CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:04 P.M.

Recessed to Executive Session at 6:05 P.M. Reconvened in Open Session at 7:17 P.M. Recessed to Executive Session at 9:25 P.M. Reconvened in Open Session at 11:39 P.M. Adjourned: 11:43 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Urban Land Institute's (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Program presenting an evaluation of the former Worcester County Courthouse, Worcester Memorial Auditorium and the Boys' Club (Voke A) building, as well as the Highland Street parking lot.

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - That the City Council recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy and conduct negotiations for a long-term renewal of City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr.'s contract.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of September 11, 2014.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of September 16, 2014.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Special Meeting of September 18, 2014.

Mayor Petty read a proclamation declaring the month of September as National Recovery Month in the City. The proclamation was presented to Athena Haddon.

Mayor Petty read a proclamation declaring the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City. The proclamation was presented to Karen Riley.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. William Breault, Worcester resident
2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
3. Mauro DePaquale, Worcester resident
4. Cynthia LePan, Worcester resident
5. Ronal Madnick, Worcester resident
6. John Provost, Worcester resident
7. Jo Hart, Worcester resident
8. William S. Coleman III, Worcester resident

Alan & Lauro Lopez request sidewalk in front of 71 Gates St. be repaired/replaced with concrete instead of blacktop.

Charles & Sharon Moore request Cheyenne Rd. from Indian Hill Rd. to Arapaho Rd. be repaved.

John Morocco request "Hidden Driveway" sign be installed in the area of 115 Orient St.

Mark Tivnan, et al request installation of resident permit parking on both sides of Chicopee St. from 50 Glendale St. to 919' traveling north.

George Haddad request No Parking signs at both sides of driveway at 858 Main St.

George Haddad request No Parking sign next to driveway at 15-17 Brantwood Rd.

George Haddad request driveway clearance signs be installed on both sides of driveway on the Hampden St. side of 64 Sever St.

George Haddad request No Parking on Forbes St. from Westminster St. to Lincoln St.

George Haddad request No Parking Anytime sign in front of 167 Lincoln St.

Ahmed Saeed request installation of resident permit parking on Hillside St.

Timothy Niles request No Parking be installed in front of 97 Harrison St.

LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS, LLC for a conduit location: MARION AVE. AT PROVIDENCE ST.

Stephen Quist request to address the City Council regarding the Police Chief's availability to all media/press as requested by all media/press.

Jo Hart request the current City Manager and the City Council personally repay the City of Worcester $23,000-24,000+ of public money they spent to hire a search firm for a new City Manager since they then did not even publicly discuss or vote on those results but instead discussed and picked the current City Manager who had supposedly rejected the job earlier.

Michael Grandone request the City Council request the City Manager explore the feasibility of using a flat tax as the basis of how automobile excise tax is charged for vehicles in the city rather than being based on the age of the vehicle.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Reappointments of Daniel McAuliffe and Reynaldo Rodriguez to the G.A.R. Memorial Board.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of David Fort to the Health Board.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Nicholas Chacharone to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Recommend Approval of the Appointment of Etel Capacchione to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

Recommend Approval of the Appointment of Jennifer Madson to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Annual Medicare Retiree Open Enrollment Period from October 20, 2014 through November 7, 2014.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept and Expend the Massachusetts Department of Career Services (DCS) Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) 2014 Incentive Award from the MA Department of Career Services (DCS).

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Quarterly Update Report of Economic Development Initiatives.

Recommend Approval of an Order of Taking for the Tatnuck Square Improvement Project.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) for the Month of August 2014.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Construction Progress Report for the Month ending August 31, 2014

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fall 2014 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a First Responder Naloxone (Narcan) Grant

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept a Donation in the Amount of Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($50.00) From Juliana Asante.

Recommend Approval of an Amendment to the Department of Emergency Commutations Table of Organization per the Terms of Their Latest Contract.

Transmitting Communication Relative to the Placement of a Barricade at the End of Muskeego Street.

Recommend Adoption of an Ordinance Relative to the Renewal of a Permit Fee Waiver Ordinance for the Worcester Housing Authority.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Community Immunity Flu Clinics.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Grant of up to Sixty Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($65,000.00) from the MA Executive Office of Public Safety.

Recommend Adoption of an Order to Authorize the Lease of Space at the Worcester Senior Center by the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the number of Properties Surrounding Major Universities in Worcester that are listed as 4-bedroom units.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Revenues and Expenditures through August for Fiscal Year 2015, per the City's Five Point Plan.

Recommend that One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,700,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7111A, Building Rehab City and Schools, and be appropriated to Account #04C754, Citywide/School Improvements.

Recommend that Twenty Two Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Nine Dollars And No Cents ($22,369.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C780A, Capital Equipment, when and as received, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Recommend that One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741B, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C741, Street Resurfacing, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Five Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($560,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7454, Sewer Reconstruction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C709, Worcester Common Rehab., and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C706, Worcester Common, to allow for current and anticipated contractual obligations.

Recommend that One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($130,000.00) be transferred from Reserve Account # 330-54, Greenwood Street Land Fill, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70217, Greenwood Complex, to allow for current and anticipated contractual obligations.

