CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL
- JUNE 22, 1999
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:08 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:30 P.M.
1. INVOCATION - Rev. Robert Costa, Jr.
Christian Life Center
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL - All present
HEARINGS AND ORDERS - 7:00
P.M.
Hearings
held
4. MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a joint pole relocation on: ANDOVER STREET.
5. MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE &
TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a joint pole location on: ANDOVER STREET.
4a & 5a ORDERS ADOPTED
4a. Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW
ENGLAND TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a joint pole relocation on:
ANDOVER STREET.
5a. Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW
ENGLAND TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a joint pole location on: ANDOVER
STREET.
FIRST ITEMS OF BUSINESS
6. TAX LEVY PORTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET
7. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a
Loan Order in the amount of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,200,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C741, Street Construction for
the purpose of construction or reconstruction and surfacing or resurfacing of
streets, private street conversions, betterment and sidewalks.
Voted to advertise proposed
Loan Order
8. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a
Loan Order in the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) to be
appropriated to Account #91C723, Street Construction/Improvements for the
purpose of making infrastructure improvements of public ways (Granite St.)
Voted to advertise proposed
Loan Order
9. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a
Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($310,000.00) to
be appropriated to Account #91C723, Street Construction/Improvements for the
purpose of providing engineering and design services for Route 20 access road.
Voted to advertise proposed
Loan Order
10. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C722, Bridge Repairs for the purpose of making infrastructure improvements to the Stafford St. Bridge.
Voted to advertise proposed
Loan Order
11. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C722, Bridge Repairs for the purpose of making infrastructure improvements to Coal Mine Brook Bridge.
Voted to advertise proposed
Loan Order
SECOND ITEMS OF BUSINESS
12. CAPITAL EQUIPMENT BUDGET
13. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Eight Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($3,875,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C780, City Wide Capital Equipment for the purpose of purchasing additional departmental equipment.
Held to be First Item of
Business July 6, 1999
14. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a
Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars
($125,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C780, City Wide Capital
Equipment for the purpose of purchasing additional departmental equipment
(Geographic Information Systems) for the Sewer Department.
Held to be First Item of
Business July 6, 1999
15. Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a
Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars
($125,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C780, City Wide Capital
Equipment for the purpose of purchasing capital equipment (Geographic
Information Systems) for the Water Department.
Held to be First Item of
Business July 6, 1999
16. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST
16a. ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
PETITIONS
17-19 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
17. James
Voyiatzis request sidewalk repair at 1 Eureka St.
18. Councillor
Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Bill Dolan, Hickey's Package Store request repair
of broken sidewalk in front of 261 Lincoln St.
19. Michael
Valentine et al request emergency private street maintenance on Bremer St.
19a. Councillor
Timothy J. Cooney, Jr. on behalf of Roger Trahan request Public Works repair
sidewalk adjacent to 19 Paul St. driveway.
Referred to Public Works
Committee - Suspension of Rules
20-23 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
20. Frederick Baus on behalf of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium
request approval for trailblazer signs for the following colleges: Ana Maria,
Assumption, Becker, Clark, College of the Holy Cross, Mass. College of
Pharmacy, Quinsigamond Community College, WPI and Worcester State from I-290
exits. This request is being made to
accommodate the Mass. Highway Department which has agreed to erect Interstate
Exit Signs for these colleges once trailblazer signs have been approved.
21. Councillor John Finnegan on behalf of Site Council at Columbus
Park Preparatory Academy & Parent Teacher Organization request the
following to improve the safety of the school zone on Lovell St.: A flashing yellow, red traffic light at the
intersection of Lovell St., Maywood St. and Englewood Ave., that marked School
Zone boundaries be extended to include that same intersection, hours listed on
20MPH School Zone sign be extended to read 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. while school
is in session, a diligent effort by Police Traffic Division in cracking down on
all moving violations that happen in this area on a daily basis.
22. Lawrence Freed request Traffic Department establish and post
speed limit and Thickly Settled signs on Blithewood Ave. Also request a ladder crosswalk across
Blithewood Ave. at Oakwood Lane.
