Committee Agenda for Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee 08/27/2020

CITY OF WORCESTER

Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:32 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:07 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Sean M Rose
Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman
Councilor Khrystian E King

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose Vice Chairperson Councilor Morris A Bergman Councilor Khrystian E King

	Also:	Councilor Gary Rosen Councilor Matthew E. Wally Assistant Commissioner of Public Work and Parks Robert Antonelli Veterans’ Agent/Director Alex Arriaga Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk

Approval of the Minutes



1a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation hereby approves the minutes of the Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee meeting of April 14, 2020.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Rose 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.

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 in the Esther Howland Chamber. Please call 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 735751404) to participate.	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Harry Mishken, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #3a and #4a. 2. Ed McKeon, Worcester resident, spoke regarding concerns for items 3a and 4a. 3. Jerry Powers, Worcester resident, spoke regarding concerns for items 3a and 4a. 4. Mara Pentlarge, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items 3a and 4a. 5. Robert Gilmore Pontius Jr., Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of items 3a and 4a. 6. Susan Swanson, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of items 3a and 4a.

Discussion Item



3a.	Discussion concerning a grant applied for through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts EOEEA, for the purpose of installing an accessible kayak/canoe launch, accessible parking and edge improvements at Binienda Beach.	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved to take the item collectively with Item #4a CC. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided details concerning the items and discussed the state funding for the projects. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who addressed the availability of the plan drawings for the project, and discussed plans concerning Binienda Beach with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Wally, who spoke concerning the items. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rosen, who spoke concerning the items. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the conditions of the acceptance of Hillside Beach as a gift and possible violation from the site being passed over during the project; notification process for public participation from the surrounding community, and vendors for canoe rental for Binienda Beach. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the plans for Hillside Beach. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized speaker McKeon, who spoke concerning the items. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized speaker Powers, who spoke concerning the items. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized speaker Pontier Jr., who spoke concerning the items. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the items. Chairperson Councilor Rose put forth the following three Chairman's Orders: 1) Request City Manager provide the community in Coes Pond area with communication concerning the proposed plans for Hillside Beach and a specific plan for Lakeside Apartments; and 2) Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with report concerning the expectations related to the acceptance of the gift of Hillside beach to the City of Worcester; and 3) Request City Manager request City Commissioner provide City Council with report concerning safe or safer recreation with or without wetland classroom for Hillside Beach. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to file Item #4a CC. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

	Chairman's Orders
	Request City Manager provide the community in Coes Pond area with communication concerning the proposed plans for Hillside Beach and a specific plan for Lakeside Apartments.
	Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with report concerning the expectations related to the acceptance of the gift of Hillside Beach to the City of Worcester.
	Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning making safe or safer recreation conditions at Hillside Beach, with or without the creation of a wetland classroom.

Miscellaneous Items



4a.	Order of Councilor Matthew E. Wally and Councilor Gary Rosen - Request Standing Committee on Veterans’ Memorials, Parks and Recreation hold a public hearing to discuss the planned improvements relating to the accessible walkway from Coes Park to Circuit Ave. North. # 11c CC June 2, 2020	Attachments

	Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. (See Item #3a CC).


4b.	Petition of Shelagh Davenport request the tennis courts at Institute Park be maintained to a reasonable, useable level. # 8y CC October 15, 2019 In Committee April 14, 2020 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who provided a recommendation to file the item, as the tennis courts issues have been addressed. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the request to contact WPI for assistance in maintaining the tennis courts. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Veterans' Memorials, Monuments and Metal Plaque Items



5a.	Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally on behalf of Marilyn Williams request the installation of a memorial honoring PFC Ronald Williams for his service in the Vietnam War. # 8x CC October 15, 2019 In Committee April 14, 2020 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized the Veterans’ Agent/Director, who spoke concerning the item. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who stated that the location for the memorial has not been determined. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Veterans' Agent/Director, who stated he has not received communication regarding the location. Chairperson Councilor Rose 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.


5b.	Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman request the replacement/restoration of the "Trumbull Square" monument/marker. # 8f CC September 5, 2017 In Committee April 14, 2020 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and recognized Councilor Bergman, who moved that the item be filed, as the issues have been taken care of. Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Veterans' Agent/Director, who concurred with the motion. Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll call vote to file the item. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.