CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL - MAY 30, 2000

7:00 P.M.

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

1.          INVOCATION –  Minister Patrick McGovern, Jr.

                                          Church of Christ

 

2.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.          ROLL CALL

 

HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

 

4.          COMMONWEALTH GAS COMPANY for a gas main location on:  THOMAS ST.

 

          4a ADOPT

 

4a.          Granting permission to COMMONWEALTH GAS COMPANY for a gas main location on:  THOMAS ST.

 

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARINGS - 7:00 P.M.

 

5.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of John D'Iorio requesting City Council to change the zoning at 335A Plantation St. and 333 Plantation St. from RL-7 to BG-3.0.

 

6.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Order of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. requesting approval of the attached Ordinance amending the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to Non-Accessory Signs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    

7.          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.

                                                           

8.          ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

8a.          ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          9 & 10 TO PUBLIC WORKS

 

9.       Fred Haggar et al request private street maintenance on Hemlock St.

 

10.          Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Ranay Swanson request sidewalk repair at 17 Uxbridge St.

 

          11-13 TO TRAFFIC & PARKING

 

11.     Debra Comtois Davis request "Dead End" or "Not a Thru Street" sign at the corner of Vincent Ave. and Circuit Ave. North.

 

12.          Angela Dyer et al request speed bumps for Mason St.

 

13.          Councillor Michael C. Perotto on behalf of Craig Leblanc request handicap parking in front of 7 Forestdale Rd.

 

          14-18 SET HEARINGS FOR JUNE 6, 2000 - 7:00 P.M.

 

14.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a joint pole location on :  TRENTON ST.

                                                  

15.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit system on:  NEWBURY ST.

 

16.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit system on:  SOUTHBRIDGE ST.

 

17.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit location on:  PLEASANT ST.

 

18.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit location on:  PIEDMONT ST.

 

19.     Adam Huberdault et al request to speak at the May 30, 2000 City Council meeting regarding the City taking an active role in helping organize neighborhood cleanups with a special focus on Crystal Park.

                                                       

20.          COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

                                                                Thomas R. Hoover

                                                                     City Manager

                                  City Council Calendar for May 30, 2000

 

                                   APPOINTMENTS

 

1.          NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

2.       CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

                                                        TRANSMITTAL                                                             

 3.          AIRPORT:

         

4.          ASSESSORS:

 

A.          Communication relative to Senior Work – Off Abatement Program.

 

B.          Communication relative to the Historical Perspectives on the Real Estate Market.

 

C.          Communication relative to the Calculation on Single Tax Rate.

 

D.          Communication relative to Primary and Secondary residences in the City of Worcester.

 

 5.          BUDGET OFFICE:

 

 6.          CIVIC CENTER:

 

 7.          COMMUNICATIONS:

 

 8.          DEVELOPMENT:

         

A.          Communication relative to Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) Monthly Report (April 2000).

 

 9.          ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

10.          ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11.          EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

12.          EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13.          FIRE:   

 

A.          Request City Council accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of $1075.00 from the students of Brandon School in Natick, Mass. This donation is to be used toward the purchase of firefighting equipment.

 

14.          HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

A.          Communication relative to Human Rights Commission Findings.

 

B.          Communication relative to Christino Hernandez former Human Rights Report.

 

C.          Communication relative to adding three women to the fire class.

 

D.          Communication relative to the number of positions we would need to reach all of the veterans on the firefighter’s list.

 

E.          Request adoption of the Salary Ordinance Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996, relative to members of Public Health Nurses Association.

 

F.          Communication relative to Veterans on a Civil Service List-Prior to Non-Veterans on the list.

 

15.          INFORMATION SERVICES:

 

16.          LAW:

 

A.          Communication relative to Mass. General Laws.

 

B.          Communication relative to the Double Elderly Abatement.

 

C.        Communication relative to a Legal Opinion regarding the                            

                      Veterans Preference Motion.

 

17.          LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

18.          PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.          Communication relative to the Groundbreaking Ceremony – Dodge Park.

 

19.          PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.          Communication relative to U.S. Small Business Administration’s HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program.

 

B.          Request adoption of a Resolution to file and accept a Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) grant with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice.

 

C.          Communication relative to the new Worcester Office of the Attorney General.

 

20.          POLICE:

 

A.           Communication relative to Businesses that Manufacture, Assemble, and/or Distribute/Sell Firearms.

 

B.          Communication relative to Count of all Uniform Versus Non-Uniform Police Personnel.

 

21.       PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

22.            PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

23.      PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

         

A.          Communication relative to documentation necessary to file with the State Department of Education a new school building assistance grant for the construction of a new North High School.

 

24.          PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.          Communication relative to Street Sweeping Crews.

