CITY OF WORCESTER

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:02 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
David J. Rushford

Committee Members

Chairperson Tony Economou
Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor George J Russell
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Tony Economou Councilor Sarai Rivera Councilor George J Russell
 
Also:Chief Development Officer Michael Traynor Assistant Chief Development Officer for Business and Community Development Paul D. Morano, Jr. Business Program Manager Peter Dunn Councilor Gary Rosen Assistant City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk
 
1.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy Items

1a.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the City's Tax Increment Financing Policy. # 13.4A CM January 12, 2016

In Committee January 26, 2016 - Held

Attachments

Recommend Hold

1b.

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager amend the City’s Tax Increment Financing Policy to require compliance reports be provide to City Council as part of the quarterly Economic Development Initiative Report. # 25a CC January 12, 2016

In Committee January 26, 2016 - Held

Attachments

Recommend Hold

1c.

Chairman's Order from the Standing Committee on Economic Development - Request City Manager review the TIF policies established in other communities and recommend to the City Council for review, approval and implementation a policy for Worcester that includes timelines that applicants can rely on when proposing development. (see attachments) # 10a CC October 20, 2015

In Committee January 26, 2016 - Held

Attachments

Recommend Hold

1d.

Order of Councilor George J. Russell - Request Standing Committee on Economic Development work with the City Manager's Economic Development staff to create a written process similar to those provided by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board that provides a sixty (60) to ninety (90) day maximum timetable for TIF and other similar development applications. This process should comply with the Economic Development Committee's regular scheduled meetings. # 11j CC June 16, 2015

In Committee October 13, 2015 - Held In Committee January 26, 2016 - Held

Attachments

Recommend Hold

2.

Miscellaneous Items

2a.

Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority. # 8.4C CM April 23, 2013

In Committee December 8, 2015 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2b.

Communication of the City Manager Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Issuance of a Request for Proposals for Urban Renewal Consultant Services. # 10.4A Tuesday, September 24, 2013

In Committee December 8, 2015 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2c.

Communication of the City Manager Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority Urban Renewal Plan - Citizen Advisory Committee Members. # 8.4C CM October 08, 2013

In Committee December 8, 2015 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2d.

Order of Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Frederick C. Rushton, Councilor Tony Economou, Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager consider developing a series of seminars to promote and encourage the development and growth of small businesses. They may be similar to those he has done for engaging citizen interest in boards and employment opportunities. # 10a CC October 07, 2014

Attachments

Recommend File

2e.

Petition of John Patrick Reed request a new location for the Blackstone Visitor's Center. # 7a CC April 27, 2010

In Committee April 24, 2012 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2f.

Petition of Christina Pattee request to establish a "Worcester Local First" municipal lottery with numbers drawn weekly on our local cable access channel. # 6qq CC September 01, 2009

In Committee April 24, 2012 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2g.

Petition of Christina Pattee request to create a process for soliciting volunteer "target market" focus group members from Worcester residents in order to get their input on what they would like to see done with our downtown area. # 6rr CC September 01, 2009

In Committee April 24, 2012 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

2h.

Petition of Christina Pattee request City Council to actively recruit some of the rapidly-growing orthopedic joint replacement manufacturing companies to set up operations in our South Worcester Technology Park. # 6ss CC September 01, 2009

In Committee April 24, 2012 - Held

Attachments

Recommend File

CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS

1.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to whether or not including a $15 minimum wage requirement for employees within the city’s Tax Increment Financing Policy will hinder efforts for companies from developing in Worcester.