CITY OF WORCESTER

Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:33 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:04 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:Chief Information Officer Eileen Cazaropoul Director of Urban Innovation Eric Batista Director of Energy and Asset Management John Odell 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 February 24, 2020.

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Oder adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

2.

Public Participation

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: 180 315 3253) 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=e77b388bcdf465d60d2f40d5b97b197ed

Attachments
3.

Communication of the City Manager

3a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to Municipal Broadband. # 8.26A CM February 2, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and recognized the Director of Urban Innovation, who spoke relative to the potential for municipal broadband becoming a reality in the city, the creation of a task force to oversee said potential and outreach to other communities, such as Shrewsbury, that have municipal broadband set up.

Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized the Chief Information Officer, who discussed the importance of getting a consultant to determine the feasibility of creating a municipal broadband program.

Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed teaming up with other communities who are also interested in the potential for municipal broadband and whether the city has pursued a fully wireless system with the Director of Urban Innovation and Chief Information Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Wally brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s contract with Charter/Spectrum, including information relative to the city’s options during the renewal process, the consequences of not renewing said contract, the owner of the wires used to deliver the service and their value and whether the city or other companies would have access to said wires.

Chairperson Councilor Wally 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 provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s contract with Charter/Spectrum, including information relative to the city’s options during the renewal process, the consequences of not renewing said contract, the owner of the wires used to deliver the service and their value and whether the city or other companies would have access to said wires.

4.

Miscellaneous Communication

4a.

Helen Friel, Ed.D, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting a response of the administration to the request to consider the MassINC report "Gateway Cities at the Center of the Digital Divide." # 14a CC February 23, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Wally read the item and provided a brief overview of the communication, which covered information about internet and computer access for students in gateway cities.

Chairperson Councilor Wally recognized Councilor Toomey, who spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Wally brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk provide the School Committee with the MassINC Policy Brief from November of 2020 titled, "Going for Growth: Promoting Digital Equity in Massachusetts Gateway Cities."

Chairperson Councilor Wally 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 Clerk provide the School Committee with the MassINC Policy Brief from November of 2020 titled, "Going for Growth: Promoting Digital Equity in Massachusetts Gateway Cities."