CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMER 30, 1999

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:06 P.M.

Adjourned:  8:24 P.M.

 

1.       INVOCATION – Rev. Richard Wright

Emmanuel Baptist Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

         

3.                 ROLL CALL – All present except Councillors Cooney, Lukes and Patton. Councillor Patton arrived at 7:08 P.M., Councillor Lukes at 7:11 P.M. and Councillor Cooney at 7:12 P.M.

 

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING – 7:00 P.M.

 

          Hearing held – Ordinance Committee voted to accept the Report of the Planning Board and approve the Petition

 

4.       REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to a request of the School Department that a portion of Prescott St. be discontinued as a public way.

 

RECESSED ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING – 7:00 P.M.

 

          Hearing reconvened – Petitioner requested Leave to Withdraw

 

5.       REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Matthew P. Stepanski, President, C.M.I.M.E., Inc. requesting to amend the Zoning Map by changing the current RS-7 zoning designation for property northerly of Shore Dr. to MG-1.0.

 

 

FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

          Council voted to re-advertise proposed Ordinance

 

6.       To Be Ordained – Amending Chapter 11 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 relative to Shooting Galleries.

 

SECOND ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

          Held to be First Item of Business December 7, 1999

 

7.       Request City Solicitor to provide City Council with an opinion as to whether the City Council can request the City Manager to consider calling for a Civil Service test for Fire Chief and Police Chief. (Cooney)

 

8.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

8a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

         

          9 REFERRED TO PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

9.       Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of Richard Robinson request WRTA to erect a bus shelter on Chandler St. at Queen St. in the vicinity of Community Health Link.

 

          10 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

10.     Harriet Lebow & Jonathan Finkelstein request City of Worcester to replace existing 1” iron water main in Berwick Lane with a 2” water main and extend to the new residence at 11 Berwick Lane.

         

          11-14 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

11.     Norma Rivera request handicap parking on Jefferson St. off Vernon St.

 

12.     Catherine Amelin & Jessica Perry request residential parking in front of 61 Gage St.

 

13.     Marsha Duplessis et al request: 1) Stopping of all large heavy trucks on Bailey St.;  2)  Posting of Go Slow Children signs;  3) Blind Driveway sign at 26 Bailey St. and 4) 4-way Stop at Assabet with crosswalks.

 

14.     Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of Joseph Mironda request handicap parking sign in front of 652 Pleasant St.

 

14a.   George McGuirk et al request City Manager to consider a fair increase for private snow contractors.  Suspension of Rules – Referred to the City Manager

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          14b-o FROM PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORATION COMMITTEE – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

14b.   Request City Manager and Massport to outline plans to improve service with excess budget monies when and if deficit is eliminated.

 

14c.   Request City Manager and Massport to agree to include City of Worcester public safety personnel in future Airport expansion.

 

14d.   Request City Manager and Massport to provide City Council with quarterly reports on progress with Operating Agreement.

 

14e.   Request City Manager and Massport to agree to a 4-1 ratio of passenger travel versus cargo.

 

14f.    Request City Manager and Massport to include all towns impacted by increased air traffic at the Worcester Regional Airport in future discussions.

 

14g.   Request Traffic Engineer provide City Council with comprehensive existing road network showing possible improvements.

 

14h.   Request City Manager and Massport contact state officials (Governor and local delegation) to have state share in funding of Worcester Regional Airport.

 

14i.    Request City Manager report if by signing the Transfer Agreement between the City of Worcester and Massport does that bind the City to Article 18 of the Operating Agreement.

 

14j.    Request City Manager to report what alternative access roads are being proposed in the Environmental Notification Form and what is Massport’s preferred alternative.

 

14k.   Request City Manager report if there is language in the Operating Agreement between the City of Worcester and Massport for operation of Worcester Regional Airport for monitoring of air pollution.

 

14L.   Request City Manager report if Massport takes over operation of the Worcester Regional Airport will there be a representative of Massport available to citizens to answer questions and record complaints.

 

14m.  Request City Manager report if there is language in the Operating Agreement between the City of Worcester and Massport for operation of the Worcester Regional Airport for compensation to homeowners for decreased valuation of their homes.

