CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:14 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:28 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 December 3, 2013.

To determine tax rates for residential, commercial, industrial and personal properties for Fiscal Year 2014.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2014 Tax Classification Hearing. (Held - December 10, 2013)

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. John Provost, Worcester resident
2. William Breault, Worcester resident

Since this meeting would City Manager O’Brien’s final City Council meeting as City Manager, Mayor Petty allowed each of the Councilors and himself an opportunity to address City Manager Michael V. O’Brien concerning his many years of service to the City and to wish him well in his future endeavors. Mayor presented to him with two gifts: a street sign “Michael V. O’Brien Way” and an engraved mirror with Elm Park’s north mere and bridge motif.

Mayor Petty and each of the Councilors said a few words to their departing colleagues Councilor Joseph C. O’Brien, Councilor William J. Eddy and Councilor Michael J. Germain since this was their final City Council meeting.

Councilors Eddy, Germain and O’Brien were presented with a Monogrammed Chair for their years of service.

Rich Lovejoy request sidewalk in front of 41 Chatham St. be repaved.

Eulogio Valdes request abatement of street betterment assessment #25260 in the amount of $18,517.47 for Bullard Ave. in the name of Karen Garcia.

John-Paul Stevens request installation of crosswalk in the vicinity of 33 Pleasant Street.

Spiro Lamce request installation of handicap parking space in front of 54 Townsend St.

Michael Dodds request installation of crosswalk at 69 Grove St. in front of Veterans Inc.

Ellen Russell request residential permit parking for Gates St. from Illinois St. to Walpole St.

Donna Ceccarini request handicap parking space in front of 16 Gage St.

Steven Green request installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacon pedestrian actuated traffic signal on High Street at the entrance to the Denholm's Building to enhance pedestrian safety issues at the location.

NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location in: MORELAND ST.

NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location in: WOODCLIFFE AVE.

Transmitting Informational Communication concerning the CitySquare and Gateway Park projects requested at the December 10, 2013 City Council meeting.

Transmitting Auditor's Report for November 2013.

Transmitting Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) of the City of Worcester for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager request City Assessor report to the City Council the approximate value of vacant lots in RG-5 zones, 4,000 to 5,000 square feet in size as unbuildable as stand-alone lots and compare that to the proposed valuations on those same lots if they are deemed buildable under the proposal to establish a 4,000 square foot minimum (RG-4 zone) for a single family dwelling in the RG-5 zones.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with proposed wording amending the Zoning Ordinance that would protect non-profits and/or community groups who own and use vacant lots between 4,000 and 5,000 square feet in the event that such lots become buildable under the proposal to encourage single-family buildings on vacant lots (RG-4 zones).

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager to recommend to City Council three or four areas of the city to be designated as pilot RG-4 zones.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief to conduct immediate enforcement of Resident Sticker Parking prohibitions, if enacted, in Zenith Drive, Marcy Street, Buckley Road, Iroquois Street, Quissett Street and Wamsutta Avenue.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager to identify the Worcester Public Schools that will be included in an expanded Safe Water Mentoring Program and that timeline.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager consider promoting the Youth Service Providers Database via local television channel 13.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager explore the need for crowdsourcing on the Youth Service Providers Database.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager develop a task force that includes advocates for soccer from the community to meet and continue the discussion for increasing the number of soccer fields throughout the city.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks provide City Council with parameters for developing a strategic plan for increasing the number of soccer fields.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager appoint a person from Administration to be tasked with the responsibility of contacting colleges in the city and the school administration and advocate for the use of their fields by the community for soccer.

Request City Manager report to City Council within 60 days an update concerning the following issues concerning the city smoking ordinance: 1) impact of e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery products and any current laws regulating their use, 2) city efforts to enforce the current sign ordinance and its impact on outdoor tobacco advertisements, and, 3) recommendations for the expansion of the smoke free zones around hospitals and other healthcare institutions. (O'Brien)

Request City Manager report to City Council within thirty days the potential dollar amounts of property tax revenues from non-profits and colleges across the City not currently participating in ongoing Pilot agreements, including UMass Medical School, Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College. (Economou)

SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: EAMES AVE.

