CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
– MARCH 20, 2001
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:10 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:35 P.M.
1. INVOCATION
– Rev. Glen Rounseville
Bethlehem
Covenant Church
2. PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3.
ROLL
CALL – All present except Councillors
Murray and Patton. Councillor Patton arrived at 8:05 P.M.
4. Order – Request City Manager report to City Council how the decision by the Department of Environmental Protection judge effects the Vocational High School accreditation. (Petty, Murray)
Adopted
5. Order – Request City Manager report to City Council on all
costs incurred both directly and indirectly in relation to the siting of the
Vocational High School at Bell Hill, including staff time, legal fees and
public school costs. (Petty, Murray)
Mayor Mariano moved
to amend to include the issue of reimbursement. Further, request Administration spell out clearly what the current
law says and what, if any, exemptions they are seeking from the current
law. Order adopted, as amended
6. Order – Request City Manager to provide a report concerning
options for the proposed Vocational School at the Bell Hill site. (Perotto)
Adopted
7. Communication of the City Manager relative to a progress
report on the Vocational High School.
Placed on file
City Manager’s response to: Orders adopted March 13, 2001
8. Order – Request Administration report on what the process is
for selection of Deputy Collectors, how bills to be collected are assigned and
the compensation of Deputy Collectors.
(Lukes)
9. Order – Request Administration report on the procurement
process for outside tax collection services, terms and conditions of any and
all such contracts including, but not limited to compensation and performance
(i.e. collection rates). (Irish,
Abraham)
10. ITEMS
OF CITIZEN INTEREST
10a. ITEMS OF
DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
11 REFERRED TO PARKS DEPARTMENT
11. Michael Grandone request relocation of the tennis courts at
Cristoforo Columbo Park (East Park), removal of the six pine trees to the right
of the entrance and paving of the current tennis courts for a parking area.
12 REFERRED TO
PLANNING BOARD
12. Maria Turner request to change the zone of property at 81
Harrison St. from residential/commercial to strictly commercial.
13 & 14 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS
COMMITTEE
13. Chris Fourkas request Public Works to repair or replace sidewalk
in front of 725 Pleasant St.
14. Michael Grandone request removal of the fence along Shrewsbury
St. which is the rear of the Public Works vehicle yard and take one-third of
this area for a parking lot.
15-20 REFERRED TO
TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
15. Michael Grandone request removal of trees on the center median
strip that runs the length of Shrewsbury St., widening, paving and curb removal
of said median, then allowing diagonal parking down the center of the
boulevard.
16. Robert & Paula Wisell request a traffic light at the
intersection of June St. and Mill St. or at least a no left turn sign.
17. Marianne Wood request handicap parking sign at 159 Austin St.
18. David Carey request removal of handicap sign in front of 1
Suffolk St. and replace with 15 minute parking.
19. Paul & Maureen McNeil et al request a four-way Stop sign or
blinking yellow light at the corner of Airport Dr. and Prouty Lane.
20. Joseph Rossetti request No Parking Ban from Button St. to West
Boylston St.
20a. Councillor Michael C. Perotto request a public hearing concerning
residential parking on Creston St. Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee
– Suspension of Rules
21 REFERRED TO THE
CITY MANAGER
21. John F. McNabb, Jr., Vice President, Finance &
Administration, Rand-Whitney Group, LLC request City Council to sell City-owned
land at the rear of our Agrand St. plant, equivalent to approximately 6 acres for
the purpose of protecting the existing plant and future expansion.
21a. Request Administration report to City Council within the next
35-40 days as to where the process is on downtown campuses. Motion-Perotto
@ #7A CM – Adopted
21b. Request Administration report if the façade improvement program
applies to the building on Franklin St. and what assistance the City might
provide. Motion-Clancy @ #7A CM – Adopted
21c. Request City Manager report what portion of the building on
Franklin St that is being considered for a Collegiate Learning Center is
occupied. Motion-Gomez @ #7A CM – Adopted
21d. Request Administration to consider changing the references from
Center City to Downtown Worcester.
Request report in two weeks. Motion-Mariano @ #7A CM – Adopted
21e. Request City Manager to consider the feasibility of incentives to
downtown property owners for mixed use of downtown properties. Motion-Lukes
@ #7C CM – Adopted
21f. Request City Manager to coordinate tree plantings and installation
of benches and trash receptacles along Lincoln St. Motion-Perotto @ #7F CM –
Adopted
21g. Request Administration report if the Super Stop & Shop is
going to move from its current location and to provide City Council with a
footprint of the Lincoln Plaza project.
