Committee Agenda for Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee 05/05/2022

CITY OF WORCESTER

Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Meeting

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:31 P.M.

Adjourned: 06:32 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Etel Haxhiaj
Vice Chairperson Kathleen M Toomey
Councilor George J Russell

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Etel Haxhiaj Vice Chairperson Councilor Kathleen M Toomey Councilor George J Russell

	Also:	Chief Financial Officer Timothy McGourthy City Assessor Samuel Konieczny Nearmap US Inc. Representative Martine Sutera Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk

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. Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/94166600916 Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee Zoom Access Code: 941 6660 0916	Attachments

Approval of the Minutes



2a.	Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment hereby approves the minutes of the Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee meeting of April 25, 2022.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted.

Communication of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the Executive Order Establishing Oversight and Control Over Surveillance Technology and the use of orthographic imagery from Nearmap US. Inc. # 10.29A CM April 5, 2022 In Committee April 25, 2022 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj read the item and recognized the Chief Financial Officer, who discussed the ability of Nearmap’s technology to assist the Assessor’s Office with reviewing structures and completing desktop reviews, as well as the policy the department will follow when using the technology. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the City Council’s role relative to approving use of the technology, as well as the various tasks the technology will accomplish with the Chief Financial Officer. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed her review of the documentation received by the Assessor’s Office. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj discussed appreciation for the opportunity the Assessor’s Office for bringing the item forward the public to provide input and review a policy prior to use Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized the City Assessor, who discussed the city’s projected policy relative to the use of Nearmap Imagery, including the privacy aspects of the imagery, how the department will utilize the technology and whether the public has access to the images for their own use. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the subscription aspects of the program, why the technology is not intended to be available to the public to the extent the Assessor’s Office can use the program and other communities that use the technology with the Chief Financial Officer and City Assessor. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed whether other departments or City Council members, as City employees, would have access to the program with the City Assessor and Chief Financial Officer. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the package and contract that the city would be entering with Nearmap US Inc. with the City Assessor. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized the Nearmap US Inc. Representative, who provided information relative to the aerial imagery work done by the company and provided a presentation of the software to the Standing Committee, including that personal features are unrecognizable. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the benefits of Nearmap’s technology over free technology, as well as the laws relative to entering properties to assess them with the Nearmap US Inc. Representative, City Assessor and Chief Financial Officer. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj recognized Councilor Toomey, who discussed the history of images within free technologies and the technology’s ability to assist with urban planning with the City Assessor, Nearmap US Inc. Representative and Chief Financial Officer. Chairperson Councilor Haxhiaj moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved to support implementing the use of orthographic imagery from Nearmap US Inc. Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Russell abstained)