CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Council Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Recessed to go into Executive Session: 6:47 P.M.
Reconvened in Open Session: 7:11 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:05 P.M.

Mayor
Timothy P. Murray

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Councilor Smith - Suspension of Rules -That the City Council hereby recognizes Worcester Police Officer Patrick Harrington and Clark University Officer Michael Palermo for their heroic efforts which resulted in injuries while protecting and serving the citizens of Worcester and to wish them well and a speedy recovery.

The City Council Standing Committee on Traffic & Parking on behalf of the Jewish Community Center request installation of sidewalks in the east side of Salisbury St. from West Hill Dr. to Lynnwood Lane and in the west side of Salisbury St. from Moreland St. to Whisper Dr.

Robert Hiser request to install a Stop Sign at the intersection of Idalla Road and Ladybank Road.

Councilor Frederick R. Rushton request installation of Resident Sticker Parking along both sides of May St. from the driveway of Chandler Magnet School to Pleasant St.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller request to install Designated Sticker Parking on the west side of Sever St. along the property of the Worcester Tennis Club, May 1st through November 1st, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7 days per week.

Paul Rohde request resident sticker parking on West St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager report to City Council in 60 days concerning the status of funding of and at the site of the Hadley building.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager report to City Council how many artists are estimated to be living within the City of Worcester as part of the artist study being conducted by the Main South CDC.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with a compliance report relative to the existing Tax Increment Financing projects.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager consider assigning a Code Department staffperson within the city-leased offices at 44 Front Street as an additional means to assist developers who seek to navigate the City's permitting process and work towards one-stop permitting.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on the state of elder evictions in the City and how we respond to them.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS - Request City Manager request the Executive Director of the Worcester Housing Authority provide City Council with a report concerning the availability of housing for seniors at their properties and issues regarding the availability and affordability of other housing options for our seniors.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS - Request City Clerk provide the Director of Elder Affairs with copies of the most recent demographic reports compiled from vital recordings in the City of Worcester.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the future potential of the community room space at the Senior Center.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS - Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated transportation report highlighting the solutions that have been implemented getting seniors to and from the Senior Center as well as any challenges that still exist in this regard.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS - Request City Manager request the Division of Elder Affairs provide the City Councilors with their Senior Support Team pads.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS - Request City Auditor to provide City Council with a report detailing the Massachusetts cities and towns that have accepted section 2 of Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2005.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS - Request City Manager consider the provisions of section 2 of Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2005 and provide the City Council with a recommendation.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS - That Rule 39 of the Rules of the City Council be amended by deleting the words “Alternating weeks beginning on week one” from subsection k and “Alternating weeks beginning on week two” from subsection l.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING COMMITTEE - That in accordance with Section 46 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996, Commercial Loading Zones are hereby rescinded at the following locations: “Harding St. East Side from a pt. 75' North of Winter St. and Winter St. North Side from a pt. 50' East of Harding St.” Said Section is Further Amended by establishing Commercial Loading Zones at the following locations: “Harding St. East Side From a pt. 75' North of Winter St. to a pt. 50' north of Winter St. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday and Winter St. North Side from a pt. 50' East of Harding St. to a pt. 75' east of Harding St. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday”

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the Police Chief enforce parking in the Boynton Park section of Mower Street.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the Police Chief to enforce existing Stop Signs in the vicinity of the intersection of Fruit Street and William Street.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks do an on-site review of the Stop Signs and Do Not Enter signs at the intersection of Fruit Street and William Street.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager to request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to conduct an accident study in the vicinity of 1351 Main Street.

