CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Monday, December 3, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:07 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

PROCLAMATION - Mayor Lukes read a proclamation proclaiming Monday, December 3rd as Universal Human Rights Day. Proclamation was presented by Councilor Perotto to Cheryl Pope, Chair of the Human Rights Commission, who spoke to this item.

Lee Audra Parent request that my name be placed on the current active Police Officers list.

Christopher Podles request street repair of pot holes in Arctic St in the vicinity of the new Franklin St. Fire Department.

Susan Proulx, Principal of Belmont St. Elementary School, request repair of footbridge over Belmont St. to Belmont St. Elementary School

Russell Oliver, Church Trustee Secretary for Greendale Peoples Church, request sidewalks be resurfaced/repaired in Francis St. from Church parking lot to the corner of Leeds St. and in Leeds St. from corner of Francis St. to Church driveway and handicapped parking areas.

Allen Chevalier request to remove handicap parking signs in front of 3 Plane St.

Eileen Balcewicz request to install handicap parking sign in front of 27 Perry Ave.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Constable Appointments for the Calendar Year January through December 2008.

Recommend City Council Adoption of an Amendment to the Salary Ordinance for Two Nuisance Ordinance Inspector Positions in the Department of Public Works and Parks.
Refer to CCM Item 8.12A
Refer to CCM Item 8.35B

Transmitting Informational Communication regarding the penalty imposed by the Federal Government on retirees converting to Medicare.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Recommend City Council's Adoption of an Amendment to the City's Salary Ordinance to Re-Grade the Position of Intake Worker under Health and Human Services.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Proposed CDBG Allocation Process Timetable for Year 34 (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009).

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Proposed Three-Member Keep Worcester Clean / Nuisance Ordinance Enforcement Team.
Refer to CCM Item 8.6A

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the DPWP's Donation of Thanksgiving Day Dinners to Disadvantaged Families in the City.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Winter Parking Ban.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on the Current Status of the Backlog of Streets that have been Approved for Private Street Conversion.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Coes Pond and the Lakeside Neighborhood.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation of $60,000. from Women Together through the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network Center toward the Construction of Winslow Park.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Arrest on Maxwell Court.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a List of City Addresses where more than Five (5) Arrests have Taken Place within the Past Twelve (12) Months.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Recommend City Council Review, Deliberation and Adoption of the Attached Resolution to File and Accept a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety 2007-2008 for Worcester Police Department Traffic Enforcement Mobilizations and related Traffic Enforcement Equipment.

Recommend City Council Adoption of the Attached Ordinance Amendment Relative to the Storage of Recreational Vehicles in the City.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Report on the Attendance and Overall Participation of Seniors at the Senior Center.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Recommend City Council Review, Deliberation and Adoption of the Attached Resolution Accepting a Grant in the amount of $35,218 from the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts that will be used to fund an Intake Worker at the New Joint MCAD/Human Rights Office in City Hall.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Severe Weather Preparedness Plan.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Fallon and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance plans not participating in Community Immunity Day.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Activities of the Worcester Regional Tobacco Collaborative, Including the Great American Smokeout, Compliance Checks, and the Annual Tobacco Calendar Contest.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Regarding an Amendment to the Rules of the City Council concerning the Establishment of City Council Standing Committees.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City of Worcester's Fiscal Year 2008 Tax Rates.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Regarding an Update on the City's Five Year Plan and Quarterly Report.

Recommend City Council Adoption of an Order Authorizing the Administration to enter into a Contract for a Term of Greater than Three Years for The Development and Implementation of a New State-of-the-Art City-Wide Telecommunications Network.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C764, Sewer Pumping, to allow for payment of current and anticipated obligations for the Sewer Pumping Station Capital Program.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C797, Sidewalks, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars And Twenty Six Cents ($8,868.26) be transferred from Loan Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of a communications system upgrade, as approved in the FY 2008 Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Fourteen Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Four Dollars And Sixty Cents ($14,524.60) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of a laboratory glassware washer, as approved in the FY 2007 Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred Forty One Dollars And No Cents ($113,241.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of a Mass Spectrometer for the Filtration Plant, as approved in the Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) 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 obligations, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C761, Surface Drainage, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($800,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C745, Franklin Street Slope, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations associated with this slope repair, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($120,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C723, Water Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Water Account #45C704, Water Building Rehabilitation, to provide funding for the rehabilitation of the Water Enterprise building, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C742, Street Resurfacing (Ext. Pavement), to allow for the payment of current and future obligations, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

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 future obligations, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Reconstruction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion/Betterments, to provide funds for the payment of current obligations and future expenditures, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Fourteen Thousand Six Hundred Sixteen Dollars And No Cents ($14,616.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C734, Sewer Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #44C704, Sewer Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of a vehicle, as approved in the Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand Four Hundred Thirty Dollars And No Cents ($219,430.00) be transferred from Account # 91C716, Union Station Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account # 04C704, Union Station Building Rehabilitation, for expenses associated with the fitout and signage of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) tenant space at Union Station.

Recommend that Forty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($40,000.00) be transferred from Account # 91C763, South Worcester Industrial Park, and be appropriated to Account #04C714, South Worcester Industrial Park, for additional asbestos abatement work at City-owned sites within the South Worcester Industrial Park (SWIP) project.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C766, Blackstone Visitors Center, and be appropriated to Account #04C752, Blackstone Visitors Center, to pay invoices associated with the design of the Worcester Blackstone Visitor Center.

