CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 6, 2004

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:07 P.M.

Adjourned:  9:38 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION –  Rabbi Herschel Fogelman

Congregation Tifereth Israel

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present

 

4.       DRAW FOR SEATING – CITY COUNCIL 2004-2005

 

5.       ADOPT RULES OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR 2004-2005 – Rules adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

6.       CAUSE 300 MANUALS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO BE PRINTED – Council voted on a voice vote to cause 300 Manuals to be printed

 

7.       ELECTION  OF CITY AUDITOR FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE JANUARY 1, 2007 – Motion of Councillor Petty to elect James DelSignore to a three year term as City Auditor voted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

 

          8 – Councillor Haller recused on a roll call 10-0

 

                Hearing held

 

8.       MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  ORIENT ST.

          (Attachments)

 

          8a - Order adopted

 

8a.     Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  ORIENT ST.

 

FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

          9 – Taken up with 8A of the City Manager’s Calendar

 

9.       Monthly status reports consistent with Standing Committees on the following economic development initiatives:  Union Station garage and tenancy, Massport’s partnership efforts at the  Airport, downtown housing development, Mass. Highway road project schedules, Gateway Park grants and tenancy, Gardner-Kilby-Hammond project, SWIP project, brownfield initiatives, Coes Dam rehab, replacement and relocation of Central Garage, Visitor’s Center rehab, telecommunications contract, Wyman Gordon property reuse, Worcester Center tenancy and the Arts District.

 

10.     ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

10a.   ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          11 REFERRED TO PLANNING BD.

 

11.     Judith Fuller request 151’ of Emile St. easterly from Inverness Ave. be removed from the Official Map.   (Attachments)

 

          12-18 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

12.     Councillor Barbara Haller on behalf of Sean Defeudis et al request resurfacing of Wachusett St.   (Attachments)

 

13.     Amoret Zamarro request abatement of Sewer Assessment #30851 in the amount of $1,859.72 on Sorrento St.  (Attachments)

 

 

14.     Councillor Barbara Haller request street repair on Wesby St. (Attachments)

 

15.     Councillor Barbara Haller request street repair on Home St. (Attachments)

 

16.     Councillor Barbara Haller request street repair on Dix St. between Lancaster St. and Ormond St.  (Attachments)

 

17.     George Fayard request to extend sewer line approximately 161’ from Nuttall Lane to Rosamond St. to service a single family home to be constructed.  To be done at the expense of the Petitioner. (Attachments)

 

18.     Thai Nguyen request sidewalk repair in front of 4 Trinity Ave. (Attachments)

 

          19-27 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

19.     Michael & Bertha-Elena Cirillo et al request residential parking in front of 7 Kensington Rd.  (Attachments)

 

20.     Joan Desautels et al request School signs on Harlow St., School Zone signs posting 20 MPH between the hours of 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:00 p.m. and School Crossing painted in yellow in the four-way crosswalks.   (Attachments)

 

21.     Mayor Timothy Murray on behalf of Joseph Leary request handicap parking at 35 Morningside Rd.  (Attachments)

 

22.     Eric Darrah request removal of handicap parking in front of 23 Vinton St.  (Attachments)

 

23.     Jean Neale et al request one hour parking from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Exeter St. on the side of Jean’s Place, 136 Cambridge St. (Attachments)

 

24.     Audra Jones request Stop sign be placed at the intersection of Boardman St. and Merrill Rd.  (Attachments)

 

25.     Roger McManus request removal of handicap parking in front of 79 Paine St. (Attachments)

 

26.     Steven Le et al request resident permit parking on Channing St. (Attachments)

 

27.     Steven Le et al request resident permit parking on Catharine St. (Attachments)

 

          28 REFERRED TO THE CITY MANAGER

 

28.     Jerry Kopovan, Immedia LLP request to purchase small parcel of land behind 147 Ballard St. for the purpose of adding to parking/storage of rental equipment.   (Attachments)

 

29 REFERRED JOINTLY TO MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE & EDUCATION & COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY      RELATIONS COMMITTEE

 

29.     Gary Vecchio, Shrewsbury St. Neighborhood Association et al request City Council establish and the City Administration implement a Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes program in the City of Worcester. (Attachments)

 

30.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

THOMAS R. HOOVER

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 6, 2004

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.      Notification of appointment of Francis X. Sena, as Chairperson of the License Commission. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

