CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, September 29, 2020 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:05 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:25 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Vice Chairperson Sean M Rose | | Councilor Matthew E Wally |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Sean M Rose
Councilor Matthew E Wally | | | | | Also: | Councilor Gary Rosen
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
City Solicitor Michael Traynor
Chief Financial Officer Timothy McGourthy
City Assessor Samuel Konieczny
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jacob Sanders
City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Economic Development hereby approves the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting on September 8, 2020. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson 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. | |
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| | | 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: Esther Howland Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 173 999 8952) 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://cowevents.webex.com/cowevents/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3fd2f13b2f5850ed762b481c5b0619e9 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Alex Guardiola, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a
2. Craig Blais, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a
3. Jon Waver, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #3a
4. Henry Hernandez, Worcester resident, spoke neither in in favor or opposed to item #3a
5. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #3a
6. Nicole Apostola, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #3a | |
| 3. | Communication of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting an update on the development agreement with Madison WG Holdings, LLC (“Madison”) including the land transfer, and submit the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Letter of Intent (“Amendment”) together with the associated City Council action items for review and consideration.
# 9.37B CM September 22, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided a presentation relative to an update on the Development Agreement with Madison WG Holdings, LLC. Topics of the presentation included the status of the ballpark, the timeline of the Madison agreement, key project completion dates and any differences between Madison’s initial agreement with the City and the proposed amendments.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who continued the presentation and discussed issues relative to changes to the financial pro forma and the expected DIF Debt Service Reserve.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Managing Partner of Madison WG Holdings, LLC Dennis Dowdle, who discussed the long term view of the area discussed in the project and their commitment to fulfill the vision of the project.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the city’s TIF/TIF Policy with the Chief Development Officer.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed minimum wage assurances associated with the Madison agreement with the Chief Development Officer and Attorney Mark Donahue.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the flexibility for future residential development and ensuring that there will be enough parking space with the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Managing Partner of Madison WG Holdings, LLC Dennis Dowdle.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved for a roll call to recommend approval of four revised Resolutions reflecting the TIF/TIE Plan changes in the Madison Amendment and one Ordinance that amends the Ball Park Project Permit Fees. Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
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