CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY
CLERK DEPARTMENT
CALENDAR
OF THE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 15, 2000
6:00
P.M. – Council to convene in the City Council Chamber
and
immediately vote to go into Executive Session in Room 310, City Hall
for
the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation
7:00
P.M. – Regular meeting of the City Council
Convened: 6:00 P.M.
Executive Session: 6:06 P.M. – 6:58 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Adjourned: 8:45 P.M.
1. INVOCATION – Rev. Glenn
Rounseville
Bethlehem
Covenant Church
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3.
ROLL
CALL – All present except Councillor
Lukes and Luster. Councillor Lukes arrived at 6:06 P.M.
ORDINANCE
COMMITTEE HEARING – 7:00 P.M.
4 - Hearing held – Held to be First Item of Business February 29, 2000
4. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting adoption of an ordinance amending the Worcester Zoning Ordinance relative to the Regulation of Indoor/Outdoor Shooting Ranges.
5. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST
5a. ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
6-14 REFERRED
TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
6. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of brick sidewalk at 10
Oxford St.
7. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of brick sidewalk in front
of 19 Oxford St.
8. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of brick sidewalk between
the corner of Newbury St. and 16 Congress St.
9. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of brick sidewalk in front
of 16 Congress St.
10. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of sidewalk at 2 Congress St.
11. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of brick sidewalk in front of
15 Congress St.
12. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of Congress St. sidewalk at 6
Crown St.
13. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of brick sidewalk in front of
1 Congress St.
14. Mary S. Keefe et al request repair of brick sidewalk in front of
11 Congress St.
15-18 REFERRED TO
TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
15. Peter Strniste, System Director, Maintenance/Engineering, St.
Vincent Hospital request permission to post directional signs for the Worcester
Medical Center.
16. Kalimorfi Karcasinas request handicap parking sign in front of
21 May St.
17. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Judy Finkel,
Principal, Flagg St. School request installation of appropriate signage and/or
School Zone, 20 MPH zone signs at Saxon Rd. and St. Paul Dr.
18. Eugeniusz Kaczmarczyk request handicap parking in front of 13
Jones St.
18a. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Roy Samra request
parking meters on the even numbered side of Oxford St. at Pleasant St. and on
the even numbered side of Ashland St. at Pleasant St. be changed from one hour
to two hour meters. Referred to Traffic
& Parking Committee – Suspension of Rules
19-23 FROM EDUCATION
COMMITTEE - Adopted
19. Request the Head Librarian to provide City Council with a
thorough report on purchasing new shelving or repainting existing shelving for
installation at the reconstructed enlarged Salem Square Library.
20. Request Administration report to City Council what measures the
City or owner of the Fremont St. library building has taken since occupancy to
make the building more habitable, include lighting and heating, etc.
21. Request Administration report to City Council what measures the
City and the owner of the Fremont St. library building are planning to take to
ensure and to maintain a fully operational burner and what actions the City has
available to take action against the owner for failure to provide a fully
operational heating system during this winter.
22. Request Administration report to City Council what actions are
being taken to ensure the safety of the most historically valuable documents
kept by the Worcester Public Library at the Fremont St. building.
23. Request Administration of the Worcester Public Schools to inform
City Council when they intend to occupy the newly constructed Roosevelt School.
24 & 25 FROM
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE - Adopted
24. Request City Manager to study the reallocation of office space
on the third floor of City Hall to determine if the former Alderman Chamber may
be reclaimed for meeting room space.
25. Request Administration report to City Council regarding possible
out-of-town sites for composting and the permitting process that would need to
be adhered to before such a site might be utilized.
26. Request City Council to permit the petitioner to have her vote
recorded as “yea” in favor of the adoption of the transfer of $400,000.00
requested by the City Manager, Item #28F held under privilege by Mayor Mariano
on January 25, 2000 and Item #125 on the City Council Calendar dated February
1, 2000. (Lukes)
27. Request City Council, through its Rules Standing Committee amend
the City Council rules regarding items, motions, orders and petitions
considered and voted under suspension of the rules at a duly held meeting so
that said voted items appear on the calendar of the next duly held City Council
meeting, showing the maker of the motion and the vote taken. (Lukes)
28. Request City Council, through its Standing Committee on Rules
review the City Council rules so as to update the jurisdiction of each Standing
Committee over the appropriate City departments. (Lukes)
Referred to Rules & Regulations Committee
29.