#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.

Alexander Schechter, President of Herbal Medicinal Program, Inc. transmitting notice of their intent to submit a Phase 2 application and to operate a Registered Marijuana Dispensary and if approved it will be sited in the city of Worcester.

Dawn Travalini, Lead Vegetation Strategy Specialist at National Grid transmitting notice of their intent to selectively apply herbicides along power line rights-of-way that pass through the City of Worcester.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty requesting City Council accept with gratitude the donation of meeting space at the Warner Theater and refreshments from Worcester Academy to the City of Worcester in the aggregate amount of $600.00.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request to convert Nathaniel St. and Nathaniel Court to public streets.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Joseph Ferraro request to convert Chambers St. from a private street to a public street.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Michael J. Germain on behalf of Paul Hanlon request Nixon Ave. be converted to a public street.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Brian McLaughlin request to reconfigure the access from property of 115 McKeon Rd. to the northerly side of McKeon Rd.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending approval of an additional sewer installation on Millbury St. in conjunction with the sewer improvement project in the Granite St. area.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Arthur Mooradian requesting to amend the Worcester Zoning Ordinance by converting all RG-5 lots to RG-4 so that lots between 4,000 and 5,000 square feet become buildable/saleable: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to establish a new minimum lot size of 4,000 square feet for the construction of one, two or three family dwellings on existing undeveloped lots in RG-5 Zones.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Petition of Arthur Mooradian request City of Worcester initiate a policy that a "For Sale" sign with contact information be erected on city-owned surplus property for at least 30 days before an auction or sale takes place: recommend adoption of the accompanying new Order that the City Manager is requested to identify approximately $4,000.00 in funding for advertising city-owned properties that are for sale.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the number of lots that would be affected if all RG-5 lots were converted to RG-4 Lots: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting for City Council's review and information a copy of the Housing Market Study, as prepared by RKG Consultants, the Analysis of Impediments to Affordable Housing, as prepared by 12 Community Development Consulting, Inc. and a recommended Housing Strategy, as prepared by the Executive Office of Economic Development: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Petition of Lee Buckley request to establish decent standards in housing and renters equity in housing in Worcester: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council commence the process of the selection of a new City Auditor: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that the City Council does hereby appoint Deputy City Auditor Robert Stearns as new City Auditor effective January 8, 2014.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations to initiate the hiring process for the next City Auditor: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Migdalis Figueroa request to install handicap parking space in front of 16 Bellevue St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Florence Emery request to install handicap parking space in front of 4 Home St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Robin LaHair request removal of (2) two of (3) three handicap parking spaces on Thorne St., leaving the space in front of 21 Thorne St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of William Rigney request the installation of resident permit parking on Elmwood St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install Resident Permit Parking both sides of Elmwood Street from Pleasant Street to Midland Street, all times.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Jessica Valerio request resident permit parking be extended to include #15 Bowdoin St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Robert Moquin request installation of resident permit parking in Glenwood St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Francis Rushford request to rescind resident permit parking for Beverly Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Susan Clifford request the resident permit parking be removed from #12 to #39 Buckingham St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to amend resident parking on Buckingham St. to remove resident parking from #10 to the easterly terminus on the south side and from #15 to end on the north side.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Sandy Meltzer request installation of a crosswalk across Salisbury St. at Assumption College: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request all flashing pedestrian lights at 181 Lake Avenue be upgraded to the newest technology, as well as upgrading existing pedestrian crossing signage: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mike Delude request installation of a "No Parking Here to Corner" sign for both sides of the corner at Shrewsbury and Plum Sts.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request a stop line be added at the intersection of Parkton St. and Grove St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to paint a stop line across the East-bound lane of Parkton Street at Grove Street.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Joseph Vancelette request to make the portion of Green Hill Pkwy within the park that is one-way into a two-way street: recommend Petition be referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Wilson Garcia request the installation of handicap parking space in front of 243 Tacoma St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kathryn Nguyen et al request the One Hour Parking zone in front of 505 Chandler St. be changed to a Residential Permit Parking area: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Lillian Delgado request installation of resident permit parking in the vicinity of 116 Eastern Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Eftim Milkani request to install Resident Permit Parking for Cottage St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request installation of an audible pedestrian signal at Foster and Front Streets as soon as possible because there are citizens who work in the area who are blind: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request the damaged No Parking signs on Hawley Street at the basketball courts be repaired or replaced: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gloria Piers request handicap parking space be installed across from 6 Normal St.: recommend the Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Pinh Lam request installation of handicap parking space in front of 59 Ingleside Ave.: recommend the Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Lisa Carbone request installation of resident parking on Fruit St. from Elm St. to Cedar St.: recommend the Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 81 Chandler St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Wheels to Water Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the 2013 Wheels to Water Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the 2013 Wheels to Water Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Worcester Youth Council: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Parks & Recreation Master Plans Schedule Update: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the status of the improvement project at Institute Park: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of Open Space & Recreation Plan: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Youth Opportunities Website and Youth Service Providers Database: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update regarding the Historic Elm Park Footbridge Re-construction and Naming Initiative: recommend Communication be placed on file.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending approval of the reappointments of Nicole Apostola, Richard Perry and William Wallace to the Hope Cemetery Board of Commissioners. (Tabled - Eddy December 10, 2013)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to parking meters at Rockwood Field. (Tabled - Eddy December 10, 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)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Order of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - 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: recommend adoption of the accompanying new Order that the salary of the Mayor be a yearly flat rate of $43,500, effective January 2, 2016. (Tabled - Germain December 10, 2013)