B.      Notification of Constable Appointments. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3. AIRPORT:

 

4. ASSESSORS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Tax Revenue if the City could tax the properties at Millbury and Granite Streets. (Attachments)

         

          Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Fiscal 2004 Property Valuations. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

5. BUDGET OFFICE:

 

6. CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

7. COMMUNICATIONS:

 

8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.      Communication relative to December Report on Economic Development Initiatives. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee, Public Works Committee, Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee and Public Service and Transportation Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Certified Project application for 15 Hope Avenue Realty, LLC and Polar Beverages/Polar Corporation. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

9. ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Winter Emergencies. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

10. ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

 

12. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13. FIRE:

 

A.      Request that City Council accept with gratitude, a donation of 10 Hydrant Wrenches, worth approximately $2,500.00 from the Worcester Firefighters Memorial Safety and Survival Seminar. (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted with gratitude

 

B.      Request that City Council accept with gratitude a donation in the sum of $500.00 to the Worcester Fire Department Equipment fund from Don & Antoinette Donovan (Red Cab Company). (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted with gratitude

 

14. HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

A.      Communication relative to Monthly Report – Importing Drugs from Canada. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

15. LAW:

 

A.      Communication relative to Parking Ticket Appeal Process. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to Noise Ordinance. (Attachments)

 

          Ronal Madnick spoke

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee for informational purposes

 

C.      Communication relative to Charter Communications/2004 Initiatives. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

16. LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

17. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:

 

A.      Communication relative to a meeting between the People in Peril (PIP) administration and members of the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC). (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to the Update on the Cutover Microwave Project. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

C.      Communication relative to the composition of the Local Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to the FY 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Round VIII Proposed Use of Funds. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

E.      Communication relative to a report on balances under the City’s Community Development Block Grant program. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Community Development Committee

 

F.      Communication relative to the PIP 15-point workplan. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Health Committee

 

18. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

19. POLICE:

 

A.      Communication relative to Accessing Information Regarding Level 2 Sex Offenders. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Crime Statistics in the Piedmont Street/Pleasant Street area. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

20. PUBLIC HEALTH:

 

21. PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

A.      Request that City Council adopt the attached Resolution to accept a gift in the amount of $2,500.00, from the Joseph Persky Foundation for the Worcester Public Library. (Attachments)

 

          Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

22. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

23. PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Closing Curb Cuts at Parcel Post Building. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Intersection of Main Street and Highland Street. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Lowering Drains and other Public Works Appurtenances in Mabelle Street and Kinnicutt Road South. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to Granite Street Infrastructure Improvements. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

E.      Communication relative to Christmas Donation Drive. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

F.      Communication relative to Abandoned Vehicle Status Report. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

24. PURCHASING:

 

25. TECHNICAL SERVICES:

 

26. TREASURY:

 

A.      Request adoption of an order transferring the jurisdiction of several properties to the Executive Office of Neighborhood Services. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Land Use Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Bond Anticipation Note Sale. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

C.      Request adoption of an order relative to a donation to the Worcester Public Library. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

D.      Request adoption of an order relative to the transfer of Jurisdiction of Land. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Land Use Committee

 

E.      Communication relative to Departmental Cash Receipts, and City’s Policies and Procedures – Cash Receipts. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

27. VETERANS SERVICES:

 

28. FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that Twenty Six Thousand One Hundred Fourteen Dollars ($26,114.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing a ¾ Ton Pickup Truck, as approved in the Fiscal 2004 Capital Equipment Budget. (Attachments)

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

B.      Recommend that Four Thousand Two Hundred Ninety Eight Dollars and Ninety Four Cents ($4,298.94) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing Miscellaneous Garage Tools and (2) Desk Top Computers, as approved in the Fiscal 2003 Capital Equipment Budget. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

C.      Recommend that Twenty One Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Dollars ($21,280.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C731, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing (2) Van Uplifts, as approved in the Fiscal 2003 Capital Equipment Budget. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

D.      Recommend that Twenty Four Thousand Five Hundred Forty Nine Dollars and Sixty Four Cents ($24,549.64) be transferred from Account #91C797, Airport Improvements, and appropriated to Account #47C702, Airport Building Rehabilitation, to allow for the payment of $20,000.00 in environmental regulatory processing obligations to be paid to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the City contractor overseeing this work with the balance of $4,549.64 to provide a portion of the $54,785.00 in expenses associated with the replacement of the vehicle fuel island. (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

