CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:09 P.M.

Recessed to Executive Session: 10:22 P.M. Reconvened to Open Session to Adjourn: 11:22 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Motion-Petty to nominate Councilor Michael C. Perotto as Vice-Chairperson.

Councilor Michael C. Perotto elected as Vice-Chairperson by a yea and nay vote of Eleven Yeas and No Nays.

Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes stood with City Clerk David J. Rushford as the Clerk gave the oath of office for Vice-Chairperson to Councilor Michael C. Perotto and presented him with his certificate.

At the Request of Councilor Barbara G. Haller the City Clerk invited Representative John Fresolo to discuss his newly filed Bill on Home Insurance, especially for triple deckers and explain how Worcester City Council can best advocate for needed reform to protect property owners from being unfairly billed for coverage.

Mayor Lukes suspended the rules to allow Nat Needle, Highland Street business owner, address and sing for the Mayor and City Council.

Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Thomas McGrath request the Department of Public Works & Parks to resurface Clark St. from Burncoat St. to St. Nicholas Ave.

Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Irene Stone Smith request to have no parking on Dorchester St. from Grafton St. to the first street light on the southerly side.

Councilor Paul P. Clancy , Jr. on behalf of Irene Stone Smith request to have a blind driveway sign on Grafton St. before Stoney Hill Driveway.

Kimberley Riexinger request to have residential parking in Plantation St. from #88 to Hamilton St.

Lillian Rossetti request to remove the handicap parking sign in front of 69 Dustin St.

Richard Powers request handicap parking space at 597 Millbury St.

WYMAN-GORDON COMPANY for conduit location in: HERMON ST.

Notification of Appointment of Ken Capurso and Stephen Rei to the Memorial Auditorium Board of Trustees.

Notification of Appointment of Dennis Lipka and Eric Nierenberg to the Airport Commission.

Notification of Appointment of Maria Flores, Robert McCallum, Edward Rivera, Edward Robinson, and Lois Smith to the Human Rights Commission.

Notification of Appointment of Stefanie Wood to the Conservation Commission.

Notification of Appointment of James Crowley to the Historical Commission.

Notification of Appointment of Loretta Cusick, Elaine Kapperman, Ruth Miller, and Gail Smith to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Notification of Appointment of Paul Gunnerson, Robert Hennigan, and David Kowalcheck and Reappointment of Bruce Wahle to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Notification of Appointment of Lee R. Hall and Nancy E. Moses as Constables.

Notification of Appointment of Lawrence Abramoff and Reappointment of David George to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Notification of Appointment of Amy Mosher, Ben Ogunjobi, and James Spillane to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

Notification of Appointment of Anne Sheehy to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Receipt of Twenty Five Million Dollars And No Cents ($25,000,000.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the CitySquare Redevelopment Project.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Chapter 43D Technical Assistance Grant Award to the City from the Interagency Permitting Board.

Transmitting Informational Communication relative to Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.) for the Special District Financing Zone.
Refer to CCM Item 10.34H

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Annual College Benchmarking Report for 2005-2006.

Recommend City Council review consideration and approval to apply to the EPA for $500,000 in supplemental BCRLF funding.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Status of Funding for the Hadley Apartments and Beacon Place Condominium Project.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Sale of City-owned Surplus Property at 863 West Boylston Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Keep Worcester Clean Activity Report for the Month of November 2006.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Vocational School Athletic Fields

Recommend City Council's Adoption of a Resolution to Accept the Donation of a Kiosk at the Entrance to Dodge Park from Mr. Michael Brown.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Oakland Heights Master Plan Public Meeting Scheduled for January 25, 2007.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Report on the Criminal Activity Recorded in the Coolidge Road Area.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Taxi and Livery Regulations.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the 45% Decrease in Gun Violence in the City.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Inspectors of Animals for the Year 2007.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Amending the Building Fee Schedule for Volunteer Work.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Permitting and/or Design Review Process for the Construction of the Building Located at #344 Pleasant Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Annual Influenza Vaccine Clinic.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the New Position of Project Administrator of the Region II Public Health Emergency Planning Coalition.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Extension of the Television Franchise Agreement.

Transmitting Informational Communication regarding the Status of 103 Holden Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Michael D. Conrad to the Position of Permanent City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.
Refer to CCM Item 10.36A

Recommend that One Hundred Eighty Four Thousand Nine Hundred One Dollars And Seventy One Cents ($184,901.71) be transferred from Account # 91C780, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Account # 72C701, Parks Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of approved and reprioritized Parks Equipment.