Recommend that Forty Seven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($47,000.00) be transferred from Account # 91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account # 67C703, Assessing Capital Equipment, to allow for the conversion of Superbase Valuation Software to CAMA Software, as approved in the Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($7,500.00) be transferred from Account # 91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account # 68C701, Technical Services Capital Equipment, to fund the purchase of three laptop computers to be used in the enforcement of the Nuisance and Graffiti Ordinance.

Recommend that One Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Four Hundred Four Dollars And Nine Cents ($167,404.09) be transferred from Account # 330-08, Reserve for Appropriation Premium on Loans, and be appropriated to Account #660-92000, Treasurer’s Office Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the costs associated with the issuance of the September 27, 2007 Bond Anticipation Notes and the November 1, 2007 General Obligation Bonds.

Recommend that Seventy Three Thousand Forty Three Dollars And No Cents ($73,043.00) be transferred from Account # 010-91000, City Council Salaries, and be appropriated to various accounts to fund the KWC / Nuisance Enforcement Team.
Refer to CCM Item 8.6A

Recommend City Council approval to pay One Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Two Dollars And No Cents ($1,882.00) from Account # 250-92000, Police Ordinary Maintenance, to pay a prior year invoice.

Transmitting Informational Communication regarding a Report from the City Manager's Task Force on Homelessness.

David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication relative to the official results of the municipal election held on November 6, 2007 and the official results for the office of Mayor as determined by a hand recount of ballots conducted on November 26, 2007.

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 Petty @ #8.32A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report that would respond to questions as submitted from Mauro DePasquale on behalf of WCCA TV 13. (See attached)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the development of a preferred caterers list for events being scheduled to take placed in the main hall at Union Station after January 1, 2008.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Creation of a Worcester Lights Program: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby accepts the creation and installation of an expansive public arts program for Worcester and requests the City Manager appoint a working committee to consider a Worcester Lights Art Program.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending City Council's adoption of Two Resolutions 1) for the Submittal of a Certified Project Application for WCPA, LLC and the Worcester Center For Performing Arts, Inc., and 2) for the Designation of a New Site Specific Economic Opportunity Area for the Site Location of 4 Southbridge Street: recommend adoption of the accompanying two resolutions

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending City Council's adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee for WCPA, LLC for the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts: recommend adoption of the accompanying Resolution

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending Adoption of a Resolution to File a Commercial Area Revitalization District (CARD) Plan with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD): recommend adoption of the accompanying resolution

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report - November 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication providing an update of the Economic Development initiatives - October 2007: 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 the Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report for August - September 2007: 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 the proposed Madison Properties / Worcester Crossing Project located at 25 Tobias Boland Way in Quinsigamond Village: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting a communication relative to Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities - October 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities - September 2007: 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 the Economic Development Division's Small Business Retention and Recruitment Report - July and August 2007: 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 the Economic Development Division's small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated city activities - June 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities - May 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts - April 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division’s (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities - March 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts - February 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts - January 2007: 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 new category, Small Business Recruitment and Retention, on the Monthly Economic Development Report: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the acquisition of the Major Taylor Boulevard Garage from the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) by the City: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an update on the Skybridge Project: 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 Report on the Extension of the DCU Center Management Agreement: 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 the Union Station Rental Rate: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the status of tenants at Union Station, policies, audited financial statements and a summary of the operating budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on the New Tenants for Union Station: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta R. Schaefer, Ph.D., Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Destination Worcester: What’s the “Convention-al Wisdom?”: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding Destination Worcester: 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 Destination Worcester: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta R. Schaefer, Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Downtown Worcester Office Occupancy: 2006 Survey: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, PhD., Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting informational communication relative to Downtown Worcester Office Occupancy: 2007 Survey: 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 an update for the Blackstone Visitor Center: 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 the Annual College Benchmarking Report for 2005-2006: 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 the Former Mission Chapel Located at 205 Summer Street: 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 new marketing package that is being used to market our City to interested businesses and investors: 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 the sale of the former Worcester Vocational High School property located at One Concord Street to Gateway Park LLC: 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 the South Worcester Industrial Park and the Disposition of the 49 Canterbury Street Site: 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 the status of funding for the Hadley Apartments and Beacon Place Condominium Project: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on the Dickstein Shapiro Agreement with the City of Worcester: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Motion Toomey @ #8.6B CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the possibility of using state funds to offset the actual costs of converting to Medicare for those retirees who fall under the poverty guidelines so that these retirees can continue in their current health insurance program.

Motion Haller @ #8.12A CM - Request City Manager forward a copy of City Manager's item #8.12A to all the neighborhood centers.

Motion Lukes @ #8.12A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report by March 15, 2008 concerning the progress of implementing the customer service center in tandem with the new Nuisance Ordinance Enforcement team.

Motion Haller @ #8.17A CM - Request City Manager forward a copy of City Manager's item #8.17A to Congressman McGovern's office.

Motion Lukes @ #8.28A CM - Request City Council's Standing Committee on Rules and Regulations when considering the City Manager's recommendations of a revised committee structure consider the following changes 1) include Regional Affairs with Municipal Operations and name the committee Municipal & Regional Affairs Committee 2) consider moving the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee from Municipal Operations Committee to the Committee on Public Health & Human Services and 3) consider the Committee on Public Service and Transportation have a specific reference to taxis. Further, request City Council's Standing Committee on Rules and Regulations consider requiring the Standing Committees to meet quarterly and give the Mayor the authority to review the mandated meeting schedule and the discretion to remove/change the chair.

Motion Clancy @ #8.30A CM - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hold it's meeting of the City Council's Standing Committee on Finance the second week in January, 2008.

Motion Haller - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on annual drug overdoses for 2000 to present year to date. Further, request designate numbers by overdoses resulting in death.