29. MISCELLANEOUS:

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          31-42 FROM MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Adopted

 

31.     Request contract of the Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools be provided to City Council. (Attachments)

 

32.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report showing the number of hits made against each of the City Department’s web pages. (Attachments)

 

33.     Request City Auditor to provide City Council with an update on the lawsuit James Richardson versus the Worcester Retirement Board. (Attachments)

 

34.     Request City Manager provide City Council with an update relative to City construction projects. (Attachments)

 

35.     Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the public posting of the provisions of the Patriot Act. (Attachments)

 

36.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with any concerns raised to Spectacor Management relative to their current security policy. (Attachments)

 

37.     Request City Assessor report to City Council the number of Fiscal Year 2004 abatement applications. (Attachments)

 

38.     Request City Manager report to City Council the number of people paying cash or credit card to have their motor vehicle released as a result of being towed by a city licensed tow operator. (Attachments)

 

39.     Request City Manager report to City Council how the issue of home businesses has been addressed in the new zoning ordinance. (Attachments)

 

40.     Request City Solicitor report if there can be public broadcasting of the City’s foreclosed properties auction through a cable television channel. (Attachments)

 

41.     Request City Treasurer provide City Council with the number of hits made against the foreclosed property listing embedded in the Treasurer’s Office web page. (Attachments)

 

42.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report stating the various types and amounts of PILOT contributions made to the City of Worcester by the consortium members and other major institutions.  (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

43.     Request Administration to make a recommendation regarding implementing a winter parking program which consists of even-side parking on even days of the month and odd-side parking on the odd days of the month.  (Haller)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

44.     Request City Manager to have pot holes filled along Wachusett St. (Haller) (Attachments)

          Placed on file

 

45.     Request Administration to increase enforcement of parking violations in the area of Wachusett St., including vehicles parked too close to the corner.  (Haller)  (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted

 

46.     Request Administration to provide a report on PILOT program details in municipalities within New England, and especially Massachusetts.  Further, request report to include identified options for a PILOT program in Worcester and the process required for each option. (Haller)  (Attachments)

          Order adopted

 

47.     Request Administration to provide a report which lists property tax exempt organizations that could potentially be impacted by a PILOT program, including government-owned properties.  Further, request report include the value of the tax exemption by organization, address and including the primary use of each property.  (Haller) (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted

 

48.     Request Administration to provide an annualized report for the past three years on the number of police, fire and first-responder calls to property tax exempt organizations, by category (hospital, college, church, etc.) and any payments made to the City by these organizations for these services.  Further, request that in the case of colleges and universities, that calls to off-campus housing be included as a separate category.  (Haller)  (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted

 

49.     Request Administration to provide a report on the estimated value of services provided the City by property tax exempt organizations, to include categories of services provided.  (Haller)  (Attachments)

 

Councillor Irish moved to amend to include the Worcester Housing Authority

 

Adopted, as amended

 

50.     Request City Manager provide Council with the current status of the leaf collection program.   (Clancy)  (Attachments)

 

          Councillor Gomez moved to amend:  Further, request City Manager report on the possibility of changing the program

 

          Adopted, as amended

 

51.     Request City Manager provide Council with a response to the request for consideration of the consolidation of the Parking Ticket Administration Office to the Treasurer’s Office.   (Clancy) (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted

 

52.     Request City Manager provide Council with a time frame for the implementation of making Franklin St. two-way.   (Clancy) (Attachments)

 

Order adopted

 

53.     Request City Manager provide plans to Council for any consideration of office consolidations at City Hall, especially in light of personnel reductions and further, report on any movement to refurbish the North Chamber.   (Clancy)  (Attachments)

 

Order adopted

 

54.     Request Administration report on the amount of all back taxes currently owed to the City of Worcester.  Request said information be forwarded to the City Council by February 3, 2004.  (Murray) (Attachments)

 

Order adopted

 

55.     Request Administration to forward recommendations concerning the establishment of an Adaptive Reuse Zoning Overlay District for area behind Union Station to Kelly Square.  (Murray, Clancy) (Attachments)

 

          Councillor Petty recused on a roll call 9-0 (White absent)

          Order adopted on a roll call 9-0 (White absent)

 

