CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL
– APRIL 3, 2001
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:14 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:20 P.M.
1. INVOCATION
– Sister Therese Dion, Executive Director
Office of
Ecumenism
Diocese of
Worcester
2. PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL
CALL – All present
Mayor Mariano read a Proclamation proclaiming April 3, 2001 as Equal Pay Day in Worcester
4. Report of the City Manager 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.
5. ITEMS
OF CITIZEN INTEREST
5a. ITEMS
OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
6 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD
6. Lori Skidmore-Irvine request removal of Dixfield Rd. (paper
street) from the Official Map.
7-9 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
7. Abby Rad, Pro Tech, Inc. request to extend water main
approximately 180 ft. in Onset St. to Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4. To be done at Petitioner’s expense.
8. Councillor Paul P.
Clancy, Jr. request resurfacing of Hancock Hill Dr. from Ardmore Rd. northerly
and westerly to Kanes Crossing.
9. Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request Public Works repair
sidewalk at 140 Perry Ave.
10 REFERRED TO
TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
10. Mozam Qutab, Ayurveda International, Inc. request a Commercial
Loading Zone in front of 21 West St.
10a. Request Administration report on the impact on parking and the City’s ability to provide parking at the Worcester Regional Airport as a result of additional flights. Motion-Lukes @ #3A CM – Adopted
10b. Request Administration report as to why one lane on Shrewsbury St. is being closed for the Harley-Davidson Owner’s Group Convention and the process by which it was decided that Shrewsbury St. should be closed. Further, request a report from the City of Milwaukee as to the cost to that City in terms of Public Works, Police and expenses incurred by the City as a result of the convention. Motion-Abraham @ #7E CM – Adopted
10c. Request Fire Chief report back to City Council once the grant application for the Fire Act Grant has been submitted. Motion-Petty @ #12B CM – Adopted
10d. Request City Manager report as to his suggestions on how he is going to tackle the issue of health care costs. Motion-Petty @ #13B CM – Adopted
10e. That
the City Council hereby supports allowing City employees to serve on Boards and
Commissions and recommends to the City Manager that course of action. Motion-Murray
@ #16B CM
Councillor Abraham moved to amend: Further, request Administration to consider adopting a policy where City employees are allowed to serve on Boards and Commissions except where Items 1, 2 and 3 of the City Solicitor’s report of March 20th come into play. Adopted, as amended.
10f. Request City Manager report what the other 39 municipalities do relative to the issue of employees serving on Boards and Commissions. Motion-Clancy @ #16B CM – Adopted
10g. Request Administration to look into Satellite City Halls where parking is convenient for the public during the renovation of the City Hall garage. Motion-Murray @ #18B CM – Adopted
10h. Request Administration to consider the Outlet Mall and the Senior Center as Satellite City Halls for paying taxes during the renovation of the City Hall garage. Motion-Gomez @ #18B CM – Adopted
10i. Request Administration report on what policy, if any, exists relative to the possession of tobacco products in the Worcester Public Schools. Motion-Irish @ #21A CM – Adopted
10j. Request City Solicitor to provide a legal opinion on whether there are any state laws preventing Internet sales of tax free cigarettes and what kind of proof is required. Motion-Lukes @ #21A CM – Adopted
10k. Request Administration to provide a detailed report at a subsequent meeting, on all scenarios relative to a parking garage for Union Station. Motion-Mariano @ #44CC & 7F CM – Adopted
10L. Request City Manager to use the format as used in Item 7F of the City Manager’s Calendar of April 3, 2001 in future reports on the status of Union Station development and that any changes to the documents just be italicized. Further, request additional information be added to the report relative to timeframes for bus ports and an additional page or pages be added relative to the status of securing a developer. Motion-Mariano @ #4CC & 7F CM – Adopted
10m. Request Administration to forward to every resident of Kenberma Rd. the report of the Commissioner of Public Works submitted every other week on the installation of a valve in Kenberma Rd. Motion-Mariano – Suspension of Rules at beginning of meeting
10n. Request City Manager and Commissioner of Public Works to commit themselves to the installation of a valve in Kenberma Rd. with all due haste and speed and that the City Council be kept apprised of the situation every other week until the valve is in place and running. Motion-Clancy – Suspension of rules at beginning of meeting
10o. Request Administration provide City Council with a comprehensive report on the next City Manager’s Calendar as to dates and times that the communications system at the Police and Fire Departments have been down, the problem and the solution. Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
10p. Request Administration report at the April 10, 2001 City Council meeting as to the process used and that families be notified in advance of hydrants being flushed. Mariano – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
THOMAS R. HOOVER
CITY MANAGER
CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR
FOR April 3, 2001
1. NON-CITY
COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
A. Notification of Constable appointment –
Patricia Morrissey
Placed on file
B. Notification of the appointment of sworn
weighers for the year 2001.
