CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
– JANUARY 16, 2001
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:05 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:27 P.M.
1. INVOCATION
– Rev. Louis G. Bond
Covenant United
Methodist Church
2. PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL
CALL – All present
4. ITEMS
OF CITIZEN INTEREST
4a. ITEMS
OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
5-10 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE EXCEPT
7
5. Carlos & Gloria Goden request abatement of Private Street
Betterment Assessment #50053 in the amount of $3,208.06 on Beaumont Rd.
6. Mihail
Bocka request sidewalks on Fourth St.
7. Cherie
Dupont & Ruth Rollins request City of Worcester to extend sanitary and
surface sewers to serve our homes at 7 & 9 Wigwam Hill Dr. Referred to Planning Board
8. Michael P. & Susanna N. Festa request abatement of Private
Street Betterment Assessment #50054 in the amount of $3,397.43 on Beaumont Rd.
9. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Vito Ventura
request sidewalk repair in front of 257 Coburn Ave.
10. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Bob Scott request
sidewalk repair from 44 Paradox Dr. to Beaconsfield St.
10a. Councillor Timothy P. Murray and Councillor Stephen Patton request
sidewalk repair in front of 21 Elmwood St. - Suspension of Rules – Referred to Public Works Committee
11-17 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
11. Rosa Pomales request handicap parking at 4 Home St.
12. Mihail Bocka request No Parking on Fourth St.
13. Representative John Fresolo on behalf of Ralph & Josephine
Pietro request handicap parking sign in front of 17 Gordon St.
14. Luz Cruz request handicap parking at 2 Henchman St.
15. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Bob Scott request
study of speed and volume of traffic on Walter St. and for stop signs at
appropriate locations.
16. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Dot Reid request
review of traffic signage in the area of Greenwood/Millbury St. and Reeves St.
17. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Jane Petrella
request review of traffic signage at the area of the railroad crossing at
McKeon Rd. and Millbury St.
17a. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Sister Marie Thomas
Senckowski request Traffic Engineer review whether there are resident parking
problems or other parking problems on Richland St. -
Suspension of Rules
– Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee
18. William S. Coleman, III request to place before the voters in
the November 2001 Municipal Election:
Do you feel all medical info, evidence and facts regarding the
transmission and spread of HIV that causes Aids has been presented to you in a
proper manner? Were you informed enough
to make a decision on the establishment of a needle exchange program in the
City of Worcester? Referred to Health
Committee
19. William S. Coleman, III request to place before the voters in
the November 2001 Municipal Election: Do you support the establishment of a state funded needle exchange
program with treatment on demand in the City of Worcester? Referred
to Health Committee
20.
Request
Administration report on the status of the snow removal account and the current
expenditures/costs for snow removal services. (Lukes)
21. Request City Auditor report on the status of the pension
obligation bonds in light of the current performance of the stock market. (Lukes)
Adopted
22. Request Administration report on the status of attempts to
enforce the fixed-price fuel contract(s) between the City and Peterson Oil
Corporation. This report should include
an explanation as to why Peterson Oil Corporation was not required to post a
performance bond for this contract.
(Irish)
Adopted
23. Request Administration to furnish a report on the number and
location of pre-school and school based fluoride rinse and dental sealant
programs currently being offered in the City estimating the percentage of
City’s children participating. (Irish)
24. Request Administration to review the ordinance recently adopted
by the City of Boston restricting the sale of products containing mercury in
order to reduce the amount of this highly toxic substance in the waste stream
and recommend as to whether Worcester should adopt a similar ordinance. (Irish, Perotto, Nadeau)
Adopted
25. Request City Manager update City Council on the signage program
for the downtown and airport areas.
(Nadeau, Irish)
Adopted
26. Request City Manager report to City Council on the status of the
Parcel Post building behind Union Station both for acquisition and for use as a
garage site. (Clancy)
Councillor Clancy
moved to amend: to include reviewing
the feasibility of potentially using any of Worcester Center space for any
potential move that may be need for the current tenant, if the garage site is
to be used and if it could come under the TIF agreement in any way. Councillor Murray moved to further amend to
request information regarding the current owner and the tax status on the
building.
Order Adopted, as
amended
27. Request City Manager consider the use of CDBG funding to explore
the feasibility of expanding the Green Island/Vernon Hill C.D.C. to possibly
include the areas of Quinsigamond Village and South Worcester area. (Clancy,
Nadeau)
Councillor Perotto moved to amend: Request a report on what is going on with the Quinsigamond Neighborhood Center and how they would fit into this expansion, also report on the efforts to save them as a CDC. Councillor Lukes further amended: Request a report on the financial implications of grant funding in expanding or consolidating CDCs and if the neighborhoods are going to have any input in this review.
