CITY OF WORCESTER | Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Meeting | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:34 P.M. | Adjourned: 7:22 P.M. |
|
Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Matthew E Wally | | Vice Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey | | Councilor George J Russell |
|
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Matthew E Wally
Vice Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey
Councilor George J Russell | | | | | Also: | Chairperson Councilor Matthew E. Wally
Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey
Councilor George J. Russell
Director of Energy and Asset Management John Odell
Sustainability Project Manager Luba Zhaurova
Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink
Chief Financial Officer Timothy McGourthy
Consultant Larissa Brown
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
| | | | | |
| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment hereby approves the minutes of the Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee meeting of December 17, 2020. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Wally 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. | |
| | | | | |
| | | 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: 180 542 6529) 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=e3b44cd6236fe2f382b9ed802a9692a8b | Attachments |
| 3. | Communication of the City Manager | |
| | | | | |
| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Green Worcester Sustainability and Resilience Strategic Plan Draft Plan.
# 20a CC January 26, 2021 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and recognized the Director of Energy and Asset Management, who, along with the Sustainability Project Manager and consultant, provided a presentation relative to the Green Worcester Sustainability and Resilience Strategic Plan that included information about the various public outreach done by the department, the goals of the city’s “Green Vision,” and the lenses that have guided the Green Worcester Plan.
Chairperson Councilor Wally discussed the involvement utility companies could have with the Green Worcester Plan, the creation of a Department of Sustainability and Resilience and the Forestry Plan with the Director of the Energy and Asset Management.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the costs associated with developing the Green Worcester Plan and ionization systems that were installed within city buildings with the Director of Energy and Asset Management.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the following speakers:
1. Stacey Hill, Hardwick resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Andrew (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
3. Nathalie Larrea, Worcester resident, spoke opposition to the item
4. Gwen Weissinger, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
5. Erin Bryan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
6. Tarang Shah, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
7. Harry Mishkin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
8. Hannah Snell, Leominster resident, spoke in favor of the item
9. Paul Popinchalk, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
10. Jeuiji Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
11. Deb Cary, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
12. Greg Doerschler, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
13. Rena Grasso, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Wally brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager work to improve the publicizing of public meetings through the city’s social media outlets.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed identifying the necessary jobs that should be created to help the Green Worcester Plan and the Triple Decker Challenge with the Director of Energy and Asset Management.
Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the Clean Worcester Program’s association with the Green Worcester Plan with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Wally 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. | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager work to improve the publicizing of public meetings through the city’s social media outlets. | |
|