CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:01 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:49 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of January 14, 2014.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. Tracy O’Connell Novick, Worcester resident 2. Helen Rayshik, Barre resident 3. Susan Saxe, Easthampton resident 4. Katherine Gore, West Newbury resident 5. Luke Robert, Leicester resident 6. Jessica Wiggin, Worcester resident 7. Diana Goldman, Newton resident 8. William Feegbeh, Worcester resident 9. Will Coresback, West Newbury resident 10. Lauren Holyoke, Berlin resident 11. Karen Krasuk, Shrewsbury resident 12. Jo Hart, Worcester resident 13. Benito Vega, Worcester resident 14. Sue Swanson, Worcester resident 15. Scott Ricker, Worcester resident 16. Jacqueline Norton, Worcester resident 17. Katherine (Last name not known) Waltham resident 18. John Provost, Worcester resident 19. Victoria Mangus, Maynard resident

Peter Branagan request sidewalks at the Goddard School, 6 & 14 Richards St., be repaired.

Antonio Morales request abatement of street betterment assessment #25256 in the amount of $11,546.00 for Bullard Ave.

Jo Hart request the public be allowed to speak on items not on the agenda that are brought up under suspension, either by supplementals by the City Manager or in person by a City Councilor, in fairness to the public and under the Open Meeting Law.

Carla Mustakangas request installation of resident permit parking on Merrick St. in the vicinity of #66.

Todd Rodman, Esq. on behalf of Liberty Properties Corp. request City of Worcester install a crosswalk in Sudbury Street in the location shown on the attached plan.

Michael Grandone request City Council request the City Solicitor to investigate the legality of removing the crime of property graffiti "tagging" and all other terms of property defacement from a criminal complaint by law enforcement to a civil complaint by law enforcement that would now be punishable by a monetary fine set forth by the City of Worcester based upon said cleaning and/or removal of damage incurred by said destructive act.

Transmitting Auditor's Report for December 2013 and a General Fund Report.

Transmitting a copy of the Mayor's Social Service Task Force report that was submitted to City Council on October 11, 2005 by Mayor Timothy P. Murray.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request Commissioner of Public Works & Parks contact the residents on Nordica St. and/or Councilor William J. Eddy to inform them that the best way to resolve the draining issues in the area is to request private street conversion.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request Commissioner of Public Works & Parks to consider prioritizing work needed to fix the flooding issue in front of 14 Nanita St. so this can be done as soon as possible.

Request City Manager make a presentation to the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation regarding the state of youth employment in the city and the availability of summer jobs for Worcester’s teens. (Rosen)

Request City Manager advise the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation relative to the feasibility and cost of reconstructing and upgrading the Coes Pond swimming area on Mill St. (Rosen)

Request City Manager advise the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation relative to the feasibility and cost of developing a universally accessible playground and park on the former Coes Knife Factory property on Mill St. (Rosen)

Request City Manager advise the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation relative to the best approach for parents to take if they would want to add, replace or upgrade a school playground with new, safe and modern playground equipment. Further, request the City Manager inform the Committee what liability issues exist regarding the purchase, installation and use of such school playground equipment. (Rosen)

Request City Manager have the city sanitation workers stop and empty trash barrels as they go by city parks and playgrounds including Blithewood Park. (Russell)

Request City Manager review the legality of trucks loading and unloading in Dewey St. and Parker St. Further, if there is no regulations preventing this type of activity, request the City Manager develop an ordinance that would preclude the loading and unloading of tractor trailers and storage containers of Junk Dealers and Dealers of Second Hand Articles on a public street unless the activity is being conducted in relation to a business or residence immediately adjacent to the area of the street in which the work is taking place. (Rivera)

Request the City Manager request the Code Commissioner conduct a thorough inspection of the multi-family complex at 11 Sever Street and order immediate corrective action of all cited violations. (Rivera)

Request City Manager assess for any code regulations the empty lot on Pleasant St. across from Rob Roy's and enforce these violations; this lot is what's left from a building that had burned down and is now currently being used as an illegal parking lot. (Rivera)

Request City Manager have the lights at Crystal Park checked and repaired in the interest of public safety since it is very dark and poses a danger to the neighborhood. (Rivera)

Request City Manager work with our planning department and community agencies to create an agriculture zoning designation within the city similar to the one recently created in Boston (Boston Municipal Ordinance Article 89). (Petty)

Request City Manager consider discontinuing the costly practice of providing thousands of color copies each week to the City Council and continue the practice of electronically emailing the weekly agenda. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide the Council with a report as to how many employees have City and the School Department issued cell phones. Further, request the report include information as to how many City Land lines have been eliminated or can be eliminated as a result of these cell phones. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a listing of all city-owned and school department-owned surplus properties that are deemed obsolete and considered surplus so they may be considered for liquidation. (Economou)

Request City Manager request the Director of Planning and Regulatory Services provide a report as to the feasibility of amending the Zoning Ordinance’s Off Street Parking requirements to allow credit for bicycle stands/lockers in residential units as a parking space. (Bergman)

Request the Standing Committee on Traffic & Parking consider amending the Revised Ordinances of 2008, Chapter 13, section 40, (Resident Permit Parking Program) to allow a limited number of parking passes be made available for public school teachers in a neighborhood public school. (Bergman, Rosen)