Recommend that Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($550,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C741, Street Resurfacing, to allow for the payment of current and future street improvement obligations.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C714, Water Pumping Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C726, Water Pumping Station Rehabilitation, to allow for the payment of current and anticipated water pumping obligations.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745, Sewer Reconstruction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to allow for the payment of current and future sewer improvement obligations.

Recommend that One Hundred Five Thousand Three Hundred Sixty One Dollars And Ninety Seven Cents ($105,361.97) be transferred from Account # 91C711, Citywide Capital, and be appropriated to Account #26C704, Fire Department Capital Rehabilitation, to provide funds for installing sewer, water and electric lines to the Emergency Operations and Training Facility Building.

Recommend that Two Hundred Three Thousand Three Hundred Nineteen Dollars And No Cents ($203,319.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Water Account #45C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of capital equipment for the Water Division.

Recommend that One Hundred Eighty One Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Five Dollars And No Cents ($181,385.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C734, Sewer Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Sewer Account #44C704, Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of two vehicles for the Sewer Division.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Thirty Million Dollars And No Cents ($30,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #75C504, DCU Special District Improvements for the purpose of making improvements to the DCU Arena and Convention Center.
Refer to CCM Item 10.8C

Recommend that Ninety Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($90,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C793, Golf Facilities Improvements, and be appropriated to Golf Account # 71C702, Green Hill Golf Improvements, to fund improvements to Greenhill Golf Clubhouse.

Recommend that One Hundred Forty Three Thousand Five Hundred Five Dollars And Twenty Five Cents ($143,505.25) be transferred from Account # 330-40, Reserve for Appropriation, 1% Federal Reimbursement, and be appropriated to various departmental accounts to provide funds for the purpose of providing indirect services as approved in the fiscal 2007 budget.

Recommend that Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($17,500.00) currently available in Account # 660-91000, Treasury Personal Services, be re-appropriated to the same account for the purpose of funding the position of Assistant City Treasurer for the remainder of FY 2007, and further recommend that the table of organization of the Division of Treasury and Collections be amended by adding the position of Assistant Treasurer and Collector.
Refer to CCM Item 10.33A

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Caffrey Memorial Award.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Shrewsbury Street Parking Initiative.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fire at Plumley Village.

Transmitting Informational Communication relative to a request for an Executive Session for Tuesday, January 16, 2007 after the City Council Meeting.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to City Employees Serving on City Boards and Commissions.

James A. DelSignore transmitting communication relative to the Reports on Federal Award Programs - the City's Single Audit - for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2006.

Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes transmitting communication relative to the Standing Committee assignments for calendar 2007.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Handicap Parking in front of 7 Hancock St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide Handicap Parking in front of 19 Judson Rd.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Handicap Parking at the rear entrance of 370 Grafton St. on the east side of Arthur St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Two Handicap Spaces on the west side of South Flagg St. adjacent to the Bet Shalom Apartment rear entrance.

Amend Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Resident Permit Parking in front of 25 Sever St.

Amend Section 68 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to make Dayton St. One-Way eastbound from Sever St. to West St.

Amend Section 30 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to install 4 Way Red Flashing Signals at the intersection of Providence St. and Waverly St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Two Hour Parking 8AM-5PM Monday to Friday on the east side of Harding St. from Temple St. to a pt. 50' north of Winter St.

Amend Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for Stop Sign on South Flagg St. at Hadwen Rd. facing southbound traffic on South Flagg St.

Amend Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for Stop Sign on Chester St. at Parkton Ave. facing northbound traffic on Chester St. Amend Section 31 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for a Yield Sign on Chester St. at Parkton Ave. facing eastbound traffic on Chester St. Amend Section 31 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind the Yield Sign facing northbound traffic on Chester St. at Parkton Ave. and install a Yield Sign on Parkton Ave. at Chester St. facing eastbound traffic on Parkton Ave.

Amend Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Parking Anytime Signs adjacent to school crosswalks on the west side of Adam St. at Adam St. School.

Amend Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Parking School Days on the west side of Imperial Rd. at Adam St. School. Amend Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Parking School Days on the west side of Ingleside Ave. at Dartmouth St. School. Amend Section 47 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Parking School Days on the east side of Almont Ave. at Dartmouth St. School.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Parking Anytime on the south side of Cedar St. from West St. to Fruit St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Parking Anytime on the west side of West St. from Dayton St. to Elm St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind 2 Hour Parking Limits on the east side of Russell St. from Highland St. to Elm St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind 20 Minute Parking in front of 66 William St.