Request City Manager investigate the possibility of purchasing simultaneous interpreter equipment in an effort to create greater opportunities for communication with the multifarious linguistically challenged populace in Worcester and Municipal government. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide Council with a report on owner-occupied housing (home ownership) in the City, by census tract. Request the report include comparative data from previous year(s) so as to indicate trends where they may exist. Request the report include data on how many owners participated in first-time ownership opportunities. Further request that the report include as much of the following as is available for each year reported for each census tract and the city as a whole: number of households, family size, unemployment rates, poverty rates, median income, percent not finishing high school, percent of single head of households, median rent, median housing value. Finally, request that the report include a census tract map and any other information and a summary that will indicate progress and barriers to progress for increasing home ownership in Worcester. (Haller, Murray)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on what data is available as a result of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, how the data is reported, how often it is updated, and how the data can be accessed. (Haller, Murray)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on home ownership rates of other municipalities in New England in a format that will provide for meaningful comparisons, to include median income data. (Haller, Murray)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on foreclosures to include where data is available, comparative foreclosure rates with other municipalities. Further, request the report include owner-occupied vs. absentee owned foreclosures data by census tract. (Haller, Murray)

Request City Manager meet with the Administration of Worcester State College to develop a parking plan for the area of Chandler St. between May St. and Rockwood Field. Further, request the City Manager to report back within 30 days. (Rushton, Smith, Lukes, Toomey)

Motion Petty moved to amend: Further, request City Manager to include in the report an update from Worcester State College concerning the parking garage as to when it will be ready, the number of parking spaces that will be available and the fees that will be charged as well as how it will impact the surrounding neighborhood in terms of taking cars off the roads.

Request City Manager consider designating square footage within the buildings formerly occupied by the Vocational High School and declared as surplus property by the City as a future “Incubator Central”. Said space would be structured to encourage start-up businesses within the City and house them until such time as they are successful enough to occupy traditional business-zoned property. Said effort would relieve pressure being placed on our residential areas for start-up businesses and establish a friendly climate for business in an appropriate central location. (Rushton)

Request City Manager increase the budget for Streets and Sidewalks Capital funding by directing any unused portions of approved capital dollars either from previous capital budgets or prospective capital budgets with the goal towards increasing Streets and Sidewalk funding by at least $1.0 million in the FY 2008 budget. (Smith)

Motion Petty to add: consider increasing
Motion Smith to amend: Further, request City Manager to report back within 30 days.

Request City Manager to have the Department of Public Works Traffic to meet and survey the neighborhood in the Worcester State College area regarding parking issues. (Lukes, Smith, Rushton, Toomey)

Request the City Manager request the Police Chief to consider the benefits of acquiring and installing software currently in use in the state of Oregon and in other countries that pinpoints vehicles as they are tailgating other moving vehicles, issues citations and generates revenue. Said software is being considered for use in Arizona, New Mexico and Tennessee, also. (Toomey)

Request City Manager work with School Department to establish a Kids Conservation Educational Forum and have volunteers go to the schools to provide education on the value of open space, land management and environmental clean-up. (Rushton)

PRIVATE STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT - RISSO COURT

PRIVATE STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT - BELCOURT ROAD

#9.37A CM November 28, 2006
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Five-Year Financial Plan for the Worcester Public Schools.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting informational communication regarding an update of the City’s Leaf Collection Program

Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to completed negotiations on a Gross Maximum Price for the construction of Union Station Garage and the assemblage of Federal and State transportation grant funding, and the corresponding loan authority associated with this grant reimbursement funding, allowing for this project to begin construction.

David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication relative to a local print resource posted on the City's web site named "Your Worcester Street".