23. Councillor Stephen Patton request parking be allowed on one side
of Lansing Ave. in the winter.
24 REFERRED TO THE TRAFFIC ENGINEER
24. Councillor Stephen T. Patton on behalf of Laura Myers request
Stop sign on Hancock Hill Dr. at Ardmore Rd.
25
REFERRED TO THE CITY MANAGER WITH CITY COUNCIL COMMENDATION
25. William Duffy et al request City Council to commend Richard
Garbis, a caretaker at Lake Park, Tivnan Field for a continuously well done
job.
26 & 27 HEARINGS SET FOR JULY 6, 1999 - 4:00 P.M.
26. MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY for three joint pole locations on: CARPENTER AVE.
27. MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a conduit and cable system at the intersection of: MAYFIELD STREET AND CHANDLER STREET.
28. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. NON-CITY
COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
2. CITY
COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
3. AIRPORT:
4. ASSESSORS:
5. BUDGET
OFFICE:
A. SUPPLEMENTAL - Communication relative to Chapter 90 Resurfacing Funds.
Placed on file
B. SUPPLEMENTAL - Communication
relative to Departments seeking capital
funds for vehicles.
Held to be
First Item of Business July 6, 1999
C. SUPPLEMENTAL - Communication relative to impact of a 70%, 80% and 90% reduction to the recommended
capital equipment purchases for fiscal 2000.
Held to be
First Item of Business July 6, 1999
6. CIVIC CENTER:
A. Communication
relative to Centrum Security.
Placed on file
7. COMMUNICATIONS:
8. DEVELOPMENT:
9. ELDER
AFFAIRS:
10. ELECTION COMMISSION:
11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
12. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:
13. FIRE:
A. Communication relative to Semi Automatic External Defibrillators.
Referred to Public Safety
Committee
14. HUMAN RESOURCES:
15. INFORMATION SERVICES:
16. LAW:
A. Communication relative to Duplicate Programming/Cable Stations.
Referred to Public Service
& Transportation Committee
17. LICENSE COMMISSION:
18. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:
19. PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
A. Communication relative to Disposition of City Owned Property.
Referred to Land Use
Committee
B. Communication
relative to Grants Acquisition Office.
Referred to Community
Development Committee
C. Communication relative to Minivan Service at Lutheran Village.
Referred to Public Service
& Transportation Committee
D. SUPPLEMENTAL -
Communication relative to Pleasant Street 2-Way Conversion Status.
Referred to
Traffic & Parking Committee
20. POLICE:
A. Communication relative to Gun Related Arrests in Worcester.
Referred to Public Safety
Committee
B. Communication relative to Gun Buy-Back Program.
Referred to Public Safety
Committee
21. PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:
A. Communication relative to Grant Monies/Indigenous Leader Outreach Intervention Model.
Placed on file
22. PUBLIC LIBRARY:
23. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
A. Communication relative to Bus Stop for Seven Hills Charter School at Hastings Road and West Boylston Street.
Referred to the Mayor
24. PUBLIC WORKS:
A. Communication relative to Chapter 90 Funding for FY 2000.
Placed on file
B. Communication relative to Water Problem/Parsons Hill.
Referred to Public Works
Committee
C. SUPPLEMENTAL
- Communication relative to Water Supply Alert.
Referred to Public Works
Committee
25. PURCHASING:
26. TREASURY:
27. VETERANS' SERVICES:
28. FINANCE:
A. Recommend that the City Manager, with the approval of the City Auditor, be authorized to make adjustments to city accounts to balance the Fiscal Year l999 Budget. This authorization will be for any minor transfers that may need to take place after June 22, l999.
Order adopted on a roll call
B. Recommend that Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) be authorized from Account #040-92000, City Manager Ordinary Maintenance, for the purpose of making a payment for a prior year invoice to Clark University for their service in performing Worcester's Annual Citizen Survey.
