CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 5, 2000

7:00 P.M.

 

                                                            Convened:  7:15 P.M.

                                                           Adjourned:  8:10 P.M.

 

 

1.          INVOCATION – Rev. Henry G. Bowen

                                      St. Charles Borromeo Church

 

2.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.                 ROLL CALL - All present

 

Mayor Mariano requested a moment of silence in memory of Thomas Scanlon, a foreman in the Public Works Department for 50 years who passed away recently

 

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING – 7:00 P.M.

 

          4 Hearing Held - Ordinance Committee accepted the Report of the Planning Board with the change that the BL-1.0 zone line go only so far as the rear lot lines of the parcels fronting on the easterly side of James St. and that the portions remaining MG-1.0 be changed to ML-0.5 and recommended approval of the Petition

 

4.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel R. DeSimone on behalf of M & I Realty, Inc. request to change the Zoning Map of the City of Worcester from a MG-1.0 zone to a BL-1.0 zone by extending the BL-1.0 zone southerly on James St. to the intersection of James St. and South Ludlow St.

 

5.          ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5a.          ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          6 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD

 

6.          Lawrence Brodeur, Attorney on behalf of E-C Realty Corp., Inc. request Shady Brook Lane be accepted as a public way.

 

          7 & 8 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

7.          Steven & Gloria Theodore request to have a new sidewalk put in front of 660 Pleasant St.    

    

8.       Joyce C. Richard, Carol A. Richard and Gary J. Richard request abatement of private street betterment assessment #50058 in the amount of $6,446.88 on Beaumont Rd.

 

8a.          Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Dominica Ziu requesting replacement of driveway aprons in front of 9 bay garage at 3 Blanche St.   Referred to Public Works Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

8b.          Councillor Juan Gomez requesting sidewalk repair at 16 Chamberlain Parkway from So. Lenox St. to Tahanto Rd.  Referred to Public Works Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

8c.          Councillor Juan Gomez requesting sidewalk repair on Chamberlain Parkway from So. Lenox St. to Tahanto Rd.  Referred to Public Works Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

8d.          Councillor Juan Gomez requesting resetting of granite curbs at 82 and 84 Brantwood Rd. due to run-off from Sierra St.   Referred to Public Works Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

8e.          Councillor Stephen Abraham requesting repair of hole in front of 96 Wildwood Ave.  Referred to Public Works Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

          9-13 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

9.          Sophie Pendergast request the removal of two handicap parking spaces at 1 Ruth St.

 

10.          Ronald Hazen request handicap parking at 12 Tatman St.

 

11.          Mayor Raymond V. Mariano on behalf of Steve Economos request No Parking signs ten feet from either side of driveway at 123 Fairfield St. to allow for truck access.

 

12.     Susan Campbell request No Parking signs at the driveway of 35 Oak Ave.

 

13.     Dina Dacoles request to reverse the winter parking ban on Woodland St. between Oberlin & Claremont Streets.

 

13a.          Councillor Stephen Patton requesting truck limitation or ban on Chester St. and Parkton Ave.  Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

          14 & 15 HEARINGS SET FOR DECEMBER 12, 2000–7:00 P.M.

 

14.     THE WELLINGTON COMPANY for a conduit location on:  ETHAN ALLEN STREET.

 

15.     THE WELLINGTON COMPANY for a conduit location on:  WELLINGTON STREET.

 

ORDERS

 

15a.          Request City Manager report on power hook-ups for the UMASS/Memorial medical and dental care services truck in the Belmont Hill area.  Motion-Perotto @ #8AA CM - Adopted

 

15b.          Request City Manager report on specifically what is done in the City's public schools relative to fire prevention as to what grades participate and how often students attend these programs.  Motion-Murray @ #8GG CM - Adopted

 

15c.          Request Administration report if, for the future Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funds could be designated for traffic control solutions around public schools.  Motion-Lukes @ #8GG & HH CM - Adopted

 

