CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 5,
2001
7:00 P.M.
Convened: 7:10 P.M.
Adjourned: 8:26 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 except Councillors Clancy,
Perotto and Petty.
Councillors
Clancy and Perotto arrived at 7:21 P.M.
Council took up all Motions made in Finance and voted them collectively on a voice vote.
HEARINGS & ORDERS – 7:00 P.M.
4-6
Hearings held
4. NSTAR for a gas main location on: CENTURY DR.
5. NSTAR for a gas main location on: CHESTER ST.
6. NSTAR for a gas main location on: SHREWSBURY ST.
4a-6a
ORDERS ADOPTED
4a. Granting permission to NSTAR for a gas
main location on: CENTURY DR.
5a. Granting permission to NSTAR for a gas
main location on: CHESTER ST.
6a. Granting
permission to NSTAR for a gas main location on: SHREWSBURY ST.
7. 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. See Items 41 and 41a
8. ITEMS
OF CITIZEN INTEREST
8a. ITEMS
OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
9 REFERRED TO THE PLANNING BOARD
9. Anthony Adade et al request to convert Carpenter Ave. from a private to public street.
10-12 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
10. Stephen Jorjorian, Advance Plating Corp. request repair of concrete sidewalk located about 75’ from the guardrail in front of 363 Franklin St.
11. Francis
Bird request private street maintenance in front of 61 Derby St.
12. Attorney
Peter Dawson on behalf of Ronald Johnson, Chairman, Board of Selectman, Town of
Paxton requesting to amend the Agreement between the City of Worcester and the
Town of Paxton for the City’s use of Asnebumskit Reservoir and the provision of
water by the City to the Town dated March 14, 1997.
12a. Councillor
Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Dr. Richard Blasé request sidewalk repair in
front of 238 Highland St. Referred to Public Works Committee –
Suspension of Rules
13 & 14 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC &
PARKING COMMITTEE
13. Susan
Dana et al request 2 or 3 Slow Children signs on Bailin Dr.
14. Elizabeth Saich et al request to change parking restrictions on east side of Fountain St. between Route 9 and including 45 Fountain St. from 24 hour unrestricted parking to residential permit parking.
15 PLACED ON FILE – Petitioner spoke
15. William S. Coleman III request City Council raise the salaries of Mayor to $50,000 a year, City Council to $25,000 a year and School Committee to $12,500 a year. Further that these adjustments, if adopted, take effect with the new Council, Mayor and School Committee in January 2002.
16 FROM COMMERCE & DEVELOPMENT - Adopted
16. Request Worcester Police Department enforce handicap parking in the Amtrak Parking Lot.
17-22 FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - Adopted
17. Request City Council to request Administration commit to return any financial award received as a result of the action being taken regarding the contamination of the Ty Cobb Field to the Parks Department for block grant eligible work.
18. Request
City Manager report to the City Council concerning the need for funding of
parks improvements at Columbus Park.
19. Request
City Manager report to the City Council any plans for use of the unexpended
balances in the Community Development Block Grant Program in the account
allocated to Greenwood Park.
20. Request
City Manager report on progress made in the funding of plans for development of
the former Coes Knife property.
21. Request
City Manager report if the proposed pedestrian lights on Mill St. are block
grant eligible.
22. Request
City Manager to update the City Council on plans for monitoring the Year 27
Community Development Block Grant program.
23 FROM TRAFFIC & PARKING - Adopted
23. That
a Commercial Loading Zone be established on Southbridge St. east side from a
pt. 97’ north of Myrtle St. to a pt. 75’ north of Myrtle St.
24. Request Administration report on how much water the City of Worcester can sell per year over and above what Worcester residents consume.
(Gomez)
Adopted
25. Request
Administration report on how much of our excess capacity water we could
sell. (Gomez)
Adopted
26. Request
Administration to contact the town of Holden and begin discussion with them to
sell more water to the town. (Gomez)
Adopted
27. Request
Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, upon proper review, to declare
the mini-high platform at Union Station as a place of public accommodation and
subsequently designate the area as non-smoking.
(Patton)
Adopted
28. Request
City Manager to provide an extensive traffic study in the Tatnuck Square area
for the purpose of public safety.
(Perotto,
Abraham, Petty, Murray)
Adopted
29. Request
City Manager to provide an explanation of the Planning Board process concerning
rights and obligations of citizen participation either pro or con. (Perotto, Abraham)
Councillor
Patton moved to amend to include the Zoning Board of Appeals
and
other appellate boards
Adopted as amended
30. Request
City Manager to provide an update on the Wyman Gordon properties. (Nadeau)
Adopted
31. Request
City Manager to provide an update on the policy regarding dogs in City
parks. (Nadeau)
Adopted
32. Request
City Manager provide a report as to the minimum allowable percentage that may
be adopted for the Community Preservation Act.