Request
Administration report on whether pre-employment physicals are required before
and as a condition of employment for all new employees for City employment and
School Department Employment and on the advisability and process of
establishing a City-wide policy requiring pre-employment physicals. (Lukes)
Councillor Patton moved to amend: Further, request Administration provide City Council with the definition of what a pre-employment physical is.
30. Request Administration report on the proposed re-configuration
of the intersection of Shore Dr., Holden St. and Drummond Ave. (Patton)
31. Request City Manager to consider the advisability of soliciting
and then placing printed advertising on municipal trash bags for the purpose of
reducing the cost of bags or minimizing any future increases. (Mariano, Clancy)
32. Request City Manager report on all projects funded to date
through the CDBG revitalization fund.
(Clancy)
33. Request City Manager report to City Council on total dollars he
wishes to borrow against the CDBG for the Webster St. fire station and the
Gardner/Kilby/Hammond project.
(Clancy)
34. Request City Manager report to City Council on his
recommendation regarding a new or refurbished central garage and the funding
sources for said project. (Clancy)
35. Request City Manager report to City Council on all public
improvements funded through the CDBG for the last five fiscal years. Clancy)
36. Request City Manager to develop a plan for funding neighborhood
mitigation projects which may be required as a result of the siting of
City-wide projects which cause significant negative impact or disruption in
those neighborhoods. (Lukes)
Mayor Mariano moved to amend: Further, that this item is not intended to refer directly or indirectly to the proposal relative to the Quinsigamond Landfill.
37. Request Administration to compare the cost of funding mitigation
projects for the Greenwood Landfill by means of a specific loan authorization
versus a permanent increase in the enterprise account for sewer user fees. (Lukes)
38. Request Administration report on the legality of funding
neighborhood mitigation projects from a permanent increase in sewer fees which
are assessed to an enterprise account as recommended by the Commissioner of
Public Works for the Greenwood Landfill disposal of street sweepings. (Lukes)
39. Request City Administration prepare a report on impact of
Circuit Breaker Legislation included in the State’s FY 2000 State budget and
any steps that could be used to inform eligible homeowners and renters of this
credit on their State Income Taxes. (Murray)
40. Request City Administration work with the Mass. College of
Pharmacy and local business to mitigate traffic and parking issues in the
Foster and Norwich St. areas.
(Murray, Petty)
Adopted
41. Request City Administration investigate the feasibility of
purchasing desktop computing services under a seat management program whereby a
single vendor supplies, maintains and replaces desktop computers and software,
provides help-desk and training services, maintains and manages the network and
offers internet access and any costs associated in implementing said management
program. (Murray, Luster, Irish)
Adopted
42. Request Administration to provide a listing of all street lights
currently approved, pending funding.
(Patton)
Councillor Patton requested to amend Order by changing street lights to
traffic lights
43. Request Administration to provide an update on the new Court
House building. (Patton)
44. Request Administration to provide a comparative analysis of
Framingham-Worcester line to all MBTA rail lines currently in operation. (Patton)
45. Request Administration to provide an update on the Worcester
Arts District and the Burwick building conversion. (Patton)
46. Request Administration to provide a status report on
improvements to Kendrick Field.
(Patton)
47. Request Administration to consider staffing Animal Control
Office to assist School Department and citizens with problem of unleashed dogs
in the early morning roaming school properties. (Patton)
48. Request Administration to provide a report on March Madness Basketball
Tournament. (Patton)
Councillor Murray moved to amend: Request Administration, through coordination with Councillor Patton organize the City team.
49. Request Administration to work with local business community
and/or legislative delegation to conduct the following studies: 1) Current and projected demand for commuter
rail service to and from Boston/Worcester, including number of potential
passengers, preferred times and need for off-peak service; 2) Analysis of existing regional rail
schedules (e.g. Worcester, Fitchburg, Framingham) to determine whether
alternative scheduling could allow for expanded service. This study should specifically assess the
feasibility of reallocating underutilized rolling stock, if any, within the
region. (Irish, Murray, Patton, Petty)
50. Request City Council to consider dedicating the Central St.
Gateway Bridge in honor of our Central Massachusetts Prisoners of War and work
with the Administration to coordinate a ceremony with National P.O.W. Day in
April. (Murray)
51. Request City Administration to contact the Eastside CDC
concerning the possibility of the Feast of the Street on Shrewsbury St. in
October. (Perotto)
52. Request City Administration to consider selling naming rights to municipal buildings in the City of Worcester. (Perotto)
53. Request legal opinion from the City Administration on the
process to be followed in amending or removing property within the USURP. (Murray, Lukes)
Councillor Lukes
moved to amend: Request City Manager attach to report the legal opinion from
8-12 months ago on the nature of the adjoining parcels and the impact of the definition
of contiguous in terms of Union Station and in terms of designation of that
particular USURP area and how it impacted on financing and funding. Further, request Law Department attach all
reports on this issue.