15d.          Request City Clerk to draft a letter of support from the City Council for the Health Foundation of Central Mass. grant and that letter to accompany the application for the grant.  Motion-Patton @ #9A CM - Adopted

 

15e.          Request City Manager, in meeting with department heads, to begin incorporating recommendations in the Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan in the City budget in order to implement some of the recommendations immediately.  Motion-Murray @ #14A CM - Adopted

 

15f.          Request City Manager report concerning the City's public buildings, as to which of those public buildings need to have accessibility issues resolved, including schools.  Motion-Lukes @ #14A CM - Adopted

 

15g.          Request City Manager to provide report requested by City Council in October relative to review of the effectiveness of policies governing Worcester's taxi cab fleet.  Motion-Irish @ #18A CM - Adopted

 

15h.          Request City Administration report as to whether the Park and Walk program could be instituted in the City's parks during little league season.  Motion-Clancy @ #20A CM - Adopted

 

15i.          Request Administration report to City Council if the Mass. Commissioner of Health determined that the level of fluoride in Worcester's water supply is, in fact, inadequate, what would the annual cost be to fluoridate Worcester's water and does Worcester provide water to any other municipalities that cannot be treated separately.  Motion-Irish @ #21A CM - Adopted

 

15j.          Request City Manager report on dental problems in other cities and towns with and without fluoridation.  Motion-Petty @ #21A CM - Adopted

 

15k.          Request City Manager  report on the pros and cons of fluoridation of water.  Motion-Petty @ #21A CM - Adopted

 

 

 

15L.          Request City Manager report if there is fluoride added to any of the water supply delivered to any part of Worcester and if there is, why City Council was not notified.   Motion-Lukes @ #21A CM - Adopted

 

15m.          Request Administration report as to what, if anything, is being done at the City's shopping plazas with regard to trash.  Further, request Administration report what conversations, if any, have taken place with the owners of the Webster Square Plaza relative to this issue.   Motion-Murray @ #24B CM - Adopted

 

15n.          Request City Manager report on boycott banners that are appearing on public property as to whether the City is taking action against those who are placing the banners and what is the penalty for doing so.  Motion-Irish @ #24B CM - Adopted

 

15o.          Request City Manager report on the permitting process for the yellow boxes that contain employment opportunities.  Further, request City Manager report if these boxes are legal, what is necessary to obtain a permit and if they are poorly maintained who is the enforcement authority.   Motion-Patton @ #24B CM - Adopted

 

15p.          Request Administration report concerning that portion of the backup for Item 29A of the City Manager's Calendar of December 5, 2000 entitled "Draft" which states as part of its Fiscal 2000 annual appropriations act the Commonwealth reinstated legislation effective July 1, 2000 regarding assessments paid by the 175 cities and towns in the MBTA district, as to how that is going to impact the City of Worcester, if at all, in terms of any financial responsibility this fiscal year or next fiscal year.  Motion-Lukes @ #29A CM - Adopted

 

15q.          Request Administration to reinstitute orange barrels at 181 Lake Ave.  Further, request Administration provide a report including days when these orange barrels were placed at 181 Lake Ave. and days when barrels were removed and reasons for placing barrels at 181 Lake Ave. and reasons for removal of barrels.  Mariano - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

 

 

15r.          Request City Manager to address concerns referred to in the letter from Joan Crowell of the Leesville Pond Watershed Association relative to the compost operation on Hope Ave.  Abraham - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

15s.          Request City Manager provide a report regarding the Mass. Firefighters Safety Equipment Program.  Petty - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

15t.          Request City Administration to consider developing a program with the Police Department to assist school crossing guards and educate the public concerning parking and traffic regulations in school zones.  Murray - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

15u.   That the City Council meeting of December 26, 2000 is hereby cancelled.  Mariano - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

RESOLUTION

 

15v.   That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby recognizes the group of high school championship basketball players from Quebradilla, Puerto Rico.   Gomez - Suspension of Rules - Adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