Recommend that Fifty Two Thousand Five Hundred Four Dollars And Ninety Six Cents ($52,504.96) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment, when and as received and be appropriated to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Recommend that Sixteen Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Five Dollars And No Cents ($16,455.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C780C, Capital Equipment Parks, when and as received to Parks Account # 72C701, Parks Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of these capital equipment items.

Recommend that One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($130,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7412E, Lincoln Street Improvements, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C720, Traffic Improvements - Lincoln Street, to allow for the payment of anticipated obligations.

Recommend that Four Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($490,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7134, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C721, Water Mains, to allow for the payments of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Fifty Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty One Dollars And No Cents ($58,961.00) be transferred from Account # 91C780B, when and as received, and be appropriated to Account #26C701, Worcester Fire Department Capital Equipment .

Recommend that Four Thousand Five Hundred Eighty Four Dollars And Sixteen Cents ($4,584.16) be transferred from Account #29-33007, Damage Settlement Account, to Account #2602-92210, Worcester Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Twelve Thousand One Hundred Eleven Dollars And Sixty Six Cents ($12,111.66) be transferred from Account #610-92000, Administration & Finance Ordinary Maintenance, and be appropriated to Account # 030-92000, Mayors Office Ordinary Maintenance for the payment of charges related to the City Manager's consultant search.

Recommend that Eight Hundred Seventy Five Dollars And No Cents ($875.00) be transferred from Account #14S46239, Neighborhood Opportunities Stabilization Fund, and be appropriated to Account #14S11039, Housing Recording Fees, to fund recording fees associated with Year 39 CDBG funded housing projects.

Recommend that Twenty Seven Dollars And No Cents ($27.00) be Authorized from Account # 1701-92000, Human Resources Ordinary Maintenance (OM) to Provide Funds for a Prior Year Invoice, from Fiscal 2015 funds.

Recommend that One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,000.00) be authorized from Account #663-96000, Health Insurance, for the payment of a prior year invoice.

Recommend that Fifty Nine Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Six Dollars And Twenty Six Cents ($57,276.26) be authorized from Account #040-92000, City Manager's Ordinary Maintenance for the payment of a prior year invoice related to the rental of the DCU Center.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,000.00) to Support the 2014 Wheels to Water and Beyond Program.

Amending the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to the Adaptive Re-Use of Certain Public or Non-Profit School Buildings.

Amending the Compensation of the Cultural Development Officer.

Amend Section 23 of Chapter 12 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to Sidewalk Snow Removal.

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 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)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Manager request the School Department share in the cost for providing police services during the presidential visit. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 17, 2014 and Tabled July 22, 2014)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the number of properties in areas surrounding Holy Cross, Clark University, Becker College and WPI that are listed as having true four-bedroom units. (Tabled - Bergman August 19, 2014)

PETITION of Frank Kartheiser et al on behalf of the Worcester Community-Labor Coalition request City Council hold public hearings starting in October on charter change and that at the conclusion of the hearings the Council takes a vote on holding an election to let the voters decide Worcester's future form of government. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes August 19, 2014 and Tabled - Petty September 16, 2014)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman request City Manager request the Chief Financial Officer report directly to City Council, at its next meeting, the status of a 2006 agreement with Joseph Tortorelli regarding real estate taxes/interest. (Tabled - Bergman September 23, 2014)

Motion Rushton @ #5a CC – Request City Manager consider reaching out to Mass. Development in order to move forward on the findings put forth by the Urban Land Institute’s TAP.

Motion Lukes @ #5a CC – Request City Manager, upon reception of the written report regarding Urban Land Institute’s evaluation of northern Main St., organize a meeting with members of the Chamber of Commerce, WBDC, and the local colleges in order to sit down in a community effort to develop a strategic action plan.

Motion Bergman @ #5a CC – Request City Manager request Urban Land Institute consider taking into account the housing study when preparing the report regarding the reuse of north Main St. buildings.

Motion Russell @ #5a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding what “for profit” businesses are currently expanding in the Worcester area, what “for profit” businesses are expanding outside the Worcester area and what the City can do moving forward to attract more of these businesses.

Motion Petty @ #8c – Request City Manager provide City Council with a update on the status of Worcester residents who have gone missing.

Motion Lukes @ #11.24a – Request City Manager provide City Council with more in depth details, analysis and projections when reporting on the City’s revenues and expenditures.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Barbara Clifford request speed limit and “Go Slow” children signage in both directions on West Chester St. between Chester St. and Barry Rd. Extension.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Barbara Clifford request installation of a crosswalk in West Chester St. at Barrett Ave.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider using one of the city-owned buildings in the north Main St. area as an international market place.

Motion Petty - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy and conduct negotiations for a long-term renewal of City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr.'s contract.

Motion – Suspension of Rules – Upon reconvening to Open Session from Executive Session Mayor Petty on behalf of the entire City Council presented the following Order: That, pursuant to Section 3-1(b) of the City Charter and G.L. c.41 §108N, the Mayor, Joseph M. Petty, be and is hereby authorized on behalf of the City Council of the City of Worcester to execute a new employment agreement with Mr. Edward M. Augustus, Jr. dated September 30, 2014.

Motion – Suspension of Rules – Upon reconvening to Open Session from Executive Session Mayor Petty on behalf of the entire City Council presented the following: A Proposed Salary Ordinance Relative to the Salary of the City Manager.