CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:15 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 March 4, 2014.

Mayor Petty recognized the presence of a visiting pastor from Haiti, Reverend Elias.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Jo Hart, Worcester resident
2. Gail Owen, Worcester resident
3. William Feegbeh, Worcester resident
4. William Breault, Worcester resident
5. Stephen O’Leary, Worcester resident
6. Chaz Harris, Worcester resident

Susan Fleming request Eastern Avenue be repaved.

Susan Fleming request Merrifield Street be repaved from Elliot Street to East Shelby Street.

Michael and Larissa Capurso request Castine Street be repaved.

Councilor Morris A. Bergman on behalf of Morton Sreiberg request Greybert Lane be resurfaced.

Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Bruce Willard request installation of 6-inch concrete diameter posts in front of 1 Marmion Avenue.

Majid Alzuhairi request handicap parking space be installed in front of 78 1/2 Ward Street.

Marie Ushinski on behalf of Edith Lucente request handicap parking space be installed in front of 23 Creston Street.

Chaz Harris request school zone signs at Forest Grove Middle School be changed to 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.

Matthew Kracher request the removal of resident permit parking in front of 15 Bowdoin Street.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of John Reed request to install directional signs to the Dennis J. Reed Memorial Field (samples attached) at the intersection of Englewood Avenue and Circuit Avenue.

Grigorios Psarras request the two Resident Permit Parking spots on Duxbury Road at Lincoln Street be removed and two 30 minute parking spots be put in its place.

Councilor Morris A. Bergman on behalf of Joseph Quinlan request installation of an all-way Stop at Moreland Street and Carter and Brigham Roads.

Matthew Kracher request to stop the police crosswalk stings in Lancaster Street where it intersects with Dix Street.

Jo Hart requests all Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) meetings are open to the full public process: that all meetings, now held at City Hall, be microphoned and televised, and that all agendas include an item for public participation for comments and/or questions.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks report what law (state or local) and or regulations allows the use of the formula for determining abatements for street betterment assessments.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS - Request City Manager request the Director of Technical Services collaborate with the Veterans' Agent to ensure that the City of Worcester web site contains a wide range of contact information, forms and resources to aid veterans and their dependents.

Request City Manager request the Police Chief install speed enforcement in Grove Street in the approaches to Forest Grove Middle School and McGrath Elementary School during the times of school openings and closings. (Palmieri, Toomey)

Request City Manager and City Clerk report on the process and timetable for filling the position for Assistant Director of Elections. (Lukes)

Request the City Manager report to City Council concerning funds received as a result of the cable franchise license regarding the following: (1) any and all “surplus funds” or the like from the government and educational channels that are unused, being held or set aside for any purpose from 2006 to present; (2) the amount of yearly funds received from the cable franchise license fee and a breakdown of the distribution of said funds from 2006 to present; (3) copy of any and all city administration, Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation and Cable Advisory Committee reports relating to the current cable franchise agreement and WCCA TV13. (Gaffney)

Request the Mayor confer with the leaders of the Armenian community of Worcester to properly plan to commemorate during calendar year 2015 the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. (Bergman, Petty)

Request the City Manager recommend to the City Council an amendment to Chapter 14, Section 7 of the City Ordinances to require pawnbrokers to photograph their purchases and acquisitions and transmit same to the Worcester Police Department. (Bergman, Economou)

Request City Manager report on what legal steps are required to effectuate extending closing times for the serving of alcohol, especially for a limited geographical footprint as a pilot project. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report on the positive and negative consequences of extending alcohol service hours including but not limited to public safety and added police enforcement costs and entertainment, tourism and economic impact. (Lukes)

Request City Manager pursue a crowd sourcing initiative on the City web site regarding the question of extending closing times for the serving of alcohol. (Lukes)

In an effort to bring more life and excitement to the Worcester Common, request City Manager advise the Council on whether the number of licensed and approved street vendors of food and retail items should be greatly expanded throughout the week. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report on the current activities of the assessing department regarding reports of suspicious persons with name tags and clip boards entering onto and into residential properties and looking into windows; also request reports on the hiring and training procedures and state residence of employees and/or independent contractors performing duties regarding assessments of city properties. (Lukes)

Request City Manager provide the City Council with a detailed report as to the status of the 5 May St property, including information as to progress on the city's efforts to recoup and account for funds expended with the original developer and including plans to sell property to a new developer. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning the city's efforts to cut down on truck traffic on Grafton St from Mass Pike exit 11 to the Barclay St area. (Russell)

SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: HAVANA ROAD

#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.