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the submittal of a Certified Project Application of EJR Realty Trust, Harr Motor Company, Inc. and Harr Toyota, Inc. and the Site Location of 33 Millbrook Street and 100, 110 and 112 Gold Star Boulevard: recommend adoption of the accompanying two Resolutions.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the 2004 Greater Worcester Area Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee Annual Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the status of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the North Main Street Economic Development Strategy Area: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a financing update on the Hadley Residential Project on Main/Madison Street: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Regional Competitiveness Council Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an overview of the Arts District Partnership work to date: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the audited financial statement of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority FY'03 and FY'04: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the newly named DCU Center's ranking: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Worcester County Convention and Visitors Bureau report for the second quarter of 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the Worcester County Convention and Visitors Bureau report for the third quarter of 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to a copy of the Worcester County Convention and Visitors Bureau report for the second quarter of 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the Union Station Parking Garage-Construction Manager at risk services: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to City-Owned Brownfield Sites: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to continuation of the Brownfield Intern Mapping Initiative: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Phase III of the city's Brownfield Intern Mapping Initiative: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to where hotels subscribe regularly for travel options in Worcester, and which hotels are tied into the National Reservation System: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the Worcester Regulations and Licensing Guide for Start-Up Businesses: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the redevelopment of Washington Square: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager informational communication regarding the announcement that the Economic Development Division, the Planning and Regulatory Services Division, and the Neighborhoods and Housing Development Division will be moving to 44 Front Street effective October 30th: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager informational communication regarding the CitySquare General Development Agreement: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Mayor Timothy P. Murray transmitting communication relative to Worcester Brownfields: A Synopsis of Selected Sites. Presented at the Turning Brownfields to Gold: II, A Brownfields Workshop held at WPI on June 14, 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting Worcester's Centrum Centre Fund - the Arena Component and the Convention Center Component including financial statements with supplemental schedules for the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 plus the independent auditor's report. Also included is the Auditor's Report on the internal control structure over financial reporting for each entity: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2002: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2003: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2005: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting Downtown Worcester Office Occupancy: 2003 Survey: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Michael G. Goodman, Director of Economic and Public Policy Research at the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute, on the subject of "The Future of the Massachusetts Economy and What it Means for the Central Region.": recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to option to protect elderly from being displaced from housing: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager regarding myriad multicultural programs and services available to our senior population: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the results of a survey conducted at the Worcester Senior Center: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the recent closure of the Age Center of Worcester: recommend the Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Crimes committed against Worcester's senior citizens: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the results of the Worcester Senior Center satisfaction survey: recommend the Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ELDER AFFAIRS Upon the Order of Councilor Michael C. Perotto and Councilor Gary Rosen request to review state legislation (S433 and H1491), which recognizes the need to expand facilities and programs for the growing senior population. These bills would create a mechanism to provide state funding to aid cities and towns in the planning, reconstruction, construction, design, acquisition of real property, renovation, preservation, rehabilitation, demolition and expansion of a facility to be used as a municipal senior center: recommend Order be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS Upon the Petition of Albert Belmonte request Pavilion at East Park be named after Colonel Alexander J. Belmonte Ret. who was a former Shrewsbury St. resident and the first Italian American from Massachusetts to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1945: recommend Petition be referred to Parks Commission and the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS Upon the Petition of Mayor Timothy P. Murray on behalf of Raymond and Helen Cavanaugh request the relocation of the memorial plaque of Colonel Edward J. Cavanaugh at Cavanaugh Square from the north corner of Foster Street and Major Taylor Boulevard to the front entrance of St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center, directly behind the five granite barriers: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein on behalf of Afra Realty request to make public Corinth Dr.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Kevin and Tammy Dumphy et al request to make public Dupuis Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of David and Teresa Dobson et al request to make public Woodcliffe Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Peter Levesque request to make public Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Dorothy Riggieri and Maria Riggieri to make public Nebraska St. from Muskeego St. to Camassa Terrace: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy , Jr. on behalf of John Frohock to make public Pineland Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order as amended for Pineland Ave. from Pioneer Rd. to the Shrewsbury Town Line.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Linda Gariffo et al request to make public Dixfield St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Marjorie Hastings request to make public Penobscott St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Eugene Novak, Jr. request to make public Rosita Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Stephen Kayer et al request private street conversion of Merchant St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Ellen S. Dunlap, President of the American Antiquarian Society request that the name of Concord St., in its entirety, from Wheaton Square easterly to Lincoln St. be changed to Salisbury St. and that the name of the section of current Salisbury St. from Wheaton Square southerly to Highland St. be changed to Grove St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying two (2) Orders.