1c.

Petition of William S. Coleman III and Brenda Jenkins request an opportunity to address the City Council and Administration regarding the closing of the Henry Lee Willis Community Center. # 7e CC January 29, 2013

Attachments

Recommend Hold

2.

Asian Longhorned Beetle

2a.

Petition of Eric Kuczarski, property owner of 37 Monterey Rd., and on behalf of property owners at 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 21, 25, 33, 36, 38, 39, 40, 45, 53, 61 Monterey Rd. request the ALB Reforestation Program select a single tree species and be a type of tree species that would produce a mature size and canopy characteristics similar to that of the previous street trees. Further, request the head of the Forestry Division attend an upcoming meeting of the Monterey Rd. neighbors to discuss the program's plans for replanting on Monterey Rd. # 5a CC October 06, 2009

Attachments

Recommend File

2b.

Order of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. Request the City Manager, the Administration, the City Council, the Worcester Public Schools, the USDA and the DCR, along with other concerned partners in the community, initiate a campaign to better educate and inform our children, adults and seniors about recognizing, identifying and reporting infestations of the Asian Longhorned Beetle. # 9b CC October 13, 2009 - Order adopted

Attachments
In Committee for informational purposes only

Recommend File

2c.

Order of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and Councilor Joffrey A. Smith - Request City Manager update City Council regarding the details of the plans that USDA and/or DCR have for the future inoculation of trees against the Asian Longhorned Beetle. # 8e CC September 28, 2010

In Committee May 2, 2011 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2d.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a Status Report on the Asian Longhorned Beetle. # 8.15B CM March 15, 2011

In Committee May 2, 2011 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2e.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a Report on Plans for the Upcoming Chemical Treatments against the Asian Longhorned Beetle. # 9.15A CM April 26, 2011

In Committee May 2, 2011 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2f.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB)-infested City Street Trees. # 8.15B CM June 21, 2011

Attachments

Recommend File

2g.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Status of the Asian Longhorned Beetle Program, Reforestation, Stump Removal, Tree Surveys and the Dodge Park Restoration. # 8.8A CM October 25, 2011

Attachments

Recommend Hold

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager provide an update regarding the Asian Longhorned Beetle Program.

3.

Public Health

3a.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Public Health Hazard Created by Canadian Geese. # 8.24B CM April 13, 2010

Attachments

Recommend File

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager provide an update relative to the funding and implementation as it currently exists for the Geese Management Program.

3b.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Geese Management Program. # 9.24B CM November 09, 2010

Attachments

Recommend File

3c.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Federal Tobacco Control Act. # 9.20C CM November 30, 2010

In Committee January 19, 2011 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

3d.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Procedures for Tenants to Report No Heat or Insufficient Heat during the Cold Weather Months. # 17k CC January 03, 2012

In Committee March 29, 2012 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

3e.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Water Quality Testing at Lake Quinsigamond. # 10.16A CM August 14, 2012

Attachments

Recommend File

4.

Miscellaneous

4a.

Petition of Wyatt Wade et al request all action be taken to immediately close the operation of the People in Peril Shelter, 701 Main St. # 7 CC October 14, 2003

In Committee January 13, 2004 - Held In Committee October 25, 2004 - Held In Committee February 27, 2008 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

4b.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Planned Improvements to the Neighborhood Surrounding 701 Main Street. # 11.32B CM December 19, 2011

Attachments

Recommend File

4c.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Triage Center. # 8.32A CM January 17, 2012

Attachments

Recommend File

4d.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an Update on the Triage and Assessment Center. # 9.4E CM July 17, 2012

Attachments

Recommend File

4e.

Chairman's Order from the Committee on Public Health and Human Services - Request the City Council Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services consider the feasibility of the South Worcester Housing Recovery Proposal. # 8a CC February 10, 2009

In Committee October 20, 2009 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

4f.

Communication of the City Manager relative to the application process for tax-exempt tax status for non-profits and the Dover amendment. #28A CM May 16, 2006

Attachments

Recommend File

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager provide an update on any court decisions regarding the Dover Amendment.

4g.

Communication of the City Manager relative to the legality of City Council endorsement of the recommendations from the Mayor's Social Service Task Force. #6 CC May 23, 2006

Attachments

Recommend Hold

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager provide an update of the Mayor’s Social Service Task Force as it relates to funding and sitings of social service agencies.

4h.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Economic Development and Business Assistance Programs Available to Support New or Existing Businesses. # 11.4B CM January 05, 2010

Attachments

Recommend File

4i.

Petition of Mesfin Beshir on behalf of the Ethiopian Dream Center, Inc. request for Office Rent Assistance. # 24a CC July 19, 2011

Attachments

Recommend File