Motion-Petty @ #7G CM – Adopted
21h. Request Administration to hold a community chat with the Lincoln
Village Tenants Association relative to the Lincoln Plaza project. Motion-Patton
@ #7G CM – Adopted
21i. Request Administration to notify the Worcester Arts Magnet School
of any community chat that is scheduled relative to the Lincoln Plaza
project. Motion-Clancy @ #7G CM – Adopted
21j. Request Administration to consider making the announcement for
parking at the Worcester Center Boulevard Parking Garage that is placed in the
ticket envelope by the Centrum be a discount coupon. Motion-Irish @ #7H CM –
Adopted
21k. Request Administration to provide City Council with an update on
the status of the Fallon permitting process at the Worcester Center Boulevard
Parking Garage. Motion-Patton @ #7H CM – Adopted
21L. Request Administration report on the arrangement with Spectacor
for operation of the Worcester Center Boulevard Parking Garage. Is it a percentage, is it a flat fee, how
much is the City paying them? Motion-Patton @ #7H CM – Adopted
21m. Request Administration report on Spectacor’s contract for operating
the Worcester Center Boulevard Parking Garage as to who the Centrum’s answering
service web site is being charged to.
Further, request a report on the rehab of the retail/office units at the
garage as to the cost to tenants for electricity and water, what has the City
done, what the tenants are required to do and what Spectacor’s role is. Motion-Lukes
@ #7H CM – Adopted
21n. Request Administration report on the number of assigned personnel
who are on sick leave, I.O.D., military or other leave during the past year at
the Worcester Police Department. Motion-Lukes @ #20A CM – Adopted
21o. Request City Manager to include the Vocational School in future
School Projects Reports. Motion-Mariano @ #21A CM – Adopted
21p. Request City Manager to provide a full report on the status of
North High School. Motion-Clancy @ #21A CM – Adopted
21q. Request Administration report on how the $101 cost per unit was
calculated to provide trash and recycling services to private residential
units. Further, what would it cost to
pick up an additional housing unit of more than six. Further, what would be the cost to pick up trash only. Motion-Irish
@ #24A CM – Adopted
21r. Request Administration report on the status of the Town of Natick
court case relative to trash pick up from condominiums. Motion-Clancy
@ #24A CM – Adopted
21s. Request Administration report at the March 27, 2001 City Council meeting
on the status of the agreement between the WRA, the City, the MBTA, EOTC and
the handicapped community relative to a parking lot that the WRA used for its
employees. Motion-Lukes @ #24C CM – Adopted
21t. Request Administration to submit to City Council a proposed
process concerning a public selection process for Deputy Tax Collectors done on
a periodic basis. Further, request
Administration also submit an evaluation process for City Council review. Motion-Lukes
@ #8CC – Councillor Gomez moved to amend – Further, if the City considers a
bidding process, that the overriding concern be will the City get the same
results as we are currently getting.
Order adopted, as amended.
21u. Request Administration to provide City Council with a copy of the
contract between the City and Deputy Tax Collectors. Motion-Petty @ #9CC –
Adopted
21v. Request Administration report on the location, total cost and
source of funds (e.g. tax levy) of the 800 acres of new park and conservation
land acquired over the past 12 years. Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
21w. Request Administration provide
City Council with a report on the expected cost to repair the tremendous
number of new pot holes that have developed in the City. Patton
– Suspension of Rules - Adopted
THOMAS R. HOOVER
CITY MANAGER
CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR
FOR MARCH 20, 2001
1. NON-CITY COUNCIL
CONFIRMATION:
2. CITY COUNCIL
CONFIRMATION:
3. AIRPORT:
4. ASSESSORS:
A. Communication relative to City’s 25 Highest Commercial Tax
Payers.
5. BUGET OFFICE:
6. COMMUNICATIONS:
7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
A. Communication relative to Opening “Downtown Campuses”.
B. Communication relative to Comprehensive Plan Regarding the
“Greening” of the City.
C. Communication relative to Feasibility of Downtown Office Space
to be used for Residential Purposes.
D. Communication relative to Potential Sale of Ice Cats.
E. Communication relative to Replacement of a Bus Shelter at 1050
– 1060 Main Street.
F. Communication relative to Funding of the Installation of
Benches and Trash Receptacles along Lincoln Street.
G. Communication relative to Update on the Progress for Redevelopment of Lincoln Plaza.
H. Communication relative to the Worcester Center Boulevard
Parking Garage.
I. Recommend approval of an amendment to the Union Station Urban
Revitalization Plan (USURP).
