CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:11 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:09 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes as amended by Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. - Request City Manager communicate with DCAM regarding its plans for the disposal of the old Court House site at Main and Highland Sts. and how this disposal process will integrate the future use of that court house parcel with the city's master plan concerning the North Main St. Economic Development Strategy. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with an outline of DCAM's process for disposal of property.

The Mayor read a Proclamation declaring the week of September 22nd as National Rehabilitation Week in the City of Worcester. Councilor Eddy presented the proclamation to David Richer of from Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital.

Katherine Marzilli request sidewalk repair in front of 5 Cardinal Rd.

Douglas Quattrochi et al request left turn green arrow for northbound drivers on Southbridge St. turning left at Hammond St.

Matthew Bartek request stop sign at the intersection of Wigwam and Locust Ave.

Peggy Unga request handicap parking currently at 17 Acton St. be relocated to the Ashwood St. side of 17 Acton St.

Robert Tedesco request resident permit parking on Federal St.

Darlene Torres request resident permit parking on Belmont St. from Elizabeth St. to Eastern Ave.

Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Phil Jordan request the 15 minute parking in front of 4 Richmond Ave. be rescinded and in place thereof, install 1 hour parking.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with an accounting of the $24.5 million of federal and state funds expended to combat the Asian Longhorned Beetle.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager report to City Council the estimated number of Norway Maple trees that may be saved within the Asian Longhorned Beetle regulation area, through the proposed Spring 2010 imidacloprid inoculation, relying upon existing scientific data as to efficacy and available funds required to conduct the first year's treatment for up to 100,000 trees.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with copies of any available imidacloprid environmental impact studies as they relate to insect, bee, bird, domestic pet and human populations.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager consider coordinating public and private use of imidacloprid.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager to publicly post the 600 trees that are designated to be part of the imidacloprid test program.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager consider forming a downtown Crime Watch group for reporting problems and for increasing respect for the City Hall and Common environs.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide the City Council with a report detailing the geographic boundaries of the various Worcester college campus police departments; whether or not any of them have authority granted to them to enforce law outside of their respective campus properties.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to provide the City Council with an opinon explaining how the City of Worcester might regain ownership and control of Rodby Street which was taken by the Commonwealth as part of the right-of-way taking for the construction of I-190.

Request City Manager implement an owner's parking permit program (one per business) for on-street parking at a city meter. (Haller)

Request City Manager notify the USDA and DCR that any and all applications in Worcester of the Asian Longhorned Beetle pesticide, Imidacloprid, or similar pesticides, be solely through direct injection into non-infested host trees instead of by drenching soil areas with this toxin. (Rosen, Rushton, Haller, Eddy, Germain, Lukes)

Request the City Manager and the City Council's Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation determine the need for appropriate signs in our parks and playgrounds providing information to visitors concerning park rules and city ordinances, including the fact that dogs, even on leashes, are not allowed. (Rosen)

Request City Manager work with DCR to find an alternative location to University/Crystal Park for testing new chemical treatments for ALB eradication due to the heavy use of this inner-city park, its water, and pond life. (Haller, Rosen)

Request City Manager request the Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools to report to the City Council within thirty days the amount of Obama Administration stimulus money that has been received and an accompanying itemization of the application of these funds for programming needs within the school system. (Petty)

Request City Council and the Worcester School Committee meet in joint session within 60 days to review the impact of any Fiscal Year 2010 mid-year state aid reductions that will be learned by October 15, 2009 and to discuss the drastic impacts to the Fiscal Year 2011 budget that shall occur if the widely reported elimination of federal and state funds materializes; funds which have been estimated to be in the range of $28 million. (Petty)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the status of the project that will place a camera system at roadways where traffic violations are a serious public safety concern. (Haller)

Request City Manager petition the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to allow for 20mph zones at all city parks and playgrounds. (Clancy)

Request City Manager report on the feasibility of the use of the old court house site for a new police department building dependent on the availability of non tax levy funding and a transfer of owner ship from the state to the city at no cost to the city. (Lukes)

#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.

#7a CC May 26, 2009
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting April 2009 Auditor's Report.

#8.42C CM June 2, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Senate Budget's impact upon the City's Fiscal Year 2010 Budget.

#8a CC June 23, 2009
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting May 2009 Auditor's Report.

#18g CC June 23, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the State FY2010 Budget.

#10a CC July 28, 2009
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the Actuarial Valuation and Review as of January 1, 2009 for the Worcester Retirement System (WRS).

#10b CC July 28, 2009
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Worcester Retirement System (WRS) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

#15a CC July 28, 2009
Communication of Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Massachusetts Pension Reform: What was accomplished? What remains to be done?

