CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:00 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

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 Decemer 19, 2011.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location: BELMONT STREET

Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location: BELMONT STREET

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring January 3, 2012 as Dr. Marianne Felice Day and the Council approved a Resolution honoring Dr. Felice for her work with the Infant Mortality Task Force. Dr. Felice thanked everyone for this recognition.

At the request of Councilor O'Brien, Mayor Petty invited Nat Needle to sing a musical tribute to City Council.

Nick and Maria Tzikas request private street conversion for Aroostock St.

Kathleen Vescera on behalf of Chester & Jennie Symonaick Living Trust request abatement for street betterment assessment #24958 in the amount of $13,900.32 for Dupuis Avenue.

Marie Mulrain request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 23 Ingleside Ave.

Theresa and Roger Coulombe request to repaint crosswalk at Webster St. and Jacques St.

Howard Lubatkin request repair of sidewalks at the corner of Dorset St. and 27 Marwood Rd.

Dr Fredrick Chassman request to install 30 minute parking in front of 192 Lincoln St.

John Orrell request to install a Children Sign in the area of 98 Bjorklund Ave.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location: LUCIAN ST.

Executive Director Deborah Packard and Dr. Leonard J. Morse of Preservation Worcester request City Council support their Clock Tower Mission to preserve the original Worcester State Hospital Clock Tower that has majestically graced the Worcester Skyline since 1877 reflecting dedication to the care of patients with mental illness and as a monument of hope in advancing improved understanding as to its cause as well as prevention and treatment.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointments of Constables for Calendar Year 2012.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Continuation of Funding under the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC) Grant.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Training Grant.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Workforce Capacity Building and Youth Pipeline Opportunities Grant.

Recommend Adoption of an Amendment to Section Six (Signs) of the City's Zoning Ordinance.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the 2011 Christmas Drive Donations from the Department of Public Works and Parks Employees.

Recommend Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Section 45 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Install a Passenger Zone in Front of the Worcester Superior Court House, Located at 225 Main Street and Further Recommend that Section 42 of Chapter 13 be Amended to Install Two Parking Spaces to be Reserved for Trial Court Vans in Front of the Worcester Superior Court House Located at 225 Main Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of November 2011.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Police-Based Jail Diversion Program Grant for Individuals with Mental Illnesses or Emotional Disturbances Offered through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation of One Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($100.00) from the Melvin S. Cutler Charitable Foundation.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Grant of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($750.00) from the American Library Association to the Worcester Public Library.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($250.00) to the Worcester Public Library in Memory of Joseph Hopkins.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Donations made from Various Businesses and Organizations toward the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Firefighter Jon Davies.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on the City's Initiatives to Address Vacant and Foreclosed Properties.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impacts that will be realized at the Central Post Office at 4 East Central Street as a result of the closing of the Shrewsbury Distribution Center including impacts from increased trailer truck traffic accessing and exiting onto both Summer and East Central Streets. (Petty)

Mayor-Elect Joseph M. Petty transmitting for approval by City Council the meeting schedule for calendar year 2012.

Mayor-Elect Joseph M. Petty transmitting the Standing Committee Assignments for the 2012-2013 City Council term.

That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby recognizes Dr. Marianne E. Felice for her many years of service as Chairperson of the Worcester Infant Mortality Task Force. (O'Brien)

Amending Chapter Eight, Section 44 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 Relative to Clothing Donation Receptacles.

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)

RESOLUTION of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support Senate Bill 610, an act protecting condominium owners filed by Senator Harriette Chandler and Senator Richard Moore. (Tabled - O'Brien July 19, 2011)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the legal authority that college police officers have in patrolling non campus areas of the city and in questioning non-students as part of off campus patrols. (Tabled - O'Brien September 6, 2011)

RESOLUTION of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of the Administration’s efforts to negotiate the maximum hiring of local residents in Tax Increment Financing agreements and other tools used to attract business and to expand our tax base. (Tabled - O'Brien September 13, 2011)

Petition of Joan Crowell request that during interim property valuation years, if the assessed valuation on any Real Estate Parcel is adjusted by more than 10%, the Assessor will notify the property owner, and mail the detailed Property Information Data Sheet, which will clearly show the reason for the adjustment. (Tabled - O'Brien December 19, 2011)

Petition of Joan Crowell request that if a Real Estate Property Abatement Application is denied, that the property owner be provided with an explanation as to why the Application was denied. (Tabled - O'Brien December 19, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Quarterly Economic Development Report. (Tabled - Rushton December 19, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting the Economic Development Report Relative to Small Business Recruitment and Retention Efforts. (Tabled - Rushton December 19, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an Update on the Division of Workforce Development. (Tabled - Rushton December 19, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District's (UBWPAD) Permit Appeal. (Tabled - Clancy December 19, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Procedures for Tenants to Report No Heat or Insufficient Heat during the Cold Weather Months. (Tabled - O'Brien December 19, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Availability of Functional Showers in the City's High Schools. (Tabled - O'Brien December 19, 2011)

Motion Rushton @ #12.10A CM - Request City Manager provide a report to City Council clarifying the role of the personnel who will be providing on site emergency services, to the potential individuals needing mental health or substance abuse intervention, at the police department.

Motion Palmieri @ #16a CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the clothing donation receptacles at Kelley Square. Further, request this report for the next City Council meeting.

Mayor Petty moved to have the report as First Item of Business on the January 10, 2012 agenda.

PETITION - Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request signage on Davidson Rd to warn drivers to Slow Down and to drive cautiously because of Children in the area.

Motion Palmieri - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager review any opportunity to bring back US Passports to the City Hall.

Motion O'Brien - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager report to City Council the efforts being made to relocate the triage assessment center for the next city manager agenda and also make it available off-calendar as soon as possible.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager report to City Council whether or not owners of the property on Ellis Drive , that is adjacent to Newton Avenue North and has a swamp problem which is adversely affecting other properties, have complied to orders issued from the Conservation Commission and other agencies.

Motion Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager hold an Executive Session to discuss the Spencer Tatum litigation and strategy for future litigation.

Motion Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report relative to changes if any he would recommend in the process for the manual recounting of election ballots.

PETITION - Councilor George J. Russell request the street lights at 88-90 Providence St. be corrected.

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request street light repair on pole #7 at 41 Chatham St.

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request street light repair to pole # 16 in Chestnut St. Extension.

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request street light repair on the pole opposite house #36 in Irving St.

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request street light repair to ornamental light poles in Irving Street near the intersection of Austin St.

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request street light repairs at the intersection of Irving and Chandler Streets.