CITY OF WORCESTER | Economic Development Committee Meeting | Tuesday, December 8, 2020 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:13 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:55 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
Vice Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose
Councilor Matthew E Wally | | | | | Also: | Councilor George J. Russell
Councilor Morris A. Bergman
City Solicitor Michael Traynor
Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk
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| 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 November 19, 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: 179 375 9860) 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=ebb46df9ff61a2ef426bc27b315236d05 | Attachments |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Recommend adoption of the attached amendment to the City’s organizational ordinances relative to the establishment of the Worcester Ballpark Authority.
# 9.13B CM October 6, 2020
In Committee November 19, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #3b.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Wally and Councilor Rose, who both addressed the potential establishment of the Worcester Ballpark Authority (WBA), stating they were both in favor of the item.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the creation of a capital fund account associated with the creation of the WBA, as well as the relationship between the WBA and the Ballpark Capital Committee with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the City Council’s authority to amend Reorganizational Ordinances and concerns relative to delegating these duties to an authority with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the appropriateness of reviewing the lease and other examples of ballpark authorities with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Russell, who expressed opposition to the establishment of the WBA, and discussed the needs for district representation on the WBA.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson discussed the City representation under the lease agreement with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed whether a copy of the lease agreement will be available for City Council to look over, and whether there are Ballparks with similar setup to the WBA with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manage provide City Council with a copy of the lease between the city and the ballpark.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to recommend item #3a be approved and #3b be filed. Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.
| | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the lease between the city and the ballpark. | |
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| | | 3b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the proposed Worcester Ballpark Authority.
# 9.13C CM October 20, 2020
In Committee November 19, 2020 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #3a) | |
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| | | 3c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to a status update on the UNUM TIF agreement.
# 8.4B CM November 10, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided an overview of the decisions made by UNUM to shift their workforce to remote working permanently, as well as the effect that decision would have on the company’s TIF agreement with the city.
Chairperson Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to recommend the item be held. Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
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