Order adopted on a roll call
C. Recommend that Six Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($6,250,000.00) be transferred from #91C790 School Construction and appropriated to the following accounts.
ACCT. DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
33C712 Roosevelt School Const. $3,000,000.00
33C714 Norrback School Const. 1,000,000.00
33C717 Vocational School Const.
2,250,000.00
Total $6,250,000.00
to provide funds for the
purpose of payment for various contractual obligations related to various
school construction projects.
Order adopted on a roll call
D. SUPPLEMENTAL
- Recommend Two Hundred Forty Six Thousand Eighty Dollars ($245,080.00)
be transferred from Account #91C755 Worcester Public Library Rehabilitation, and
appropriated to Account #55C702, Public Library Rehabilitation Project to fund
the relocation expenses of the Worcester Public Library.
Order adopted on a roll call
E. SUPPLEMENTAL
- Recommend that the sum of Two Million
Four Hundred Twenty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Five Dollars and Eighty
Five Cents (2,427,925.85) be transferred from and to the accounts listed as
follows: $2,329,818.44 from and to various departmental tax levy accounts, and
$98,107.41 from and to city enterprise accounts, and a $28,000 reduction in 2A-470-91000
Airport Personal Services, to balance all city personal services and ordinary maintenance
accounts for fiscal 1999.
Order adopted on a roll call
29. ORDINANCES/ORDERS:
30. MISCELLANEOUS:
A. Communication relative to Recreation Plan, Worcester Housing Authority.
Referred to Housing
Committee
ORDERS
29. Request City Administration report to City Council on making
Pleasant St. two-way; when this will be implemented and/or process and
timeline. (Nadeau, Murray, Lukes)
Placed on file
30. Request City Administration to research a noise level ordinance for the residential areas of the City. (Nadeau)
Adopted
31. Request City Manager to advise City Council on whether MassPort negotiations regarding Worcester Regional Airport is contingent on an access road to Worcester Regional Airport. If so, immediately apprise City Council of the Mass. Highway Department's plans regarding the access road. (Petty, Finnegan, Cooney, Nadeau, Patton, Murray, Clancy)
Councillor Petty requested
Mayor Mariano’s name be added
Adopted
32. Request City Manager to advise City Council on its legal options in regard to Worcester Regional Airport access road. (Petty, Finnegan, Cooney, Nadeau, Patton, Murray, Clancy)
Councillor Petty requested
Mayor Mariano’s name be added
Adopted
33. Request City Administration to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to consider locating the Rogers-Kennedy Memorial somewhere in the main hall of Union Station. This memorial is an important part of Worcester's historical heritage. (Finnegan)
Denied on a roll call vote
of 3 Yeas (Finnegan, Murray, Petty) and 8 Nays
34. Request City Manager inform City Council about all MassPort negotiations so that neighbors in the Main South and Tatnuck areas will be fully informed of any and all plans that the City may have for the Worcester Regional Airport. (Cooney, Petty)
Adopted
35. Request City Manager include Congressman James McGovern in any and all negotiations involving MassPort and the Worcester Regional Airport. (Cooney)
Adopted
36. Request City Manager and Development Office inform City Council whether the City has any development plans for Wyman-Gordon site and environs. (Cooney)
Adopted
37. Request City Manager provide City Council with most recent information on Union Station development; also give information on plans for opening as well as specific operating budget forecast. (Cooney)
Adopted
38. Request City Manager to provide City Council with a detailed report on or before the August City Council meeting on the implementation of the Medical Center TIF provision which provides for downtown shuttle service for the Senior Center, including but not limited to the schedule, priority of seating and the duration of the shuttle service. (Luster)
Adopted
39. Request City Manager to meet with WRTA Administrator and provide City Council with a plan on or before the August City Council meeting to make para transit service available for access to Senior Center by re-defining the definition of medical services to include wellness programs at the Senior Center or add Senior Center transportation to the current menu which includes medical service and shopping. (Luster)
