CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 12, 2001

7:00 P.M.

 

                                                              Convened:  7:13 P.M.

                                                            Adjourned:   7:40 P.M.

 

 

1.          INVOCATION – Rev. Aaron Payson

                                        Unitarian-Universalist Church

 

2.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.          ROLL CALL – All present except Councillors Perotto and Petty

 

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING – 7:00 P.M.

 

          4 ORDINANCE COMMITTEE VOTED TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLANNING BOARD REPORT AND TO DENY THE PETITION

 

4.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Maria Turner requesting to change the zone of property at 81 Harrison St. from residential/commercial to strictly commercial.

 

5.          ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5a.          ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          6-11 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

6.       Tania Elisa Beretzky request to have Hycrest Dr. resurfaced.

 

7.       Trung Cao et al request private street maintenance on Brookside Ave.

 

8.          Councillor Timothy Murray on behalf of Albert Gammal request sidewalk repair in front of 73 Sagamore Rd.

 

9.          Councillor Timothy Murray on behalf of Michael Schaffer request emergency sidewalk repair in front of 44-46 Richmond Ave.

 

10.     Philip Bruneau et al request private street maintenance on Palace Garden Rd.

                                         

11.          Stephen Campbell, President, Highland North Corp. request to extend 2” copper water main approximately 140’ due east on Burghardt St. at petitioner’s expense.

 

          12-16 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

12.     State Representative John Fresolo request “No Parking Anytime” zone in front of 123 Granite St. be rescinded and in place thereof request installation of a “No Parking School Days Only” zone.

 

13.          Jacqueline Augusto request handicap parking at 65 Houghton St.

 

14.          Meredith Karsberg & Carol Piggford request Traffic Engineer to investigate weekend parking situation on Sun Valley Dr.

 

15.     Paulo DaSilva, Plant Manager, Ginseng Up request the current “No Parking Anytime” sign be changed to reflect unattended vehicles can be towed across from loading dock driveway at 16 Plum St.

 

16.          Councillor Stephen Abraham request the following crosswalks be repainted: May St. at Hamill Rd., May St. at May St. School, Chandler St. at Hadwen Rd. and Chandler St. at Temple Emanuel parking lot and installation of a new crosswalk on Chandler St. near the Bet Shalom driveway which is illuminated by two overhead street lights.

 

          17 REFERRED TO THE CITY MANAGER

 

17.          Councillor Stephen Abraham on behalf of David & Deborah Keer request to acquire City-owned land by private sale that is adjacent to 50 Parsons Hill Dr.

 

 

          HEARINGS SET FOR JUNE 19, 2001 – 7:00 P.M.

 

18.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a pole location on: LINCOLN ST.

 

19.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a pole location on: ARLINGTON ST.

 

20.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for cable and conduit systems on: PROVIDENCE ST., AETNA ST., CORAL ST. AND GRAFTON ST.

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDER

 

          20a FROM MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

 

20a.   That the City Council hereby approves the following Format and Procedures for Evaluation of the City Manager (as enclosed).  Adopted – Suspension of Rules

 

ORDERS

 

20b.          Request Administration to submit maps with Planning Board Reports where the Petitioner is seeking a zone change.  Motion-Lukes @ #4CC – Adopted

 

20c.          Request City Manager contact the appropriate parties relative to MBTA delays and report back to City Council as to what steps are being taken to correct this problem.  Motion-Murray @ #7C CM – Adopted

 

20d.          Request Administration to keep City Council updated on draft legislation relative to Tax Increment Financing for mixed development.  Motion-Murray @ #18B CM – Adopted

 

 

 

 

 

20e.          Request Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee to consider a 3rd goal of economic development and a 4th goal of stability of neighborhoods or revitalization of neighborhoods when considering the proposed Housing Policies and objectives.  Motion-Lukes @ #18B CM – Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

20f.          Request Administration to provide City Council with a listing of the Sidewalk Improvement Projects relative to Item 28G of the City Manager’s Calendar of June 12, 2001.  Motion-Nadeau @ #28G CM – Adopted

 

20g.          Request Administration to consider installing a portable traffic device on James St. in the vicinity of the Ty Cobb field to allow children to cross James St. safely.  Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

20h.          Request Administration to find out what type of methodology Henry Lee Willis used for their Needle Exchange Poll.  Nadeau – Suspension of Rules - Adopted 

 

21.          COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

THOMAS R. HOOVER

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR June 12, 2001

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.      Notification of the appointment of Donald V. Rudge, and William F. Borowski, and the reappointment of Sandra Katz and Daniel R. Bonnette, to the Mayor Thomas J. Early Scholarship Committee

 

Placed on file

 

 

 

2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION

 

A.      Notification of the reappointment of Isabel M. Maloney, and Mohamed J. Jaber, to the Industrial Development Finance Authority.

