CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL - JUNE 6, 2000

7:00 P.M.

Convened: 7:10 P.M.

Recessed to go into Finance: 7:26 P.M.

Reconvened In City Council: 9:26 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:35 P.M.

_____________________________________________________________

1. INVOCATION - Rev. John J. Roy

Chancery, Diocese of Worcester

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

3. ROLL CALL - All present except Councillor Lukes

HEARINGS AND ORDERS - 7:00 P.M.

Hearings held - Trenton St. hearing recessed to June 13, 2000

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

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

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

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

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

4a-8a ADOPTED Except 4a

4a. Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a joint pole location on: TRENTON ST.

5a. Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit system on: NEWBURY ST.

6a. Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit system on: SOUTHBRIDGE ST.

7a. Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit location on: PLEASANT ST.

8a. Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a cable and conduit location on: PIEDMONT ST.

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARINGS - 7:00 P.M.

9 COMMITTEE ACCEPTED REPORT OF THE PLANNING

BOARD AND RECOMMENDED APPROVAL

9. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to allowing a shooting range by Special Permit only in the MG-2.0 zoning districts.

10 COMMITTEE ACCEPTED REPORT OF THE PLANNING

BOARD AND RECOMMENDED DENIAL

10. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to allowing a shooting range by Special Permit only in the BG-6.0 zoning districts.

RECONSIDERATION

11 COUNCIL VOTED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 10 YEAS

AND 0 NAYS TO RECONSIDER - HELD TO BE SECOND

ITEM OF BUSINESS JUNE 13, 2000

11. In accordance with Rule 41 of the Rules of the City Council, Councillor Timothy P. Murray requests reconsideration of the vote of the City Council taken on May 30, 2000 relating to Item 8B of the City Manager's Calendar relative to Improved Economic Development Services Delivery System.

12 COUNCIL VOTED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 10 YEAS

AND 0 NAYS TO RECONSIDER - HELD TO BE THIRD

ITEMS OF BUSINESS JUNE 13, 2000

12. In accordance with Rule 41 of the Rules of the City Council, Councillor Timothy P. Murray requests reconsideration of the vote of the City Council taken on May 30, 2000 relating to the Chairman's Orders and Reports of the Community Development Committee.

13. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

13a. ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

PETITION

14 REFERRED TO THE CITY MANAGER - Petitioner spoke

14. Councillor Stephen T. Patton and Councillor Michael C. Perotto on behalf of Virginia Kingsbury request to speak before the City Council at the June 6, 2000 City Council meeting relative to pedestrian safety in the Randolph Rd. area.

14a. Lucille Carrier et al request resident parking on corner of Marshall St. and Shrewsbury St. Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee - Suspension of Rules

14b. Councillor Stephen Patton on behalf of Virginia Kingsbury et al request installation of large Stop signs and mark crosswalks at sidewalks on Randolph Rd. for pedestrians and handicapped to Dodge Park. Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee - Suspension of Rules

CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS

14c & d FROM MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE -

Adopted - Suspension of Rules

14c. That the City Council approves the following Format and Procedures for the Evaluation of the City Manager (as enclosed).

14d. Request City Auditor give consideration as to how he might prepare a report quantifying in dollar terms the value of retirement and disability benefits provided to City employees and retirees. Such a report should contain data comparing such benefits to those available on an occupationally specific basis in the private sector.

ORDERS

14e. Request City Manager provide City Council with an additional report which addresses the following issues relative to the realignment of the Development Office: 1) Why the moving of employees from one department to another is not considered a reorganization? 2) Why the City Solicitor did not reference in his report the previous Development reorganization about a year and a half ago? 3) If it is a realignment, why does the City Council have to approve it? Motion-Clancy @ #16CC - Adopted

14f. Request City Manager close Cedar St. from Merrick St. to Russell St. on June 23, 2000 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, June 24, 2000 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and June 25, 2000 form 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the Greek Festival. Mariano - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

14g. Request Administration to seek support for the Indian Lake Watershed Association by contacting the State delegation for funding to improve the water quality of Indian Lake. Patton - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

COMMUNICATIONS

15. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Forest Grove Middle School renovations and additions.

Referred to Education Committee

16. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to the realignment plan for the Development Office.

Held to be Second Item of Business June 13, 2000

17. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager answering various budget items.

Placed on file

REPORTS

17a ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0 - Suspension of Rules

17a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the 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: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

17b-p ACCEPTED - Suspension of Rules

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on file.

17b. Transmitting communication relative to adding more minorities to the Worcester Fire Department.

17c. Transmitting communication relative to a report answering Mayor Mariano's request for information regarding issues impacting the Fire Department 2001 budget.

17d. Transmitting communication relative to Budgetary Projections for FY01-05.

17e. Transmitting communication relative to the Fire Class.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the following Communications of James DelSignore, City Auditor: recommend Communications be placed on file.

17f. Transmitting Retirement Board's vote to increase the 1.3% COLA granted to retirees for fiscal 2000 to 3.0%.

17g. Transmitting computation of the legal debt margin for the City of Worcester as of April 30, 2000.

17h. 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.

17i. Transmitting report regarding cost of pension increases under MGL Chapter 32, Sections 90A, C, D & E.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the following Orders: recommend Orders be placed on file.

17j. Mayor Mariano 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.

17k. Councillor Lukes 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.

17L. Councillor Lukes request City Council to schedule Finance sessions beginning the first week in January 2000 in order to commence discussions regarding budget issues.

17m. Councillor Irish 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 he 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.

17n. Councillors Murray, Petty, Abraham, Perotto, Clancy, Nadeau, Patton, Luster and Mayor Mariano request City Manager to 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.

17o. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the 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: recommend Communication be placed on file.

17p. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Petition of Michael Galvin et al request 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: recommend Petition be placed on file.

18. RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:

18e - Finance Committee recommended approval - Voted in City

Council on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays -

Suspension of Rules

18a-p Except e - Finance Committee recommended file - Voted in

City Council to place on file - Suspension of Rules

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) #71CC 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) #89CC May 23, 2000

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

m) #90CC 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.

o) #5A CM May 30, 2000

Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to a report answering Mayor Raymond Mariano's request for information regarding issues impacting the Fire Department 2001 budget.

p) #23CC May 30, 2000

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

LOAN ORDER TO BE ADOPTED

19 ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

19. That the sum of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($125,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C702, Land Acquisition for the acquisition of land for open space, including costs incidental and related thereto.

TABLED ITEMS - No Action Taken Except #26

20. 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)

21. 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)

22. 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)

23. 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)

24. 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)

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

26. 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) Taken off the Table and Order adopted

27. 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)

28. 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)

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

(Tabled 5/23/00)

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

31. 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. (Tabled 5/30/00)

_____________________________________________________________

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

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, JUNE 6 - 4:00 P.M. TUESDAY, JUNE 13 - 4:00 P.M.

Public Schools OPEN DATE SET ASIDE FOR

Library BUDGET

Regional Library Capital Budget

All Retirement Pensions Equipment

Parks - Hope Cemetery Building & City Park

Golf Course Rehabilitation

City Messenger Surface & Sub-Surface

Airport Infrastructure

Economic Development