Referred to Commerce & Development Committee for April 9,
2001 meeting
8. ELDER AFFAIRS:
9. ELECTION COMMISSION:
10. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
SERVICES:
11. EMPLOYMENT &
TRAINING:
A. Communication relative to Graduating College Students Starting
Careers with Companies located in Worcester.
12. FIRE:
13. HUMAN RESOURCES:
A. Communication relative to Residency Policy for City Employees.
B. Communication relative to Adding Two Additional Recruits to the
Police Class that is starting on March 26, 2001.
14. HUMAN RIGHTS:
15. INFORMATION SERVICES:
16. LAW:
A. Communication
relative to Mercury Fever Thermometers.
Referred
to Health Committee
17. LICENSE COMMISSION:
18. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:
A. Communication relative to Census 2000 Re-precincting – Additional
Public Hearings.
Placed
on file
19. PARKS, RECREATION &
CEMETERY:
A. Communication relative to Invitation to a Public Hearing on
Improvements to Cookson Field.
20. POLICE:
A. Communication relative to Staffing Levels in the Police
Department.
Referred to Public Safety Committee
B. Communication relative to Data from Communities Designating
Safe Hours for Halloween Trick-Or-Treating Activity.
C. Communication relative to Constable Photos.
21. PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE
ENFORCEMENT:
A. Communication relative to School Projects Report First Quarter
2001.
B. Communication relative to Flashing Caution Lights in all
Existing School Zones.
C. Communication relative to Community Health Program, Monthly
Report – February 2001.
D. Communication relative to Proposed Regulation of Mercury
Thermometers.
E. Communication relative to Housing Developments of Twelve Units
or more that have been applied for in the city over the last ten years.
F.
Communication
relative to Pre-school and School Based Fluoride Rinse and Dental Sealant
Programs.
Referred to Health Committee
G.
Communication
relative to the Health/Code Body Art Regulations.
Referred to Health Committee
H.
Communication
relative to Minors Successful in Purchasing Tobacco via Sting Operations in
their Communities.
Referred to Health Committee
I.
Communication
relative to Compliance Check, per quarter.
22. PUBLIC LIBRARY:
23. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
A. SUPPLEMENTAL
– Communication relative to Worcester
Vocational High School.
Placed
on file
24. PUBLIC WORKS:
A. Communication relative to Cost to Provide Trash and Recycling
Service to all Private Residential Units.
B. Communication relative to Proposed Speed Hump Construction
Program.
C. Communication relative to Location and Number of Parking Spaces
Available to People Accessing Union Station and Number of 10-Hour Parking
Meters and Handicapped Parking Spaces.
D. Communication relative to Grime Watch Program – January and
February, 2001 Activity.
25. PURCHASING:
26. TREASURY:
A. Communication
relative to Utilization of Deputy Collectors.
Placed on file
27. VETERAN’S SERVICES:
28. FINANCE:
A. Recommend that Four Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($4,700.00) be transferred from Account
#91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #26C701, Fire Department
Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purchase of (10) Bouyancy
Compensators, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Murray absent)
B. Recommend that Eighty Three Thousand Dollars ($83,000.00) be
transferred from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to
Account #25C701, Police Department Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the
purchase of various pieces of capital equipment, for the police recruit class
scheduled to begin on March 26, 2001, as approved in the Capital Improvement
Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Murray absent)
29. MISCELLANEOUS:
A. Communication relative to a copy of the Testimony on Brownfields that was presented on March 15, 2001 in Washington, D.C. to the Sub-Committee on Water Resources and Environment.
Placed on file
23. James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting Auditors Report –
February 28, 2001.
Referred to
Municipal Operations Committee
24. James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting City’s Management
Letter for the year ended June 30, 2000, prepared by KPMG LLP.
Referred to Municipal Operations Committee
25. RECESS
TO FINANCE & ORDINANCE: No Action Taken
FINANCE
a)
#5A CM January 23, 2001
Communication of the City
Manager transmitting communication relative to the City Manager’s Contingency
Account.
b)
#24E CM January 23, 2001
Communication of the City
Manager transmitting communication relative to Snow Deficit FY2001.
26. 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)
27. 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 29, 2000)
28. Order – Request City Manager report on the decision to not place
a polling location within Great Brook Valley and Curtis Apartments until
2003. (Gomez, Irish, Nadeau, Patton,
Clancy, Perotto, Murray, Petty)
(Tabled February 27, 2001)
29. Resolution – That the Worcester City Council go on record
requesting the Election Commission to take whatever steps are necessary to
insure that the polling site for Ward 2, Precinct 5 goes back into Great Brook
Valley prior to the next election.
(Gomez) (Tabled February 27,
2001)
5:30
P.M. – Tour of North Chamber
Meeting to follow