CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 4:14 P.M.

Recessed to Finance Committee: 4:35 P.M.
Reconvened to Open Session: 8:21 P.M.
Adjourned: 8:49 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Transmitting report concerning the contractual agreements between the City and SMG for managing the DCU Center.

Request City Manager provide a report regarding fires and their proximate location to a fire station and response times over the past twenty-four months. Further, request said report be presented in a timeline format. (Petty, Toomey)

Request City Manager devise a plan to inform neighborhood associations and crimewatch organizations of changes at Inspectional Services and educate them as to how to report problems they observed in their communities. (Haller)

Request City Manager report the number of fuel pumps that are found to be incorrectly calibrated during the annual inspections conducted by the Inspectional Services Department. (Rosen)

Request City Manager provide a report regarding the possible rotation of inspectors at Inspectional Services to cover night and weekend Crimewatch and Neighborhood Association meetings. (Eddy)

Request City Manager report a comparison of staff between the City Manager's Office here and in other like sized communities with manager form of government. (Eddy)

Request City Manager report staff reductions in the City Manager's Office over the last five years. (Eddy)

Request the Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services Committee consider challenges facing the Veterans' Services Department and the veterans. (Rosen)

Request City Manager provide the City Council with an explanation how we will fill the gap in services to those in the community who require the assistance in the area of human services. (Rushton)

Request City Manager report whether there is any possibility of partnering between any of the veterans-oriented agencies in the city. (Petty)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report after the first quarter of FY2010 detailing how the combined Human Services Office is operating. (Petty)

Request City Manager provide the City Council with the public health model used in the five largest communities in New England. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report to the City Council what other communities have a public health model like Worcester. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report concerning the job description, supervision and records' jurisdiction of public health nurses. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report to the City Council the amount of money that would be needed to keep the Main Public Library open seven days per week. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager request Head Librarian provide usage figures for each of the branches of the Public Library. (Smith)

Request City Manager provide the City Council with the number of public libraries seeking waivers from the state, the number being decertified and the number that are closing. (Petty)

Request City Manager report to the City Council what has been done to encourage personal donations for the Public Library. (Toomey)

Request City Manager report to the City Council how the Foundation shall proceed to raise funds for the Public Library system. (Toomey)

Request City Manager report the actual savings realized as a result of the completion of the dependent audit. (Germain)

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)

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

COMMUNICATION - Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Impact Statement for the Office of Economic and Neighborhood Development.

COMMUNICATION - Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to requests for information regarding the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Recommendation.

COMMUNICATION - Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to an update on the Ice Storm Debris Clean-Up.

Motion Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager consider recommending any new appointments and reappointments to the Board of Election Commissioners serve without compensation.

Motion Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide a legal opinion concerning amending the compensation for members of the Board of Election Commissioners.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools provide a report concerning cost savings measures in the WPS Budget. (Rushton)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - In the FY 2009 Budget funds were appropriated for specific school programs, request City Manager request the Superintendent of Public Schools provide a report concerning as to whether the funds were allocated and the impact these funds had to those specific programs. (Rushton)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request a report from the Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools regarding it's baseline budget and it's future needs. (Petty)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide a report indicating when the state will provide funding for school construction projects. (Smith)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the Superintendent of Public Schools report to City Council the impact of the WRTA route changes will have on WPS transportation costs. (Haller)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide an updated report concerning the progress and achievements over the last several years of the Choose Worcester entity. Further, request City Manager report to City Council what oversight Economic Development will have over future marketing. (Rosen, Lukes)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide an impact statement for Destination Worcester since the marketing budget was reduced from $500,000 to $250,000. Further, request statement to also indicate the effect of a reduction in the budget from $500,000 to zero funding. (Haller, Lukes)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager submit a list of the type of assistance from agencies/organizations and non-profit organizations that could be provided for marketing. (Toomey)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide to City Council with a report within the next two weeks concerning a previous City Council request relative to the city's fleet of cars. (Toomey)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager consider recommending the transfer of $90,000 from Health Insurance Account and appropriate it City Manager's Contingency Account for the purpose of reinstating three (3) Public Health Nurse positions for a time period from July 1st to September 30th . (Rushton) (Approved in Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas (Clancy, Eddy, Germain, Palmieri, Petty, Rosen, Rushton, Smith, Toomey) and 2 Nays (Haller, Lukes)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Departmental Fee Increases. Furthermore, Request City Council Adoption of Ordinances Relative to Fees for Parking Fines and Dog Licenses: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinances.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Order of Councilor Gary Rosen requesting the City Manager refer the future model of public health services in Worcester, including all recommendations made by the Task Force, to the City Council for community input through public hearings by the Council's Public Health & Human Services Committee: recommend Order be referred to Public Health & Human Services Committee.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Five Year Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2009: recommend Communcation be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communciation of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Fiscal Year 2009 Commonwealth Capital Program Submission: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the City's Response to a request for Infrastructure Projects: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication regarding the City Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to a mid-year Local Aid reduction: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to a continued analysis and assessment of all facets of the City's current FY09 Budget and the accelerated development of City's FY2010 Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Status Report on Projected Budget Deficits: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Positions Held Vacant: recommend Communication be place on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Employee Health Insurance Costs: recommend Communication be place on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Report of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation as presented at this Evening's Forum: recommend Communication be place on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting update regarding the City's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding and Federal Supplemental General Appropriation Funding: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Layoff Notices and Support Services Available for Displaced Employees: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Fiscal Year 2010 Impact Statements for the Department of Administration and Finance, Worcester Police Department, Worcester Fire Department, and Department of Public Works and Parks: recommend Communication be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Fiscal Year 2010 Impact Statements for Department of Emergency Communications, Department of Inspectional Services, and Law Department: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to recent actions by the State's House of Representatives Regarding the FY 2010 Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Division of Public Health: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting responses to questions posed at Finance Committee Meetings of April 7, 2009 and April 14, 2009: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting update relative to the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Impact Statements for the Division of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Division of Elder Affairs, Office of the City Manager, and Worcester Public Library: recommend Communication of the City Manager.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Impact Statement for the Office of Economic and Neighborhood Development: recommend Communication of the City Manager be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to requests for information regarding the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Recommendation: recommend Communication be place on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting October 2008 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting November 2008 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting December 2008 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the Auditor's Report for January 2009: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting March 2009 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting February 2009 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting report concerning the contractual agreements between the City and SMG for managing the DCU Center: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Order of Councilor Michael J. Germain, Councilor Frederick C. Rushton and Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey requesting the City Manager to consider at a minimum delaying the laying-off of the Public Health Nurses at least until the swine flu threat has either subsided or been addressed comprehensively by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health: recommend Order be placed on file.

COMMUNICATION - Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to amendments to my Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Recommendation.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Recommendation: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.