CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
– JANUARY 9, 2001
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:10 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:00 P.M.
1. INVOCATION
– Most Reverend George E. Rueger
Auxiliary Bishop
of Worcester
2. PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL
CALL – All present
4. Request City Manager consider removing those duties not associated with economic development from the responsibilities of the Chief Development Officer. (Mariano, Clancy, Patton, Gomez, Petty, Nadeau)
Placed on file
5. Request the Commerce and Development Committee to establish criteria for measuring economic development progress to include: new jobs created, increased business taxes, new businesses brought into City, expansion of existing businesses and completion of major projects. (Mariano)
Tabled
6. Request City Manager to consider the establishment of a college recruitment committee whose sole focus is the recruitment of colleges and college facilities in the downtown area to include: new colleges, law school, graduate programs and housing from existing colleges. (Mariano)
Referred to the City Manager
7. Request City Manager to consider the establishment of a business recruitment committee whose sole focus is the recruitment of new businesses in the City of Worcester. Said committee to work directly with the Chief Development Officer and contain working groups that target specific industry segments (i.e. manufacturing, high tech, service). (Mariano)
Referred to the City Manager
8. ITEMS
OF CITIZEN INTEREST
8a. ITEMS
OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
9 & 10 REFERRED TO PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE
9. Councillor Timothy P. Murray & Councillor Stephen G.
Abraham request to increase lumens in Lovell St. area from May St. to Park
Ave., Englewood, Ferdinand and Maywood Sts. where they intersect with Lovell
St.
10. Anthony Vigliotti request street light in front of 25 North
Woodford St.
11-13 REFERRED TO
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
11. James McKeon et al request private street maintenance on Keach
Ave.
12. Anthony Vigliotti request to change the name of Anchor St. to
Vig’s Way.
13. Anthony Vigliotti request approval of connection of water and
sewer lines from Anchor St. into the water and sewer lines on Lake Ave. and
extension of these lines approximately 200’ up Anchor St. to 3 single family
house lots.
14-20 REFERRED TO
TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
14. Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of Steven Erickson request
Traffic Engineering to investigate traffic problems on Clover St.
15. Nancy Stassi et al request traffic signal in the vicinity of
Northworks Building on Grove St.
16. Councillor Timothy P. Murray & Councillor Paul P. Clancy,
Jr. request removal of right on red at Heywood St. where it intersects with
Massasoit Rd.
17. Raquel Uribe request to change 30 minute parking to 60 minute
parking for laundromat customers at 80 West St.
18. Wendy Waegell request No Parking on one side of Wakefield St.
19. Councillor Timothy P. Murray & Councillor Stephen G. Abraham
request to change School Zone hours near Columbus Park School from 7:15-8:15
a.m. to 1:30-2:30 p.m.
20. Councillor Timothy P. Murray request 4-way Stop sign at
intersection of Moreland Green Dr. and Glenbrook Lane and Ledgewood Lane.
20a. Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of Janice Weekes request
Stop sign on Chatham St. at the intersection of Oxford St. Referred
to Traffic & Parking Committee – Suspension of Rules
20b. Starting with the first City Council meeting in March and on the
first meeting of every month that the City Manager report relative to the
status of Union Station development, including but not limited to: 1)
Intermodal transportation, 2) Parking garage, 3) Washington Square traffic
configuration, 4) Development inside Union Station, 5) Development outside
Union Station. Motion-Mariano @ #4-7CC – Adopted
20c. Request City Manager provide a chart of all economic development
personnel job titles that existed within all the other old departments for the
current fiscal year and to contrast that with all the current proposed
positions and the price tag for that package.
Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted
20d. Request City Manager to report as to the funding source for all
job titles in the Economic Development Department. Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM –
Adopted
20e. Request City Manager to provide a chart for Information Services
positions that are part of the reorganization of the Economic Development
Department. Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted
20f. Request City Manager report as to the building where each
component of the Economic Development Department is located. Motion-Clancy
@ #8B CM – Adopted
20g. Request City Manager report as to what position would be in charge
of planning for the parks and open space.
Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted
20h. Request City Manager report as to the number of funded but
unfilled positions in the Economic Development Department. Motion-Irish
@ #8B CM – Adopted
20i. Request City Manager report describing the relationship of the
License Commission, if any, to the Economic Development Department. Motion-Irish
@ #8B CM – Adopted
20j. Request City Manager report as to the relationship of the Economic
Development Officer with workforce issues.