Adopted
40. Request City Council to schedule Finance sessions beginning the first week in January 2000 in order to commence discussions regarding budget issues. (Lukes)
Referred to Finance
41. Request City Manager to present a budget for the next fiscal year with a rate of growth that is either at the rate of inflation or excludes new growth, whichever sum is lower. (Lukes)
Referred to Finance
42. Request City Manager consider submitting to City Council a two year budget. (Lukes)
Adopted
42a. Request City Manager to report as to what type of support the
Grants Acquisition Office gives to other City departments. Motion-Lukes
@ #19B CM - Adopted
42b. Request City Manager to provide City Council with his assessment
and recommendation as to how many grants the Grants Acquisition Office should
write in the next fiscal year. Motion-Clancy @ #19B CM - Adopted
42c. Request City Manager report what City departments provide support
to the Grants Acquisition Office. Motion-Lukes @ #19B CM - Adopted
42d. Request City Manager report on how Grants Acquisition Offices in
cities of similar size to Worcester conduct their business, what their goals
are and what their impacts are in terms of municipal services. Motion-Mariano
@ #19B CM - Adopted
42e. Request Police Chief to report in response to statistics of gun
related arrests and if he has any recommendations as to whether the City could
be doing more on the City level. Motion-Lukes @ #20A CM - Adopted
42f. Request Mayor to express the City Council’s concern at the next
state delegation meeting relative to possible cutting of $15 million from
Chapter 90 funds. Motion-Perotto @ #24A CM - Adopted
42g. Request City Manager to update City Council with regard to
restoration of Chapter 90 funds. Motion-Murray @ #24A CM - Adopted
42h. Request City Manager provide City Council with a comprehensive
report on the status of the Route 146 project, Chapter 90 funds and other ISTEA
enhancement projects. Motion-Clancy @ #24A CM - Adopted
42I. Request City Manager to contact our state delegation regarding
the City’s concerns relative to possible cutting of Chapter 90 funds and report
back to City Council with their response.
Motion-Finnegan @ #24A CM -
Adopted
42j. Request City and Public Works Committee consider abating the
water fees equal to the cost of repairs for each of the 15 homeowners in
Parsons Hill. Motion-Mariano @ #24B CM
Councillor Finnegan moved to amend: That abatements be retroactive
Order adopted, as
amended
42k. Request Public Works Department and Public Works Committee report
as to what steps might be taken to remedy problem at Parsons Hill. Motion-Murray
@ #24B CM - Adopted
42L. Request City Administration to provide City Council with a more
refined estimate on timelines when we say bidding in the fall as to when the
Administration hopes to have the bid out, when they hope to have bids received,
how long it takes to process bids and how quickly the bid can be awarded and
expect the contractor to begin work. Motion-Clancy @ #29CC - Adopted
42m. Request City Manager to place on the August 17, 1999 City Manager’s
Calendar an item for funding of making Pleasant St. two-way. Further, if such an item cannot be on the
August 17, 1999 City Manager’s Calendar request City Manager place an item on
his agenda that explains why this cannot be done and when it can be done. Motion-Lukes
@ #29CC - Adopted
42n. Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report
outlining his position on an access road to the Worcester Regional
Airport. Motion-Mariano @ #31CC - Adopted
42o. Request City Manager to request Mass. Highway Department to
present alternative plans for an access road to the Worcester Regional
Airport. Motion-Petty @ #31CC - Adopted
42p. Request City Manager provide City Council with a status report on
the condition of the Rogers-Kennedy Memorial and funding for its
restoration. Motion-Finnegan @ #33CC - Adopted
42q. Request Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery to provide
City Council with a report on the meeting which took place relative to the Rogers-Kennedy Memorial. Motion-Murray
@ #33CC - Adopted
42r. Request City Manager to work on a summit at the Worcester
Regional Airport to discuss the issue of an access road to the Airport. Motion-Cooney