Order Adopted, as
amended
28. Request City Manager consider the use of CDBG funding for a
banner program in the Canal Districts of Union Station (Harding St.), Green
Island (Millbury & Harding Sts.) and Quinsigamond Village (Millbury
St.). (Clancy, Nadeau)
Adopted
29. Request Administration contact the Executive Directors of our
local Social Service agencies to discuss possible communication improvements
regarding the placement of group homes in area neighborhoods. (Murray, Irish)
Councillor Petty
moved to amend: Request that a map by
district of the social service agencies and group homes be provided to the City
Council.
Order Adopted, as
amended
30. Request Administration to provide an update concerning seasonal
sales at the outlet mall and report on it’s future status. (Murray, Irish)
Adopted
31. Request City Manager report to the City Council concerning the
feasibility of the City of Worcester accepting the new allowance under Massachusetts
General Law to increase the amount of basic group life insurance offered to
city employees from $2,000 to $10,000.
Adopted
32. Request City Manager study the feasibility of acquiring Chase
Estates adjacent to Broad Meadow Brook and, further, request City Manager work
with Congressman McGovern’s Office in securing grant monies to acquire
site. (Clancy, Murray)
33. Request City Manager provide a report on the City
Administration’s position concerning recommendations of Block Grant funding for
nonprofit agencies who do not follow the policy of the Worcester City Council
concerning needle exchange programs for the purpose of public safety. (Perotto)
Order placed on file
34. Request City Manager consider targeting three specific
brownfield sites for the purpose of economic development. (Perotto)
Adopted
35. Request City Manager consider contacting all major hotel chains to
locate in the center city of Worcester for the purpose of economic
development. (Perotto)
Adopted
36. Request City Manager consider contacting a “Fine Arts College”
to relocate a satellite campus in the center city of Worcester for the purpose
of economic development. (Perotto)
Adopted
37. Request City Manager provide a report on the cost of providing a
roof for the Sneider Pavilion at Institute Park for the purpose of economic
development. (Perotto, Irish, Gomez,
Murray, Abraham, Lukes)
Councillor Patton
moved to amend: Request a legal opinion
as to whether any stipulation exists preventing a permanent structure from
being built at Institute Park.
Order Adopted, as
amended
38. Request City Manager consider providing winter recreational activities
at Green Hill Park for the citizens of Worcester. (Perotto, Abraham)
Adopted
39. Request Administration to prepare a detailed report relative to
the mechanics of the real estate tax assessment process in regard to all
properties in Worcester, including but not limited to: A.
The frequency of individual assessments, B. The process by which
all properties are reassessed, C. The criteria upon which the value of each
individual parcel is determined,
D. The frequency of on-site
appraisals for individual properties, and
E. The State’s requirements
regarding real estate assessments and reassessments. (Abraham, Irish)
Councillor Lukes
moved to amend: Request how the request
impacts the ten highest taxpayers and an explanation how the evaluation process
changes with commercial and industrial properties as well as residential. Councillor Clancy moved to further
amend: Request City Council be provided
with information on what the old bi-yearly real estate bills looked like when
they came out, their impact prior to the quarterly billing process, when the
tax bills were sent and when those payments were due and how they impacted on
the half year bills as opposed to the quarterly bills.
Order Adopted, as
amended
40. Request Administration describe the mechanics of quarterly tax
billing and the delaying of the third and fourth quarter bills, and report on
the payment options available to taxpayers adversely affected by said
delay. (Abraham, Irish)
Councillor Abraham
moved to amend to add Councillor Irish
Order Adopted, as
amended
41. Request Administration and/or Parks Commissioner to report to
the City Council regarding the feasibility of the Parks Department acquiring
and/or maintaining public school athletic fields and acquiring funds for the
operation of same, all for the purpose of providing more recreational space and
athletic facilities for public use. (Abraham, Murray, Petty)
Councillor Murray
moved to amend to add Councillor Petty.
Councillor Irish moved to amend to include athletic facilities. Further to request that a central
clearinghouse be made available so that a citizen can make one phone call about
available facilities without regard to who controls the facilities. Councillor Clancy moved to further amend to
request a report on the shared development of fields such as Providence St.’s
Glodis Soccer Field, to be used as a model.