56.     Request Administration report on property owners’ protection against damage to their property, including water and sewer systems for which the property owner is responsible, during City performed/contracted street and sidewalk repairs.  Further, request that the report include the process that property owners must follow for correcting any such damage.  (Haller)  (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted

 

56a.   Request Administration to reconsider its position concerning the 6 Library Lane parking lot and to start the RFP process.  Motion-Perotto @ #8A CM – Adopted – Reconsideration filed by Councillor Lukes  (Attachments)

 

56b.   Request City Manager report as to what type of repayment schedule the City has seen to date relative to the Gardner-Kilby-Hammond project, if there have been any repayments and when the City might expect those repayments to come in; how much might the City expect to come in this year as any type of repayment for the 108 Loan Guarantee.  Motion-Clancy @ #8A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

 56c.  Request Administration put together something that could be on cable television to explain to the public what section of 290 will be closed this Spring, which four lanes will be available on which side of the highway, which exits and entrances will be closed and no longer  available and graphically illustrate those detour routes so the public is aware before work begins.  Motion-Clancy @ #8A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

56d.   Request Administration to request a report from Mass. Highway as to exactly when they will start the 75% design for Washington Square.  Motion-Clancy @ #8A CM

 

          Councillor Irish moved to amend: Further, request City Manager contact Mass. Highway as to whether the City can expect to see the 25% design phase report prior to receiving the 75% design report.

 

Adopted, as amended   (Attachments)

 

56e.   Request Administration to put together a strategy as to how the City can move on sewer improvements to Route 20 from Massasoit Rd. past Grafton St. to Sunderland Rd.  Motion-Clancy @ #23D CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56f.    Request Administration to provide City Council with a ballpark figure as to the cost of infrastructure improvements to Granite St. and the area of Route 20 from Massasoit Rd. past Grafton St. to Sunderland Rd., putting it in the context of where the City is with its bonding capacity.  Motion-Irish @ #8A & 23D CM

 

          Mayor Murray moved to amend:  Further,  request City Auditor provide City Council with his opinion on the City’s bonding capacity for these  infrastructure improvements. 

 

Adopted, as amended  (Attachments)

 

56g.   Request City Manager report as to whether the City ever granted a reduced water rate to Polar Corp. Further, request a report on whether Polar Corp. was granted any other tax incentives on other properties they have purchased within the City and how much tax increment financing does the City need to grant Polar Corp. in order for them to qualify for the 5% State Income Tax and the 10% Annual Building Tax.   Motion-Perotto @ #8B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56h.   Request Commerce and Development Committee when considering the Certified Project application for 15 Hope Avenue Realty, LLC and Polar Beverages/Polar Corp., to consider including a donation to College Hill Civic Association to sustain their building on Kendig St.  Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Referred to Commerce & Development Committee  (Attachments)

 

56i.    Request City Manager to report on the policy and guiding principles of the Economic Development Office as they negotiate TIF’s in terms of where community based contributions will go.  Motion-Haller @ #8B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56j.    Request City Manager to forward a copy of the report relative to the parking ticket appeal process to David Cataldo, 34 Main St., Suite 520 and further, to place this process on the City’s web page.  Motion-Gomez @ #15A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56k.   Request City Manager to report in three months as to how many tickets have been issued for violation of the noise ordinance.  Motion-Murray @ #15B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56L.   Request City Manager to work with the Police Chief to insure that the training period on the new noise ordinance takes no longer than thirty (30) days.  Motion-Murray @ #15B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

56m.  Request City Manager to report on the process for collecting fines for violation of the noise ordinance.  Motion-Clancy @ #15B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56n.   Request City Manager report on how the $3.2 million additional award of money to various agencies to address homeless needs is being distributed and to what purpose.  Motion-Haller @ #17F CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56o.   Request City Manager to provide a report comparing crime statistics in the Piedmont St. area with other comparably sized neighborhoods.  Motion-Haller - #19B CM

 

Councillor Irish moved to amend:  Further, request City Manager provide crime statistic  profile of neighborhoods that was done when data was being assembled relative to the Weed and Seed grant application.

