CITY OF WORCESTER

Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:02 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:19 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson Morris A Bergman
Vice Chairperson Luis A Ojeda
Councilor Donna M Colorio
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Morris A. Bergman Councilor Luis A. Ojeda Councilor Donna M. Colorio
 
Also:Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Chief HR Officer William R. Bagley, Jr. Assistant City Manager Hung Nguyen City Solicitor Alexandra H. Kalkounis City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
 
1.

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information

1a.

Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9.

Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1614999501
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee Zoom Access Code: 161 499 9501

Attachments
2.

Approval of the Minutes

2a.

Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Municipal and Legislative Operations hereby approves the minutes of the Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee meeting of November 13, 2024.

View Agenda

Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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

3.

City Manager Evaluation Items

3a.

Order of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations contact the National League of Cities, Mass Municipal Association and the International City/County Management Association for best practices and potential consulting regarding creating a different process for the City Manager performance evaluations. # 10y CC July 16, 2024

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the need relative to restructuring the annual City Manager performance evaluation.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning memberships and resources available relative to the Mass Municipal Association (MMA) and the National League of Cities’ relevancy related to annual City Manager performance evaluation with the Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman then spoke concerning information relative to the International City/County Management Association with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Manager work with the Mass Municipal Association (MMA) to see what information is available for creating an annual City Manager performance evaluation.”

Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager work with the Mass Municipal Association (MMA) to see what information is available for creating an annual City Manager performance evaluation.

3b.

Order of Councilor Jenny Pacillo, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Khrystian E. King, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Donna M. Colorio - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations review the framework currently used by the City Council to evaluate the City Manager to approve a new, more substantial document for such a purpose. # 10c CC July 16, 2024

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning assistance needed relative to creating an annual City Manager performance evaluation rubric which reflects the evaluation process similarly to other municipalities with the Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the process relative and timeline associated with establishing a new annual City Manager performance evaluation process with Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the process relative to acquire City Council’s feedback related to establishing a new City Manager performance evaluation.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman then spoke concerning utilizing city employee performance evaluations in lieu of an established new City Manager performance evaluation recommended by the Mass Municipal Association (MMA) with the Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

3c.

Order of Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Jenny Pacillo - Request City Manager request Chief Human Resources Officer provide technical assistance and guidance to the City Council for the purposes of establishing an advisory tool and guidelines relative to the Annual Performance Evaluation of the City Manager. # 9b CC April 9, 2024

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the Chief HR Officer, who spoke concerning the process relative to establishing an advisory tool relative to the annual City Manager performance evaluation.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman, recognized the following speakers:
1. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item

Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

4.

Charter Review Commission Items

4a.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a process to establish a charter review commission. # 18b CC November 12, 2024

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Tom Marino, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
4. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item

Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning issues related to establishing a charter review commission.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, who spoke concerning the process relative to adding state ballot questions.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the signatures required to add a state ballot question, who is responsible for collecting the signatures, and what are the challenges of collecting signatures with the City Solicitor and Speaker #3.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning the effectiveness relating to the special act method and the process relative to utilizing the special act method with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning all options related to best practices associated with reviewing the City Charter in its entirety.” – Not Put.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who spoke concerning the processes relative to a charter review and a charter change.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman then spoke concerning distinctions between a charter review commission initiated by residents compared to a home rule amendment initiated by City Council and how every municipality maintains different charters with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning best practices relative to conducting a full charter review and/or a charter change.”

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning best practices relative to conducting a full charter review and/or a charter change.

4b.

Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations hold a discussion regarding exploring the creation of a Charter Commission. # 13i CC June 14, 2022

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item

Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed how a charter review commission is initiated by voters and the special legislation method is pursuant to the home rule amendment which does not require a vote of the residents with the City Solicitor.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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

5.

FY2025-29 Strategic Plan Items

5a.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the FY2025-29 Strategic Plan. # 9.39B CM October 1, 2024

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the Assistant City Manager, who spoke concerning the process relative to creating the Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Strategic Plan and how it will be implemented.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning publishing documentation for the FY25-29 Strategic Plan specific to each City Council district.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

5b.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the launch of a public survey to solicit feedback regarding the FY25-29 Municipal Strategic Plan. # 9.39A CM June 18, 2024

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the Assistant City Manager, who discussed the process relative to the public survey relating to the FY25-29 Strategic Plan.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the following speakers:
1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
2. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item
3. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to the item

Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed functions related to resident suggestion capabilities related to the city’s website on the city’s website with the Assistant City Manager.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following two (2) Chairman’s Order: “1. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning an update relative to changes and/or anticipated changes to the city’s website; and 2. Request City Manager request Chief Information Officer locate a place on the city’s website designated for resident suggestions relating to the city’s website.”

Chairperson Councilor Bergman moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning an update relative to changes and/or anticipated changes to the city’s website.

Request City Manager request Chief Information Officer locate a place on the city’s website designated for resident suggestions relating to the city’s website.

6.

Miscellaneous Item

6a.

Petition of Nathalie Gibson request additional methods to ensure public participants who call in via Zoom who "raise their hand" to speak on an item can be heard. # 8n CC November 26, 2024

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Bergman read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Bergman discussed challenges related to public participation while utilizing Zoom and suggestions to mitigate said challenges with Speaker #1.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the possibility of allowing individuals who wish to participate in meetings remotely via Zoom to utilize the raise hand function while also sending a message with their comments to be read and the possibility of adding a timer for remote Zoom participants to see.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Clerk, who discussed the process relative to maintaining a public participation que within Zoom, differences between in person and remote public participation, and explained the inability to allow direct messages from public participation be sent via Zoom.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized Councilor Colorio, spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman spoke concerning best practices related to Zoom public participation with the City Clerk.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: “Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning best practices related to accommodating remote public participation, to better ensure those that wish to participate remotely can be recognized.”

Chairperson Councilor Bergman recognized the City Clerk, who clarified the functional differences between public participation during City Council meetings compared to Standing Committee meetings and the ability for residents to email testimonies to the Clerk’s office in unable to attend or participate in meetings.

Chairperson Councilor Bergman 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

Chairman's Orders

Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning best practices related to accommodating remote public participation, to better ensure those that wish to participate remotely can be recognized.