Mayor Mariano moved to amend by removing the words “acquiring
and/or”. Further to exclude Foley
Stadium. Councillor Patton moved to
amend to request an inventory of playing fields for the purpose of moving
towards universal permitting. Councillor
Murray moved to further amend to request report within 60 days.
Order Adopted, as
amended
42. Request Administration report to the City Council regarding the
feasibility and status of the City of Worcester initiating an annual Festival
of Lights at Green Hill Park during the winter holiday season similar to the
program in Springfield, MA including the recruitment of private industry as
sponsors. (Abraham, Murray, Perotto)
43. Request Administration study and make recommendation regarding
installation of Holiday Lighting along Main St. area for the 2001 Holiday
Season and recommendations for funding.
(Lukes)
Adopted
44. Request Director of Traffic Engineering survey and research the
intersection of Lake Ave. and Belmont St. regarding the need for Right Turn
Lane must Turn Right markings/signs.
(Lukes)
Adopted
45. Request Auditor report on the policy of the WRTA concerning
employee benefits, if any, accruing from unused sick time. (Lukes)
Adopted
46. Request Administration report on the legal duties of homeowners
to shovel sidewalks where no paved sidewalk exists. (Lukes)
Councillor Patton
moved to amend: Request Administration
accept appeals to fines for not shoveling sidewalks until interpretation of the
ordinance is forthcoming.
Order Adopted, as
amended
46a. Request City Manager report if any Block Grant funding has been
used to support any activity relative to needle exchange. Motion Perotto @ #33 CC – Adopted
46b. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update on the
skateboard park for Green Hill Park. Motion Gomez @ #38 CC – Adopted
46c. Request Municipal Operations Committee, in the future, consider to amend the Goals and Objectives of the City Manager as follows:
1. Relative to Union Station, whether we have a developer, whether
the development parcels are being marketed, and whether we have a parking
garage; 2. Relative to the South
Worcester Industrial Park the issue of business recruitment be included; 3. Relative to the timeframe for consideration
in evaluating TIF’s, that the references to three years be broken down so that
the minimum level of accomplishment must take place in the first year; 4. That the reference relative to business
recruitment include clarification of the terms “targeted” and “actual” and 5.
In the analysis of the business tax base, a comparison of businesses
locating and leaving the city be included. Motion
Mariano @ #54 CC – Adopted
46d. Request City Manager report what the percentage thresholds mean in the terms of completion of projects in the City Manager’s Goals and Objectives. Motion Clancy @ #54 CC - Adopted
46e. Request
City Manager provide quarterly reports
on the progress being made towards his
annual Goals & Objectives. Motion
Patton @ #54 CC - Adopted
46f. Request City Manager report as to the amount of contracts given out by the City, what percentage is minority participation and what plans are to increase that number for future years. Motion Gomez @ #54 CC - Adopted
46g. Request Administration contact the town of Holden relative to the possible siting of a leaf mulching program at their municipal landfill and report back to City Council within 30 days. Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
46h. Request Administration report regarding traffic enforcement signage on Lincoln St. near Lincoln St. School and also to evaluate possibility of providing added police presence in the area around the time when children get out of school. Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
46i. Request Administration consider filling the reflecting pool on the Common for the purpose of creating ice skating opportunities for our residents the remainder of the winter until we decide what we will do with it and fund it. Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
46j. Request Director of Traffic Engineering to review and report on truck traffic cutting through parking lot in front of Kenmore Diner. Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
46k. Request City Manager provide snow removal at the Worcester Police Department. Petty – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
47. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to the most recent
collaboratives between members of the Consortium for Higher Education and the
Worcester Public Schools.
Referred to
Education Committee
48. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to 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.
49. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to the annual October
First Student Enrollment report.
50. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to outlining all
after-school programs offered by school site, including timeframes.
Referred to
Education Committee
51. Helen A Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to standards for school
buses maintained and operated to transport public school students in Massachusetts
and if all students need to be seated.
52. Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the
School Committee transmitting communication relative to establishing a working
group to explore expanding collaborative programs between the Worcester Public
Library and our school libraries.
52a. That the Worcester City Council hereby wishes the Greater
Worcester Vietnamese Community a health and prosperous new year at their
celebration this Saturday, January 20, 2001. (Irish) Suspension of Rule – Adopted on Roll Call 11-0
54 ACCEPTED & ORDER ADOPTED
54. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the
Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Goals
& Objectives: recommend adoption
of the accompanying order that the City Council accept the Goals &
Objectives of the City Manager for FY 2001.
55-57 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
55. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Robert L.