 

          Reappointments confirmed

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3. AIRPORT:

 

A.      Recommend that the fiscal 2002 budget for the Worcester Regional Airport be amended.

 

Two Orders adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

4. ASSESSORS:

 

5. BUDGET OFFICE:

A.      Communication relative to the FY 2002 Budget recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Placed on file

 

B.               SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Council order requesting a three-year budget projection.

 

Referred to Finance

 

6. COMMUNICATIONS:

 

7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

 

          A.          Communication relative to Blackstone Canal Feasibility Study.

 

          Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to the re-use of the building at 126 June Street.

 

Placed on file

 

C.      Communication relative to Time Added to the Run Time between Union Station and South Station with the addition of stops in Southborough, Westborough and Ashland.

 

Placed on file

 

D.               Communication relative to City Council inquiries at the Budget Hearing on (June 15, 2001) for the marketing section of the Economic Development Office.

 

Placed on file

 

E.      Communication relative to Upgrades on MBTA Lines and Its Impact on Worcester Patrons.

 

Recommitted to the City Manager

 

8. ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Breakdown of the FY’02 Elder Affairs Personnel.

 

Referred to Elder Affairs Committee

 

9. ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

10. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

11. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

12. FIRE:

 

13. HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

14. HUMAN RIGHTS:

 

15. INFORMATION SERVICES:

 

16. LAW:

 

          A.          Communication relative to Assessing – Charitable Entities.

 

          Placed on file

 

17. LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

18. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:

 

A.      Communication relative to the Worcester Municipal Research Bureau (WMRB) ComNETSM Project.

 

Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Status of City’s Housing Programs, Initiatives and Policies – FY2001 – 2003.

 

          Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

19. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Communication relative to Update, Summer Pool and Beach Season, Certified Lifeguard Recruitment, Training and Retention 2001.

 

Placed on file

 

20. POLICE:

 

A.      Request City Council accept with gratitude a $1,000.00 donation to the DARE Program from the Cambridge Public Health Commission.

 

Order adopted with gratitude

 

 

21. PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

          A.          Communication relative to Mental Health Conference Report.

 

          Placed on file

 

22. PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

A.               SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Library Access Task Force.

 

Placed on file

 

23. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

24. PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Grime Watch Program – April 2001 Activity.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

25. PURCHASING:

 

26. TREASURY:

 

          A.          Communication relative to Community Preservation Act.

 

          Referred to Land Use Committee

 

B.               SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Minimum Allowable percentage that may be adopted for the Community Preservation Act.

 

Referred to Land Use Committee

 

27. VETERAN’S SERVICES:

 

 

 

28. FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that Seven Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Two Dollars Thirty Cents ($7,662.30) be transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for Appropriation Damage Settlement, and be appropriated to Account #4105-92000, DPW Central Garage Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for the repair of damaged vehicles. These funds represent reimbursements received from Insurance Companies for various damages to city owned vehicles.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

B.      Recommend that Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($8,250.00) be transferred from Account #330-91000, Health & Code Department Personal Services, and appropriated to Account #330-92000, Health & Code Department Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purchase of laboratory supplies, repairs to laboratory refrigerator, replacement batteries for radios and the relocation of a family from a code violation condemned building.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

C.      Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), be transferred from Account #91C714, Water Pumping Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #45C726, Water Pumping Station Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations related to various Water pumping rehabilitation projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.      Recommend that Three Hundred Sixty Five Thousand One Hundred Ninety Eight Dollars ($365,198.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing the following pieces of capital equipment.

          (3)     Loadpackers (Sanitation)           $296,768.00

          (2)     Skid Loaders (Streets)              $  68,450.00

          Total                                                  $365,198.00

 

          for the Department of Public Works, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

E.      Recommend that One Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($160,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #44C705, Sewer Building Rehabilitation, for the payment of contractual obligations related to various Building Rehabilitation projects for the Sewer Department. as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

F.      Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #41C704, DPW Building Rehabilitation, for the payment of contractual obligations related to various Building Rehabilitation projects for the Department of Public Works, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

 

 

 

 

G.      Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741, Street Construction, and appropriated to Account #41C797, Sidewalks, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various sidewalk improvement projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

H.      Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741, Street Resurfacing, and appropriated to Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion/Betterment, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various private street conversion/betterment projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