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request to resurface the public part of Loxwood St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request Trenton St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Irene Recko request street repair and reconstruction of Windham St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to the problems associated with the city-owned culvert at #44 St. Anthony St.: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to flooding in the vicinity of 44 St. Anthony St.: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager request City Council's review, consideration, and approval of the Order which authorizes me to accept and execute easements for the Arboretum Subdivision: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to an update concerning the collaborative effort to prepare to re-open the north chamber on the third floor of City Hall, now named the Levi Lincoln Chamber, for use as the primary meeting space for City Council: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication of the Economic Development Report for August 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Eugeniy Ayzenshtat request to extend existing 2" water main on Yukon Ave. approximately 180' at petitioner's expense and DPW specifications: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Jerome Galvin request to make public the private portion of Cataline St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Huy Nguyen request to make public Accommodation St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Michael Mosley et al request private street conversion for Warwick St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes and Mayor Timothy P. Murray request City Council Standing Committee of Rules and Regulations review the City Council's Committee structure and make recommendations regarding any changes in the number and functions of the committees and any new committees: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller request Administration provide a report on the reasons for the requirement for individuals giving public testimony at city-held public hearings and meetings to give their home address and to make recommendations regarding continuing this practice of offering alternatives for those individuals who wish to make comment but do not wish to divulge their home address: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Joseph M. Petty request that City Council consider establishing a Standing Committee on Technology in Government; said committee to consist of three (3) members to: a) increase the strategic use of technology in government, thereby increasing efficiency in government and enhancing the quality of public services, b) promote the openness and transparency of government by ensuring that public information is accessible to all residents, and c) close the digital divide by expanding access to broadband in the underserved communities across the city: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Thomas P. White request the creation of a Standing Committee on Energy Resources and Conservation: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request the Standing Committee on Rules and Regulations consider recommending a change to the Rules of the City Council so that the City Council meets alternately on Tuesday evenings with Standing Committees of the City Council. Further, request the City Clerk provide City Council with the number of city council items are carried over from week to week: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Chairman's Order from the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations request the Standing Committee on Rules to consider a re-structuring of the Committees of the City Council so that there is an alignment between the Committees and the newly established Departments of the City Manager: recommend Chairman's Order be referred to the Mayor.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Council through its standing committee on Rules review the City Council rules so as to update the jurisdiction of each standing committee over the appropriate city departments: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request the Rules Committee to review the alignment of Committees and departments: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Mayor Raymond Mariano and Councilors Paul Clancy, Jr., Steven Patton, Juan Gomez, Joseph Petty, Janice Nadeau, Dennis Irish, Timothy Murray, Stephen Abraham, Konstantina Lukes, and Michael Perotto request the City Council establish goals for appointment to the Library Board of Trustees including district representation and appropriate representation for under represented groups: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilors Paul P. Clancy, Jr. and Janice Nadeau request City Council consider having the library trustee nominee reception at library one week prior to selection by Council: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Stephen Abraham request the Rules Committee to review the procedure used by City Council for election of individuals to the Library Board of Trustees: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Council to refer its current rules to the Standing Committee on Rules and Regulations for a review: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Michael C. Perotto, Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr., and Councilor Joseph M. Petty - Request the City Council to consider elimination of the Ordinance Committee and in its place have all ordinance items referred to Land Use to report to the full City Council. Further, request a time standard be applied to ordinance items referred to the Land Use Committee: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Konstantina B. Lukes request the Standing Committee on Rules and Regulations to consider an amendment to the City Council Rules on the issue of voting reconsideration when an item is brought before City Council under suspension without an emergency issue pending that requires immediate action: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Resolution of Juan A. Gomez that the City Council take up as an issue the establishment of a policy as it relates to attaching non-binding referendums on municipal election ballots: recommend Resolution be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Ronal Madnick, Executive Director of Worcester County Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, request that the citizen petitioner be informed of the initial vote of the Council, informed of the Committee that the petition has been referred to, informed of the time and place of the Committee hearing, informed of the recommendation of the Committee, informed of the Council meeting at which a vote will be taken, notification of when the petition(s) is placed on the City Council calendar for final disposition and notification of the action of the Council: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Michael Grandone requesting a City Ordinance be established that states when a citizen submits a petition to City Council/ Sub-Committee, it is to be acted upon or at least acknowledged by hearing within 6 months, be it negative or positive consideration: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Ronal Madnick, Exec. Dir. of Worcester County Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union of Mass., request that the citizen petitioner be informed of the initial vote of the Council, informed of the Committee that the petition has been referred to, informed of the time and place of the Committee hearing, informed