2. CITY
COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
3. AIRPORT:
A. Communication relative to American Eagle
Launches New England Jet Service between Worcester, Mass. and Chicago’s O’Hare,
and the announcement of additional flights by ASA/Delta to and from Atlanta.
B. Recommend that the City Council approve
the filing and acceptance of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) grants.
Order adopted
4. ASSESSORS:
A. Communication relative to Feasibility of
Changing the Tax Classification of Vacant and Abandoned Properties.
B. Communication relative to the City’s 25
Highest Commercial Tax Payers for the years 2000 and 2001.
5. BUGET
OFFICE:
6.
COMMUNICATIONS:
7. ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT:
A. Communication relative to Utilizing Phrase
“Downtown Worcester”.
B. Communication relative to Economic
Development Literature.
C. Communication relative to Consumer &
Visitor Literature.
D. Request adoption of a Resolution to
rescind the Certified Project of the Daniel Freelander Nominee Trust.
E. Communication relative to Harley –
Davidson Owner’s Group Convention.
F.
Communication
relative to Monthly Update on Union Station’s Development.
G.
Communication
relative to Public-Private Partnership for Marketing of the City of Worcester.
H.
Communication
relative to Super Stop & Shop/Footprint of the Lincoln Plaza Project.
8. ELDER
AFFAIRS:
9. ELECTION
COMMISSION:
10. EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
11. EMPLOYMENT
& TRAINING:
12. FIRE:
A. Request that a donation from Mr. Stephen
Province in the amount of $500.00 to benefit fire prevention school programs,
and a donation from Jonathan Quinlan in the amount of $500.00 to be used for
firefighting equipment, be accepted with gratitude.
B. Communication relative to the Requirement
to apply for the Fire Act Grant.
13. HUMAN
RESOURCES:
A. Communication relative to Chapter 235 of
the Acts of 1994.
Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee
B. Communication relative to Health Insurance
Costs for the Current Year and Future Years.
C. Request adoption of a Ordinance Amending
the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group R – Laborer and
Craftsman.
14. HUMAN
RIGHTS:
15.
INFORMATION SERVICES:
16. LAW:
A. Communication relative to Fluoridation, Holden, and Ballot Questions.
Referred to Health Committee
B. Communication relative to city employees serving on boards and commissions.
Tabled
17. LICENSE
COMMISSION:
18.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:
A. Request adoption of a Resolution to file
and accept a FY 2001 DARE Summer Day Program Grant with the Governor’s Alliance
against Drugs.
B. Communication relative to City Hall
Elevator Replacement Project.
C. Communication relative to Neighborhood
Grant Initiative (a/k/a Challenge Grants).
D. Communication relative to Expenditures
Incurred by the Pleasant Street Network Neighborhood Center.
E. Communication relative to an Application
for Fee Waiver for the Upland Associates to rehabilitate the Upland Gardens.
Order adopted on a roll all 10-0 (Abraham absent)
F. Communication relative to Census 2000
Neighborhood Data Released To-date.
19. PARKS,
RECREATION & CEMETERY:
A. Request adoption of a Resolution to file
and accept a Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education for the 2001
Summer Food Service Program.
B. Communication relative to Grant Award –
Heritage Tree Care Grant.
20. POLICE:
21. PUBLIC HEALTH
& CODE ENFORCEMENT:
A. Communication relative to Ordinances in
Effect in New England Cities and Towns that Establish a Penalty Against a Minor
Who Purchases Tobacco.
Referred to Health Committee
B. Communication relative to the appointment
of members to a Task Force Relative to
HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C.
22. PUBLIC
LIBRARY:
23. PUBLIC
SCHOOLS:
24. PUBLIC
WORKS:
A. Communication relative to Yard Waste and
Leaf Program.
Referred to Public Works Committee
B.
Communication
relative to Spring Sweeping Program.
C.
Request
the adoption of the attached order of Taking of the Property Located at 76 East
Worcester Street.
D.
Communication
relative to Lowering Roadway Profile Under Railroad Bridge on Southbridge
Street between Hammond Street and Lafayette Street.
25.
PURCHASING:
26. TREASURY:
A. Communication relative to Community
Preservation Act, Borrowing – Inside or Outside of Debt Limit.
27. VETERAN’S
SERVICES:
28. FINANCE:
A.