 

14n.   Request City Manager report if there is language in the Operating Agreement between the City of Worcester and Massport for operating of the Worcester Regional Airport for compensation with regard to any quality of life issues.

 

14o.   Request Airport Director report on weather related cancellations at the Worcester Regional Airport.

 

ORDERS

 

14p.   Request City Manager to report on the specifics of the use of the Senior Center building, timelines and amount of expenditures involved, what the remaining two-thirds build out of the building will cost and who will bear the cost.   Motion-Clancy @ #9A CM – Adopted

 

14q.   Request City Manager report if the Responsible Employer Ordinance has caused difficulties on City projects and the impact of those difficulties.  Motion-Lukes @ #9A CM – Adopted

 

14r.    Request City Manager to take the response in Item 10B of the City Manager’s Calendar of November 30, 1999 and consider referring it to the  City Treasurer for a further response as to whether or not those assessments are eligible for the City to collect.  Motion-Clancy @ #10B CM -  Adopted

 

14s.   Request Administration report when the Administration intends to move past the concept of women firefighters and actually hire women firefighters.  Motion-Luster @ #14A CM – Adopted

 

14t.    Request Administration report what kind of enforcement procedure is being used to provide free holiday parking for shoppers rather than for employees and others.  Motion-Lukes @ #24B CM – Adopted

 

14u.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report specifically delineating what money is going for what purpose relative to the Medical City Project.  Motion-Lukes @ #26B CM – Adopted

 

14v.   Request City Manager report on the issue of reimbursement for transportation for students attending Charter schools  Motion-Lukes @ #28A CM – Adopted

 

14w.  Request Administration to provide City Council with a breakdown on the funding, by Charter school.  Further, request the number of students, whether they are regular or special education and how much the City is paying per student for children attending Charter schools and whether transportation costs are included.   Motion-Patton @ #28A CM – Adopted

 

14x.   Request City Manager provide in his next report relative to the MBTA the figure on the assessment to the City of Worcester in 2002.  Motion-Murray @ #18CC – Adopted

 

14y.   Request City Manager report to City Council any time there is a snowstorm as to the cost of that snowstorm in order to monitor the Snow Removal Account.  Motion-Lukes @ #22CC – Adopted

 

14z.   That the City Council meeting scheduled for December 28, 1999 is hereby cancelled.  Motion-Mariano at end of meeting – Adopted

 

14aa.  That the previous candidates for election to the Library Board of Trustees be notified of the upcoming election on December 21, 1999.  Motion-Luster at end of meeting – Adopted

 

14bb. Request City Clerk to invite candidates to the Library Board of Trustees to meet with City Council and the Mayor at a reception on the third floor of City Hall on December 21, 1999 at 6:00 P.M.  Motion-Clancy at end of meeting – Adopted

 

14cc. Request Administration to provide City Council by December 14, 1999 with the current make up of the Library Board of Trustees; how many men, how many women, what district they reside in and the number of minorities.  Motion-Nadeau at end of meeting – Adopted

 

14dd. Request Administration to provide City Council with a report of both the in-patient and out-patient pediatric psychiatric care available in the City of Worcester.  Luster – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

14ee.  Request Administration report at the December 7, 1999 City Council meeting relative to the hazardous condition of the hole next to the Nelson Place School and whether the City can declare an emergency and backfill said hole.  Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

14ff.   Request Administration to be present at the Land Use Committee meeting on December 2, 1999 with some kind of recommendation regarding revision of zoning as it applies to the situation next to the Nelson Place School.  Lukes – Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

15.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

         

 

APPOINTMENTS

1.       NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

2.       CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION;

 

TRANSMITTALS

 

  3.     AIRPORT:

 

 4.      ASSESSORS:

 

 5.      BUDGET OFFICE:

 

A.      Communication relative to Final Budget Adjustments – Fiscal 2000.

 

Placed on file

 

  6.     CIVIC CENTER:

 

 7.      COMMUNICATIONS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Training for Emergency Medical Dispatch.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to First Responder Statue.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

 8.      DEVELOPMENT:

 

9.       ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Worcester Focal Point Senior Center.