Councillor Perotto moved
to amend: Request City Administration provide the definition of decadence.
Councillor Clancy moved
to amend: Request City Manager to advise City Council when the item relative to
removal of property from the USURP was referred to the Administration and when
can City Council expect a response.
54. Request the WRA report to City Council on the status of USURP
removal amendment concerning properties in the Harding/ Temple/Green Island
neighborhoods and timetable for same. (Murray, Lukes)
54a. Request City Solicitor provide City Council with a written legal
opinion on the validity of the Shooting Range Ordinance as written and problems
with its particular phraseology. Motion-Lukes @ #4CC – Adopted
54b. Request Administration to provide a recommendation as to the
wording for the Shooting Range Ordinance that would be acceptable to the
Planning Board. Motion-Perotto @ #4CC – Adopted
54c. Request City Manager report what would have happened if
Wheelabrator was sited in the City on the terms that were proposed at that time
versus what it has cost the City since that time to dispose of its trash. Motion-Lukes
@ #36CC – Adopted
54d. Request Administration look at the Office of Planning and
Community Development in terms of its mission and looking at neighborhood
revitalization as a significant part of its mission even if it requires
changing the name of that particular department. Motion-Lukes @ #36 CC –
Adopted
54e. Request Traffic Engineer install handicap parking in front of 69
Providence St. on a 90 day trial. Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
54f. Request City Manager report to City Council on the status of the
Mental Health Department at St. Vincent Hospital/Worcester Medical Center. Petty
– Suspension of Rules
Councillor Clancy moved
to amend: Further, request City Manager
provide specific numbers based on statements made when the TIF was done as to
what percentage of St. Vincent Hospital would be used and what programs would
stay.
Councillor Lukes moved
to amend: Further, request City Manager
report how the City provides oversight of the TIF, how often this is done and
what kind of documentation is required and how the City has responded.
54g. Request Administration, not only in regard to out-of-town sites
but out-of-town sites that may be owned by the City of Worcester as well as
in-town alternative sites for the purpose of composting and provide City Council
with the cost of same and the permitting process. Further, request City Manager find out what Massport’s position
is in regard to location of a composting site at the Airport.
Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
54h. Request Administration to request the Worcester Redevelopment
Authority to institute a freeze on hiring.
Lukes – Suspension of Rules –
Adopted
54i. Request Administration provide City Council with an update on all
projects under the jurisdiction of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority. Lukes
– Suspension of Rules – Adopted
54j. Request City Manager report in writing the anticipated timeline
for the new fire class. Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
54k. Request City Manager report to City Council at the February 29, 2000
City Council meeting on the new fire class, clearly stating all
timeframes. Clancy – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
55. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication
relative to public safety and youth program information.
56. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to move of North High
School to temporary quarters.
57. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to the presentation of the
Precision Machining Institute of Central Mass. concerning its future
relationship with the programs offered by the Worcester Technical Institute.
58. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to applying for a grant
from the U.S. Department of Education for improvement of postsecondary
education.
59. Karen A. Grubber, Administrative Assistant, Human Resources
Coordinator transmitting Annual Report for the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution
Abatement District for the Period July 1, 1998 – June 30, 1999.
60. James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting computation of the
legal debt margin for the City of Worcester as of January 31, 2000.
61. That the Worcester City Council go on record in
support of the F.I.R.E. (Firefighter Investment and Response) Act, H.R. 1168. (Murray,
Abraham, Patton, Irish, Nadeau, Luster, Clancy, Petty, Mariano, Perotto)
62. 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)
d)
#5B
CM February 8, 2000
Communication of the City Manager transmitting
communication relative to Budgetary Projections for FY 01-05.
63 ACCEPTED &
ORDER ADOPTED
63. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Order of
Councillor Michael C. Perotto requesting Education Committee to research any
plans for rehab or new construction at the Multiple Intelligence School at
Dartmouth St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the
Administration to consider the rehabilitation of restrooms and re-enforcement
of the retaining walls at the Multiple Intelligence School at Dartmouth St. as
part of the next capital improvements program.