Request City Manager request the administration of the WRTA report the cost and feasibility of purchasing and operating a “trolley” style bus by the WRTA and develop a route by and between colleges in Worcester to transport riders to destination areas such as i.e. Shrewsbury Street, Canal District etc… on Friday nights, weekends and holidays. (Bergman)

Request City Manager report the feasibility of implementing a Historic Marker Dedication Program with the Worcester Technical High School; whereby historic sites in Worcester are identified and designated by markers made by the students. (Bergman)

In an effort to alleviate the congestion and dangers caused by hundreds of parked cars on narrow streets in the Worcester State University neighborhood, and to get students to use the university's Goddard Memorial Drive parking lot and shuttle service, request the City Manager direct the Worcester Police Department to take immediate and aggressive action in enforcing all parking and traffic regulations on the streets in and around that university. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report on how the fines paid by graffiti vandals are expended. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report on the number of police and fire calls to local colleges and universities in the past three years and the estimated cost of those services. (Lukes)

Request City Manager coordinate efforts of the City’s Human Resources Department and the School Department’s Human Resources Department to conduct outreach into various targeted communities within the city to explain access to and encourage opportunities for employment in the city and the school department. (Petty)

Request City Manager provide a Scope Document, Task List and Timeline as per the Project Management Disciplines already used by the City of Worcester to be used for the search and hiring of the permanent City Manager. (Gaffney)

Request City Council take item #15g on this agenda off the table. (Gaffney)

#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.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of John & Elaine Sandberg request to install a public sanitary sewer line on Havana Rd., from Porto Rico Rd., southerly 440' to serve house at 33 Havana Rd: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mark Armington, Sr. Director UMMS Facilities Engineering & Construction, request City approve an alteration of the west side of the Plantation St. layout by discontinuing and abandoning the City's street easement over portions of Plantation St. to accommodate pedestrian access stairwells & paths at the new parking garage serving UMMS: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting to discontinue and remove a portion of Washington Square Rotary from the Official Map: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Rich Lovejoy request sidewalk in front of 41 Chatham St. be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Katherine Sakaloglou request sidewalks on the even numbered side of Russell St. (behind Price Chopper Supermarket) from Highland St. to Park Ave. be repaired: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Paul Saucier request sidewalk repair in front of 31 Creswell Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request sidewalk repair in front of 23 Pine Tree Dr.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy on behalf of Joseph Arguijo request sidewalk repair at 30 High Ridge Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy request sidewalk repair at 7 Blair St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy request sidewalk repair in the High Ridge Rd. side of 2 Blair St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy request sidewalk repair at 10 Audubon Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy on behalf of residents of Rosewood Dr. request sidewalk repair in front of 7, 9, 13, 17, 18 and 22 Rosewood Dr.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy on behalf of Charles Vayo request sidewalk repair in front of 84 Pine View Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy request sidewalk repair in front of 82 Pine View Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf Richard Castle request the sidewalk on Esther St. from Millbury St. to Vernon St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri on behalf of Mary O’Connor request sidewalk repair in front of 33 Elnora Dr.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri on behalf of Paul Leroux request sidewalk repair in front of 3 Elnora Dr.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Thanh Lam request the sidewalk repair in front of 81 Rodney St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Dianne Cardoni request the sidewalk repair in front of 15 Houghton St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou and Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of the King family request the granite marker be cut down at 58 Brighton Rd. and the corner of Bay State Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Denise Whipple request city to resolve the flooding issue in front of 14 Nanita St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Peter Lukason request a study regarding the feasibility of constructing a sewer for 5 Dawson Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the Month Ending September 30, 2013: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of September 2013: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the Month Ending October 31, 2013: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Construction Progress Report for the Month ending November 30, 2013: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Proposed New Statewide Water Policy Regulations: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Blackstone River Water Quality Study: 2012: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City Manager's Clean Team: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of August 2013: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Gary Riccardi, et al request Plum St. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Gail Sealey et al request Greendale Ave. from West Boylston St. to Leeds St. be repaved: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy on behalf of Kathleen Lampinen request guardrail repair at 10 Chesterfield Rd.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy request installation of catch basin in the vicinity of 17 Drexel St. at the intersection of Drexel St. and Nordica St.: recommend Petition be denied.

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 the City Manager transmitting communication relative to parking meters at Rockwood Field. (Tabled Under Privilege - Eddy December 10, 2013 and Tabled December 17, 2013)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Chairman's Order from the Committee on Public Health & Human Services - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor review the Model Ordinance prohibiting the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling shows and circuses (see attached) and present to City Council a proposed ordinance for the city of Worcester relative to the same. Further, request City Manager develop a protocol involving an interdisciplinary process or oversight for implementation of the proposed ordinance to include Animal Control, Board of Health and Inspectional Services: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order as depicted above. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2014)

Motion Lukes @ #11f CC – Request City Manager contact all the neighborhood groups to learn if illegal loading and unloading is taking place in other neighborhoods to possibly discover who is conducting this type of activity.

Motion Toomey @ #11j CC – Request City Manager report the permitting and licensing costs for agricultural facilities.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request Police Chief provide speed enforcement in Haviland St.

PETITION of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Ken Nascondiglio request tree planting on Randall St. from Holy Rosary Church to West Boylston St.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager report the status of funds set aside for youth baseball leagues to offset costs for maintaining their fields and operations since their ability for fundraising became limited because of the panhandling ordinance.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager reach out to the elderly population to register them for Reverse 911 program and take preventative measures to make sure they have heat and know who to call if they need help during this period of extreme cold.