Recommend
that One Million Two Hundred Sixty Five Thousand Dollars ($1,265,000.00) be
transferred from Account #91C790 School Construction and appropriated to
Account #33C718, Forest Grove Construction, to provide funds for the payment of
Contractual, Architectural, Structural and Clerk of Works obligations,
associated with the construction of Forest Grove School.
B. Recommend that Three Hundred Ninety Thousand
Dollars ($390,000.00) be transferred
from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account
#72C705, Hope Cemetery Administration Building, to provide funds for the
purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with the construction
of Hope Cemetery Administration Building.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
C. Recommend that Fifty Six Thousand Six Hundred Eight Dollars ($56,608.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #75C702, Civic Center Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with the seat replacement and riser repairs at the Centrum Centre.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
D. Recommend that Thirty Thousand Six Hundred
Eighty One Dollars ($30,681.00) be transferred from Account #91C738, Reservoir
Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #45C728, Reservoir Rehabilitation,
to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various
Reservoir Rehabilitation projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement
Program.
E. Recommend that Seventy Five Thousand
Dollars ($75,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741, Street Resurfacing,
and appropriated to Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion/Betterments, to
provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various
Private Street conversion programs, as approved in the Capital Improvement
Program.
F. Recommend that Seventy Thousand Dollars
($70,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C737, Water Meters, and
appropriated to Account #45C794, Water Meters, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related
to various residential Water Meter installation projects, as approved in the
Capital Improvement Program.
G. Recommend that One Hundred Six Thousand
Eight Hundred Dollars ($106,800.00) be transferred from Account #91C780,
Capital Equipment, when and as received, and appropriated to Account #11C701,
City Messenger Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of
purchasing and the complete installation of ergonomically correct office
furniture for various citywide departments, as approved in the Capital
Improvement Program.
H. Recommend that Thirty Eight Thousand Five
Hundred Dollars ($38,500.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building
Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #11C702, City Messenger
Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual
obligations associated with the following citywide Building Rehabilitation
projects:
Installation of Fixtures City
Hall/Auditing $13,000.00
Replacement of carpeting for Human
Resources $ 7,500.00
ADA improvements at City Hall $18,000.00
$38,500.00
as approved in the Capital Improvement
Program.
I.
Recommend
that Twenty Six Thousand Two Hundred Ninety One Dollars Fifty Six Cents
($26,291.56) be transferred from Account # 91C780, Capital Equipment, when and
as received, and appropriated to Account #72C701, Parks Department Capital
Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing capital equipment for
the Parks Department, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
J. Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand
Dollars ($25,000.00) be transferred from Account #330-15 Reserve for
Appropriation Conservation Fees and appropriated to Account #04S406,
Conservation Commission, to provide funds for the purpose of reimbursing
bondage funds to the developer of Massasoit Village subdivision for wetlands
protection. These funds represent
bondage money requested by the Worcester Conservation Commission, posted by the
Massasoit Village developer in 1991 to ensure the completion of the detention
basin.
K. Recommend that Three Thousand Dollars
($3,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and
appropriated to Account #55C703, Worcester Public Library Rehabilitation, for
the purpose of providing funds to
remedy a serious safety situation associated with the electrical utility pole
that serves the Frances Perkins Library.
29.
MISCELLANEOUS:
A. Communication to Governor Paul Cellucci
requesting assistance relative to
Declaration of Emergency March 2001.
Placed on file
12. Mary L. MacInnes, Administrator, Worcester Regional Transit
Authority transmitting the Annual Report for fiscal year 2000 for the Worcester
Regional Transit Authority.
Placed on file
13. 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.
14 REFERRED TO ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A HEARING
14. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Jonathan Finkelstein on behalf of Francis W. Madigan, Jr. requesting City of Worcester to amend the Zoning Map by changing the zoning designation of property fronting Mason St. and shown on Assessors Map 6, Block 19, Lots 26 and 27 from RG-5 to MG-1.0.
15. 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)
16.
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)
6:00
P.M. DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS OFFICE
805 MILLBURY ST.
Re: Communication of the
City Manager relative to Completion of an Economic Development Plan for the
re-use of the Greenwood St. Landfill
APRIL 3, 2001 PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00
P.M.
Re:
Statute establishing an age limit of 32 for entry to the positions of
Firefighter and Police Officer
APRIL 4, 2001 FEES & CHARGES COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:30
P.M.
APRIL 5, 2001 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAMBER
4:00
P.M. OPERATIONS
APRIL 9, 2001 COMMERCE & COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00
P.M. DEVELOPMENT
Re: Amendment to the Union Station Urban
Revitalization
Plan (USURP)
APRIL 10, 2001 HEALTH COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:00 – 7:00
P.M.