 

B.          Communication relative to Feasibility of Replacing Current Catch Basin on Clark Street.

 

C.          Communication relative to Winter Parking Ban.

 

D.          Communication relative to Temporary Placement of a sign/Morris Radiator.

 

E.          Communication relative to Out-of-town sites for composting.

 

25.          PURCHASING:

 

26.          TREASURY:

 

27.          VETERANS' SERVICES:

 

28.          FINANCE:

 

A.          Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #36C703, Hope Cemetery Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to architectural services for the Hope Cemetery Administration Building.

 

B.          Recommend that One Thousand Three Hundred Dollars and Ninety Four Cents ($1,300.94) be transferred from Account #560-91000, Regional Library Personal Services, and appropriated to Account #560-92000, Regional Library Ordinary Maintenance, to purchase books and other supplies for the Regional Library.

 

C.          Recommend that Five Hundred and Nine Dollars ($509.00) be transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for  Appropriation Damage Settlement, and appropriated to Account #550-92000, Public Library Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing new or replacement Library books.

 

D.          Request that One Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand Thirteen Dollars ($187,013.00) be transferred from Account #33040, Reserve for Appropriation, 1% Federal Reimbursement and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

                    DEPARTMENT NAME      Account Number                 Dollar Amt.

                    PERSONAL SERVICES

                    Purchasing                                 600-91099           $47,545.00

                    Auditing                                    650-91099             49,070.50

                    Human Resources                       170-91099               1,275.00

                    Information Services                680-91099             26,022.50

                    City Manager                         040-91099             27,380.00

                    Treasury                                   660-91099             33,095.00

                    Subtotal                                                                          $184,388.00       

                    ORDINARY MAINTENANCE

                    City Manager                         040-92099                   125.00

                    Information Services                680-92099                2,500.00

                    Subtotal                                                                   $  2,625.00

 

          TOTAL                                                                $187,013.00

to provide funds for the purpose of providing indirect services related to certain Federal and State Grants.  

 

E.          Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Forty One Million Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($41,320,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C790 for the purpose of funding the construction, originally equipping and furnishing of North High School.

 

F.          Recommend that Thirty Seven Thousand Dollars ($37,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C784, Park Site Improvements, and appropriated to Account #72C702, Parks Site Improvements, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to improvements at Duffy Field.

 

G.              Recommend that Two Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Five Hundred Ninety Five Dollars and Eighty Four Cents ($236,595.84) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated  to Account #25C702, Police Department Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations related to the General Contractor charges for the rehabilitation of the Police Headquarters HVAC System as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

29.          ORDINANCES/ORDERS:

 

30.          MISCELLANEOUS:

 

A.          Communication relative to Police Officer in Public Housing Program.

 

B.          Communication relative to Update on our Preparation for the All-America City 2000 Competition.

 

C.          Communication relative to Greater Worcester Access Improvement Project.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

21.     Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting communication relative to completion of work at the West Tatnuck School Playground.

 

22.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting Auditor’s Report – April 30, 2000.

 

23.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting Retirement Board’s vote to increase the 1.3% COLA granted to retirees for fiscal 2000 to 3.0%.

 

24.          RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:

          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 relative to Budgetary Projections for FY 01-05.

 

e)     #5A CM  May 2, 2000

   Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of the Fiscal 2001 Operating Budget for the City of Worcester in the amount of $403,783,334.29.

f)     #54CC  May 9, 2000

Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting report regarding cost of pension increases under MGL Chapter 32, Sections 90A, C, D & E.

 

g)     #55CC  May 9, 2000

Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting report regarding the status of the Worcester Retirement System's investment portfolio and if there are funds available within it to cover the cost of MGL Chapter 32, Section 90 pension increases if they are granted.

 

h)     #101CC  May 9, 2000

Order - Request City Manager to include in his annual budget a recommendation for an increase in the pension allowances for all employees who have retired under the provisions contained in Sections 90A, C and D of Chapter 32 of Mass. General Laws and further, that said increase amount to one-half of the rate of regular compensation payable to employees of such city holding similar positions at time of increases.    (Irish)

 

i)       #15a CC  May 16, 2000

Petition of Michael W. Galvin et al requesting City Council support for allocation of any State Aid from Lottery revenue in excess of amount already appropriated in the fiscal 2001 budget be used exclusively for projects related to ADA compliance as identified by the ADA Task Force.

 

j)      #87CC  May 23, 2000

Communication of Joseph Chessey, Jr., Deputy Commissioner, Division of Local Services, Mass. Department of Revenue relative to deadline for holding Proposition 2 1/2 elections for contingent appropriations.

 

k)       #71 CC   May 23, 2000

Order – Request  City Manager recommend to  City Council  funding of the double elderly abatement with funds to be received from the City Treasurer’s surplus in unclaimed asset conversion.