Motion-Irish @ #8B CM – Adopted
20k. Request City Manager report as to how the Planning Board, Zoning
Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission are going to be involved in
the reorganization of the Economic Development Office. Motion-Lukes @ #8B CM – Adopted
20L. Request Administration continue to communicate with all of the
volunteer Boards with respect to economic development issues. Motion-Abraham
@ #8B CM – Adopted
20m. Request Administration report itemizing each case that has been
settled either by agreement or by judgement of the court with the amount of
award or settlement and both the plaintiff and defendant’s appraisals relative
to eminent domain cases relating to the Medical City project. Motion-Abraham
@ #8C CM – Adopted
20n. Request City Manager to schedule an Executive Session for
discussion of the status of each and every piece of litigation involving
eminent domain cases. Motion-Abraham @ #8C CM – Adopted
20o. Request City Manager to consider asking the State delegation to
consider going after all the dollars that are needed on the 50% match from the
State. Motion-Perotto @ #8C CM – Adopted
20p. Request Administration report verifying the commitment with the
State not only as to the amount but whether the commitment is still alive
regarding the garage proposal that was supposed to co-exist with the Union
Station project. Motion-Clancy @ #8AAA CM – Adopted
20q. Request Administration further look into shuttle service to the Worcester
Regional Airport before looking at an access road. Motion-Nadeau @ #8AAA CM –
Adopted
20r. Request Administration forward to City Council a report for the
timeline for implementation of the tree farm, when it will occur and when the
City can expect, not only partial implementation but the full implementation of
the tree farm. Further, request a
report as to whether or not the City Manager has had further communications
with the Town of Shrewsbury regarding the potential relocation of leaf mulching
from Hope Cemetery to the Town of Shrewsbury.
Motion-Clancy @ #19A CM – Adopted
20s. Request City Manager report on installation of benches and rubbish
containers on Lincoln St. Motion-Perotto @ #19A CM – Adopted
20t. Request Administration report relative to the selection process
for specific institutions for investment.
Motion-Irish @ #26D CM – Adopted
20u. Request City Manager report on what was originally budgeted, what
was paid out and what the current balance is in the City Manager’s Contingency
Account. Motion-Lukes @ #28B CM – Adopted
20v. Request Administration provide City Council with a recommendation
relative to its position on the Community Preservation Act. Motion-Irish
@ #28B CM – Adopted
20w. Request City Manager report what kind of time will be added to the
run time between Union Station and South Station with the addition of stops in
Southborough, Westborough and Ashland. Motion-Clancy @ #29A CM – Adopted
20x. Request Administration report as to whether funding for the Neighborhood
Cabinet will be only for Community Block Grant eligible neighborhoods, if we
don’t do Community Block Grant neighborhoods, what other source of income would
the City use to do this type of project.
Further, request report as to how the Neighborhood Cabinet might fit
into a development process, how it might fit into a zoning change process. Further, request report from Administration
that identifies each and every neighborhood.
Motion-Clancy @ #29C CM – Adopted
20y. Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of all
members who attended the January 9, 2001 Neighborhood Cabinet meeting and also
identifying the neighborhoods that the Cabinet represents. Motion-Clancy
@ #29C CM – Adopted
20z. Request City Solicitor to provide City Council with an opinion as
to the nature of the Neighborhood Cabinet, its relationship and authority, if
any, that the City Council may have over this advisory cabinet to the City
Manager. Motion-Irish @ #29C CM – Adopted
20aa. Request City Manager to include the Henry Lee Willis Center, Centro
Las Americas and the Business Inclusion Council among the organizations that
are going to be involved in the separate development councils throughout the
different neighborhoods in our City. Motion-Gomez @ #29C CM – Adopted
20bb. Request City Manager to make available the process in place for
membership on the Neighborhood Cabinet so that people who are interested in
every neighborhood across the City of Worcester could be involved. Motion-Perotto
@ #29C CM – Adopted
20cc. Request City Manager to work with Mike Procopio to help him plan and
carry out a successful prep school basketball tournament in the City of
Worcester. Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
20dd. Request Traffic Engineer report on the feasibility of a pedestrian
patrol signal at the corner of Laurier and James Sts. near the Ty Cobb
field. Abraham – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
Thomas R. Hoover
City Council Calendar for January 9, 2001
APPOINTMENTS
1. NON-CITY
COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
A. Notification
of Constable appointments.
Placed on file
2. CITY
COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
3. AIRPORT:
4. ASSESSORS:
5. BUDGET
OFFICE:
6. CIVIC
CENTER:
7. COMMUNICATIONS:
8.
DEVELOPMENT:
A. Communication relative to the appointment of Mr. Philip Niddrie, as the new
Chief
Development Officer.
Placed
on file
B. Communication from the City Manager recommending the adoption of a
further
comprehensive reorganization plan involving the various city agencies
responsible for economic development and neighborhood services.
Referred to
Community Development Committee and Commerce &
Development Committee
C. Communication from the City Manager relative to the securing of $780,000 in
Medical City Project Funding from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Placed on file
WORCESTER
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:
AAA. Communication
relative to WRTA bus access between Union Station and
Worcester Regional Airport.
Placed
on file
BBB. Request
acceptance of a gift from the Woman’s Transportation Seminar for
Cynthia Blondin to attend a leadership seminar
on Management Policies.
Order
adopted with gratitude
9. ELDER
AFFAIRS:
10. ELECTION COMMISSION:
11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
12. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:
13.
FIRE:
A. Communication
relative to State Fire Safety Program.
Referred
to Public Safety Committee
14.
HUMAN
RESOURCES:
15. HUMAN RIGHTS:
16.