64-71 ACCEPTED
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the following
Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on
file.
64. Transmitting communication relative to Shut Down for Move –
Library.
65. Transmitting communication relative to Library Construction
Project.
66. Transmitting communication relative to Library Construction
Project Update.
67. Transmitting communication relative to the School Building
Rehabilitation request.
68. Transmitting communication relative to School Projects Update.
69. Transmitting communication relative to a breakdown of the funds
used to rehabilitate various Worcester Public School buildings.
70. Transmitting communication relative to Quarterly School
Construction Report.
71. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of
Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee
transmitting communication relative to building rehabilitation projects for
Worcester Public Schools: recommend Communication be placed on file.
72 & 73 ACCEPTED
& ORDERS ADOPT ON A ROLL CALL 10-0
72. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication
of the City Manager recommending 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: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
73. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication
of the City Manager recommending that One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741, Street Construction and
appropriated to Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion/Betterments to
provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various
private street conversion/betterment projects, as approved in the Capital
Improvement Program: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
74 ACCEPTED &
ORDER ADOPTED
74. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
Councillor Janice L. Nadeau requesting Public Works clean sewer at 90 Ward St.
at the intersection of Wade St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying
Order.
75-83 ACCEPTED
75. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. and Councillor Janice L. Nadeau requesting
Ballard St. be changed in name to Millbury St. when Rte. 146 access road is
reconstructed: recommend Petition be placed on file.
76. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Order of
Councillor S. Gary Rosen requesting City Manager report on problems associated
with the composting operation at Hope Cemetery: recommend Order be placed on
file.
77. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the
Committee on Public Works upon the Order of Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes
requesting Public Works Committee review public meeting space in the building
and make recommendations: recommend
Report and Order be placed on file.
78. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the
Committee on Public Works upon the Order of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr.
requesting City Manager study the feasibility of moving City Council offices to
the third floor of City Hall: recommend Report and Order be placed on file.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the following
Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on
file.
79. Transmitting communication relative to Grime Watch Program –
Progress Report 5 and 6.
80. Transmitting communication relative to Underground Storage
Tanks.
81. Transmitting communication relative to yard Waste Drop-off
Sites.
82. Transmitting communication relative to Compost Site/Hope
Cemetery.
83. Transmitting communication relative to cost of making Barry Road
Extension public.
84-87 ORDAINED ON A
ROLL CALL 10-0
84. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to install resident permit parking on both sides of Berkshire St. 5:00
p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
85. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 8 Auburn St.
86. Amending Section 33(f)(2) of Chapter 13 of the Revised
Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit right turns on a red traffic signal for
northbound traffic on Southbridge St. at Cambridge St.
87. Amending Section 33(f)(2) of Chapter 13 of the Revised
Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit right turns on a red traffic signal for
eastbound traffic on Cambridge St. at Southbridge St.
TABLED ITEMS - No Action Taken
88. 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. (Tabled 11/19/96)
89. 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. (Tabled
10/13/98)
90. 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. (Tabled 10/20/98)
91. 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. (Tabled 10/20/98)
92. 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. (Tabled
1/12/99)
93. 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 (Tabled 9/7/99)
94. 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. (Tabled
1/4/00)
95. 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. (Tabled 1/4/00)
96. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Lawrence A.
Brodeur, Attorney on behalf of Reed & Prince Manufacturing Corp. and
Horizon’s Development Association, Inc. requesting an alteration and relocation
of Waller Ave. to create an access drive for the proposed supermarket and a
private parking area for three residential properties on Waller Ave. All work to be completed in accordance with a
Definitive Site Plan Approval by the Planning Board. (Tabled 2/1/00)
FEBRUARY 22, 2000 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:00 P.M. AFFAIRS
FEBRUARY 22, 2000 LAND USE COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:30 P.M.
FEBRUARY 28, 2000 PUBLIC WORKS
VIEWS ONLY – 3:00 P.M. – Upper
Blackstone Water Pollution
Abatement
District
Enter from
Southwest Cutoff
4:00 P.M. – Ballard St. Incinerator Site
5:00 P.M. – Current Leaf Composting Operation
off Goddard
Memorial Dr.
View to include
the entrance to proposed
Location of Leaf
Composting Operation
On Airport Dr.
Near Pumping Station
Closest to
Prouty Lane
MARCH 1, 2000 PUBLIC WORKS COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 P.M.
5:30 P.M.
MARCH 9, 2000 COMMERCE & COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:00 P.M. DEVELOPMENT