CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:47 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph C. O'Brien

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of February 8, 2011.

Spyridon Frangos request the City abandon and remove from the Official Map approximately 35' of the public portion of Taylor St. from the I-290 wall westerly

Ken Hart, Chief Engineer of Hilton Garden Inn Worcester, request sidewalk repair in front of the main door of 35 Major Taylor Blvd.

Athena Haddon request to remove resident permit parking on Berkshire St.

Vilson Castelo-Branco request the 15 minute parking and resident permit parking be removed from Norfolk/Suffolk St.

Timothy Charest request Reeves St. become a one way street.

Selina Thompson request to remove "No Parking" in Gage St. across from 46-52 Gage St. so residents may park during the winter.

Josephine Bylinski request to amend the winter parking ban on Malmo St. from No Parking on one side to No Parking on both sides.

Ken Hart, Chief Engineer of Hilton Garden Inn Worcester request a No Parking sign be placed on the east side of Commercial St. near MLK Blvd.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller request the installation of signs facing traffic in both directions in the vicinity of 425 Pleasant Street cautioning drivers of the Pedestrian Crosswalk and the presence of elderly residents using this crosswalk.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller request the installation of a pedestrian crossing signal at the intersection of Pleasant and Bellevue Streets in the interest of elder public safety.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller request the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Pleasant and Bellevue Streets in the interest of elder public safety.

William Breault request the City Council amend the Revised Ordinances relative to the Use of Marijuana in Public Places.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Paul Franco to the Conservation Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Ravi Perry and Kathleen Rentsch to the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to CitySquare Development Project.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to CSX Corporation.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority's Proposed Plans for Relocation of its Existing Grove Street Site.

Recommend Adoption of the Attached Resolutions to file an Application to Designate 181 Greenwood Street as a Site Specific Economic Opportunity Area and a Certified Project.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Proposed Sign Ordinance.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Responses to Chairman's Orders from the Standing Committee on Economic Development Concerning the Proposed Sign Ordinance.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Division of Career Services Rapid Response Set-Aside (RRSA) Grant.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Status of the Flooding Study for Southbridge Street, Southgate Street, Cambridge Street and Quinsigamond Avenue.

Recommend Adoption of a Two (2) Deeds of Easement for Water, Sewer and Drainage Purposes for 19 Wheeler Avenue and 9 Fenimore Road.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a 2011 Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award Presented to the City's Department of Public Works and Parks (DPWP) by the American Public Works Association (APWA).

Transmitting Communication Relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of December 2010.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Solving Cold Cases with DNA Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Fiscal Year 2011 Comprehensive Anti-Gang Strategies and Programs Grant.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Status Report on the Prevention of Opioid Overdose and Deaths Related to Overdose Grant.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept Grant Funding from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Qualifications and Background of all Exemptions in the Real Estate Tax Setting Process.

Recommend that One Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($140,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7840B, Park Improvements, and appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70216, East Park.

Recommend that Twenty Thousand Dollars And Nine Cents ($20,000.09) be transferred from Loan Account #91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this much needed Engineering Division equipment.

Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7841I, Park Improvements - Aquatic Demolition, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70221, Aquatic Demolition, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7841B, Park Improvements - Bennett, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70222, Bennett Field, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Seventy Three Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Dollars And Fifty Cents ($73,720.50) be transferred from Account #91C7111B, Citywide Capital Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #26C704, Worcester Fire Department Capital Rehabilitation, to fund improvements at various fire stations as approved in the FY 2011 Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7840B, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70214, Institute Park, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Forty Two Dollars And Ninety Six Cents ($200,042.96) be transferred from the identified capital project account and appropriated to the accounts listed to fund various citywide capital projects. These funds represents surplus capital project funds after the completion of approved projects.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7841D, Park Improvements - Crompton/Greenwood, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70217, Greenwood Park, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7841C, Park Improvements - Spillane, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70215, Bailey-Prouty, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($80,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7841H, Park Improvements - Green Hill, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C707, Green Hill Improvements, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Twenty Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety One Dollars And No Cents ($20,991.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7311A, 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 various pieces of capital equipment.

Recommend that Two Million Dollars And No Cents ($2,000,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #75C504, DCU Special District, and be appropriated to DCU Account #75C704, DCU Special District Improvements, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and appropriated to DPW Account #41C741, Street Resurfacing, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7411B, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C742, Street Resurfacing (Ext Pavement), to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7451A, Sewer Reconstruction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,000.00) be transferred from Account #010-91000, City Council Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #100-97000, City Clerk Overtime, to provide funding for overtime costs associated with the 2011 dog licensing effort.