COMMUNICATION of Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, recommending adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept the Central Massachusetts Region-wide Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager set up a special parks department account for donations on behalf of Cathy Walsh for the betterment of the Turtle Boy Statue and surrounding area.

Motion Petty @ #17a CC - Request the Committee on Municipal Operations meet to initiate employment contract negotiations with Deputy City Auditor Robert V. Stearns for position of City Auditor effective January 8, 2014.

Motion Toomey @ #5a CC – Request the Mayor consider establishing a Task Force to implement a plan similar to New York State referred to as “Start Up New York” that attracts business development by offering tax free incentives which in turn creates jobs. Councilor Economou moved to amend: Further, request the Task Force include business leaders, residents, and non-profits.

Motion Palmieri @ #5a CC – Request the Mayor consider establishing a Mayor’s Task Force to discuss tax rate issues prior to the Tax Classification Hearing.

Motion Rushton @ #5a CC – That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2014 be set at $19.54 for Residential property tax and $30.83 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal property.

Councilor Rushton, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, requested the following Report and two (2) Chairman's Orders be submitted for consideration: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend City Council Approval Regarding the CitySquare Downtown Development Project and the Gateway Park Project: recommend adoption of the accompanying four (4) Resolutions.

CHAIRMANS ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide the City Council with bi-monthly certified employment numbers for the CitySquare Downtown Development and Gateway Park Projects.

CHAIRMANS ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager establish a CitySquare Job Training and Recruitment Fund and appoint a Board to monitor its operation with the first three years of operation to receive a $100,000 deposit each year.

Motion Lukes @ #11b CC – Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion of City Council item #11b on the December 17, 2013 City Council agenda.

COMMUNICATION of Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, recommending adoption of Orders to address changes in Revenue Sources for FY14.

PETITION of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Ron Silver request a "Left Turn On Green Arrow" light be erected at the intersection of Pleasant St. and Chestnut St. and in addition request when the green arrow going straight is illuminated there should be a "No Left Turn On Red Arrow" underneath and it will turn green when permissible.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks cut back the overgrowth that hangs over the sidewalk on the westerly side of the train bridge at Brooks St. and West Boylston St. in the interest of public safety.

Councilor O'Brien and Councilor Rushton, members of the Economic Development Committee, requested the following Report be submitted for consideration: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend Adoption of a Resolution Relative to the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP): recommend adoption of the accompanying Resolution.