of the recommendation of the Committee, informed of the Council meeting at which a vote will be taken, notification of when the petition(s) is placed on the City Council calendar for final disposition and notification of the action of the Council: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Frank Caputo et al request City Council appoint an ad hoc committee to review current standards used by the Traffic & Parking Committee when approving new handicap parking spaces in residential areas and to establish written definitive standards by which such issuance should occur: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Michael Galvin request creation of a City web page to track citizen petitions by original date in Council, date in Committee, date of public testimony and date of final disposition vote by Council: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Communication of David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication relative to the process for citizen participation before City Councils in the cities of Leominister, Fitchburg, and Springfield: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Communication of David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication relative to establishing a procedure that notifies citizens of the process that will be followed after a petition is first submitted to City Council: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Communication of David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication relative to how matters introduced at Council meetings under Suspension of Rules are added to and make part of the official record of the City Council: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Communication of David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting a chart indicating the number and type of City Council Standing Committee meeting, including the number of calendar items considered at said meetings, for the period 2002 through 2004: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Report of the Committee on Rules and Regulations Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Council vote to establish a Standing Committee on Colleges/Community Relationships: recommend Report and Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Ronal Madnick, Executive Director of Worcester County Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, request to make it a rule of the City Council that the maker of a petition shall be given up to five minutes to address the Council when the petition is first introduced and if more than one person signed the petition the first person listed will be the speaker: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Ronal Madnick, Executive Director of Worcester County Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, request City Council to amend its rules of operation to provide that all petitions and matters submitted by citizen petitioner(s) which are forwarded to a committee of the City Council, to the City Manager or to City departments shall be reported back to the full Council within sixty (60) days unless the Council agrees to an additional sixty (60) days: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Petition of Ronal Madnick, Exec. Dir. of Worcester County Chapter, American Civil Liberties Union of Mass., request to amend Rule 51 of the City Council by adding after the words “All petitions filed by a citizen with the City Council shall automatically be referred without debate to the proper committee, board, commission, department of the City Manger for investigation, recommendation or disposition except for questions of clarification, amendment or opposition by members of the City Council: the words “after the primary petitioner is allowed the opportunity to address the City Council. The presentation shall not exceed five (5) minutes. The petitioner is to inform the mayor if he/she wishes to speak": recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Vicente Marrero, Pastor of the Spanish Church of God, request "Do Not Block Driveway" or "No Parking" signs at 949 Main St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order and passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Jacob Hiatt Magnet School Council request that the "No Parking" prohibition currently in place in Murray Avenue, both sides, along the entire frontage of the property of the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, be changed to a "No Parking No Standing" zone so that idling vehicles will be disallowed, thus allowing school buses to access the area nearest the school yard: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to install "No Standing or Stopping except for Buses" Supplemental Plaques in Murray Ave., both sides, along the entire frontage of the property of the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein on behalf of the Jewish Community Center request to review the traffic conditions on Salisbury Street in the vicinity of the Jewish Community Center in order to improve any conditions which may be hazardous to automobiles and pedestrian approaching, entering and exiting the facility. Specifically, to install speed monitors, other physical improvements such as pedestrian crosswalks, police enforcement of speed limits and any other recommendations which would improve the safety for drivers and pedestrians: recommend adoption of the accompanying five (5) Orders.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Patrick Huey request handicap parking sign at 21 Fruit St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Herbert Gilbert request handicap parking sign in front of 169 Perry Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Consuelo Robles request to remove handicap parking in front of 26 Hooper St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Domingo Oliveras Jr. request handicap parking on 34 Princeton St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard Davis request to install handicap parking between 137 and 139 June St. by tree: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Deborah Packard, Executive Director of Preservation Worcester, request that Cedar St. and Linden St. be more clearly signed as one-way streets in the interest of public safety: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request that a centerline be painted in the full length of Coburn Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kathleen Perry request redirecting the traffic flow into Lincoln St. from the Lincoln Plaza exit nearest Bickford's Restaurant into 2 lanes turning left toward downtown and one lane turning right: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kathleen Perry request the redirecting the traffic flow into West Boylston St. from the mouth of Bourne St. by relining Bourne St. into three (3) distinct lanes: two (2) lanes turning left (south onto West Boylston St.) and one (1) turning right (north onto West Boylston St. - Route 12): recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard Bickford request Stop Signs be placed at the intersection of 40 Fruit St. and William St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Attorney Robert Longden on behalf of Vaios Theodorakos, Trustee of Beacon Herman Realty Trust, request to rescind the prohibition of parking on Jackson St from LaGrange St. to Main St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Attorney Robert Longden on behalf of Vaios Theodorakos, Trustee of Beacon Herman Realty Trust, request to rescind the prohibition of parking on Beacon St. from LaGrange St. to Hermon St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Paul Rohde request to change the "No Parking Anytime" sign to "15 minute parking" sign in front of 63 Institute Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.