I.       Recommend the One Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,200,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C713, Water Mains, and appropriated to Account #45C720, Water Mains, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various residential water main projects.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

J.       Recommend that Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and appropriated     to Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various sewer reconstruction projects.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

 

 

 

 

K.               Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and appropriated to Account #44C764, Sewer Pumping, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various sewer pumping projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

L.                Recommend that Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00), be transferred from Account #91C790, School Construction, and appropriated to Account #33C718, Forest Grove School Construction, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations related to the construction of Forest Grove Middle School.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

M.             Request authorization to pay Eight Hundred Six Dollars and Ninety Nine Cents ($806.99) for prior year invoices from Account #250-92000, Police Department Ordinary Maintenance.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

N.               Recommend that Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($20,200.00), be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #04C703 Senior Center Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the General Contractor and associated costs for the Senior Center Rehabilitation Project.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

 

 

 

 

 

O.              Recommend that Six Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($680,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C709, Worcester Common Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #14C714, Worcester Common Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with the rehabilitation of City Hall Garage and Rear Plaza, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

P.                Recommend that One Hundred Seventy Two Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($172,250.00), be transferred when and as received, from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #71C701, Golf Course Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing (53) Gas Powered Golf Carts for Green Hill Municipal Golf Course.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

Q.              SUPPLEMENTAL – Recommend that Three Hundred Four Thousand Three Hundred Forty-eight Dollars and Ten Cents ($304,348.10) be transferred from:

 

ACCOUNT          DESCRIPTION                       AMOUNT

 

                       FY 02 Free Cash-Once approved   $240,238.12

900-92000      City Manager’s Contingency Acct     64,109.98

                                                          Total             $304,348.10

 

and appropriated into the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT          DESCRIPTION                      AMOUNT

 

550-91000     Library Personal Services               $ 80,448.10

550-92000     Library ordinary Maintenance           63,300.00

550-93000     Library Capital Outlay                     160,600.00

                                              Total                        $304,348.10

 

to provide the funds necessary to proceed with the acquisition and implementation of bookmobile services for the City of Worcester in 2002.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

29. MISCELLANEOUS:

 

A.      Communication relative to City Manager’s accomplishments as they correlate with the year 2000 Goals and Objectives.

 

          Referred to City Council meeting of June 26, 2001

 

22.          RECESS TO FINANCE AND 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.

 

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.

 

 

 

e)                 #40CC  June 5, 2001

 

Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to City Council questions regarding revenue estimates.

 

REPORTS

 

          23 ACCEPTED

 

23.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Lory Skidmore-Irvine to remove from the Official Map a portion of Dixfield Rd., a private way, beginning at its intersection with Idalla Rd. northwesterly to its terminus.

          

          24 & 25 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

24.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of James & Mary  Geddes et al request sewer hookup in Chino  Ave. from #11 to #32.

 

25.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Cherie Dupont & Ruth Rollins requesting City of Worcester to extend sanitary and surface sewers to serve our homes at 7 and 9 Wigwam Hill Dr.

 

          25a ACCEPTED – Suspension of Rules

 

25a.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to most recent listing of Goals and Objectives for FY 2001: recommend Communication be placed on file.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMENDED LOAN ORDER

 

          26 ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 9-0 (Perotto, Petty absent)

 

26.     That the Loan Order adopted on August 22, 2000, which Loan Order approved the borrowing of $400,000.00 for the purpose of enlarging and constructing parking spaces, including payment of costs incidental and related thereto at the Worcester Airport is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:  That the sum of $400,000.00 be appropriated to Account #91C797, Airport Improvements for the purpose of making general capital improvements at the Worcester Airport, including, but not limited to enlarging and constructing parking spaces, and the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto.

 

TABLED ITEMSNo Action Taken

 

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 19, 2000)

 

28.          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to city employees serving on Boards and Commissions.  (Tabled April 3, 2001)

               

29.     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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

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

 

 

 

BUDGET HEARINGS

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001                              TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2001

                 4:00 P.M.                                                            4:00 P.M.

 

Worcester Marketing Campaign                         OPEN DATE SET ASIDE

City Manager’s Contingency                              FOR BUDGET

Public Schools                                                    

Airport                                                                 Capital Budget                                                              

Library                                                                     Equipment

Regional Library                                                      Building & City Park

Office of the City Treasurer                                         Rehabilitation

City Hospital – Federal Debt Payment                Surface & Sub-Surface   

Debt Services – Principal & Interest                            Infrastructure

Pension Obligation Bonds                                   Economic Development