#15b CC July 28, 2009
Communication of Dr. Roberta R. Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Municipal Finance in Worcester 2009: Factors Affecting the City's Bond Rating.

#9.34C CM July 28, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fiscal Year 2010 Capital Improvement Plan, in Accordance with Loan Order Items #9.41A - 9.41RR to be Advertised.

#9.42B CM July 28, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the FY 2010 City Budget.

#9.42E CM July 28, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Home-Rule Petitions.

#7.31A CM September 1, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Fiscal Year 2009 Year End Budget Status and Bond Rating.

#8a CC September 1, 2009
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting July 2009 Auditor's Report.

#8b CC September 1, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting reports on the cash basis financial results of operations for the City in Fiscal 2009.

#7.30A CM September 15, 2009
Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fiscal Year 2010 Valuations and Tax Rates.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to the City's H1N1 preparedness efforts.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, request City Council's review, deliberation and adoption of the attached resolution to file and accept an amendment to the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Bureau through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, request City Council's review, deliberation and adoption of the attached resolution to file and accept an amendment to the Public Health Emergency Response (PHER) Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Bureau through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication regarding a list of pending board/commission vacancies.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to the Division of Capital Asset Management's (DCAM) plans for the disposal of the old Courthouse site at Main and Highland Sts.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Pastor James Oppong & Baton Thaqi request Firglade St. be made public.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a USDA proposal to institute a Pilot Tree Treatment Program to prevent the spread of the Asian Longhorned Beetle: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby authorizes implementation of the USDA plan to undertake an Asian Longhorned Beetle pilot chemical treatment program using imidacloprid and three alternative chemicals this Fall and in Spring of 2010.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Petition of Carol Youngstrom et al protest the removal of the foot patrol from in front of City Hall and surrounding areas: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Sharon Rasku request abatement of street betterment assessment #24843 in the amount of $7,344.00 on Gediminas St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Raymond V. Mariano, Executive Director of Worcester Housing Authority, request the public street known as New Road, within the Curtis Apartments, be changed to Joseph P. Carlson Way: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Paul Mungovan et al request to make public Lenora St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of John Desrosiers request to make public Chicopee St : recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to make public Chicopee Street from the beginning of Glendale St. a distance of 916.22 feet.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Michael Joachim & Laura Devio request to make public Danvers St. : recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Constance Cappabianca request to make public Pelican Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request that Oakhurst St. be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Paul McDonagh request repair of sidewalk & water main valve in front of 10 Wall St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Bob Meunier, Supervisor of Security & Safety for the Worcester Telegram, request sidewalks on the left side of 20 Franklin St be repaired/replaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Gerald Perna request sidewalk in front of 320 Burncoat St. be repaired or replaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Elena and Stephen Blotcher request sidewalk in front of 105 Beeching St. be repaired: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Gregory Lano, Manager of Chandler 128 Associates LLC, request to replace portions of the sidewalk on Piedmont St. adjacent to 128 Chandler St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of George Ballantyne, Jr. request sidewalk repair in front of 8 Ardmore Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy Jr. request repair of sidewalk at point of driveway at Callahan Bros. Funeral Home at 61 Myrtle St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Hannelore Nixon request Hudson St. be repaved: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of James May request the corner curb in front of driveway at 1396 Grafton St. be moved back: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Rebecca Hill request abatement of street betterment assessment #24827 in the amount of $8,005.00 on Fernside Rd: recommend Petition be denied

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Dawn Clark request to make public Rodby St:: recommend Petition be denied

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Donna Saucier et al request to make public Parkton Ave: recommend Petition be denied

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Status Report for the Month of April 2009: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the July 2009 Economic Development Quarterly Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Reports for the Months of May and June 2009: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Frederick Horton request to install a handicap parking space in front of 28 Lodi St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for one handicap parking space across from 28 Lodi St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Juan Rodriguez on behalf of Maria Rodriguez request to install a handicap parking space in front of 7 Irene St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Barent Walsh, Executive Director, the Bridge of Central MA, Inc. request to install a handicap parking space in front of 4 Mann St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian & Susan Dunshee request handicap parking space be removed in front of 28-30 Cargill Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Joseph Donofrio request to remove handicap parking space in front of 1 Ford St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Raymond Desroches request handicap parking be removed from in front of 97 Cutler St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Ovidio Coto request handicap parking space in front of 261 Tacoma St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for one handicap parking space across from 261 Tacoma St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Roula Derosier request the removal of handicap parking on the Pilgrim Ave. side of 10 Bedford Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian D'Andrea request the removal of the handicap parking zone in front of 12 Stanton St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Charlene Sampson request the removal of the handicap parking signs located at 109 Lakewood St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Emile Roberson request handicap parking at 27 Parker St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Albert Couture Jr. request a handicap parking sign at 29 Bluff St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Vincenzo DiPadua request handicap parking in front of 83 Prospect St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Barbara G. Haller request the installation of one handicap parking space in front of 53 Elm St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Joseph Pitirri request to install handicap parking space in front of 21 Blanche St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Joe Blakney request to remove handicap parking space in front of 32 Newbury St. and install a handicap parking space in front of 33 Newbury St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for one handicap parking space in front of 34 Newbury St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Attorney Jonathan Finkelstein on behalf of Anthony Russell and Albert Johnson request City impose a No Parking/Tow Zone at 165 & 175 Lake Ave. and 188 Lake Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying four (4) proposed Ordinances.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sean Lovely Sr., Worcester Police Department Operations Division, request "No Parking -Tow Zone" on Clay St. at College St.: recommend passage of the accompanying two (2) proposed Ordinances.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sean Lovely Sr., Worcester Police Department Operations Division, request "No Parking -Tow Zone" on College St. across from #66 College St. and on both sides of Holy Cross College's Gate #6: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sean Lovely Sr., Worcester Police Department Operations Division, request "No Parking -Tow Zone" on the west side of Caro St.: recommend passage of the accompanying two (2) proposed Ordinances.

SREPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sean Lovely Sr., Worcester Police Department Operations Division, request "No Parking -Tow Zone" within 20 ft of intersections of Boyden St. at College St., Southbridge St. and Caro St.: recommend passage of the accompanying five (5) proposed Ordinances.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sean Lovely Sr., Worcester Police Department Operations Division, request "No Parking -Tow Zone" on College St. at two areas of Caro St.: recommend two (2) passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinances.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sean Lovely Sr., Worcester Police Department Operations Division, request "No Parking - Tow Zone" 20 feet on both sides of the Main Entrance to the College of the Holy Cross aka Gate #2 Linden Lane: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Jose Rivera request to change No Parking sign in front of 6 Piedmont St. to 15 or 30 minute parking: recommend passage of the accompanying two (2) proposed Ordinances for 30-minute parking zone in front of 6 Piedmont St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gobran Abrahim, owner of Ernie's Pizza, request three 15 minute parking spaces in front of 80 West St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for a 30-minute parking zone in front of 80 West St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard Lessard, Executive Chief Financial Officer of Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, request to remove existing parking meters in front of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at 40 Foster St. and install "No Parking Anytime - Pick Up and Drop Off - 10 Minute Limit": recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Andrea Ajemian request to extend the existing Resident Parking in Irving St. to include 3 Irving St: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance for Resident Sticker Parking in front of 3 Irving St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sean Lovely Sr., Worcester Police Department Operations Division, request "No Parking -Tow Zones" at the north and odd sides at the intersection of Boyden St. and Caro St.: recommend petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

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)

Motion Rushton @ #9f CC - Request Worcester Public School Administration institute a citywide plan relative to parental involvement program.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the WRTA provide to City Council the following reports: 1) how many potential passengers can be affected by the loss of para-transit services, 2) the number of letters sent during the re-certification process, 3) the number of passengers who have appealed any loss of service; and, 4) why a ridership for a passenger whose wheelchair weighs 600lb was eliminate when the two different bus machine lifts have a minimum 850lb capacity.

Councilor Petty moved to amend: Further, request City Manager submit these report for the October 6, 2009 City Council meeting. - Approved

Councilor Haller moved to amend: Further, request City Manager provide City Council with these WRTA reports off calendar if responses become available before the Oct 6, 2009 City Council meeting. - Approved

Motion Palmieri - Suspension of Rules - Request City Clerk invite the Salmon family and the leadership of The Willows at Worcester to a future City Council meeting for recognition of their investment.

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith request sidewalk repair in front of 36 Barry Rd.

Motion Haller and Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager advise City Council as to the status of the Gateway I Project and specifically regarding any public hearings held or to be held.

Councilor Haller moved to amend: Further, request City Manager provide City Council with the minutes of the September 23rd Mass Highway meeting relative to the Gateway I Project.

Councilor Haller moved to amend: Further, request City Manager request Mass Highway schedule another hearing.

Councilor Clancy moved to change Councilor Haller's amendments to the following: Further, request City Manager provide City Council with the minutes of the September 23rd Mass Highway meeting and any drawings relative to the Gateway I Project so that these requests can be forwarded to City Council's Standing Committee on Public Works to conduct its own hearing for public comment. - Approved

The Order has been amended to read as follows: Request City Manager advise City Council as to the status of the Gateway I Project and specifically regarding any public hearings held or to be held. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with the minutes of the September 23rd Mass Highway meeting and any drawings relative to the Gateway I Project so that these requests can be forwarded to City Council's Standing Committee on Public Works to conduct its own hearing for public comment.