@ #34CC - Adopted
42s. Request Law Department provide City Council with an opinion as to
exactly what process would take place and what approvals are involved relative
to an access road to Worcester Regional Airport. Motion-Cooney @ #34CC -
Adopted
42t. Request City Manager to visit Boston to meet with members of the
Joint Transportation Committee relative to Chapter 90 funds. Cooney
- Suspension of Rules - Adopted
42u. Request Administration to contact School Department to determine
the circumstances under which the No Trespassing Notification on Quinsigamond
School was changed and further, ascertain why no neighborhood meeting was held
prior to change. Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Adopted
43 & 44 ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL
43. PRIVATE STREET BETTERMENT: WHEELER AVE.
44. DECREE ALTERING PUBLIC STREET LAYOUT: BARROWS RD.
45 & 46 ADOPTED
45. SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: MIAMI ST.
46. SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: CARPENTER AVE.
COMMUNICATION
47. James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting article from the Wall St. Journal relative to new Municipality Bookkeeping Rules.
Placed on file
RESOLUTIONS
48. That the City Council of the City of Worcester recognizes the excellence of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University of Massachusetts/Memorial as they are selected as the top benchmark as a Superior Performing Site for Family-Centered Care. (Finnegan)
Adopted on a roll call
49. That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby recognizes the collaborative efforts of individuals and groups from throughout the Worcester community in submitting the application and being named as a finalist in the 1999 All America City competition being held in Philadelphia June 24-26, 1999. (Petty)
Councillor Petty requested all Councillors and the Mayor’s names be added
Adopted
50. That the Worcester City Council honors the Family Health Center for the accreditation they received from the Joint Commission on Accreditations of Health Care Organizations. (Nadeau)
Adopted on a roll call
51. RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE: No Items
Pending
REPORTS
52 PETITION APPROVED BY THE PLANNING BOARD
52. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Richard N. Casey, Jr. requesting removal of a portion of Willvail St. from the Official Map. Said portion being no more than 194' starting at Bauer St. easterly and southerly. This removal will disallow a throughway from Stafford St. to Main St. using residential streets without sidewalks.
53 REFERRED TO ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A HEARING
53. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Patrick O. Vargo, President, Vargo & Associates requesting City Council to assign all portions of the abandoned Bradley St. that did not automatically return to the property now owned by VA to VA.
53a-c
ACCEPTED AND ORDERS ADOPTED - Suspension of Rules
53a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Mare
Enterprises, Inc., Mark Bresnahan requesting extension of sanitary sewer line
in Nome St. Line will extend 80’ from
existing manhole to new manhole.
Sanitary line will be 8” PVC and service two single family homes. All work will be at Petitioner’s expense: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
53b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
Michael Konan of Dream House Builders requesting to extend existing sanitary
sewer only located at the terminus of Broome Ave. and McClintock Ave. with 8”
sanitary sewer for approximately 70’ with a manhole, at Petitioner’s expense: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
53c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
Attorney Robert E. Longden, Jr. on behalf of Burger King Corp. request to enter
into a prior agreement with the City of Worcester whereby the Petitioner will
construct a new sidewalk, curbing and other improvements within the right of
way of Madison St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
TABLED ITEMS - No Action Taken
54. Communication of the City Manager recommending that Twelve Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars and Fifty Cents ($12,688.50) be transferred from Account 331-46, Belmont Home Retained Earnings and appropriated to Account 045S505, Belmont Home Advertising, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for advertising costs for proposed sale of the Belmont Home.
55. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication
relative to an RFP for the sale of the Belmont Home.
56. Chairman's Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee -
Request Administration to consider using the current site of the Vocational
School, on the side of the Boys Club, as park land after discontinuance of use
as a Vocational School.
57. Chairman's Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee -
Request Administration to consider eliminating the softball field on the
Belmont St. side of the Vocational School site plan.
58. Chairman's Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee -
Request Administration to reconsider keeping educationally sound, the size of
the parking area for the new Vocational School.
59. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jonathan
Finkelstein, Esquire on behalf of Smallwood Village Associates, Inc. requesting
City of Worcester make Travis St.
public.