CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
– JUNE 6, 2006
Convened: 8:41
P.M.
Adjourned: 9:20 P.M.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2.
STAR
SPANGLED BANNER-ALEXANDRA MILLS
3. ROLL
CALL – All present
4. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST
4a. ITEMS
OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
5-7 Hearings Held
5. NSTAR for a gas regulator pit and related piping on: EUNICE AVENUE. (Attachments)
6. NSTAR for a gas regulator pit and related piping on: SHREWSBURY STREET. (Attachments)
7. NSTAR for gas main location on: MOUNTAIN STREET WEST. (Attachments)
5a& 6a ORDERS ADOPTED
5a. Granting permission to NSTAR for a gas regulator pit and related
piping on: EUNICE AVENUE.
6a. Granting permission to NSTAR for a gas regulator pit and related
piping on: SHREWSBURY STREET.
7a. Granting permission to NSTAR for gas main location on: MOUNTAIN STREET WEST. – Tabled under privilege – Smith
8. Ida Marie Perrone request to install a catch basin opposite 25
Emerson St. (Attachments)
9. Francis LaMalva request “Resident Only” parking on the
southerly side of Ararat St. from the Corner of Brattle St. to the city
property. (Attachments)
10. Ricardo Pereira request handicap parking in front of 3 Plane St.
(Attachments)
11. Lisa Thuot request the installation of a “Blind Driveway” sign
just prior to 334 Sunderland Terrace. (Attachments)
12. Susan Kiely et al request that the expansion of the Millbury St.
Leaf Compost Site be denied and /or halted due to the negative affect it will
have on the quality of life for persons in the vicinity. (Attachments)
13 & 14 HEARINGS SET FOR JUNE 13, 2006 - 7:00 PM
13. NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. joint pole
re-location on BOSTON AVENUE. (Attachments)
14. FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, L.L.C. to install & maintain
fiber optic telecommunications facilities on: WEST BOYLSTON STREET @ FALLON
HOSPITAL. (Attachments)
15 FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- Adopted
15. Request City Manager to keep City Council updated on any unexpended balances in the CDBG over the course of Fiscal Year 2007. (Attachments)
16. Request City Manager report to City Council within 30 days
concerning the financing and design for the new granite building on the
Worcester Common. (Attachments)
17. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report at the
time of the completion of improvements to Kendrick Field. (Attachments)
18. Request City Manager consider recommending to City Council
sufficient funding to include new batting cages, restroom and concession
facilities at Beaver Brook Park. (Attachments)
19. Request City Manager to request that representatives of Worcester
Public Schools Athletics and the Worcester Vikings continue to work together to
mitigate any scheduling difficulties with regard to Beaver Brook Park and Foley
Stadium. (Attachments)
20. Request City Manager consider recommending to City Council
sufficient funds to locate boulders around the perimeter of certain areas of
Duffy Field that have realized vandalism in the way of vehicles being driven
onto the field and also for installation of additional walkways in the field. (Attachments)
21. Request City Manager provide City Council with plans for several
phases of work that will need to take place to restore and reuse the Fire Alarm
and Telegraph building. (Attachments)
22. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report for the July meeting of the City Council concerning the written commitments that were made in the 2005-06 winter for corrective action to the retaining wall at Elm Park. (Attachments)
23. Request City Manager consider providing City Council with 3-5
park projects per year as priorities for future capital funding considerations.
(Attachments)
24. Request City Manager request Police Chief to increase the
enforcement of the vehicular speed limit along Richards St. (Haller) (Attachments)
Adopted
25. Request City Manager report to City Council concerning programs
available for youth this summer, including non-city sponsored programs where
known. (Haller) (Attachments) Adopted
26. Request City Manager report to City Council regarding the process
and requirements to obtain a street vendor’s license. Said report to include
fees, inspection requirements and any abutter notification requirements.
(Haller) (Attachments) Adopted
27. Request City Manager create and maintain a visual map of the
vacant and/or abandoned retail space, office space and parcels of land that are
in close proximity to any form of public transportation and make that data
available to private developers. (Toomey) (Attachments) Adopted
28. Request City Manager enforce existing laws and regulations to
rid the public areas of unauthorized peddlers and solicitors and also, to apply
the same effort towards perpetual yard sales, especially in residential areas.
(Toomey) (Attachments)
Adopted
29. Request City Manager prepare and provide a report regarding SMOC
owned and/or operated Worcester properties and the report design be similar to
the grid pattern of the monthly economic development report, listing the
following information: 1) Address of each site. 2) Types and dates of all local
and state licenses and permits applied for and/or granted. 3) On site programs
provided at each site. 4) Off site programs for clients. 5) Number of
clients/residents treated or residing at the site. 6) Number of client/tenant
spaces at each site. 7) Funding sources of each site. (Lukes, Haller) (Attachments)
Councilor Haller moved to add: Request #5 include maximum allowable clients/residents under current code considerations at each site.