Moylan, Jr., Commissioner of Public Works requesting to accept as public Barber
Ave. from Randolph Rd southerly 600’ to its southerly terminus.
56. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Albert P.
Etre, A.P. Etre Builders, Inc. requesting to accept Valente Dr. as a public
way.
57. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney
Lawrence Brodeur on behalf of E-C Realty Corp., Inc. requesting Shady Brook
Lane be accepted as a public way.
58 ACCEPTED & ORDER ADOPTED
58. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the
Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to
proposed speed hump program: recommend adoption of the accompanying two
Orders that the City Council approves in concept of the draft recommendations
concerning a speed hump program and requesting the City Solicitor to file
Special Legislation relative to the installation of speed humps in the City of
Worcester.
59-81 FROM TRAFFIC & PARKING – VOTED TO
ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCES EXCEPT 66
59. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Stop sign on Eastern Ave. at Gage St. to face westbound traffic on Gage St.
60. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for Stop sign on Eastern Ave. at Normal St. (easterly
intersection) to face eastbound traffic on Normal St.
61. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for Stop sign on Eastern Ave. at Normal St. (westerly
intersection) to face eastbound traffic on Normal St.
62. Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for left turn only from the left lane on Eastern Ave. at Normal
and Gage Sts. for north and southbound traffic.
63. Amending Section 75 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for No “U” Turns on Eastern Ave. northbound at Island Opening
near East Central St.
64. Amending Section 37q of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to prohibit parking tow away zone on the east side of Commercial St. from
Front St to Mechanic St.
65. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for one-hour parking meters on the west side of Commercial St.
between Front St. and Mechanic St.
66. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind handicap parking on the north side of Pleasant St. near Main
St.
67. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind two parking meters on the north side of Pleasant St. near
Chestnut St. and install No Parking in its place.
68. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind two parking meters on the south side of Pleasant St. and
install No Parking in its place.
69. Amending Section 33(f)(2) of Chapter 13 of the Revised
Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit right turns on the red traffic signal for
southbound traffic on Main St.
70. Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for left turn only from the left lane on Pleasant St. at
Chestnut St. for eastbound traffic.
71. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind prohibited parking on the west side of Chestnut St. and install
four parking meters in its place.
72. Amending Section 70 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to prohibit left turns for westbound traffic on Front St. at Main St.
73. Amending Section 33(f)(2) of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to
rescind No Left Turn on Red for Linden St. southbound at Pleasant St.
74. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 10 Clifton St.
75. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 69 Providence St.
76. Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for resident permit parking on the south side of Congress St.,
entire length.
77. Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for resident permit parking on the odd numbered side of Fruit
St. from #63 to William St.
78. Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for resident permit parking on the south side of Pembroke St.
from #5 to #9.
79. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to rescind prohibited parking on the west side of McGill St. from McKeon
Rd. to Bothnia St.
80. Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for right turn only from the right lane on Salisbury St. into
Flagg St. for southbound traffic.
81. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of
1996 to provide for Stop sign on Everton Ave. at Crowningshield Rd. to face
northbound traffic.
82. 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) – No Action Taken
83. 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) – No Action Taken
84. 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) – No
Action Taken
85. 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)- Taken Off Table - Adopted
86. 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) – Taken Off Table - Adopted
87. Order - Request 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, Completion of major projects. (Mariano) (Tabled January 2, 2001) – Taken Off Table
– Placed on file
JANUARY 17, 2001 ETHNIC & WORCESTER SENIOR CENTER
6:00
P.M. MINORITY AFFAIRS 128 PROVIDENCE ST.
MULTI PURPOSE ROOM
Re: Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance Report
JANUARY 22, 2001 LAND USE COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 – 7:30
P.M.
(Rescheduled
from January 17, 2001)
JANUARY 22, 2001 LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:30
P.M.
AFFAIRS
(Rescheduled
from January 17, 2001)
JANUARY 24, 2001 PUBLIC SERVICE
& COUNCIL CHAMBER
4:00
P.M. TRANSPORTATION
(Note Change
in Time)
JANUARY 24, 2001 ETHNIC & COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:30
P.M. MINORITY AFFAIRS
Re: Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance Report
JANUARY 29, 2001 PUBLIC WORKS COUNCIL
CHAMBER
6:00
P.M.
FEBRUARY 9, 2001 PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL
CHAMBER
3:00 – 4:30
P.M.
Re: Abandoned Buildings Task Force Report
FEBRUARY 12, 2001 RULES & COUNCIL CHAMBER
4:00
P.M. REGULATIONS