CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:07 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:03 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 October 29, 2013.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring November 20, 2013 as “Worcester Transgender Day of Remembrance 2013”. The Mayor had it presented to Jesse Park of AIDS Project Worcester and accompanied by the Chair of the Human Rights Commission Edward Robinson.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. William Breault, Worcester resident 2. Ronal Madnick, Worcester resident 3. John Provost, Worcester resident 4. Jo Hart, Worcester resident

Mayor Petty recognized and welcomed the presence of Boy Scout Troop 99, Knox Trail Council from Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who came to the meeting tonight to earn their Citizenship and Communication Badges.

Goldie Goros et al request that Barrett Ave. be converted to a public street.

Councilor Tony Economou request Westinghouse Parkway be converted to a public street.

Attorney Stephen Madaus on behalf of Mungovan Realty Company Inc. request abatement of street betterment assessment #25192 in the amount of $7,968.40 for Dexter St.

Attorney Stephen Madaus on behalf of Mungovan Realty Company Inc. request abatement of street betterment assessment #25193 in the amount of $13,685.36 for Dexter St.

Attorney Stephen Madaus on behalf of Mungovan Realty Company Inc. request abatement of street betterment assessment #25197 in the amount of $30,143.09 for Lenora St.

Attorney Stephen Madaus on behalf of Mungovan Realty Company Inc. request abatement of street betterment assessment #25198 in the amount of $12,381.37 for Lenora St.

Attorney Stephen Madaus on behalf of Mungovan Realty Company Inc. request abatement of street betterment assessment #25199 in the amount of $9,502.20 for Lenora St.

Brenda Smith of Smart Cuts request installation of two handicap parking spaces with a time limit of one hour between 3 & 7 Pleasant St.

Eileen Ballard request installation of handicap parking space in front of 3 Cottage St.

Orlando Lopez request installation of handicap parking space in front of 48 Windham St.

Transmitting Auditor's Reports for September and October 2013.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS - Request City Manager transmit monthly to the City Council a chart listing the new municipal hires including the following data: Department Name, Position Title, Yearly Salary, Community of Residence of the New Employee, Civil versus Non-Civil Service Classification and the number of applicants who first applied for to be hired for the opening.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS - Request City Manager provide the City Council with a description of the outreach conducted by Human Resources to attract applicants for municipal employment excluding notification to neighborhood centers and CDCs.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS - Request City Clerk publish to the city web site the listing of items pending before each of the City Council's Standing Committees.

Request City Manager provide City Council with an in-depth and detailed response to the costs of rehabilitation of the former Brown Square Fire Station, whether it be for commercial, retail or residential use; an accurate portrayal what the real estate tax consequences would be if we do not utilize the Request-For-Proposals process. (Palmieri)

Request City Council amend the Salary Ordinance of the Mayor to be equal to twice the salary of a City Councilor effective January 1, 2016. (O'Brien)

#12a CC June 11, 2013 Communication of Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to "Worcester's FY14 Budget: Making Ends Meet".

#10.24A CM June 18, 2013 Communication of the City Manager transmitting information communication relative to the Debt Service Schedule for the City’s Issuance of $500,000.00 in Bonds Associated with the Downtown Urban Renewal Project Proposed in the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget to be Undertaken by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority.

#10.24B CM June 18, 2013 Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Outside Legal Counsel Spending.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting request for City Council’s approval to implement ShotSpotter Technology to reduce gun violence in our community.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Upon the Petition of Jo Hart requests City Council hold a hearing concerning the existing formula process and protocol for the public to speak at City Council meeting or at Standing Committee of the City Council: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Upon the Petition of Cecilia Mason et al request that all petitions filed before City Council and upon referral of any and all petitions to the proper committee, board, commission or any other body of the City Council shall not remain in any committee, board, commission or any other body of the City Council for more that 90 days and request all City Councilors or city employees refrain from the practice of prioritizing any and all petitions and to afford every petitioner the right to be heard fairly, impartially and in a timely manner of 60 days as stipulated in rule 51 of the Rules of City Council: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Upon the Order Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council amend City Council’s Rule 53 to allow the petitioner the right to speak for no more than 2 minutes whether or not an item appears for the first or last time on an agenda: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting a report listing non-residents who were hired by the city starting in January 2, 2011 to July 5, 2013 excluding hires made by the Police, Fire or School departments: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Employee Residency Statistics: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Residency Requirements of Employees: recommend Communication be placed on file.

RECONSIDERATION - In accordance with Rule 41 of the Rules of City Council, Mayor Joseph M. Petty requested reconsideration of the vote of City Council taken on November 12, 2013 relative to Adoption of an Order to Dispose of and Execute a Deed for the Real Property located at 267 Plantation St. (a/k/a 676 Franklin St.) The Adoption of the Order failed to carry because a two-thirds majority was required for passage. (Tabled - Lukes November 12, 2013)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Motion Petty @ #14a CC – Request City Manager bring to City Council his recommendations concerning the disposition of the property at 267 Plantation St.

Councilor Rushton, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, requested the following Report be submitted for consideration: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a proposed Ordinance Amendment for Registered Medical Marijuana Dispensaries: recommend to amend the Planning Board Report and approve the Zoning Ordinance as amended.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Traffic Engineering Division relocate the Stop Sign in Davis St. at Queen St. to improve visibility.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager report ways to limit the selling paraphernalia that can be used in the drug trade.

Motion Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager meet with the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and city activists who support the lowest residential tax rate before the tax classification hearing.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Police Chief Increase police presence in the Pleasant St. corridor from Newton Square to Flagg St.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Police Chief provide speed enforcement at the corner of June St. and Hadwen Rd. in the interest of public safety.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager explore the feasibility of developing and using snow plow tracker software applications for public use.

Motion Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with reports previously submitted to Council concerning what drug paraphernalia can or cannot be legally sold commercially.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request our state delegation to support the amendment of the Transportation Bond Bill for investing in Active Streets also known as Complete Streets.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request the Mayor recognize the volunteers of the Indian Lake Watershed for their recent efforts at cleaning up the lake and assisting Department of Public Works & Parks.

RESOLUTION - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby go on record in support of the Doherty Memorial High School football team, the Highlanders, at their state semifinal matchup against Wahconah Regional High School this Saturday, December 23, 2013. (O'Brien)