CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:31 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:36 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson Sarai Rivera
Vice Chairperson George J Russell
Councilor Gary Rosen
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera Councilor George J. Russell Councilor Gary Rosen
 
Also:Program Manager Domenica Perrone Commissioner of Health and Human Services Matilde Castiel Economic Development Staff Person/Translator Edgar Luna Senior District Representative for U.S. Representative Gladys Rodriguez UMass Memorial COVID-19 Equity Task Force Member Cheryl Lapriore UMass Memorial COVID-19 Equity Task Force Member Jane Shirshac UMass Memorial COVID-19 Equity Task Force Member Jim Leary Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
 
1.

Approval of the Minutes / Aprovacion de las minutas:

1a.

Order- That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services hereby approves the minutes of the Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting on April 28, 2020. Orden – Que el Comité Permanente de Salud Pública y Servicios Humanos del Concilio de la Ciudad por este medio apruebe las minutas de la reunión del Comite de Salud Publica y Servicios Humanos del 28 de Abril, 2020.

View Agenda

Chairperson Councilor Rivera 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

2.

Public Participation / Participacion Publica

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 in the Esther Howland Chamber. Please call 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 735751404) to participate. Para asegurar la continuación de la participacion activa del público, la Municipalidad de Worcester utilizará de ahora en adelante una Linea Telefonica de Conferencia para que los miembros del público participen en todas las reuniones públicas el la Sala de Cámara Esther Howland. Por favor marque 415-655-001 (código de acceso 73551404) para participar.

Attachments

No speakers were recognized during this portion of the meeting.

3.

Communication of the City Manager / Cominicación con el Gerente de la Municipalidad

3a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report and presentation on the COVID-19 Equity Task Force. # 9.17A CM July 21, 2020 Transmitiendo comunicación informativa concerniente al reporte y presentación del Equipo COVID-19. #9.17A CM 21 de Julio, 2020.

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and provided a brief introduction to the COVID-19 Equity Task Force.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the importance of specific recommendations of action to help address the disproportionalities associated with COVID-19.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who began the presentation on the COVID-19 Equity Task Force’s findings, including the root causes of health inequities for communities of color, how racism plays a role in impacting social determinants of health and data for COVID-19 cases for BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color).

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed programs targeting help for the Vernon Hill neighborhood with members of the COVID-19 Equity Task Force.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed whether data for COVID-19 presents similarly to other diseases and viruses for BIPOC with members of the COVID-19 Equity Task Force.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera discussed testing in neighborhoods with a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, such as Vernon Hill and Great Brook Valley as it was done in Main South with members of the COVID-19 Equity Task Force.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Russell, who brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager disseminate information regarding locations for future COVID-19 testing sites to the city’s residents.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera 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

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager disseminate information regarding locations for future COVID-19 testing sites to the city’s residents.