CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 25, 2000
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:00 P.M.
Adjourned: 8:50 P.M.
1. INVOCATION – Pastor George A. Kohl
Belmont St. Baptist Church
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3.
ROLL CALL – All present, except Councillors Patton and Lukes.
Councillor Patton arrived at 7:05 P.M. and
Councillor Lukes at 7:10 P.M.
4. PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION TO ERWIN H.
MILLER, ESQ. FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE WORCESTER CULTURAL
COMMISSION. Held to February 1, 2000 meeting
5. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST
5a. ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
6 REFERRED TO THE PLANNING BOARD
6. J. Langlois, Inland Builders request Shady Brook Lane be made public.
7 & 8 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
7. David Romonoff request to extend sewer and water mains in Wakefield St. and Dixon St. at owner’s expense.
8. Philip Feinzeig, Attorney for Victory Productions, Inc. request handicap curb cut on Bowdoin St. adjacent to walkway leading to rear entrance of 55 Linden St. to accommodate handicapped employee.
9. Philip Feinzeig, Attorney for Victory Productions, Inc. request handicap parking space, effective between hours of 7:30 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., on Bowdoin St. adjacent to walkway leading to rear entrance of 55 Linden St. to accommodate handicapped employee.
9a. Request Law Department to respond with a report through the City Manager’s Office relative to the proposed changes of Ordinance for signs. Motion – Clancy @ #4A CM - Adopted
9b. Request City Assessor to report concerning the total amount of taxes that tax exempt properties would pay. Motion – Petty @ #4C CM - Adopted
9c. Request City Manager to report on taxable status of Biotech Park properties. Motion – Clancy @ #4C CM - Adopted
9d. Request City Manager to report on non-taxable properties including information from other communities and other cities that accept other types of contributions in lieu of taxes. Motion – Abraham at #4C CM - Adopted
9e. Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report on how codes of other city police and fire departments for communications are handled. Motion – Petty at #7A CM - Adopted
9f. Request City Manager provide a report within the next 90 days on what companies he has spoken with about relocating to Worcester because of the bandwidth infrastructure that has been created. Motion – Perotto @ #8A CM - Adopted
9g. Request City Administration to include in their discussions with CIGNA the possible opportunity of e-commerce for re-use of some space at the Worcester Common Outlets retail mall. Motion – Clancy @ #8A CM - Adopted
9h. Request City Manager to report on the process or plans to correct problems with 4th wiring loop due to construction of 146 Connector and infrastructure and to fill gap in the wireless telecommunications technology. Motion – Lukes @ #8A CM - Adopted
9i. Request City Manager to report as to what extent we can plug into the Telecommunication Infrastructure with immediate training and immediate creation of new jobs without going through the TIF process, but as part of our Employment and Training program. (Motion – Lukes at #8A CM) adopted
9j. Request Administration to report what resources are necessary to support the Visitors Center Project Action Plan and how we can afford them. Motion – Patton @ #8B CM - Adopted
9k. Request Administration to report after referencing Page 3 in the report from Item #8B of the City Manager’s Calendar of January 25, 2000 the cost generated. Motion – Lukes @ #8B CM - Adopted
9L. Request City Auditor to review quarterly cable reports for report to Council. Motion – Lukes @ #16A CM - Adopted
9m. Request City Manager to report regarding accountability regarding grant for Homeless Assistance Continuum Grant so Council will know if program is working. Motion – Lukes @ #19C CM- Adopted
9n. Request City Manager to report regarding
text inside Item #19E of the City Manager’s Calendar of January 25, 2000 as to
whether we can use off duty assignment account to pay for Traffic Light at
intersection of May & Woodland Sts.