 

Adopted, as amended  (Attachments)

 

56p.   Request City Manager to include in future Crime Statistic reports relative to the Piedmont St./Pleasant St. area, a map showing specific boundaries of the area.  Motion-Clancy @ #19B CM – Adopted

(Attachments)

 

56q.   Request City Manager to provide a time frame for the zone change in the area of Plantation St.   Motion-Clancy @ #124CC – Adopted

(Attachments)

 

56r.    Request City Manager to provide a map relative to the zone change in the area of Plantation St.  Motion-Irish @ #124CC – Adopted

(Attachments)

 

56s.   Request City Manager to consider providing $15,000.00 from unexpended balances from the Block Grant for a college intern for the Planning Department to focus on brownfield initiatives.  Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56t.    Request Administration to replace the post that is deteriorating on the gate at the Barry Little League Field.  Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56u.   Request City Auditor to provide City Council, within thirty (30) days, the average percentage that the City’s public safety retirees receive in relation to current salaries of all public safety employees.  Murray, Clancy, Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

56v.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report on the status of the lot owned by Massachusetts Electric Co. across from 100 Grove St.  Murray, Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

56w.  Request City Manager report on the vacancy status of all officials positions within the Police Department, including all Lieutenant positions funded and unfunded.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

          57 ADOPTED

 

57.     SEWER ASSESSMENT:  WILBUR ST. (Attachments)

 

CHAIRMAN’S RESOLUTION

 

          58 FROM MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS – Adopted on a roll call 10-0 (White absent)

 

58.     That the City Council go on record in favor of the actions of the Library Board of Directors with reference to the provisions of the Patriot Act.  (Attachments)

 

RESOLUTION

 

59.     That the City Council endorses and supports a joint application of 24 communities for a Preserve America Award.   (Murray, Clancy) (Attachments)

 

          Adopted on a roll call 10-0 (White absent)

 

60.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Items Pending

 

REPORTS

 

          61 – Two Ordinances ordained, as amended on a roll call 11-0

 

61.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting adoption of two amendments to the Revised Ordinances which would regulate sound levels in the City of Worcester:  recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinances as amended.   (Attachments)

 

          62-115 ACCEPTED

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the following Communications of the City Manager:  recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

62.     Relative to a full status report on the Grants Division for Fiscal Year 2001.  (Attachments)

 

63.     Relative to a Year to Date Report on the Grants Division. (Attachments)

 

64.     Relative to Grant revenues and Grant Coordinator Position/Staff Assistant for Operations.  (Attachments)

 

65.     Relative to alcohol related licenses and permits located in the Millbury St. area.  (Attachments)

 

66.     Relative to alcohol permits located in Green St. area. (Attachments)

 

67.     Relative to Spectacor Management’s current security policy. (Attachments)

 

68.     Relative to Worcester City Campus Corporation. (Attachments)

 

69.     Relative to obtaining a permit for outside dining. (Attachments)

 

70.     Relative to Fiscal 2002 abatement applications. (Attachments)

 

71.     Relative to listing of streets that were shifted from one district to another.  (Attachments)

 

72.     Relative to construction companies that have caused the City cost overruns and delays. (Attachments)

 

73.     Relative to how grants are prioritized. (Attachments)

 

74.     Relative to moratoriums on liquor licenses in certain areas of the City. (Attachments)

 

75.     Relative to monthly report regarding alcoholic licenses approved. (Attachments)

 

76.     Relative to the Patriot Act.   (Attachments)

 

77.     Relative to the Patriot Act.   (Attachments)

 

78.     Relative to Patriot Act update.   (Attachments)

 

79.     Relative to construction projects in the City over the past eight years.  (Attachments)

 

80.     Relative to last ten City construction jobs.   (Attachments)

 

81.     Relative to requirements for blasting within City limits. (Attachments)

 

82.     Relative to Medicaid revenue collection and federal audit status. (Attachments)

 

83.     Relative to report regarding trash problem within City of Worcester. (Attachments)

 

84.     Relative to City Departments that lease office space.  (Attachments)

 

85.     Relative to property that is owner occupied as it relates to complaints investigated.  (Attachments)

 

86.     Relative to Bond Anticipation Note Sale.  (Attachments)

         

87.     Relative to bond rating.  (Attachments)

 

88.     Relative to bond rating.  (Attachments)

 

89.     Relative to bid results – statewide Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. (Attachments)

 

90.     Relative to yearly inspection of home occupations. (Attachments)

 

91.     Relative to billed out and amounts received regarding motor vehicle excise tax.        (Attachments)

 