Recommend that One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($175,000.00) be transferred from Account #260-91000, Fire Department Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #260-97000, Fire Department Overtime, to fund overtime expenses through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifteen Dollars And No Cents ($115.00) be authorized from Account #040-92000, City Manager's Ordinary Maintenance, to pay for a prior year invoice.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Entitiled "Retiree Healthcare: The Brick That Broke Municipalities' Backs."

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Process.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Proactive Property Stabilization Efforts.

Request City Manager organize a tour of the new North High School for members of the Public Works Committee. (Toomey, Clancy, Palmieri)

Request City Manager provide a report regarding "Pot-zilla", the new pot hole filling machine that Boston is using to deal with their pothole crisis, and investigate the possibility of renting the machine for a trial. (Toomey)

Request City Manager organize a tour of the new North High School for members of the City Council. (Palmieri, Clancy, Rushton, Smith, Haller)

Request City Manager request the Cultural Affairs Director update the City Council concerning Cultural Coalition and the creative economy in Worcester. (Toomey)

Request City Manager submit a report on the status of the Election Commission's deliberations regarding the allegations of fraud in the past election. (Lukes)

Request City Manager to work with the Worcester Regional Transit Authority and ATT to establish a bus shelter on ATT property on Main Street adjacent to the Regional Justice Center. (Rushton)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby joins with the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and other leaders in working to maintain community services block grant and low-income home energy assistance program funds. (O'Brien, Haller)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of House Bill 01159, an Act relative to the use of disposable carryout bags in certain stores. (Lukes)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien request the installation of three crosswalks, across Florence St. near Oliver St., across Oliver St. and again across Beaver St., both at Oliver's Corner Store front door: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien request the installation of crosswalks in the intersection of Bluff, King and Woodland Sts.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Rabbi Matthew Berger request installation of neon green crosswalk signs and signs that state that is a state law to stop for pedestrians at the two crosswalks on Chandler St. in front of Temple Emanuel: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anthony Vello request No Parking signs be installed, and or lines be painted at the entrance to the front parking lot on St. John's Rd. for the 160 Fremont St. Condominium Complex: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order for installation of four (4) “No Parking” signs 20' each side of the two (2) driveways.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request installation of signage on Ames Street adjacent to Vernon Hill Park that would alert drivers to playground facilities: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy Jr. on behalf of Joseph Aromando request 30 mph sign on Fairmont Ave. near intersection of Grafton St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request to post speed limit signs or "Slow" signs in the vicinity of E.B. Luce in Chilmark St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of John Grosse, Shrewsbury St. Bread & Pizza, LLC request to install a commercial loading zone at 352 Shrewsbury St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Amending Section 33 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance of 2008 to Prohibit Right Turn on Red for Dorothy Ave. Eastbound into Burncoat St.

Amending Section 33 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance of 2008 to Prohibit Right Turn on Red for Burncoat St. Southbound into Dorothy Ave.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Remove No Parking Anytime in front of 70 West Boylston St.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the 2009 Leaf Collection Program. (Tabled - Haller June 1, 2010)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and State Representative Vincent Pedone request to install a trailer truck ban in Mulberry St. between Shrewsbury St. and East Central St.: recommend the passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Petty June 8, 2010)

Motion Lukes @ #7L CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing any change in the volume of illegal narcotics, drug dealing and drug related arrests in Worcester since the passage of legislation decriminalizing marijuana.

Motion O'Brien @ #7L CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report indicating the number of civil violations that have been issued in Worcester for the possession or consumption of marijuana.

Motion Haller @ #7L CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the number of calls received complaining of illegal drug activity in the city regardless of the civil or criminal outcome.

Motion Petty @ #7L CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing what changes have been made to the marijuana ordnances in other Massachusetts municipalities.

Motion Toomey @ #8.4C CM - Request City Manager consider requesting Magmotor Technologies, Inc. to make use of an intern from Worcester Vocational Technical High School.

Motion Haller @ #8.13A CM - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review and recommend storm water runoff solutions for the perimeter of Crompton Park.

Motion Haller @ #8.24A CM - Request the Commissioner of Public Health provide City Council with a report outlining Opioid death data in the City of Worcester.

Motion Rushton @ #8.17 CM - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Health report on the correlation of overdose deaths with the 2004-05 reduction in hospital treatment beds.