CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 4:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:14 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location: HILLCROFT AVE.

Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location: HILLCROFT AVE.

Order of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, Councilor Joseph M. Petty, Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. and Councilor Michael J. Germain - Request City Manager prepare a home rule petition that would allow City of Worcester retirees to form an Association for the purpose of negotiating on health insurance issues. (Tabled Under Privilege- Lukes)

Monthly Economic Development Initiatives Status Report - April 2009

Monthly Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities.

The Mayor read a Proclamation and declared Thursday, April 23rd as National Take Our Daughters to Work Program. Councilor Toomey presented the proclamation to Anne McCarthy a representative of Girls, Inc.

Charlotte Connor request to place a granite marker, privately funded, at the corner of Dix and Lancaster St. in memory of Joseph and Rita Soucy who were killed at this site on November 4, 1967.

Derek & Kelly Ann Wharton request abatement of street betterment assessment #24615 in the amount of $3795.28 on Paris Ave.

Hossein Haghanizadeh, PE of HS & T Group, Inc. request to abandon sewer location behind 137 Whipple St.

Marlene Kelley request repair of sidewalk in front of 9 Woodman Road damaged by Bradco delivery truck on Friday, March 27, 2009.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller request that a "Crosswalk Ahead" or similar sign be installed in Endicott Street in the approach to the intersection of Millbury Street in the interest of public safety.

Rita Dryden et al request handicap parking space at 7 East Kendall St.

Michael Desrosiers request that at least one (1) 18 hole Disc Golf Course be created in one of the many beautiful parks within the City.

Transmitting Informational Communication Regarding Worcester's Selection as the 9th Most Livable City in America by Forbes.com.

Request consideration and adoption of "Quinsigamond Village--An Integrated Program for Economic Revitalization," a plan developed for the Greenwood Street Landfill Taskforce.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Request Certain City Council Actions in Regard to the CitySquare Downtown Development Project.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Belmont Street Force Main Rehabilitation Project

Tranmitting Informational Communication Relative to a National Environmental Achievement Special Recognition Award

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Recommended FY 2010 Water and Sewer Rates

Request City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept an Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant

Request to File and Accept a Mass in Motion Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Court Case Regarding Residential Property at 103 Holden Street

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City of Worcester's Receipt of the 2009 E-Government Award.

Recommend City Council's Review, Consideration and Adoption of an Order for the Transfer of Jurisdiction of Land at 12/14 Guilford Street and 106 Brigham Road.

Recommend that Thirteen Thousand Eight Hundred Eight Dollars And No Cents ($13,808.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C774, DCU Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to DCU Account #75C701, DCU Capital Equipment, for the purchase of a copier.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to Account #41C797, Sidewalks, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C713, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C768, Water Filtration Plant, to allow for the payment of anticipated obligations associated with the Water Filtration Plant.

Recommend that Seventeen Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Nine Dollars And No Cents ($17,229.00) 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 capital equipment.

Recommend that Thirty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Three Dollars And No Cents ($34,933.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731, Water Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of equipment.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C744, Off Street Parking Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to DPW Account #46C702, Capital Outlay, to allow for payment of current and anticipated obligations.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars And No Cents ($11,125.00) be transferred from Account #340-91000, Elder Affairs Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #340-92000, Elder Affairs Ordinary Maintenance Personal Services, to fund unforeseen ordinary maintenance expenses associated with snow removal, utilities and maintenance at the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend that Two Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($225,000.00) be transferred from Account #4104-92000, DPW Sanitation Ordinary Maintenance, and be appropriated to Account #3320-92000, Veterans Services Ordinary Maintenance, to provide additional funding for Veterans' Benefits for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2009.

Recommend that One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($180,000.00) be transferred from various accounts, and be appropriated to Account #174-96300, Public Safety IOD, to fund unforeseen medical claims for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2009.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Neighborhood Clean-Up in the Vernon Hill Neighborhood.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Fiscal Year 2010 Impact Statements for Department of Emergency Communications, Department of Inspectional Services, and Law Department.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Cleanup of Ice Storm Debris

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of Neil Davis request to make public Stark Rd.

Petition of MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location: BROOKLINE ST. (Tabled - Eddy April 7, 2009)

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)

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

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report to City Council whether a claims process exists which is available to commercial users who experience electric power outages and surges caused by National Grid. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the number and location of National Grid equipment stations located on public property, whether the City receives any revenue from the use of public land, and if not, whether the city can charge for said use. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Petition of NATIONAL GRID for cable and conduit system in: PLANTATION ST., CLARENDON ST. & ALMONT AVE. (Tabled - Palmieri March 18, 2008)

Proposed Ordinance amending the Montvale Historic District by the adoption of a new map enlarging the District. (Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri March 25, 2008)

Order of Councilor Michael J. Germain - Request City Manager consult with the Worcester Sharks regarding the possible management and redevelopment of the Charles Buffone Arena Ice Skating Rink on Lake Ave. (Tabled - Palmieri October 1, 2008)

Order of Councilor Michael J. Germain - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby accept and adopt Section 19 of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32B, allowing for coalition bargaining for health benefits in the City of Worcester. (Tabled - Lukes October 21, 2008)

Order of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to report to City Council what basis the City is using to delay the public records request by the Worcester Telegram in light of the Globe Newspaper Company v. Commissioner of Education, 439 Mass. 124 (2003) ruling whereby the Supreme Judicial Court ruled public records must be released for inspection and copying without unreasonable delay, that is, within ten days of the receipt of a request for them. (Tabled - Haller November 25, 2008)

Resolution of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby supports the City Manager in seeking 0% increases in the FY2010 collective bargaining contracts; and be it further resolved that the City Council supports the City Manager in seeking the previously detailed 75/25 contribution rate and the co-pay changes.(Tabled - Haller January 27, 2009)

Motion Toomey @ #5a CC - Request City Manager provide the breakdown of the differences between the proposal to file legislation to form an Association for the purpose of negotiating on health insurance issues and MGL Chapter 32B Section 19.

Motion Clancy @ #6a & 6b CC - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby allows the City Administration to submit to City Council on a quarterly basis the monthly Economic Development Initiatives Status Report and the Small Business Retention and Recruitment Efforts Report.

Motion Clancy @ #10.5A CM - Request City Manager publicize the information concerning Forbes Magazine naming Worcester the 9th most livable city on the city web sites and at all city departments as well as notifying businesses and College Institutions with in the city and request they use this in marketing materials and web sites.

Motion Councilor Toomey: Request this be referred to Education Committee

Mayor Lukes stated any referral should be to Economic Development Committee

Motion Haller @ 10.5B CM - Request City Manager prepare and present to City Council a presentation relative to the “Quinsigamond Village - An Integrated Program for Economic Development” during a City Council regular meeting.

Motion Smith @ #10.32A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with updates concerning all issues involving the 103 Holden Street property.