CITY OF WORCESTER

Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:35 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Susan M. Ledoux

Committee Members

Chairperson Khrystian E King
Vice Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Khrystian E. King Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
 
Also:Director of Urban Technologies Eric Batista Director of Human Resources Dor Vecchio Councilor George J. Russell Councilor Gary Rosen Councilor Donna M. Colorio Councilor Sean M. Rose City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk
 
1.

Miscellaneous Items

1a.

Communication of the City Clerk transmitting a communication relative to the retirement and resignation of the City Clerk. # 12a CC January 28, 2020

Attachments

The Chairperson Councilor Khrystian King read the item thanked the City Clerk for her service and he then invited the City Clerk Susan Ledoux to address the committee. The City Clerk expressed her gratitude to the committee and the City Council for this great opportunity. The Chairperson invited Councilor Mero-Carlson to speak, since she was Chairperson of the Municipal Operations Committee who made the recommendation to hire Mrs. Ledoux as City Clerk. Councilor Toomey was also given an opportunity to speak and thank the Clerk for her service. The Chairperson made a motion to "Request the City Clerk provide the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations the resumes of the two Assistant City Clerks for consideration." Councilor Toomey made a motion to "Request City Clerk recommend to City Council available certifications, courses and memberships a City Clerk could use for professional growth and development". Motions for Chairman's Orders approved on a voice vote. The Chairperson moved to Hold the item. Motion approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold

Chairman's Orders

Request City Clerk provide the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations the resumes of the two Assistant City Clerks for consideration.

Request City Clerk recommend to City Council available certifications, courses and memberships a City Clerk could use to enhance professional growth and development.

1b.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the opening of the Municipal Services Center. # 8.36A CM February 4, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Khrystian Kiing read the item and stated his concerns regarding the operational impact to the City Clerk's office and wanted to learn of any contingency planning regarding the staffing at the Municipal Service Center. The Chairperson request anyone in attendance to come to the microphone and speak. Ivette Olmeda and Andrew Levine came forward to introduce themselves as representatives of the TDI at the Municipal Service Center and stated they would be available to answer any questions the committee may have.

The Chairperson requested the Director of Urban Innovation Eric Batista to give an overview regarding the development of the Municipal Service Center, which he did.

The Chairperson requested the City Clerk Susan Ledoux to speak to the operational impact this Municipal Service Center could have in the City Clerk's Office which she informed the committee that staffing at time will be difficult but she is working to bring the staffing levels to their full compliment and would work with the administration to make improvements in the next budget. The Chairperson requested information regarding contingency planning regarding the staff at the MSC which Mr.Batista and Mrs Ledoux responded.

The Chairperson invited each of the committee members to ask questions, The Chairperson Councilor King made the following motions to "Request City Manager conduct a staffing analysis of the City Clerk's Office for budget and operational purposes". Councilor Mero-Carlson moved to "Request City Manager, his Director of Urban Innovations and the City Clerk provide to City Council with a status report of the Municipal Service Center within one month of the opening and include in said report what were the successes and challenges that occurred during that period.". Chairperson Councilor King made the following motion: "That the Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operation does hereby recommend City Council support the opening of the Municipal Service Center contingent to status reports regarding its operations". Motions for Chairman's Orders approved on a voice vote. The Chairperson moved to Hold the item. Motion approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager conduct a staffing analysis of the City Clerk's Office for budget and operational purposes.

Request City Manager, his Director of Urban Innovation and the City Clerk provide to City Council with a status report of the Municipal Service Center within one month of the opening and include in said report what were the successes and challenges that occurred during this period.

That the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations does hereby recommend City Council support the opening of the Municipal Service Center contingent to status reports regarding its operations.

1c.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to information to assist in the hiring of a City Council staff member. # 18c CC December 17, 2019

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Khrystian King read the item and expressed an interest to move this item. The Chairperson invited Councilor Mero-Carlson to speak regarding the proposed salary and job description. Councilor Mero-Carlson presented an updated version of the job description to the committee. The Chairperson requested Director of Human Resources Dori Vecchio to explain the initial steps for hiring the City Council Staff person which she gave an overview to the committee. Councilor Mero-Carlson expressed the proposed salary needed to be reviewed. The Chairperson Councilor King moved to Hold the item until the next meeting for the committee. Motion approved on a voice vote.

Recommend Hold