16.          COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

Thomas R. Hoover

                                                                City Manager

City Council Calendar for December 5, 2000

 

                                                APPOINTMENTS

 

 1.          NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.               Notification of Constable appointments.  Leo Beaucage, Frank C. Edward, Guy F. Guerry, Mary L. McCauley and Robert F. McCauley

 

Placed on file

 

 

2.       CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

                                                                       TRANSMITTAL

 

 3.          AIRPORT:

         

 4.          ASSESSORS:

 

A.          Communication relative to Easement Map – “Papagni Estates”.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

 5.          BUDGET OFFICE:

 

  6.          CIVIC CENTER:

 

7.                 COMMUNICATIONS:

 

8.                 DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.          Communication relative to a signed copy of the Agreement with the Massachusetts Highway Department for Washington Square Improvements.

         

          Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

AA.          Communication relative to Upland Gardens power hook-ups.

 

Placed on file

 

BB.          Communication relative to CDBG Eligibility of Wildwood Ave.

 

Placed on file

 

CC.          Request adoption of a Resolution to accept with gratitude a gift of up to $7000.00 from Clark University for the design, fabrication and installation of an Interpretive Sign Honoring Dr. Robert Goddard.

 

Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

DD.         Request adoption of a Resolution to accept with gratitude a gift of up to $7000.00 from WPI for the design, fabrication and installation of a Interpretive Sign Honoring Dr. Robert Goddard.

 

Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

EE.          Request adoption of the order accepting an easement for street purposes from Botany Bay Construction Company, Inc.

 

Order adopted

 

FF.           Communication relative to Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Year Five Funding recommendations.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

GG.        Recommend that Twenty Thousand Nine Hundred Two Dollars and Ninety Five Cents ($20,902.95) be transferred from unexpended funds in the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT           DESCRIPTION                        AMOUNT

18S147                  Demolition Abandoned Bldgs.          $ 4,642.60

18S147                  Firesetter Counseling Red Cross          $          .03

18S147                  Employment & Training                $ 1,670.77

18S147                  Youth Internship Black FBI          $ 1,495.28

18S147                  March Madness                         $    548.48

18S147                  Community Schools               $    133.00

18S147                  Alert Center                                      $    898.12

18S147                  Multimedia Clubhouse             $ 5,633.74

18S147                  Interest Income                            $ 5,880.93

                             Total                                          $20,902.95

 

          and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

          18S147                  Daybreak Domestic Violence          $20,714.82

          18S147                  Mortgage Program                         $     133.80

          18S147                  Crimes Against Children                $       52.93

          18S147                  WPD Safety Equipment            $         1.40

                                       Total                                          $20,902.95

 

This action will allow LLEGB Round IV funds previously appropriated to the Daybreak Domestic Violence be reallocated to other eligible projects.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee to be 2nd Item of Business at the December 18, 2000 Committee meeting

 

HH.         Recommend that Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Fourteen Dollars and Eighty Two Cents ($20,714.82) be transferred from the following account:

 

ACCOUNT           DESCRIPTION                        AMOUNT

18S172                  Daybreak Domestic Violence          $20,714.82

 

and appropriated to :

 

ACCOUNT           DESCRIPTION                        AMOUNT

18S172                  Worcester Youth Center                  $10,000.00

18S172                  Multimedia Clubhouse             $  5,633.74

18S172                  Worcester Fire Department          $  5,081.08

                             Total                                          $20,714.82

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee to be 3rd Item of Business at the December 18,

2000 Committee meeting

 

II.          SUPPLEMENTAL - Communication relative to the Mart's Santiago's Plaza Press Conference.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

WORCESTER REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:

 

AAA.          Communication relative to Union Station South Platform.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

 9.          ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

          A.          Request adoption of a Resolution to file and accept a grant from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.

 

          Resolution adopted

 

10.          ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11.          EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

12.          EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

          A.          Communication relative to Organizing a Meeting of and between Area Employers, Organized Labor, and Institutions of Higher Learning.