Motion – Clancy @ #19E CM
Clancy moved to recommend refer to Traffic
& Parking Committee
Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee
9o. Request City Manager to provide a report
relative to resale price, size of property, and names of purchasers of
abandoned lots. Motion – Luster @ #19H
CM
Mariano moved to recommend refer to Land Use Committee
Referred to Land Use Committee
9p. Request City Manager to provide a report on
abandoned lots including if properties are back on the tax rolls, how many were
transferred without cost and how many for gardens. Motion – Nadeau @ #19H CM
Mariano moved to recommend refer to Land Use Committee
Referred to Land Use Committee
9q. Request City Manager to provide MA
Insurance Commissioner with a copy of the report that shows a reduction in the
incidence of auto theft in the City of Worcester which should favorably impact
the auto insurance rates charged local residents. Motion – Petty @ #20A CM - Adopted
9r. Request City Manager to report on sentences given to rapists in 1998 and 1999, include how many are repeat offenders and the age of victims and offenders. Motion – Luster @ #20A CM - Adopted
9s. Request City Manager to provide a map where locations of rapes occurred in the City of Worcester, showing1998, in one color and in 1999, in another color. Motion – Luster @ #20A CM - Adopted
9t. Request City Manager to form a Rape Task Force that will include educating victims and providing safety equipment such as whistles and other resources. Motion – Luster @ #20A CM - Adopted
9u. Request City Manger to provide reports
requested earlier concerning crime statistics including an overall view and
cause of crimes. Motion – Nadeau @ #20A
CM - Adopted
9v. Request City Manager to properly staff the Worcester Police Department. Motion – Perotto @ #20A CM - Adopted
9w. Request Administration to provide comparative crime data against other cities in the Northeast USA. Motion – Irish @ #20A CM - Adopted
9x. Request Chief of Police to provide City Council with pro-active steps we might take to further improve on the reduction in the rate of violent crimes committed by youth. Motion – Irish @ #20A CM - Adopted
9y. Request City Manager to provide a report regarding the use of crime mapping technology system programs as used in Oakland, California and consider applying for grants aggressively to purchase them. Motion – Lukes @ #20A CM - Adopted
9z. Request City Manager to provide the City Council with a report as to the individual meetings of each of the crime watches held around the city in the last year, including names and how often they meet. Motion – Mariano @ #20A CM - Adopted
9aa. Request City Manager to give serious thought to adding another police class. Motion – Mariano @ #20A CM - Adopted
9bb. Request City Manager to provide a report on comment from report of previous year stating that crime was youth and drug related and include in report if crime was gang related. Motion – Clancy @ #20A CM - Adopted
9cc. Request City Manager to provide a report regarding visibility of police officers, the number of officers in foot patrols and in operations, per shift and comparisons to what other cities do in these areas, and number in uniform per shift. Motion – Clancy @ #20A CM - Adopted
9dd. Request Administration to provide a report on how many data statisticians we have in the Police Department. Motion – Lukes @ #20A CM -Adopted
9ee. Request Administration to report as to what an aggressive education program is, as stated in Item #21B of the City Manager’s Calendar of January 25, 2000. Motion – Mariano @ #21B CM - Adopted
9ff. Request Administration to provide a report on geese in Elm Park. Motion – Lukes @ #21B CM - Adopted
9gg. Request City Manager to report concerning Chapter 139 hearings; process and stages of rehabilitation and stages that happen between now and September, 2000 relative to 125 Eastern Avenue. Motion – Perotto @ #21C CM - Adopted
9hh. Request City Solicitor to highlight the differences between the no smoking ordinance as approved and the ordinance proposed in Item #21D of the City Manager’s Calendar of January 25, 2000. Motion – Irish @ #21D CM - Adopted
9ii. Request Administration to report on the
Central Garage relocation. Motion –
Perotto @ #24D CM
Lukes moved to recommend refer to Public
Works Committee
Referred to Public Works Committee
9jj. Request City Manager to report what the
state might do with infrastructure as far as constructing a baseball stadium
and ask state if it is feasible to use the Central Garage location for a
baseball stadium, and send copy of this report to the Baseball Stadium
Committee. Motion – Perotto @ #24D CM
Lukes moved to recommend refer to Public
Works Committee
Referred to Public Works Committee
9kk. Request City Manager to provide a report
regarding the cost of baseball stadium. Motion
– Perotto @ #24D CM
Lukes moved to recommend refer to Public
Works Committee Referred to Public Works Committee
9LL. Request Commissioner of the Department of Public Works to report on cost of repair of speed humps. Motion – Clancy @ #24E CM - Adopted
9mm. Request City Manager to provide a status report on finance items as routine part of back-up. Motion – Mariano @ #28F CM - Adopted
9nn. That the City Council have an Executive Session regarding Item #28F of the City Manager’s Calendar of January 25, 2000. Motion – Mariano @ #28F CM - Adopted
9oo. Request City Solicitor provide an opinion in writing as to propriety of executive session and appropriateness of other individuals being present at same time. Motion – Mariano @ # #28F CM - Adopted
9pp. Request City Solicitor provide a detailed report on the rationale in the Quintanilla law suit settlement. Motion – Mariano @ #28F CM - Adopted
9qq. Request City Manager to report on the impact on Free Cash of Quintanilla case settlement. Motion – Perotto @ #28F CM - Adopted
9rr. Request Law Department to provide a response regarding the filing in Quintanilla case at the next City Council Meeting. Motion – Abraham @ #28F CM - Adopted
9ss. Request City Manager to report relative to Glodis bill relative to Cider Mill Park and how it helped spearhead impact on City of Worcester. Mariano – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
9tt. Request City Manager and Public Service and Transportation Committee to provide a report relative to increase in cable rate and increase and reduction in level of service. Mariano- Suspension of Rules - Adopted
9uu. Request City Manager and the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works to research any and all other alternatives and cost of other locations for a composting operation than the recommended site at the airport. Abraham - Suspension of Rules - Adopted
9vv. Request Administration to provide a report on how many tax exempt properties in Item #4C of the City Manager’s Calendar of January 25, 2000 were converted to parking lots. Petty – Suspension of Rules - Aadopted
9ww. Request City Manager to report relative to date of preliminary budgetary hearings. Petty – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
10. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. NON-CITY
COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
A.
