Committee Agenda for Public Health and Human Services Committee 10/17/2023

CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:03 P.M.

Adjourned: 5:43 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council Nikolin Vangjeli
Committee Members
Chairperson Sarai Rivera
Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera, who participated in the meeting remotely Councilor Morris A Bergman Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, who arrived at 5:08 P.M.

	Also:	Commissioner for Health and Human Services Matilde Castiel Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn Worcester Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Coordinator Jean Saffron Community Initiatives Coordinator Leah Serafin Deputy City Clerk AJ 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. Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83696810013 Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Access Code: 836 9681 0013	Attachments

Approval of the Minutes



2a.	Order- That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services hereby approves the minutes of the Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting on September 28, 2023.	View Agenda

	Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 0 Nays (Haxhiaj absent)

Communications of the City Manager



3a.	Transmitting informational communication relative to lodging houses. # 9.4A CM April 11, 2023	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Chief Development Officer, who discussed the zoning districts which allow for lodging houses special permits, why lodging houses are concentrated in some areas and not others, the process and timeline relative to rewriting zoning ordinance, the needs to ensure there is accurate representation and accessibility in public outreach efforts, and how oversaturation of certain types of businesses will be addressed. Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays


3b.	Transmitting informational communication relative to a grant to Community Health Link to implement crisis intervention. # 10.18A CM March 21, 2023 In Committee May 9, 2023 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who provided and overview of the item. Chairperson Councilor Rivera then discussed whether crisis intervention program has been impacted by the decrease of detox beds and the impact of the dispatch service with the Commissioner for Health and Human Services. Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays


3c.	Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Year One Plan. # 11.18A CM November 29, 2022 In Committee May 9, 2023 - Held	Attachments

	Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Worcester Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Coordinator, who provided an overview of the item. Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays