CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:08 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:35 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Tony Economou William J. Eddy
Michael J. Germain Konstantina B. Lukes
Joseph C. O'Brien Philip P. Palmieri City Clerk
David J. Rushford
Sarai Rivera Frederick C. Rushton
George J. Russell Kathleen M. Toomey
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


1.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER - DOHERTY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL MADRIGAL SINGERS

3.

ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor in the Chair

4.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

4a.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of May 7, 2013.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

5.

HEARING & ORDER

5a.

Hearing: NSTAR for a gas main location in: GREENBUSH ROAD Granting permission to NSTAR for a gas main location in: GREENBUSH ROAD

Attachments

Hearing Held & Order adopted

 

6.

ITEMS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

6a.

Mayor Petty recognized and welcomed a delegation of young professionals from Worcester’s Russian sister city, Pushkin. Their program is sponsored by the Open World Leadership Center at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and organized by the International Center of Worcester.

 

6b.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. Nicole Apostola, Worcester resident 2. Jo Hart, Worcester resident

 

7.

ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

8.

PETITIONS

8a.

Jo Hart request written protocol for public participation for all City Council committees to appear on each agenda so the public will know when and how they may speak on any issue.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke. Referred to Rules and Legislative Affairs Committee

 

8b.

Leo Kustanovich request two (2) street lights be reinstalled in Brook Hill Dr.

Attachments

Referred to Public Service and Transportation Committee

 

8c.

Aram Arvanigian request sidewalk repair in front of 12 Chiltern Hill Drive North.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8d.

Mark Israel, Trustee of Lensyd Nominee Trust, request sidewalk repair for 144-148 Main St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8e.

Hanibal Asmar owner of Valu Gas request sidewalk repair for 382 Chandler St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8f.

Eileen McCullough request sidewalk repair in front of 38 Stoneland Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8g.

Councilor George J. Russell request sidewalk be repaved on the odd side of Anderson Ave. from the corner of Hamilton St. to the end of the property at #1 Anderson Ave.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

8h.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Nicole Smith request the installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of Hollis and Gardner Sts.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8i.

Jeffrey Jenkins request installation of bus stop at the corner of Perkins and Lincoln Sts.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8j.

Doris Thomas request the winter parking ban on Shannon St. be changed from the odd side to the even side.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8k.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request installation of speed enforcement in Plantation St. between Franklin and Lord Sts.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8l.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request installation of speed enforcement in Frank St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

8m.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for conduit location in: COPLEY ROAD

Attachments

Hearing Set for May 28, 2013 - 7:00 PM

 

9.

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

9.1

APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of John Vigliotti and the Reappointment of Satya Mitra to the Planning Board.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

9.2

APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of John Nah to the Commission on Disability as an Associate Member.

Attachments

Confirmed on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
 

9.3

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
A.

Transmitting Information Communication Relative to the City Hall Employee of the Month for May 2013.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

9.4

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept District Attorney Joseph Early's Community Reinvestment Program

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
B.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File, Accept, and Expend a Grant from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to support Summer Youth Employment Activities

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
C.

Transmitting Informational Communication Regarding CDBG Year 39 Funding Recommendations

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

9.5

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Administration Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Celebration of National Public Works Week.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 
 

9.6

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
 

9.7

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Operations Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Lake Avenue Pump Station Upgrade Project.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 
 

9.8

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Parks Division
 

9.9

FIRE DEPARTMENT
 

9.10

POLICE DEPARTMENT
A.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Central Region Homeland Security Advisory Council Grant Request.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
 

9.11

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
 

9.12

LICENSE COMMISSION
 

9.13

LAW DEPARTMENT
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Open Meeting Law Complaints.

Attachments

Order adopted

 
 

9.14

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
 

9.15

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
 

9.16

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
 

9.17

DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
A.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Multi-Disciplinary Public Health and Healthcare Coalition Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
B.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Community Health Improvement Plan Update.

Attachments

Referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee

 
C.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to 105 CMR 300 Diseases Reportable to Local Boards of Health.

Attachments

Referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee

 
 

9.18

DIVISION OF ELDER AFFAIRS
 

9.19

WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
 

9.20

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Human Services Division
 

9.21

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
 

9.22

PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
 

9.23

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
 

9.24

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
 

9.25

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
 

9.26

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Technical Services Division
 

9.27

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
 

9.28

FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers
A.

