CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:16 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Vice Chair Perotto recognized Stella Angwafo, a Worcester resident, who introduce her father, King Angwafo, III the King of the country of Cameroon, who addressed the City Council.

Vice Chair Perotto recognized students from Clark University who attended as part of Tim Connolly's news writing course and thanked them for attending.

Edward DiTullio request to remove tree stumps in Ashton St. from Sturgis St. to McKinley Rd.

Michael G Ferraiuolo and Linda R. DeNittis request abatement of street assessment #24599 in the amount of $3,150.00 for Trent Rd.

Michael G Ferraiuolo and Linda R. DeNittis request abatement of street assessment #24600 in the amount of $3,150.00 for Trent Rd.

Michael and Allison Freeman request installation of a new sidewalk and driveway apron in front of 87 Richmond Ave.

Edward DiTullio request sidewalk repair in Ashton St. from Sturgis St. to McKinley Rd.

Edward DiTullio request to resurface Ashton St. from Sturgis St. to McKinley Rd. and review and correct drainage.

Theresa Bradley request to plant an evergreen tree in the Common which can be dedicated in someone’s memory.

Elvis Lopes da Rocha request resident permit parking in the vicinity of 19 Kelley Sq.

Dennis Baez request to remove "No Parking" sign in front of 65 Gates St.

Carrie Gladden request resident permit parking in Oberlin St. from Clifton St. to Florence St.

Request City Manager report to City Council the number of times that CSX has used city services to maintain and protect their property within the City of Worcester and the cost of providing these services. (Rushton, Petty, Smith, Clancy, Toomey, Perotto, Palmieri, Rosen)

Request City Manager determine and report to City Council if any hazardous materials have seeped into or come onto city properties abutting CSX properties. (Rushton, Petty, Smith, Clancy, Toomey, Perotto, Palmieri, Rosen)

Request City Manager report to City Council how commuter rail has been impacted by public safety issues brought about by CSX rail traffic through the City of Worcester. (Palmieri, Clancy, Toomey, Rushton, Smith, Irish, Perotto)

Request City Manager report to City Council the financial benefits to the City of Worcester having CSX having a separate rail track adjacent to commuter rail. (Palmieri, Clancy, Toomey, Rushton, Smith, Irish, Perotto)

Request City Manager report to City Council any accidents with respect to CSX freight on tracks running through the City of Worcester. (Palmieri, Clancy, Toomey, Rushton, Smith, Irish, Perotto)

Request City Manager contact Maurice O’Connell of CSX to request an update concerning any discussions that have taken place between them and the Commonwealth with respect to separate tracks to and through Worcester and including liability issues. (Palmieri, Clancy, Toomey, Rushton, Smith, Irish, Perotto)

David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication concerning voter access issues at Norrback School, Ward One, Precinct Five, and recommendations for solutions.

Joseph Connarton, Executive Director of PERAC, transmitting communication relative to furnishing required appropriation for Fiscal Year 2009 Retirement System.

James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative to the October 2007 Auditor's Report.

That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby recognizes and thanks Officer Sean Lovely of the Worcester Police Department and the Worcester Veterans’ Council for the extensive efforts that have been made to create an inventory and history of the veterans’ markers in the City of Worcester and further, request the City Manager to request that the Council and Officer Lovely provide the Technical Services Department with this inventory and history of the veterans’ markers so that it may be permanently posted on the City of Worcester web site in honor of those Worcesterites who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. (Rushton)

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)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative to the schedules showing estimated savings that would accrue to the City if certain changes were made to employee and retiree health plans by adopting MGL Chapter 32B Section 18 and by decreasing the City's share of premiums from 80% to 75% for various groups not affected by Section 18: recommend Report and Communication be placed on file. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication regarding responses from the Administration to the orders from the City Council Standing Committee on Municipal Operations: recommend Communication be placed on file. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager be and is hereby requested to recommend to the City Council a plan to soften the burden of health care costs to the Medicaid eligible retirees of the City of Worcester and specifically request the City Manager consider increasing the city's contribution for eligible retirees from the present 75% contribution level to the 80% level so as to put them on par with the premiums paid by active employees. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager consider blending retiree costs for health insurance to a percent that equalizes percentage payments without increasing costs to the city. (Tabled - Rushton July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Adoption of Chapter 32B, Section 18, from The Segal Group, Inc. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Orders posed at the Municipal Operations meeting of June 27, 2007 along with the Administration response. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication containing the Administration's responses to questions posed regarding Section 18 at the July 17, 2007 City Council Meeting. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding additional responses from the Administration on Questions posed at July 17, 2007 City Council meeting regarding Chapter 32B, Section 18. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager recommending the Adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C778, Providence Street Tot Lot, for the purpose of funding the construction of the planned playground at Providence Street. (Tabled - Lukes July 17, 2007)

Grant permission to NATIONAL GRID for conduit system in KANSAS ST. (Tabled - September 18, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager recommending a change to the City's Parking Ordinance to accommodate the parking needs of the Regional Justice Center. (Tabled - Rushton September 18, 2007)

Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller and Councilor Michael C. Perotto - Request City Manager halt all plans to launch “Operation Yellow Box” in Worcester until such time that the full City Council publicly votes to support the project. (Tabled - Haller September 18, 2007)

Motion Clancy @ #9b CC - Request City Auditor provide City Council with recommendations as to what might be done within existing laws that would allow adjustments to budget by privatizing areas of future employment this would avoid future pension benefits and health insurance costs.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager include in any roundtable discussions Go21, Growth Options for the 21st Century, which is a national organization that has been an advocate for increasing freight rail across the country.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide to City Council for next week's City Council meeting a report concerning the payment of any penalty to Social Security as a result of converting retirees to Medicare.