 

          Placed on file

 

13.            FIRE:   

 

A.          Communication relative to College Dormitory Fires.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.                Communication relative to College Dormitory Smoke Detectors.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

14.          HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

A.          Communication relative to American with Disabilities Act Transition Plan.

 

Referred to Ethnic & Minority Affairs Committee

 

Michael Galvin, 42 Standish St. spoke

 

15.          HUMAN RIGHTS:

 

16.                  INFORMATION SERVICES:

          

17.          LAW:

 

                    A.          Communication relative to Property in the area of Bancroft Street and Bluff Street.

 

           Order adopted

 

18.          LICENSE COMMISSION:

         

A.               Communication relative to Taxi Fare Increase

 

Placed on file

 

19.             PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.          Request adoption of a Resolution to file and accept a grant with  and from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management for the Heritage Tree Grant program to care for Heritage Trees at Institute Park.

 

Resolution adopted

 

20.            POLICE:

 

A.          Communication relative to “Park and Walk” Frequency.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

21.            PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

   A.          Communication relative to Dental Problem of Worcester’s Children.

 

   Referred to Health Committee

 

.               22.                PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

 23.     PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

24.            PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.          Communication relative to Status Report #11 – Street Resurfacing Projects.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.          Communication relative to Grimewatch Program – October, 2000 activity.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

C.          Communication relative to Actions Needed to make Public Barber Avenue (Randolph Road Southerly to Terminus).

 

Placed on file

 

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

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

E.          Communication relative to Thanksgiving Day Donations.

 

Placed on file

 

F.          Communication relative to Crosswalk at Intersection of Adams & Shrewsbury Streets.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

25.          PURCHASING:

 

26.            TREASURY:

 

A.               Communication relative to Resale, size of Property and Names/Abandoned and/or vacant lots, also Abandoned and/or vacant lots from January 1998 to present.

 

Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

B.                Request adoption of the order relative to the transfer of jurisdiction and disposition of 10 Hooper Street.

 

Order adopted

 

C.               Request adoption of the order relative to the transfer of jurisdiction and disposition of four (4) parcels of land (foreclosed tax liens).

 

Order adopted

 

27.          VETERANS' SERVICES:

 

 

28.          FINANCE:

 

A.          Recommend that Forty-five Thousand Dollars ($45,000.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment account, and appropriated to Account #27C701, Communications Department Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing a Digitize Alarm Processing System.  This system will provide continuous monitoring of the Master Box fire alarms throughout the City of Worcester and will replace the existing Digitize 3000 system, which is outdated and costly to maintain. The funds for this transfer are coming from the City Manager’s fiscal 2000 Capital Equipment contingency account.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

B.                Recommend that Five Thousand Three Hundred Eighty-Seven Dollars and Twenty Cents ($5,387.20), currently available in the accounts identified, be appropriated for the purposes of completing Merit Pay for Fiscal 2001.

 

          Account               Description                                       Amount

          040-91000           City Manager Personal Serv.      $3,723.20

          350-91000           Human Rights Personal Serv.      $1,664.00

         

          These dollar figures were omitted from the original calculation approved by the Council.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

C.               Recommend that One Million Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,650,000.00) be transferred from 91C790 School Construction and appropriated to the following accounts:

          Account               Description                                      Amount

          33C717                Vocational School Const.              $         475,000.00

          33C724                North High Const.                       $     425,000.00

          33C718                Forest Grove Const.              $     750,000.00

                                       Total                                     $  1,650,000.00

 

          to provide funds for the purpose of payment for various contractual obligations related to various school construction projects.     