Recommend that Seventy Seven Thousand Six Hundred Twenty One Dollars And Eighty Five Cents ($77,621.85) be transferred from the following available Capital Equipment funds and be appropriated to Account #26C701, Fire Department Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with engine replacements for 2 Fire Engines.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
B.

Recommend that Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($450,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7393B, Trunk Sewers / Interceptors, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C750, Lateral Sewers to allow for the payment of current and future obligations per the cash flow procedure.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
C.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7373A, Water Meters, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C794, Water Meters to allow for the payment of current and future obligations per the cash flow procedure.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
D.

Recommend that One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($190,000.00) be transferred as follows: One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) from Loan Account #91C7411B, Street Construction, and Ninety Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($90,000.00) from Loan Account #91C7412C, Street Construction, with the total to be appropriated to DPW Account #41C799, Street Construction to allow for the payment of current and future obligations per the cash flow procedure.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
E.

Recommend that Two Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($225,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7113F, Building Rehabilitation MSBA Accelerated School Repair, and appropriated to DPW Accounts #41C775, 41C776, 41C777, 41C778, & 41C779, for the 5 Accelerated Schools to allow for the payment of on-going contractual obligations. The following is a detailed listing of commitments for 5 Accelerated Schools:

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
 

9.29

FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers
A.

Recommend that One Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Five Dollars And Forty Four Cents ($1,375.44) be transferred from Account #330-14, Community Development Block Grant Program Income, and be appropriated to various Community Development Block Grant accounts, to return Worcester Community Housing Resources bank interest income on CDBG funds to the U.S. Treasury, as per federal regulations.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
B.

Recommend that Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($40,000.00) be transferred from Parks Account # 720-91000, Parks Personal Services, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 720-97000, Parks Overtime to cover the anticipated deficit in the overtime account due to snow and ice storms over the winter.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
C.

Recommend that Six Hundred Six Thousand One Hundred Ninety Two Dollars And Twenty Five Cents ($606,192.25) be transferred as follows so as to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Parking Program for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2013: I respectfully recommend that Six Hundred Six Thousand One Hundred Ninety Two Dollars And Twenty Five Cents ($606,192.25) be transferred as follows so as to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Parking Program for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2013:

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
D.

Recommend that Two Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($220,000.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, and be appropriated to Account #043-91000, Economic Development Personal Services, to fund salary expenses through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
E.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Account #330-07, Damage Repair Account, and be appropriated to Police Department Maintenance and Repair, Account 250-92111, These funds represent insurance settlements received for damage to police department vehicles.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
F.

I respectfully recommend that the City Council authorize the payment of an invoice totaling $100.00 from Verizon Compliance from June 2012 be paid with fiscal 2013 Police Department Ordinary Maintenance funds.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
G.

Recommend that Six Thousand Fifty Seven Dollars And Seventy Five Cents ($6,057.75) be transferred from Account #330- 07, Reserve For Appropriation Damage Settlement and be appropriated to Account #2602-92210 , Worcester Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance .

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
H.

Recommend that Seven Thousand Six Hundred Thirty Five Dollars And No Cents ($7,635.00) be transferred from Account #14S41938, Henry Lee Willis Center Year 38, and be appropriated to Account #14S47938, Friendly House Year 38, to provide funding for CDBG funded food pantry services through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
 

9.30

FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year
 

9.31

FINANCE
Loan Orders
 

9.32

MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the "Clean Team" Spring Neighborhood Clean-up in the Union Hill Neighborhood.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
B.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Proposed State Budget Recommendations.

Attachments

Referred to Finance Committee

 
C.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Wheels to Water Program Update.

Attachments

Referred to Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee

 
D.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on MSBA Funded Projects

Attachments

Councilor O'Brien moved to Table this item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - O'Brien

 
10.

COMMUNICATION

10a.

Julie A. Jacobson, Auburn Town Manager, transmitting copy of the 2013 Contiguous Town Boundaries Report for Auburn, MA.

Attachments

Placed on file

 

11.

REPORTS OF THE PLANNING BOARD

11a.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Robert E. Longden on behalf of Intransit Container Inc. request to remove Lundberg St. from the Official Map.