 

Referred to Elder Affairs Committee

 

10.     ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

A.      Communication relative to Voting Precincts Located at Gates Lane School.

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to Residency Requirement of Voter Eligibility.

 

Placed on file

 

11.     EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

12.     EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13.     FIRE:

 

A.      Communication relative to Timeline – To Begin Academy.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

14.     HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

A.               Communication relative to Reserve List for Female Firefighters.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.                SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to timeline for submitting requests for the public safety chiefs’ civil service tests.

 

Held to be First Item of Business December 7, 1999

 

C.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to the promotional exams for Police and Fire Chiefs.

 

Held to be First Item of Business December 7, 1999

 

15.     INFORMATION SERVICES:

 

16.     LAW:

 

A.      Communication relative to Mill Street Zoning Decision – Gunnerson v. Antinelli.

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to Shooting Range Ordinance.

 

Tabled

 

C.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Council Authority to Discuss Requisition of Civil Service Exam for Fire Chief.

 

Held to be First Item of Business December 7, 1999

 

17.     LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

18.     PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Communication relative to Invitation to the Duffy Field Playground Dedication.

 

Placed on file

 

19.     PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

20.     POLICE:

 

21.     PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

22.     PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

23.     PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

A.      Communication relative to accreditation status of the Worcester Vocational High School.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

24.     PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Capital Plan for Sewer Reconstruction.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Downtown Holiday Parking Program.

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Yard Waste Drop-Off Sites.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to Mechanic Street Traffic Pattern.

 

Placed on file

 

25.     PURCHASING:

 

26.     TREASURY:

 

A.      Communication relative to Bond Insurance/Bond Rating.

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to East Central Urban Renewal (Medical City) Borrowing.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

27.     VETERANS' SERVICES:

 

28.     FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that Three Million Eight Hundred One Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Dollars ($3,801,388) be reduced from Account #500-92000 Fiscal 2000 Worcester Public Schools Ordinary Maintenance to accurately account for the Charter School Educational Offset; the WTI/QCC  Educational Offset; and for the increase in Chapter 70 Funds.

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

On a voice vote Council voted to reconsider

 

On a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays Councillor Luster was recused

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

B.      Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) be raised and appropriated into Account #2A-470-92000 Fiscal 2000 Regional Airport Ordinary Maintenance. Funding will come from $250,000 in revenue from Massport as part of the five year operating agreement between the City and Massport.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

C.               SUPPLEMENTAL - Recommending that Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) in revenues declared surplus by the City Assessor from the fiscal 1994 overlay account be used and appropriated as a revenue source to fund the City of Worcester’s fiscal 2000 operating budget.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

29.     ORDINANCES/ORDERS:

 

30.     MISCELLANEOUS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Gun Buy Back Program.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

16.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting computation of the legal debt margin for the City of Worcester as of October 31, 1999.

          

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

17.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting City of Worcester Auditors’ Report – October 31, 1999.

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

18.     Frederick A. Laskey, Commissioner, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Revenue transmitting estimated amount to be received by the City of Worcester during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000.

                                                        

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

19.     Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting report whether the School Building Assistance Board has approved all of the City’s pending school construction applications.

 

Placed on file

 

20.     David J. Rushford, City Clerk transmitting request for fee changes.

 

Referred to Fees & Charges Committee

 

21.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Action Taken

 

FINANCE

 

a)       #40CC   June 22, 1999

 

Order – Request City Council to schedule Finance sessions beginning the first week in January 2000 in order to commence discussions regarding budget issues.   (Lukes)

 

b)      #41CC   June 22, 1999

 

Order – 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)

 

c)       #63CC  September 21, 1999

 

Order – Request City Council pledge to maintain the existing tax rate for the next three fiscal years.  Further, request City Council instruct the City Manager to prepare the next three budgets using only “New growth”, state and federal funds and existing tax revenues. (Mariano)    

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          22-43 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

22.     Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 relative to Occupational Group P – Foreman & Supervisor - Snow Operations Inspector & Supervisor.