92.     Relative to cost and feasibility of the City converting from a system of private tow operators to one where the City performs these services. (Attachments)

 

93.     Relative to towing issues.  (Attachments)

 

94.     Relative to taxes paid by Bio Tech Park.  (Attachments)

 

95.     Relative to tax status – Worcester City Campus Corporation.

          (Attachments)

 

96.     Relative to taxes realized prior to transfers on exempt properties for the last five years.  (Attachments)

 

97.     Relative to taxes realized prior to Main South CDC acquiring properties.  (Attachments)

 

98.     Relative to listing of available City properties on the City’s web site. (Attachments)

 

99.     Relative to release of property values.  (Attachments)

 

100.   Relative to tax classification vote taken at time of budget. (Attachments)

 

101.   Relative to property petitioned to be taken off the tax rolls. (Attachments)

 

102.   Relative to properties taken off the tax rolls in the past two years. (Attachments)

 

103.   Relative to total dollar value of all tax arrearages owed to the City. (Attachments)

 

104.   Relative to tax exempt properties.  (Attachments)

 

105.   Relative to new small commercial exemption.  (Attachments)

 

106.   Relative to outstanding taxes owed to the City. (Attachments)

 

107.   Relative to Boards and Commissions recruitment event. (Attachments)

 

108.   Relative to general recap of rehires of previously laid off employees. (Attachments)

 

109.   Relative to residency reports for the last five years for City employees.  (Attachments)

 

110.   Relative to quarterly report on Self Funded Health Insurance. (Attachments)

 

111.   Relative to the top 250 highest paid City employees.  (Attachments)

 

112.   REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting information requested regarding the lawsuit filed by James Richardson versus the Worcester Retirement Board:  recommend Communication be placed on file.  (Attachments)

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the following Communications of David Rushford, City Clerk:  recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

113.   Relative to slide show developed and installed on the City Clerk’s page of the City of Worcester web site relative to City Hall. (Attachments)

 

114.   Transmitting revenue report for the City Clerk Department for the first three months of Fiscal Year 2004.  (Attachments)

 

115.   REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Order of Councillor Irish requesting the Municipal Operations Committee to consider amending the ordinance regulating the level of sound in public places, item (e)(8) so as to permit lawn mower operations beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, rather than 9:00 a.m.:  recommend Order be placed on file.  (Attachments)

 

          116-119 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

116.   REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Antonio Corapi requesting private street conversion of Ansonia St. (Belcourt Rd. to Chequessett Rd.)  (Attachments)

 

117.   REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Chairman’s Order from Traffic & Parking Committee requesting Benson Ave. from Lincoln St. to Knight St. be made a public street.  (Attachments)

 

118.   REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jerome Galvin requesting to make public the private portion of Cataline St.  (Attachments)

 

119.   REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Clifford Santley et al requesting private street conversion on Billow St.    (Attachments)

 

          120 REFERRED TO ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A HEARING

 

120.   REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel DeSimone on behalf of Norman Vokes requesting to restore to the Official Map of the City a portion of Locust Ave.

          (Attachments)

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          121, 122, 123 & 125 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 10-0 (White absent) – 124 TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE (Clancy)

 

121.   Amending Section 33(f)(2) of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Right Turn on Red at the intersection of Grafton St. southbound at Franklin St.  (Attachments)

 

122.   Amending Section 2 of Article IV of the Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to Table 4.1, General Uses, Line 12 by deleting under the column for zoning district RS-7 the letter “N” and inserting the letters “SP”. (Attachments)

 

123.   Amending Section 5 of Article XVII of the Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 allowing the Planning Board to waive dimensional controls within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District. (Attachments)

 

124.   Amending Section 2 of Article III of the Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to a zone change in the area of Plantation St. (Attachments)  Tabled under privilege (Clancy)

 

125.   Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 relative to Occupational Group A – Administrative and Supervisory – Cultural Development Officer.  (Attachments)

 

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

 

126.   Communication of the City Manager relative to Union Station surface parking lot construction.  (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

127.   James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting financial information regarding the CDBG and LLEBG programs.  (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and referred to Public Safety Committee and Community Development Committee for informational purposes

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

JANUARY 12, 2004          PUBLIC SAFETY          COUNCIL CHAMBER

         5:30 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 13, 2004               HEALTH                   COUNCIL CHAMBER

         5:30 P.M.