Attachments

Referred to Economic Development Committee

 

11b.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Robert E. Longden on behalf of Intransit Container Inc. request to remove Beck St. from the Official Map.

Attachments

Referred to Economic Development Committee

 

11c.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Gary Anger request Ek Court be made public.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

11d.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Gary Anger request to make public Viking Terrace.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

11e.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Gary Anger request to make public Ideal Terrace.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

12.

TO BE ORDAINED

12a.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking opposite 14 Lakeside Ave.

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

12b.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking space opposite 84 Lakewood St

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

12c.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1008 to provide handicap parking space in front of 7 View St

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

12d.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking space in front of 39 Ledgecrest Dr.

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

12e.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking space in front of 14 Harlow St

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

12f.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking space in front of 31 Falmouth St

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

12g.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to rescind No Parking Anytime on both sides of Putnam Lane from Nebraska St. to Terminus

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

12h.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide for two hour parking on the north side of Shrewsbury St., from Brackett Ct. to a pt. 160' west of Hill St. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

13.

TABLED ITEMS

13a.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13b.

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting communication expanding upon the newspaper article regarding the human error factor which occurred in the city's recount. (Tabled - Lukes February 7, 2012)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13c.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council support more diverse new housing development with an emphasis on market-rate housing with a maximum of 10% affordable units if there are going to any units available for development in the downtown Worcester area: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled - Lukes May 1, 2012)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13d.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Out of State Residents Working on Local Projects and Not Meeting the State's Health Care Mandates. (Tabled Under Privilege - O'Brien August 14, 2012) (Tabled - Lukes September 4, 2012)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13e.

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report whether medical marijuana dispensing sites can be restricted by local zoning ordinances or state regulatory means to established pharmacies. (Tabled - Lukes January 8, 2013 and January 15, 2013)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13f.

ORDER of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Auditor work with the Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools to conduct a review of School Transportation expenses/contracts and make a formal presentation to the Education Joint Committee composed of the City Council Education Committee and the School's Finance and Operations Committee. (Tabled - O'Brien February 12, 2013)

Attachments

Councilor O'Brien moved to take the item off the Table and request it be referred to City Auditor. Referred to City Auditor

 

13g.

ORDER of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Auditor review the appropriateness of the following: administrative fees charged to the Worcester Public Schools by the city for city personnel and services; administrative fees charged for grants management; and Medicare fees received by the City for services done by School Department personnel. This report should also include how these fees compare to other gateway cities. (Tabled - O'Brien February 12, 2013)

Attachments

Councilor O'Brien moved to take the item off the Table and request it be referred to City Auditor. Referred to City Auditor

 

13h.

ORDER of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Auditor work with the Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools to review School Department administrative expenses and provide a report to the City Council as to how these fees compare on a percentage of budget basis with other gateway cities. (Tabled - O'Brien February 12, 2013)

Attachments

Councilor O'Brien moved to take the item off the Table and request it be referred to City Auditor. Referred to City Auditor

 

13i.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a request for an amendment to the Ordinances Concerning Foreclosure Mediation dating to October, 2012. (Tabled - Rivera April 2, 2013)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13j.

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty request recess to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigations. (Tabled - Petty April 2, 2013)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13k.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a Report on City Employee Demographics. (Tabled - Rivera March 12, 2013)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14.

NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES

14a.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager apply the $165,000 saved from not having a Preliminary Election in September to OPEB liability.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14b.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Traffic Engineer review the off-street parking in Gates Lane and make a recommendation that would best service the residents.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14c.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou request removal of a stump in front of 50 Eunice Ave.

Attachments

Referred to Department of Public Works & Parks

 

14d.

PETITION – Councilor William J. Eddy on behalf of Maureen White request installation of street lights in Joppa Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Public Service and Transportation Committee

 

14e.

PETITION – Councilor William J. Eddy request sidewalk repair along the entire frontage of 340 May St. at Tatnuck Park Assisted Living.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

14f.

Motion Eddy – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Traffic Engineer review whether or not resident permit parking should be considered for Catalpa St. and Wentworth St. and further, recommend solutions for adding additional off-street parking for employees of Gates Lane School.

Attachments

Order adopted