(Perotto)
Adopted
33. Request
Administration to report on what, if any, current job freeze is in effect and
what kind, if any, job freeze will be in effect and for what period of time for
the next fiscal year given the fact that bargaining contracts will not be
resolved until after the budget is voted and the actual cost of government will
not be determined until all contracts are settled. (Lukes)
Adopted
34. Request
Administration to report on the status of government home assisted housing,
including down payment assisted housing for the past ten years listing the
unit’s ownership changes and building code status, along with conclusions as to
the efficacy of such housing programs and recommendations regarding long range
goals regarding neighborhood stabilization versus expansion/retention of
affordable housing and housing as an economic development tool. (Lukes)
Adopted
35. Request
Administration to report on if, and in what manner, government activities such
as those of Zoning and Planning Boards, Conservation Commission and Code
Department are connected through information storage and data sharing systems
for planning purposes and how far back in time such information is available. (Lukes)
Councillor Murray moved to amend: Further, request City Manager report
as
to a timetable for implementation of computer technology, how it will take
place,
will he assemble a team and what is the cost.
Adopted as amended
36. Request
Administration to consider conducting a housing analysis regarding inventory,
long term projections as to housing needs and strategies for affordable
housing. (Lukes)
Adopted
37. Request
Administration to report on what ordinances are in effect regarding the removal
of items from trash bags placed on the curb and what recommendations, if any,
Administration would make regarding the increasing number of trash
pickers. (Lukes)
Adopted
37a. Request
City Administration to consider providing a recommendation towards funding a
Bookmobile and consider creation of a Task Force to study possibilities and
restoring library services in our neighborhoods. Motion-Murray @ #40CC –
Adopted
37b. Request
City Manager to provide a report on the condition of the Lakeview Playground
field. Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
37c. Request
Administration to check on the tree in front of 3 Potomska St. that needs
attention. Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
37d. Request
Administration to submit to City Council what the claims procedure is, what is
reimbursable according to the Electric Company’s proposed process and whether
claims are available to commercial users relative to power outages and surges.
Lukes – Suspension of Rules –
Adopted
37e. Request
Administration to provide a report describing the process that will be followed
to comply with the Board of Health’s recent order to increase the level of
fluoride in the City’s water supply. Irish, Patton, Mariano, Clancy, Nadeau,
Murray, Abraham, Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
37f. Request
a traffic study in the vicinity of Salisbury St. and Forest St. for the purpose
of providing greater traffic movement and safety for pedestrians. Patton,
Murray, Abraham, Irish, Nadeau, Lukes, Gomez, Clancy – Suspension of Rules –
Adopted
37g. Request
City Manager not only consider the previous request relating to sewers in Route
20, but to expand the request to also include areas of the City that are
buildable but not sewered. Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
37h. Request
City Manager report if City Administration is going to be engaged in any
discussions whatsoever with the Nipmuc Indians to see if there is any potential
for casino development within the City borders. Clancy – Suspension of
Rules – Adopted on a roll call 8-1 (No-Gomez, Absent-Petty, Mariano)
38. Edward
A. Capomacchio, Controller, transmitting Condensed Financial Return for New
England Power Co. for the year ended December 31, 2000.
Placed on file
39. Edward
A. Capomacchio, Assistant Controller transmitting Condensed Financial Return
for Massachusetts Electric Co. for the year ended December 31, 2000.
Placed on file
40. Thomas
R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to City Council
questions regarding revenue estimates.
Referred to Finance
41. Thomas
R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to Union
Station/Washington Square.
Referred to Commerce & Development Committee
41a. Thomas
R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to Union Station
Monthly Report.
Referred to Commerce & Development Committee – Suspension of Rules
42. That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby recognizes the many years of devoted public service of Worcester Family and Probate Court Judge John J. Moynihan to the citizenry of Central Massachusetts.
(Murray, Abraham)
Amended to add Councillor Lukes as author
Adopted
as amended on a roll call 9-0 (Petty, Mariano absent)
43. 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 FY 2001.
c) #13B CM
April 3, 2001
Communication of the City Manager relative to
Health Insurance Costs for the Current Year and Future Years.
d) #43
CC May 8, 2001
Thomas R. Hoover, City
Manager transmitting Fiscal Year 2002 Budget.
