CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting | Wednesday, July 19, 2023 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:39 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 Sarai Rivera | | Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Morris A. Bergman | | | | | Also: | Commissioner of Health and Human Services Dr. Matilde Castiel
Director of Public Health Soloe Dennis
Director of Quality of Life Daniel Cahill
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 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 attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92440181651
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Access Code: 924 4018 1651 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | 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 May 9, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted | |
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| | | 3a. | Petition of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, on behalf of Maydee Morales, request City Manager work to either issue a temporary moratorium on encampment sweeps or find a suitable site to properly and safely support individuals living in encampments throughout the City, while the City works on a plan to expand shelter beds, temporary housing options, and bring permanent supportive housing units online. Further, request that this item be sent to the next meeting of the Public Health and Human Services Standing Committee for further discussion.
# 13p CC May 2, 2023
In Committee May 9, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and provided an overview of the housing efforts being made for the homeless population in the city, as well as various supportive services available to the city’s chronic homeless population.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who discussed the outreach efforts made by the department to aid individuals experiencing homelessness.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Director of Quality of Life, who discussed the Quality of Life Team’s role in responding to homeless encampments.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the following speaker:
1. Maydee Morales, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Leah Bradley, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed details concerning the rental vouchers with Speaker #2.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager conduct meetings with partner agencies to connect, assess and evaluate immediate and long-term needs for housing in the city; and 2) Request City Manager request City Assessor work with the Department of Revenue to determine whether there are any financial tax incentives for property owners to accept continuum of care vouchers.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager conduct meetings with partner agencies to connect, assess and evaluate immediate and long-term needs for housing in the city. | | | | Request City Manager request City Assessor work with the Department of Revenue to determine whether there are any financial tax incentives for property owners to accept continuum of care vouchers. | |
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| | | 3b. | Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services Committee conduct a meeting allowing for a presentation from Family Health Center of Worcester that updates the community as to the status of their “Better Together” Strategic Go-Forward Plan.
# 11c Tuesday, November 15, 2022
In Committee January 10, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3c. | Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services meet quarterly with the Department of Public Health and the Board of Health in an effort to discuss public health issues within the city, including but not limited to the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project.
# 10f CC March 1, 2022
In Committee March 29, 2022 - Held
In Committee May 23, 2022 - Held
In Committee September 20, 2022 - Held
In Committee May 9, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report overviewing the Department of Public Health’s current initiatives.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report overviewing the Department of Public Health’s current initiatives. | |
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