Notification of Constable
appointment.
Placed
on File
2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
3. AIRPORT:
4. ASSESSORS:
A. Communication relative to Annual Fees for
Properties Containing Billboards.
Placed
on File
B. Communication relative to Feasibility of
Taxing Underground Equipment.
Recommitted
to City Manager
C. Communication relative to Annual Value of
Revenue Loss from Exempt Properties.
Referred to Land Use Committee
5. BUDGET OFFICE:
6. CIVIC CENTER:
7. COMMUNICATIONS:
A. Communication relative to Analyzing the
First Responder.
Referred
to Public Safety Committee
8. DEVELOPMENT:
A.
Communication
relative to Worcester Info Tech Project Task Force Update.
Referred
to Commerce & Development Committee
B.
Communication
relative to Visitor Center Project Action Plan.
Referred to Commerce & Development
Committee
9. ELDER AFFAIRS:
10. ELECTION
COMMISSION:
11. EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
12. EMPLOYMENT
& TRAINING:
13. FIRE:
A.
Request City
Council accept with gratitude donations received from Fire Captain Joseph
Paparella, in the amount of $1,300.00 and $100.00 from Brenda Goodell of
Duxbury, in memory of her deceased grandfather, a former Worcester firefighter,
to be used toward the purchase of firefighting equipment.
Order Adopted with Gratitude
14. HUMAN
RESOURCES:
15. INFORMATION
SERVICES:
16. LAW:
A.
Communication
relative to Relationship-City Auditor’s Office and Worcester Community Cable
Access Inc.
Referred to Public Service &
Transportation Committee
17. LICENSE
COMMISSION:
18. PARKS,
RECREATION & CEMETERY:
A.
Communication
relative to Grant Award – Heritage Tree Care Grant.
Referred
to Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee
B.
Request City
Council accept with gratitude donation of five thousand collectible “Hero
Bears” from Mr. Robert LeClair, President and Founder of Holy Bears, Inc. of
Houston, Texas, for benefit of the families of the six Fallen Firefighters.
Order Adopted with Gratitude
C.
Request City
Council accept with gratitude donation of $500.00 from Paul N. Johnson Senior
Ruth League to benefit the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department’s (Tivnan
Field) Lake Park.
Order
Adopted with Gratitude
D.
Communication
relative to Department Tenancy at the Air National Guard Installation at
Skyline Drive.
Referred to Youth, Parks & Recreation
Committee
19. PLANNING
& COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
A.
Communication
relative to CDBG/HOME/ESG funding levels.
Referred
to Community Development Committee
B.
Request adoption of
a resolution authorizing the City of Worcester to apply for an Occupational
Safety and Health Education grant with the department of Industrial Accidents,
Office of Safety.
Resolution
Adopted
C.
Communication
relative to 1999 Homeless Assistance Continuum of Care grant award.
Referred
to Housing Committee
D. Request adoption of a resolution authorizing the filing of a Federal Land and Water Conservation fund state urban self help program grant with the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services.
Resolution Adopted
E.
Communication
relative to Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funding.
Referred
to Traffic & Parking Committee
F.
Communication
relative to Abandoned Building Task Force.
Placed
on File
G.
Communication relative
to status of the proposed Webster Square Station.
Referred
to Public Service and Transportation Committee
H. Communication relative to Neighborhood Lots.
Recommitted
to City Manager
20. POLICE:
A.
Communication
relative to decline in most categories of serious crime in Worcester in 1999.
Referred
to Public Safety Committee
B.
Communication
relative to Feasibility of Leasing Police Cruisers.
Referred to Public Safety Committee
21. PUBLIC
HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:
A.
Communication
relative to Cancer Incidence Rate.
Referred to Health Committee
B.
Communication
relative to the control of wild animals.
Referred
to Public Safety Committee
C.
Communication
relative to 125 Eastern Avenue.
Placed
on File
D.
Request adoption of
the proposed Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 8 of the Revised Ordinance of 1996
Relative to Smoking in Restaurants and Public Places.