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

D.          Recommend that Seventeen Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-eight Dollars and Eighty Cents ($17,748.80) be transferred, when and as received, from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #72C701, Parks Department Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for eight Ergonomic Work Stations for the Parks Department’s move into the Massachusetts National Guard Armory building.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

E.          Recommend that Three Hundred Thirty-One Thousand Dollars ($331,000.00) be transferred from the following accounts:

 

          Account               Description                                      Amount

          91C711                Building Rehabilitation                 $310,000.00

          330-07                Damage Settlements          $  21,000.00                                 Total                                                               $331,000.00

 

          and appropriated to the following accounts:

          Account               Description                                      Amount

          75C702                Centrum Building Rehab.         $310,000.00

          75S503                  Centrum Operating Acct.          $  21.000.00

                                       Total                                         $331,000.00

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

F.          SUPPLEMENTAL - Recommend that Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($2,800.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager's Contingency Account and appropriated to Account #140-9300, Planning & Community Development Capital Account, to provide funds for the removal of a failing retaining wall and regarding the lot in such a manner that a new retaining wall would not be necessary on City owned property at 64 Westminster St.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

                    

G.               SUPPLEMENTAL - Recommending that finance items 28 O and 28 P on the City Manager's November 14, 2000 calendar be rescinded.  Further, I respectfully recommend that Two Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars $275,000.00 be transferred from Account 330-07, Real Estate Sales and transferred to the following two accounts to provide funds to purchase Parcel K and to restore and renovate Ty Cobb Little League field.

 

From:

 

ACCOUNT        DESCRIPTION                                              AMOUNT

 

330-07                Real Estate Sales                                            $275,000.00

 

To:

 

140-93000          OPCD Capital Projects                                  $125,000.00

720-9300            Parks Dept. Capital Projects                          $150,000.00

                            Total                                                               $275,000.00

 

The approval of these orders will address an issue that surfaced during the city's review with the Department of Revenue of its fiscal 2001 tax rate documents.

 

Two Orders adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays rescinding Items 16 and

17 adopted in City Council on November 21, 2000 (originally Items 28-O and 28-P of

the City Manager's Calendar of November 14, 2000 - Held to be 2nd Items of Business

November 21, 2000)

 

Two Orders adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays transferring funds for

the acquisition of Parcel K, a 110.9 acre parcel owned by Catholic Charities and

transferring funds to renovate and restore Ty Cobb Little League field.

 

29.            MISCELLANEOUS:

 

A.          Communication relative to a copy of the summary of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) FY01 - FY06 Capital Investment Program.

 

           Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

17.          RECESS TO FINANCE & ORDINANCE: No Items Pending

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          18 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

18.          Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 – Occupational Group K  – Library Pages.

 

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

 

19.     Order – Request Administration to furnish data allowing a comparison between the City of Worcester health status indicators and those of Worcester County and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as described in the July 2000 “Community Health Status Report” as issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.

          (See www.communityhealth.hrsa.gov) (Irish, Perotto)

 

Taken off the Table and referred to Health Committee

 

TABLED - No Action Taken

 

20.         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 May 30, 2000)

 

21.          Resolution - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby supports an amendment to M.G.L., Chapter 32, Section 3 (4) proposed by Mrs. Mary Genaske, a Worcester Public School teacher to allow teachers from Puerto Rico to buy back into the Mass. Teachers Pension Fund at the same level as other teachers coming from other states in the union.  (Gomez) (Tabled October 17, 2000)

 

        

 

 

                                          _________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                              

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

DECEMBER 11, 2000            COMMUNITY                

                                              DEVELOPMENT

                               Re:  Gardner/Kilby/Hammond Initiative

Tour: 3:30 – 4:30 P.M. – Meet at the corner of Gardner and Tainter Sts.

           4:30 P.M.  – Meeting of Committee in Council Chamber

 

DECEMBER 14, 2000           MUNICIPAL              COUNCIL CHAMBER

            4:00 P.M.                   OPERATIONS

                             Re:  City Manager’s Goals & Objectives

 

DECEMBER 18, 2000  TRAFFIC & PARKING   COUNCIL CHAMBER

            6:00 P.M.