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 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)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Ownership of Parcels Surrounding the Former St. Vincent's Hospital Property. (Tabled - Clancy 01/02/2007)

Motion-Palmieri @#10.8D CM - Request City Manager provide a list of property owners who request that their properties be converted to non-taxable status during 2006.

Motion-Irish @#10.8D CM -Request City Manager provide a report on the percentage of total financial aid going to residents who attend Worcester colleges as students. Further, request the report include the amount of rent paid to private landlords by students attending Worcester colleges.

Motion-Clancy @#10.8D CM - Request City Manager determine if there could be a percentage increase goal that is tangible each year for colleges to attain for locally spent dollars.

Resolution-Haller @ #6a CC -That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby supports Representative John Fresolo's pending legislation that would reduce the recent increases in insurance premiums that homeowners of three deckers and multi dwellings homes have experienced. Further request resolution be mailed to members of the State delegations, leadership of House and Senate, and Chairman and Committee members of the Financial Services.

Motion-Clancy @#6a CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to how this situation that Representative Fresolo's bill addresses evolved and how it will impact the City's housing stock.

Motion-Toomey @#6a CC -Request the City Council send letters to other City Councils from large urban communities across the State to request them to endorse Representative Fresolo's pending legislation concerning insurance reform for three deckers.

Motion-Lukes @#10.8A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to how much funds are being deposited, where funds have been deposited and what are the interest rates of the deposits for the $25 million paid to the City by the Commonwealth for the CitySquare Redevelopment Project.

Motion-Irish @#10.8C - Request City Manager report as to how the funds received from selling the naming rights for the Centrum now known as the DCU Center were spent and are any of those funds still available.

Motion-Toomey @#10.8C - Request City Manager respond to the attached list of questions relative to the skybridge.

Motion-Lukes @#10.8C CM -Request City Manager provide off-calendar the report previously submitted to City Council relative to the Special District Financing Zone.

Motion-Perotto @#10.13A CM - Request City Manger consider finding funds for construction of bleachers and score board for the athletic fields at the new Technical High School.

Motion-Toomey @#10.13A CM - Request City Manager provide the estimated cost for bleachers and score board at the new Technical High School so as to open the door for creative financing of these new improvements.

Motion-Palmieri @#10.13A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with the agreements that would clarify the use of the athletic fields at the new Technical High School.

Motion-Irish @#10.17A CM - Request City Manager request the Police Chief define the area for crime statistics gathering in the Coolidge Rd. area be extended to include Newton Square and lower Newton Hill as bounded by St. Elmo Rd., Morningside Rd. and Hadwen Rd. so that the data collected for reporting purposes in the area wherein may be maintained so appropriate comparables may be made in future data collection efforts.

Motion-Petty @#10.17C CM - Request City Manager provide a report relative to plans for funding the summer impact division of Worcester Police for 2007 and whether this program may be expanded to start earlier in the season and last until after the summer ends and also to include Sundays.

Motion-Rushton @#10.17C CM -Request City Manager work with the District Attorney and provide him a seat at the table in municipal efforts to combat youth crime by developing lines of communication, at all levels of such as neighborhood groups, schools, probation office and the police department, that will identify different areas that we can help promote self confidence and direction for children.

Motion-Rosen @#10.17C CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to weapons violations in the Worcester Public Schools and if the City plans to partner with the schools for a new violence prevention position.

Motion-Haller @#10.17C CM - Request City Manager send a copy of City Manager's item #10.17C of the January 16, 2007 City Council Calendar to all Neighborhood Associations and Crimewatch Groups.

Motion-Rosen @#10.28B CM - Request City Manager provide an update for the last City Council meeting in February as to the location of the fencing, demolition of the building and violations of the wetlands restoration for the property at 103 Holden St.

Motion-Perotto - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide a report on all the Chairman's Orders from the Ad Hoc on the Mill St. Business Corridor for the January 23, 2007 City Council meeting.

Motion-Rosen, Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager review the street lighting situation near Goddard Memorial Dr. at Beatrice Dr. and Parsons Hill Dr.

Motion-Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager consult with the Superintendent of Schools for a current one page synopsis of the current school department budget as projected for the fiscal year 2008. Further, request aforementioned summary be included in the finance discussions.

Motion-Lukes, Perotto, Petty, Rosen, Palmieri, Toomey, Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager with the City Auditor, regarding the Administration's five-year capitol plan, to prepare a report for each City Council finance agenda with a list regarding planned borrowings and authorized, issued and outstanding borrowing, the date of the authorization and revenue sources of repayment.