Order of Mayor Timothy P. Murray - That the ordinance relative to the Police Department License Board as it relates to taxi regulations be rescinded. (Tabled Murray - April 25, 2006)

Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller and Councilor Gary Rosen - Request the City Manager take all steps to have the WRTA #11 bus rerouted to serve the Island part of Harding Street (south of Kelley Square) to take residents, especially the elderly, to and from the Route 20 Fair Shopping Plaza. Further request that this service be provided several times in the mornings and again in the afternoons, both outbound and inbound. This service was formerly provided by the old #4 Millbury City Line and eliminated on January 28th, 2006 creating a serious hardship and reduction in the quality of life for residents in the Green Island neighborhood. (Tabled - Haller August 29, 2006)

Communication of Roberta R. Schaefer, Executive Director of Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Dial 911: Whose Call Is It, Anyway? (Tabled - Murray October 10, 2006)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Request for Proposal on two parcels of land currently owned by the Worcester Fire Department. (Tabled - Toomey November 14, 2006)

Motion-Clancy - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council recess to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment contract with the City Manager.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Order of Timothy P. Murray that issues of salary and contract for the City Manager be referred to the Municipal Operations Committee for consideration: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Salary Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication relative to the City Council's Standing Committee on Municipal Operations request for the salary information for chief executives in other municipalities and a listing of the highest pad City of Worcester employees: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Communication of the City Manager recommending that Twenty One Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Five Dollars and No Cents ($21,965.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, and that Twenty Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Dollars and No Cents ($20,560.00) be appropriated to Account #040-91000, City Manager Personal Services and that One Thousand Four Hundred Five Dollars and No Cents ($1,405.00) be appropriated to Account #040-92000, City Manager Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the personal and ordinary maintenance expenses for the remainder of Fiscal 2007.

Motion Haller @ #12a CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on the number of tickets issued during the city's fall leaf collection program.

Motion-Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with an amendment to the FOG ordinance and/or with an appeal process to the FOG program to initiate and use some of the compliance schedule regulations employed by the state of Connecticut with the EPA.

Motion-Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on the criminal activity in the Coolidge Rd. area.