Councilor Rushton moved to
amend: Further, request status report
of the five Orders previous asked from the Administration relative to SMOC.
Adopted, as amended
30. Request City Manager report to City Council at the August, 2006
meeting providing information and responses to the following concerns relative
to the Worcester Metrowest Boston Airport:
1) What steps (including financial incentives) have been taken recently,
and will be taken during the next fiscal year, to work with both start-up and
expanding airlines to secure additional commercial air service for our
catchment area (especially between Worcester and New York City)? 2) What
charter flight and general aviation operations are currently using the airport,
and what marketing and recruitment steps have been and will be taken during the
next fiscal year to expand upon such operations? 3) How can non-aviation
business income be expanded? 4) Would MassPort be interested in purchasing the
airport, and would such a sale provide more airline activity while unburdening
the City with it’s share of the operating deficit as well as all debt service,
marketing grant matching funds, airport liaison and consultant costs? 5) Would
the sale of naming rights to the airport generate substantial revenue? (Rosen)
(Attachments)
Councilor Petty moved to amend: Further, request any and all airport related reports previously done that might respond to Councilor Rosen’s outline be included in the Administration’s report.
Adopted, as amended
31. Request City Auditor report on the cost of post retirement
health insurance benefits and specifically the impact of Acts passed in the
City in 2002 and 2003 for city and school employees and the STATE RETIREMENT
PLUS Legislation passed five years ago. (Lukes) (Attachments)
Adopted
32. Request Worcester Retirement System report to City Council the
results of the Retirement Board member elections, and the appointments made by
the elected members of the Board, for the last five election cycles, the number
of candidates who ran for election to a position on the Board, those who were
elected, and the years, in which the elections occurred. (Palmieri) (Attachments)
Adopted
33. Request Worcester Retirement System report to City Council the
annual costs paid by the retirement system and the total expenses for the 137
police, 182 Fire, 49 DPW and 81 other accidental disability retirees as
described in the Worcester Regional Research Bureau report. (Palmieri) (Attachments)
Adopted
34. Request Worcester Retirement System report to City Council the
annual costs paid by the retirement system and the total expenses for the 117
police, 164 Fire, 220 DPW and 1,459 other superannuation retirees and ordinary
disability retirees as described in the Worcester Regional Research Bureau
report. (Palmieri) (Attachments) Adopted
35. Request Worcester Retirement System report to City Council the
number of accidental disability retirements granted by the Retirement Board
versus the number of superannuation retirement and ordinary disability
retirement by public safety and non-public safety granted by the Retirement
Board over the past five years. (Palmieri) (Attachments)
Adopted
36. Request Worcester Retirement System report to City Council the
annual retirement payment for accidental disabilities and the annual costs for
all other pensions. (Palmieri) (Attachments)
Adopted
37. Request City Manager report to City Council if it would be in
the City’s best interest to institute either a mandatory or voluntary Wellness
Program for all City employees. (Palmieri) (Attachments)
Adopted
37a. Request City Manager report on the dumping at 23 Esther St. Lukes–Suspension of Rules–Adopted (Attachments)
37b. Request City Manager report on the new
construction at 100 Beeching St. and the impact on abutting owner located on
Richmond Ave. Lukes–Suspension of Rules–Adopted (Attachments)
38 ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL R.C. 11-0
38. TO TAKE LAND FOR SEWER LOCATION:
WIGWAM HILL DRIVE (Attachments)
39. RECESS
TO FINANCE – No action taken
a. #29a CM January 31, 2006
Communication
of the City Manager regarding a fiscal year 2006 status report on the number
of, and the amount of, Federal and State grants written, awarded, and pending
approval by the appropriate Federal and State agencies. (Attachments)
b. #29b CM January 31, 2006
Communication
of the City Manager relative to Governor Romney’s proposed budget for Fiscal 2007,
including his recommendations for local aid for the City of Worcester. (Attachments)
c.
#27A
CM April 25, 2006
Communication
of the City Manager relative to Dr. Caradonio’s letter that was sent to the
Worcester School Committee on April 11, 2006 to update them on the financial
impact associated with the unveiling of the House Ways and Means FY 2007 State
Budget on the Worcester Public Schools. (Attachments)
d.
#18
CC May 16, 2006
Communication of Roberta
Schaefer, Ph.D., Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau
transmitting How Can Worcester Insure Its Fiscal Health in FY07 and Beyond? (Attachments)
e.