#9.24B CM Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Governor's Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Proposal.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Success of the WOO Card Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the One City, One Library Initiative: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update Regarding the One City, One Library Initiative: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Inc., transmitting informational communication of Worcester By The Numbers: Public and Charter Schools: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to school spending for Nite Life/Adult Education and GED: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Petition of Todd Salmonsen request that City Council hold a hearing in regards to the proposed $1.3 million PCB remediation plan the city of Worcester has for 29 schools in the city: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Mahmoud Soheili and Aliveza Avshadi request street name change for Olean Circle to Soheili Circle.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Attorney Thomas Reidy on behalf of Joseph L.E. and Rosemary A. St. Pierre request abatement of street betterment assessment #25181 in the amount of $7,175.16 for Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to provide for a partial abatement resulting in a new assessment of $2,680.27.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Attorney Thomas Reidy on behalf of Kyle & Stephanie Morrissey request abatement of street betterment assessment #25182 in the amount of $7,412.11 for Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of accompanying Order to provide for full abatement.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Brian McNamara request abatement of street betterment assessment #25183 in the amount of $7,977.69 for Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of accompanying Order to provide for full abatement.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Susan Serpa request abatement of street betterment assessment #25169 in the amount of $8,334.90 for Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of accompanying Order to provide for full abatement.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Christine M. Massucco request abatement of street betterment assessment #25168 in the amount of $7,144.20 for Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of accompanying Order to provide for full abatement.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Peter Levesque request abatement of street betterment assessment #25187 in the amount of $11,907.00 for Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of accompanying Order to provide for full abatement.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Robert & Janet Gentile request abatement of street betterment assessment #25210 in the amount of $14,055.00 for Arline St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to provide a partial abatement resulting in a new assessment of $9,369.06.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Stephen Richards request abatement of street betterment assessment #25178 in the amount of $14,331.26 for Cascade Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to provide for a partial abatement resulting a new assessment of $1,825.80.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Paula & Robert Noonan request abatement of street betterment assessment #25062 in the amount of $18,127.37 for Dixfield St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to provide for a partial abatement resulting in a new assessment of $8,414.37.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to private street conversion of a portion of Mayfield St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petiton of Farooq Ansari request to accept Fatima Lane as a public street, in it's entirety: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

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 December 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 Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of December 2013: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Gary Anger request to make public Viking Terrace : recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Gary Anger request to make public Ideal Terrace: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petiton of Gary Anger request to make public Ek Court: recommend petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Cynthia Prefontaine request abatement of street betterment assessment #25186 in the amount of $11,907.00 for Cascade Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the 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. (Discontinue & Remove Portion of Millbury St. - northwest corner of McKeon Rd.): recommend Report and Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of David Chauncey request installation of handicap parking space at the corner of Elm and Fruit Sts.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide handicap parking for 81 Elm Street on Fruit Street.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of John Dupre request installation of handicap parking space in front of 9 Richmond Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide handicap parking in front of 7 Richmond Avenue.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Robert Karockai on behalf of Patricia Karockai request handicap parking space be installed in front of 1 Stone St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Elias Gaspar request the handicap parking space in front of 91 Prospect St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to rescind handicap parking on East Shelby Street, adjacent to 91 Prospect Street.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Leda Lopopolo request installation of handicap parking space in front of 73 Chilmark St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Bill Ames request handicap parking space in front of 8 North Ashland St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Vishnu Patel of People's Market request to change the hours of parking at 59 Harrison St. from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm to 6:00 am to 9:00 pm: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Vishnu Patel of People's Market request No Parking at 59 Providence St. be changed to Parking from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install 15 minute parking in front of 59 Providence Street.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Victoria Nguyen request three (3) 30 minute parking signs be placed in front of 100 Canterbury St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide 30 minute parking on Grand Street adjacent to 100 Canterbury Street.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report to City Council plans for relocating the Massachusetts Military Museum & Achieves: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS Upon the Report of the Committee on Public Health & Human Services Upon the Petition of Haskell Morin request the southwestern corner of Midland St. and Elmwood St be designated Morin Sq. honoring the military service of Pvt. Joseph A. Morin and Captain Edward M. Morin and Dental Corps and SP4 Haskell D Morin: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw without prejudice.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide No Parking on Shattuck Street on either side of the entrance to 299 Lincoln Street.

Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide for resident permit parking on South Flagg Street. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide for two hour parking 8am-5pm on South Flagg Street in front of Bet Shalom.

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)

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)

Motion Lukes @ #9b CC – Request City Manager request the City Solicitor report who has the jurisdiction for hiring the position of Assistant Director of Elections.

Motion Lukes @ #9e CC – Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide a legal opinion as to whether or not Gold and Silver buyers can be locally regulated if they are not already regulated.

Motion Lukes @ #9k CC – Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide an update concerning 5 May St. and whether or not there are still investigations pending.

Motion Toomey and Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request the Standing Committee on Education meet with the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce and Student Government Associations to discuss what students are looking for entertainment and retention after graduation.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Robert Sullivan request Francis St. be resurfaced.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Robert Sullivan request all the sidewalks in Francis St. be repaired.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Police Chief provide speed enforcement in Hammond St. at Beacon St. and in Hollis St. between Gardner St. and Grand St.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the Police Chief conduct crosswalk stings in the 50 Murray St. area, at 1050/1060 Main St. and at Marble St. and Main St.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider re-assigning the topics of homelessness and the outreach components of panhandling and prostitution to fall under the heading of Public Health.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide to City Council a list of all city employee salaries, a copy of the contracted wage increases negotiated for union Worcester Public School employees with a summary of the impact these increases will have on the next budget and report if the non-union Worcester Public Schools employees were also allotted a wage increase.

Motion Gaffney – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager develop outside support and funds for more affordable driver education programs. (Gaffney)