INFORMATION SERVICES:
17. LAW:
18. LICENSE COMMISSION:
19. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:
A.
Communication relative to Grant Award – Urban Forest
Planning and Education Grant.
Placed
on file
20.
POLICE:
21.
PUBLIC
HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT
22.
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
23.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
24.
PUBLIC
WORKS:
A. Request
adoption of a Resolution honoring Department of Public Works sanitation worker
Gerald M. Groccia.
Resolution
adopted on a roll call 11-0
25. PURCHASING:
26.
TREASURY:
A. Request
City Council accept with gratitude an anonymous cash donation in the amount of
one hundred dollars.
Order
adopted with gratitude
B. Request
adoption of an order relative to Transfer and Disposition of property located at 9 Gardner Street.
Order
adopted
C. Request
adoption of an order relative to Transfer and Disposition of three parcels of land in the area boarded by
Chandler Street, Queen Street, Austin Street and Piedmont Street.
Order
adopted
D. Communication
relative to Revisions to City’s Investment Policy.
Referred
to Municipal Operations Committee
27. VETERANS' SERVICES:
28. FINANCE:
A. Recommend
that Three Hundred Sixty Eight Thousand One Hundred Forty Five Dollars
($368,145.00) be transferred from the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
330-01 Pearl Elm Reserves $196,135.25
330-02 Federal Plaza Reserves 84,644.00
330-03 Off Street Reserves 75,330.00
330-04 Parking
Meter Reserves 12,035.75
Total $368,145.00
and appropriated to the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
46S501 Pearl
Elm Ordinary Maint. $196,135.25
46S502 Fed.
Plaza Ordinary Maint. 84,644.00
46S503 Off Street Ordinary Maint. 75,330.00
46S504 Parking Meter Ordinary Maint. $ 12,035.75
Total $368,145.00
This appropriation provides
sufficient operating funds for the Off Street
Parking Program for the Third
Quarter of Fiscal 2001.
Order
adopted on a roll call 11-0
B. Recommend that Eighteen Thousand
Five Hundred Dollars ($18,500.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City
Manager’s Contingency, and appropriated to Account #660-92000, Treasury
Department Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purpose of funding
the additional statewide surcharges imposed by the Community Preservation Act
(“CPA”), associated with the filing of the November tax lien documents.
Order
adopted on a roll call 11-0
Also referred to Land Use
Committee for informational purposes only
C. Recommend
that One Hundred One Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Dollars and Fifty Six Cents
($101,370.56) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital
Equipment, and appropriated to Account #40C704, Traffic Signal Installation, to
provide funds for the purpose of payment for traffic signal equipment, as
approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order
adopted on a roll call 11-0
D. Recommend that Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C745, Sewer
Construction, and appropriated to Account #44C764, Sewer Pumping, to provide
funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations related to various
sewer pumping projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order
adopted on a roll call 11-0
E. Recommend
that Thirty Four Thousand Three Hundred and Forty Dollars ($34,340.00) be
transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for
the purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with the
replacement of the existing heating system with a high efficiency HVAC units
similar to the installations completed in the basement retro-fit, at the
Memorial Auditorium.
Order
adopted on a roll call 11-0
F. Recommend that Two Thousand Seven Hundred Thirteen Dollars and Ninety One Cents ($2,713.91) be transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for Appropriation Damage Settlement, and appropriated to Account #550-92000, Public Library, Ordinary Maintenance, to purchase books and audio visual materials. This fund represents reimbursements from individuals for damage and lost library materials.
Order
adopted on a roll call 11-0
29. MISCELLANEOUS:
A. Communication
relative to the Capital Investment Program report received from the MBTA.
Referred to Public Service &
Transportation Committee
B. Communication relative to FY 1999 International
City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) Comparative Performance Measurement
Program.
Referred to Strategic Planning Committee
C. SUPPLEMENTAL
– Communication relative to Neighborhood Cabinet.
Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee
23 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0
23. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 relative to
Occupational Group O – Engineering and Allied – Project Engineer.
24. 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)
25. Resolution – That the City Council of the City of Worcester
hereby supports an amendment to MGL 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)
26. Order – Request Rules Committee to review the procedure used by
City Council for election of individuals to the Library Board of Trustees. (Abraham)
(Tabled December 19, 2000)
27. Order - Request Administration develop an internet-based Citizen
Service Request Form which would encourage citizens to directly petition local
government for service and receive response interactively. This might be accomplished by duplicating
the service already offered by the City of Washington, District of Columbia to
it’s residents. (Patton) (Tabled
January 2, 2001)
28. Order – Request Administration survey Worcester’s largest
employers as to whether or not they offer any type of benefits to their
employees and their domestic partners.
(Patton) (Tabled January 2, 2001)
_____________________________________________________________
6:00 P.M.
JANUARY 17, 2001 LAND USE COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 – 7:30 P.M.
JANUARY 17, 2001 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:30 P.M.
JANUARY 24, 2001 ETHNIC & COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:30 P.M.
MINORITY AFFAIRS
Re:
Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance Report