44-68
ACCEPTED
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
& DEVELOPMENT Upon the following
Communications of the City Manager: recommend
Communications be placed on file.
44. Transmitting communication relative to
Monthly Update on Union Station’s Development.
45. Transmitting communication relative to
Union Station Ownership - Historic Tax
Credit Transactions.
46. Transmitting communication relative to
ownership of the Parcel Post Building.
47. Transmitting communication relative to
Union Station Garage Grant Agreement.
48. Transmitting communication relative to
location and number of parking spaces available to people accessing Union
Station and number of ten- hour parking meters and handicap parking spaces.
49. Transmitting communication relative to
handicap accessibility at Union Station.
50. Transmitting communication relative to
Union Station South Platform.
51. Transmitting communication relative to an
update on Amtrak moving into Union Station.
52. Transmitting communication relative to
signed copy of the Agreement with the Mass. Highway Department for Washington
Square Improvements.
53. Transmitting communication relative to
scope of design for Washington Square.
54. Transmitting communication relative to
copy of the RFP used for Washington Square.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on
file.
55. Transmitting communication relative to funding recommendations for CDBG, HOME and ESG Programs.
56. Transmitting communication relative to
Year 26 Monitoring and Year 27 Recommendations Report for CDBG, HOME and ESG
Programs.
57. Transmitting communication relative to
Year 25 Monitoring Report for CDBG, HOME and ESG Programs.
58. Transmitting communication relative to
CDBG Funds, Evaluation Process of CDBG and LLEBG Funds and Goals &
Objectives of Organizations receiving CDBG Funds.
59. Transmitting communication relative to
use of CDBG Funds to explore feasibility of expanding the Green Island CDC and
use of CDBG funds for banner program in the Canal District of Union Station,
Harding St., Green Island and Quinsigamond Village.
60. Transmitting communication relative to
Neighborhood Grant Initiative (a/k/a Challenge Grants).
61. Transmitting communication relative to
Challenge Grant Program through Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Crime Watch
Group mailing for applications for Block Grant Monies and Crime Watch Groups –
leverage some private dollars.
62. Transmitting communication relative to
funding levels for Year 27 CDBG/HOME/ESG and proposed allocation process
timetable.
63. Transmitting communication relative to
Community Development Block Grant Funds.
64. Transmitting communication relative to
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Funding Shifts.
65. Transmitting communication relative to
$60,000.00 for Community Schools and $30,000.00 for Visions.
66. Transmitting communication relative to
Ten-Year Parks Appropriations Report.
67. Transmitting communication relative to
Year 25 projects funded through unexpended balances.
68. Transmitting communication relative to
summary of applications not recommended for funding in Year 27.
69-93
VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCES
69. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES
Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Philip Niddrie,
Chief Development Officer on behalf of the Planning Board requesting an
amendment to the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to
Landscaping Requirements for Parking Lots: recommend passage of the
accompanying proposed Ordinance.
69a
ACCEPTED AND COUNCIL VOTED ON A ROLL CALL 8-1 (NO-LUKES, ABSENT-PETTY, MARIANO)
TO ADVERTISE THE PROPOSED ORDINANCES AS AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE TRIPLE ELDERLY
ABATEMENT.
69a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication
recommending the FY 2002 water and sewer rates: recommend passage of the
accompanying two proposed ordinances for a water rate of $2.09 per ccf and a
sewer rate of $1.78 per ccf.
69b-d
ACCEPTED – Suspension of Rules
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC
WORKS Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend
Communications be placed on file.
69b. Transmitting communication relative to
Water and Sewer rate recommendations.
69c. Transmitting communication relative to
Refinancing of Water and Sewer Loans.
69d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
Upon the Communication of the City Clerk transmitting communication relative to
Water and Sewer Rates for Fiscal Years 1995-2001: recommend Communication be placed on file.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC
& PARKING Upon the following Petitions requesting handicap parking: recommend passage of the accompanying
proposed Ordinances.
70. Councillor Michael C. Perotto on behalf
of Maurice Garofoli request handicap parking in front of 11 Suffolk St.
71. Marianne Wood request handicap parking
sign at 159 Austin St.
72. Councillor Michael C. Perotto on behalf
of Carol Fafard request handicap
parking in front of 12 Wall St.
73. Councillor Timothy P. Murray on behalf of
Marty and Ann Baroni request handicap parking in front of 69 Dustin St.
74. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Petition of David Carey request
removal of handicap sign in front of 1 Suffolk St.
and replace with 15 minute sign: recommend passage of the accompanying
proposed Ordinance to provide for 15 minute parking in front of #1 Suffolk St.
75. REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING
Upon the Petition of Dina Dacoles request to reverse the winter parking ban on
Woodland St. between Oberlin and Claremont Streets: recommend
passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
76. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Petition of Adele Richmond et al request to reinstate the
winter parking ban on the odd side of Bridgeport St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
77. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Petition of Councillor Timothy P. Murray and Councillor
Stephen Abraham on behalf of Raera Hepenstall-Schaffer request 15 minute
parking only between St. Elmo Rd. and 806 Pleasant St. (Even Side): recommend
passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
78. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Petition of Raquel Uribe request to change 30 minute parking to 60 minute parking for laundromat
customers at 80 West St.: recommend
passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
79. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Petition of Herbert Edinburg request extension of one parking
space (20’) on the south side of 322 Pleasant St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
80. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Petition of Vincent Yess, Lederman’s Bakery request parking at
81-83 Hamilton St. be designated to a time limit of 30 minutes: recommend passage of the accompanying
proposed Ordinance.
81. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Manager request adoption of an
ordinance amending Section 39 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996
relative to handicap parking: recommend
passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
82. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC &
PARKING Upon the Report of the Committee on Traffic & Parking upon the
Petition of Councillor Janice L Nadeau on behalf of Carlos Medero request
Traffic Engineer review parking situation on Beacon St. between Lagrange and
Oread Streets: recommend passage of the
accompanying proposed Ordinance to rescind prohibited parking on the west side
of Beacon St. between Lagrange St. and Oread St.
83. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC & PARKING Upon the Petition of Arcadio
Guzman request 15 minute parking in front of 179 Belmont St. at corner of
Rodney St., both sides: recommend
passage of the accompanying two proposed ordinances to revise resident permit
parking on the east side of Rodney St. and provide for 15 minute parking on the
east side of Rodney St..
84. Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind resident permit parking on Creston St.
85. Amending Section 74 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to allow right turns only for westbound traffic on Dorchester St. into Vernon St.
86. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for one-hour parking meters on the south side of Myrtle St. between Southbridge St. and Portland St.
87. Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to reserve the two left lanes for southbound traffic on Lincoln St. at Belmont St. to turn left.
88. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind one-hour parking meters on the east side of High St. near Chatham St.
89. Amending Section 51 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind taxi stand on the south side of Mechanic St. near Main St.
90. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for one-hour parking meters on the south side of Mechanic St.
91. Amending Section 43 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to revise the winter parking ban on Kingsbury St.
92. Amending Section 43 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to revise the winter parking ban on Lagrange St.
93. Amending Section 43 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to revise the winter parking ban on West Boylston St.
94. 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
95. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to city employees serving on Boards and Commissions.
(Tabled April 3, 2001) No
Action Taken
96. Order
– Request City Administration provide breakdown of new growth figures over the
past ten years, including the percentage breakdown of the residential,
commercial and personal property within said annual figure. (Murray)
(Tabled May 8, 2001) Taken off the Table and adopted
97. Order
– Request City Manager contact the Massachusetts Port Authority and request
they provide City Council with efforts being made to market the initiation of
American Airlines flights between Worcester and Chicago, including information
on pricing. (Petty, Murray,
Perotto)
(Tabled May 22, 2001) No
Action Taken
__________________________________________________________________
JUNE 4, 2001 PUBLIC WORKS COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 P.M.
JUNE 20, 2001 PUBLIC SERVICE COUNCIL CHAMBER
4:00 – 6:00 P.M. &
TRANSPORTATION
JUNE 20, 2001 TRAFFIC & PARKING COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 P.M.
JUNE 25, 2001 COMMERCE & SACRED HEART OF
7:00 P.M.
DEVELOPMENT JESUS CHURCH
600 CAMBRIDGE ST.
LOWER CHURCH HALL
Re:
Conceptual Master Plan for the South Worcester Industrial Park
4:00 P.M. 4:00 P.M.
OPEN DATE SET ASIDE FOR
Economic Development Office BUDGET
Union Station
Worcester Marketing Campaign Capital Budget
Public Works Equipment
Snow Removal Building & City
Park
Off Street Parking Rehabilitation
Street Lights Surface &
Sub-Surface
Sewer
Infrastructure
Water
Economic Development
Contingency Account
$140M Capital Campaign Account
4:00 P.M.
Public Schools
Airport
Library
Regional Library
Office of the City Treasurer
City Hospital – Federal Debt Payment
Debt Services – Principal & Interest
Pension Obligation Bonds