#38
CC May 23, 2006
Communication of the City
Manager transmitting City of Worcester FY07 Municipal Budget. (Attachments)
f. #29B CM May 30, 2006
Communication
of the City Manager relative to the questions posed at the Finance Committee
meeting of May 23, 2006. (Attachments)
40. James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting April 2006
Auditor’s Report. (Attachments) Referred to Municipal Operation Committee
41. Communication of Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager, relative to a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Worcester and Worcester
Historical Museum for the redevelopment of the Rome Building. (Attachments)
Referred to Commerce & Development Committee
42. Communication of Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager, relative to
questions posed by Finance Committee meeting of May 27, 2006 to the Health and
Human Services Departments. (Attachments) Referred to Finance Committee
43. Communication of Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager, recommending
that Four Million Seven Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand One Hundred Fifty Three
Dollars ($4,757,153.00) be accepted from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development for the Year XXXII Community Development. Block Grant. (Attachments)
Councilor Palmieri and Councilor Perotto recused on a roll call 9-0. Order
adopted on a roll call 9-0.
44. Communication of Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager, relative to
an agreement on a new four year contract that spans from September 1, 2006 to
August 31, 2009. (Attachments) Referred to Finance Committee
45. That City Council of the City of Worcester goes on record in
opposition to the proposed federal COPE Act, and encourage the City Manager to
file comments with the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and
Energy. (Petty) (Attachments) Resolution adopted on a roll call 11-0.
45a ACCEPTED & ADOPTED – SUSPENSION OF RULES – RECONSIDERATION DENIED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0
45a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & DEVELOPMENT Communication of the City Manager relative to submittal of a Certified Project application for the Wyman-Gordon Company and the designation of a new Site Specific Economic Opportunity Area for the site location of 105 Madison Street: recommending adoption of the accompanying two Resolutions. (Attachments)
46 ACCEPTED & ADOPTED
46. REPORT OF THE COMMITTTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Upon the
Communication of the City Manager requesting that Four Million Seven Hundred
Fifty Seven Thousand One Hundred Fifty Three Dollars ($4,757,153.00) be
accepted from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Year
XXXII Community Development Block Grant Program and appropriated, when
received, to the accounts as enclosed, to provide financing for projects and
programs as described: recommend the Communication be placed on file and
adoption of the accompanying Chairman’s Order. (Attachments)
47-50 COUNCILOR PALMIERI AND COUNCILOR PEROTTO
RECUSED ON A ROLL CALL 9-0. ACCEPTED & ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 9-0
47. REPORT OF THE COMMITTTEE ON COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting that One Million Eight
Hundred Sixty Five Thousand Six Hundred Seventy Two Dollars ($1,865,672.00) and
Thirty Thousand One Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars ($30,199.00) be accepted from
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the FY07 HOME Program
and American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) Program, respectively, and
appropriated when received to Account #18S345, HOME Program: recommending
adoption of the accompanying Order. (Attachments)
48. REPORT OF THE COMMITTTEE
ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting
that Two Hundred Three Thousand Four Hundred Twenty One Dollars ($203,421.00)
be accepted from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the
FY’07 Emergency Shelter Grant Program and be appropriated, when received, to
the following accounts in the amounts shown to provide financing for projects
and programs as enclosed: recommending adoption of the accompanying Order.
(Attachments)
49.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTTEE ON COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting that Three Hundred Fifty
Four Thousand ($354,000.00) be accepted from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban development for the FY’07 Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
Program and be appropriated when received to the accounts enclosed, to provide
financing for projects and programs: recommending adoption of the
accompanying Order. (Attachments)
50. REPORT
OF THE COMMITTTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City
Manager requesting City Council’s consideration, deliberation and
approval for program funding under the Year 32 (FY07) Community Development
Block Grant, HOME, American Dream Downpayment Assistance, Emergency Shelter
Grant, and Housing for People with AIDS Program: recommending adoption of
the accompanying five Resolutions. (Attachments)
51-53 ACCEPTED
REPORT
OF THE COMMITTTEE ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Upon the following Communications of
the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on file.
51. Relative to an update on the City’s Neighborhood
Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) program. (Attachments)
52.
Relative to a detailed overview of the City’s
Community Development Block Grant Entitlement program funded annually through
the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (Attachments)
53. Recommend that Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) in
unexpended Block Grant balances be transferred from account number 14S40226,
WHIP and appropriated to account number 14S45026, Building Renovation to fund
the rehabilitation of a portion of the Chestnut Street Congregational Church
for use by the New England Dream Center. (Attachments)
54. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS & RECREATION Upon
the following Petition of William Coleman, III request City Council honor the
life of Howard Gleason by naming part of the park in his honor: recommend the Petition be referred to
City Manager and adoption of the accompanying Order requesting City Manager to
consider recommending to City Council a green space in honor of Howard F.