                                                    

23.     Amending Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on School days from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the west side of Claremont Square near Claremont St.

 

24.     Amending Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on School Days from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the south side of Claremont St. near Woodland St.

 

25.     Amending Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on School Days from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the north side of Oberlin St. near Woodland St.

 

26.     Amending Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the east side of Woodland St. near Claremont St.

 

27.     Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Stop signs on Claremont St. at Woodland St.

 

28.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the north side of Fremont St. near Cambridge St.

 

29.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the south side of Fremont St. near Cambridge St.

          

30.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the north side of Fremont St. near Cambridge St.

 

31.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for 30 minute parking on the north side of Fremont St. near Cambridge St.

 

32.     Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Stop sign on St. John’s Rd. at Sutton Lane to face westbound traffic.

 

33.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the south side of Fremont St. near Cambridge St.

 

34.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for 15 minute parking 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the south side of Fremont St. near Cambridge St.

 

35.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind 10 minute parking on the east side of Salisbury St. near Institute Rd.

 

36.     Amending Section 70 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to install prohibited left turns on Highland St. eastbound traffic into Salisbury St.

 

37.     Amending Section 70 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind prohibited left turn for Highland St. westbound traffic into Main St. Upper Level.

 

38.     Amending Section 70 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind prohibited left turn for Concord St. westbound traffic into Salisbury St.

         

39.     Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to make it mandatory for the left lane to turn left for southbound traffic on Grove St. turning into Concord St.

 

40.     Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to make it mandatory for the left lane to turn left for northbound traffic on Salisbury St. turning into Salisbury St. (westbound).

 

41.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking on the south side of Norfolk St. near Villanova St.

 

42.     Amending Section 31 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for a Yield sign to face eastbound traffic on the Connector Road (between Beaconsfield Rd. and Chesterfield Rd.) at Beaconsfield Rd.

 

43.             Amending Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind prohibited parking on the east side of Woodland St. near Claremont St.

 

TABLED ITEMS – No Action Taken

 

44.     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.

 

45.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an RFP for the sale of the Belmont Home.

 

46.     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.

         

47.     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.

 

48.     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.

 

49.     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.

 

50.     Tabled In Part – Order – Request Administration report on whether the Worcester Redevelopment Authority intends to sell the tax credits of the Union Station Project, the value of the tax credits, the intended use of the proceeds of the sale and further, request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.   (Lukes)

Tabled – request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.

 

51.     Chairman’s Order from Traffic & Parking Committee – Request Director of Traffic Engineering to install “Children” and “Intersection Ahead” signs on Ardmore Rd. in advance of Hancock Hill Dr.  

 

 

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

NOVEMBER 29, 1999      PUBLIC SERVICE &  GATES LANE SCHOOL

    7:00 P.M.                       TRANSPORTATION   1238 MAIN ST.

                                                                                   ALL PURPOSE ROOM

 

RE: AGREEMENT WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY BY WHICH MASSPORT WOULD BECOME OPERATOR OF WORCESTER REGIONAL AIRPORT

 

DECEMBER 1, 1999          COMMUNITY              COUNCIL CHAMBER

    4:00 P.M.                         DEVELOPMENT

 

DECEMBER 2, 1999        FEES & CHARGES        COUNCIL CHAMBER

    5:00 P.M.

 

DECEMBER 2, 1999              LAND USE                COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.

 

DECEMBER 6, 1999          PUBLIC WORKS         COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.

                                                 

DECEMBER 8, 1999         TRAFFIC & PARKING   ROOM 409

    6:00 P.M.                                                                  CITY HALL

 

DECEMBER 8, 1999          COMMERCE &            UNION STATION

    7:00 P.M.                           DEVELOPMENT

 

DECEMBER 9, 1999                HOUSING               COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.

 

DECEMBER 9, 1999         PUBLIC SAFETY         ROOM 409

    6:00 P.M.                                                               CITY HALL

 

DECEMBER 13, 1999         MUNICIPAL               COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:30 P.M.                          OPERATIONS

 

DECEMBER 15, 1999       ELDER AFFAIRS       COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.