           (Murray, Petty, Abraham, Perotto, Clancy, Nadeau, Patton,

           Mariano, Luster)

 

l)        #89 CC  May 23, 2000

Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Fire Class.

 

m)      #90 CC  May 23, 2000

Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting computation of the legal debt margin for the City of Worcester as of April 30, 2000.

 

n)       #90a CC  May 23, 2000

Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to adding more minorities to the Worcester Fire Department.

           

REPORT

 

          25 REFER TO ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A HEARING

 

25.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Stephen Burwick, Esquire on behalf of Auburn Industrial Development Corp. request an amendment to the Worcester Zoning Ordinance Article I, Section 2 by adding definition for Retail Food Sales:  a retail market selling food & household goods and which may include accessory uses such as a bank or pharmacy.  Also by adding a new Line 28:   “Retail Food Sales” to Table 4.1, Business Uses.

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          26-42 ORDAIN R.C.

 

26.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 79 Paine St.

 

27.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 15A Everard St.

 

28.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 46 Butler St.

 

29.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 81 Rodney St.

 

30.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 69 Providence St.

 

31.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of Worcester Centre on the west side of Worcester Center Blvd. near Central St.

 

32.          Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Stop signs on Piedmont St. at Austin St. to face north and southbound traffic.

 

33.          Amending Section 33(F)(2) of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind "No Turn on Red" at traffic signal for I-290 Off Ramp westbound at East Central St.

                                                       

34.          Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to revise residential permit parking in front of 71 Suffolk St. and make it 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

 

35.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking on the north side of Ives St. near Haynes St.

 

36.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking on the west side of Sylvan St. near Main St.

 

37.          Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to allow right turns only for northbound traffic on Grafton St. at Franklin St.

 

38.          Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to allow left turns for southbound traffic on Grafton St. at Franklin St.

 

39.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking on Providence St.

 

40.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind 30 minute parking on Spurr St.

 

41.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind 30 minute parking on Providence St.

   

42.          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the west side of Providence St. near Winthrop St.

 

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

 

43.     Order – That as a policy this City Council adopt a policy and recommend it to the City Manager that we exhaust veterans preference before going to any other hire.            (Mariano)

                                                 

TABLED ITEMS

 

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.

                                                                     (Tabled 11/19/96)

 

45.          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)

 

46.          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)

 

47.          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)

 

48.          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)

         

49.          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Architectural Access Board Issues.  (Tabled 4/4/00)

                                                        

50.          Communication of the City Manager recommending that Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C704, Central St. Bridge and appropriated to Account #14C711, Brosnihan Sq. Gateway to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to engineering and land taking for the Brosnihan Sq. Gateway project.   (Tabled 4/25/00)

 

51.     Order - Request City Manager provide a report to City Council regarding the feasibility of using Green Hill Park Landfill for catch basin and/or street sweeping materials, include in said report the feasibility of using Green Hill Park Landfill two up to ten years.

               (Petty, Murray, Irish)    (Tabled 4/25/00)

 

52.     Order - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing all expenses associated with the legal appeal of the siting of the Worcester Vocational School, this year to date, and any estimated projected expenses either pursuing the Green Hill Park location or relocation to another site.   (Petty, Murray, Irish)    (Tabled 5/9/00)

 

53.          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Appeal of City Solicitor Opinion/Mass General Laws.

                                                                                         (Tabled 5/23/00)

 

54.          Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting additional information relative to Chapter 32, Sections 90A, C, D & E.                                                                        (Tabled 5/23/00)

 

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

MAY 31, 2000        MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS    COUNCIL CHAMBER

  5:00 P.M.

 

JUNE 7, 2000                    PUBLIC WORKS            COUNCIL CHAMBER

  5:00 P.M. - General Items

  6:00 P.M. - Proposed Clark St. Yard Waste Site

  7:00 P.M. - Airport Compost Site

 

JUNE 8, 2000                  PUBLIC SERVICE &        COUNCIL CHAMBER

  5:00 P.M.                       TRANSPORTATION

 

 

BUDGET HEARINGS

 

TUESDAY, MAY 30 - 4:00 P.M.             TUESDAY, JUNE 6 - 4:00 P.M.

 

Elder Affairs                                                Public Schools

City Manager                                               Library

Worcester Marketing Campaign                 Regional Library

Public Works                                               All Retirement Pensions

  Snow Removal                                          Parks - Hope Cemetery

  Off Street Parking                                     Golf Course

  Street Lights                                              City Messenger

  Sewer                                                         Airport

  Water

Contingency & 140M Campaign Account

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 13 - 4:00 P.M.

                                

                                 OPEN DATE SET ASIDE FOR BUDGET

                                 Capital Budget

                                    Equipment

                                    Building & City Park Rehabilitation

                                    Surface & Sub-Surface Infrastructure

                                    Economic Development