CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:06 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:17 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Intern V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Mayor Lukes wished to express her gratitude to her colleagues on the City Council who attended the reception for the President of Ireland on Memorial Day and further wished to thank her staff, Sarah Lenis, Mary Racicot and Thomas Gorham for their hard work for making the day memorable.

Marcus Lewis request to resurface Doris St.

Nikki Nguyen request removal of "No Parking" signs in front of 6A Boylston St.

State Representative John Fresolo on behalf of Arthur Tomasetta request the installation of a blind driveway sign facing westbound traffic in Blithewood Ave. east of the driveway to the Hickory Hills complex.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: PLEASANT ST.

Transmitting April 2009 Auditor's Report.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the future of Community Immunity Day.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager report to the City Council the number of community seats that will be established on the Executive Committee of the Task Force concerning the development of a Public Health model for Worcester.

Request City Manager provide information at the May 26th, 2009 City Council meeting informing the public whether or not plastic grocery bags and other plastic items, such as the wrappings around cases of bottled water, are permitted in their weekly recycle containers. (Rosen)

Request City Manager inform City Council of the date he will name the Task Force relative to the issue of an equitable real estate tax rate. (Rushton)

#10a CC May 19, 2009
Communication of Dr. Roberta R. Schaefer, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting Worcester's FY10 Budget: Challenges and Opportunities for Reform.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Sharon Healy request to make public Ronald Dr.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Carl Persson et al requesting to make public Myrick Ave.

Amending Chapter 2, Section 24 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to Establishment of Fees.

Amending Chapter 8, Section 10 (e) of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to Fees for Dog Licenses.

Amending Chapter 13, Section 36 and Section 52 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to Fines for Parking Violations.

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 of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the condition of the City' pools.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting a communication relative to alternatives for aquatic programming this summer.

Motion Toomey @ #14b CC - Request City Manager consider building a new pool with assistance from community volunteers. Further, request City Manager provide information relative to building a new pool such as costs, materials, what are the risk levels, liabilities and waivers needed.

Motion Eddy @ #14b CC - Request City Manager consider reinstating the transportation of children from the Lakeside Apartments to Coes Pond or the Bennett Field pool.

Motion Haller @ #14b CC - Request City Manager provide to City Council the details of the plan for transporting children to city pools.

Motion Haller @ #14b CC - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby endorses the City Manager's plan for this 2009 Pools and Beach Program as outlined in his May 26, 2009 City Council Calendar item #14b CC.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager place a city flag at Union Station. Further, request City Manager consider provide the Jesse Burkett Little League with a city flag for their facility.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager repair stone wall near the tennis courts at Newton Square.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager report to City Council the plans for repairing the stone wall at Bell Pond.

Motion Rosen - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager consider for next year's Memorial Day continue the tradition of placing wreaths at all the veterans memorials throughout the city.

Motion Smith - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the rehabilitation of the Eagle Statue on West Boylston St.