Gleason, Jr. considering the comments of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. (Attachments)
55-67 ACCEPTED
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
YOUTH, PARKS & RECREATION Upon the following Communications of the City
Manager: recommend Communications be
placed on file.
55. Relative to Worcester Common Restoration Master Plan. (Attachments)
56. Relative to an update on the Worcester Common Restoration
Project. (Attachments)
57. Relative to status report – Kendrick Field Improvements Phase II.
(Attachments)
58. Relative to a Grant Award
for $400,000.00 for the renovations of Beaver Brook Park from the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Department of
Conservation Services Urban Self Help Program in Cooperation with the Worcester
Department of Public Works Daylighting of the Culvert at Beaver Brook. (Attachments)
59. Relative to Beaver Brook Culvert and Park Improvements. (Attachments)
60. Relative to itemization of costs for daylighting Beaver Brook
Culvert. (Attachments)
61. Relative to the Beaver Brook Daylighting and Field Renovation
Project. (Attachments)
62. Relative
to Phase 2 of Duffy Field Improvements. (Attachments)
63. Relative to the release of permits and field availability for
Spring 2005. (Attachments)
64. Relative to Worcester’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. (Attachments)
65. Relative to the Elm Park (Newton Hill) stone retaining wall
renovations. (Attachments)
66. Relative to Open Space/Parkland Acquisition – K of C Property
(Alhambra Council) and Fenton Parcel. (Attachments)
67. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS & RECREATION Upon the
following Petition of Thomas Gingras request to install and maintain a memorial
on city property at intersection of Flagg St., Richmond Ave. and Aylesbury Rd.
in honor of Firefighter James F. Lyons, III who died in the line of duty on
December 3, 1999: recommend Petitioner
be given leave to withdraw. (Attachments)
68 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0
68. Amend Section 2 Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance
adopted April 2, 1991 relative to a zone change in the Whippoorwill
Drive/Malden Street Area. (Attachments)
Tabled – No action taken
69. Order of Mayor Timothy P. Murray - That the ordinance relative to
the Police Departments License Board as it relates to taxi regulations be
rescinded. (Attachments) (Tabled
May 2, 2006 - Murray)
SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE
STANDING COMMITTEES
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JUNE 5, 2006 6:00
P.M. |
MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 6, 2006 4:00
P.M. |
FINANCE FY07 Budget |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 6, 2006 6:00
P.M. |
COMMERCE & DEVELOPMENT |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 6, 2006 6:30 P.M. |
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 7, 2006 5:30
P.M. |
TRAFFIC & PARKING |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 8, 2006 5:00
P.M. |
EDUCATION & COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 12, 2006 5:30-7:00
P.M. |
PUBLIC SAFETY |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 12, 2006 7:00
P.M. |
PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 13, 2006 4:00
P.M. |
FINANCE FY07 Budget |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 13, 2006 6:00
P.M. |
LAND USE |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
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JUNE 15, 2006 6:30
P.M. |
MILL STREET BUSINESS CORRIDOR AD HOC COMMITTEE |
WORCESTER ELKS LODGE 233 MILL STREET |
|
JUNE 20, 2006 4:00
P.M. |
FINANCE FY07 Budget |
COUNCIL CHAMBER |
FY’07 BUDGET HEARINGS
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Human Services Administration, Health, Human Services (Disability Commission & Veterans’ Services), Elder Affairs, Auditorium, City Messenger, Golf, Off-Street Parking Program, Administration & Finance Division, Engineering/Architectural Division, Streets Division, Sanitation Division, Central Garage Division, Parks, Recreation & Hope Cemetery, Snow Removal, Streetlights Division, Sewer Division and Water Division
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Fire Department, Police Department, Communications
Department, Licensing Commission, Budget Office, Assessor’s Office, Purchasing
Division, Technical Services, Treasurer & Collector, Health Insurance, Debt
Service Principal & Interest and Pension Obligation Bonds
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Public Schools
Retirement (Contributory Pensions, Non-Contributory
Pensions and Pensions-Other), Workers Compensation & Public Safety IOD, Law
Department, Property & Casualty Insurance, Court Judgments, Airport,
Economic Development, Neighborhood & Housing Development, Union Station,
Planning & Regulatory Development, Workforce Development, City Manager’s
Marketing Campaign and Worcester Civic Center
Capital Investment Programs
EVALUATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
June 27, 2006 – 7:00 P.M.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
July 18, 2006 – 4:00
P.M.
August 29, 2006 – 4:00 P.M