Held one week under personal privilege (Lukes) Request to be First Item of Business
22. PUBLIC LIBRARY:
23. PUBLIC
SCHOOLS:
24. PUBLIC
WORKS:
A. Communication relative to Fee Increase/Private Plowers.
Referred to Public Works Committee
B.
Communication
relative to Traffic Control Agreement – Millbury Street.
Referred
to Traffic & Parking Committee
C.
Communication relative
to Hired Equipment Rates – Snow & Ice Equipment.
Referred
to Public Works Committee
D.
Communication
relative to Street Division and Central Garage Relocation.
Referred
to Public Works Committee
E.
Communication
relative to Pilot Speed Hump Program.
Referred
to Traffic & Parking Committee
25. PURCHASING:
26. TREASURY:
27. VETERANS'
SERVICES:
28. FINANCE:
A. Recommend
that Six Hundred Eleven Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Five Dollars and Eleven Cents
($611,865.11) be transferred from Account #2W-331-00, Water Retained Earnings,
and appropriated to the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
450103-92120 Water O.M Reservoir
$468,735.76
450104-92104 Water O.M Emergency $143,129.35
Pumping
Total $611,865.11
To provide funds for the payment of obligations related to the emergency activation of water supply connection with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), including the electricity cost at Shaft #3 in Holden, Massachusetts, as a result of calendar year 1999 drought.
Order
Adopted by a yea and nay vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
Also
Referred to Public Works Committee for Informational Purposes Only
B.
Recommend that One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741,
Street Construction, and appropriated to Account #41C768, Private Street
Conversion/Betterment’s, to provide funds for the payment of contractual
obligations related to various Private Street Conversion/Betterment’s projects,
as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Referred to Public Works Committee
for next meeting
C.
Recommend that
Thirteen Thousand Dollars ($13,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741,
Street Construction, and appropriated to Account #41C797, Sidewalks, to provide
funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various Sidewalk
projects, as approved in the Capital improvement Program.
Referred
to Public Works Committee for next meeting
D. Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #41C704, DPW Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the payment of engineering service obligations related to Fuel Spill Cleanup at the Public Works Central Garage facility, which has been cited by the State Department of Environmental Protection of environmental cleanup. Order
Adopted by a yea and nay vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays. Also Referred to Public Works Committee for Informational Purposes Only
E.
Recommend that One
Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00) be transferred from
Account #91C706, Worcester Senior Center Rehabilitation, and appropriated to
Account #04C703, Senior Center Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for
the General Contractor and associated cost for the Senior Center Rehabilitation Project.
Order
Adopted by a yea and nay vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
F.
Recommend that Four
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) be transferred from certified free cash
to Account #121-92000, Court Judgements Ordinary Maintenance, in order to
provide funds per the legal settlement agreements in the Quintanilla et al.
v. City of Worcester (Worcester
Superior Court Action No.94-0764B) and Chafoya v. City of Worcester, et al.,
(Worcester Superior Court Civil Action No.96-0060B) law cases.
Held under personal privilege (Mariano)
G. Recommend that Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C790 School Construction and appropriated to the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
33C712 Roosevelt School Construction $3,400,000.00
33C715 Norrback School Equipment 100,000.00
Total $3,500,000.00
to provide funds for the purpose of payment for various contractual obligations related to various school construction projects.
Order Adopted by a yea and nay vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
29. ORDINANCES/ORDERS:
30. MISCELLANEOUS:
A. Communication relative to 2.6 million in a H.U.D. award.
Placed on File
11. 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)
12. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting adoption of an ordinance amending the Worcester Zoning Ordinance, adopted April 2, 1991, relative to the Regulation of Indoor/Outdoor Shooting Range.
TABLED ITEMS- No Action
Taken accept #13 & #21
13. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an RFP for the sale of the Belmont Home. Taken off the Table and placed on file
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Shooting Range Ordinance. Taken off the Table and placed on file
22. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. requesting Traffic Engineer to consider a turning lane indicating “right turn only” for northbound traffic on Grafton St. at the intersection of Sunderland Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.
23. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to “Right Turn Only” lane for northbound traffic on Grafton St. at the intersection of Sunderland Rd.: recommend Communication be denied.
JANUARY 24, 2000 PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 P.M.
FEBRUARY 3, 2000 EDUCATION ROOM 310
7:00 P.M. CITY HALL
FEBRUARY 8, 2000 ETHNIC &MINORITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:30 P.M. AFFAIRS
FEBRUARY 9, 2000 PUBLIC WORKS
5:00 P.M. – VIEW OF CITY HALL BUILDING
View to start in City Council Office
6:00 P.M. – MEETING – COUNCIL CHAMBER
FEBRUARY 10, 2000 COMMERCE & ROOM 310
6:30 P.M. DEVELOPMENT CITY HALL
Note Change in Location of Meeting