CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:04 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 September 23, 2014.

Hearing: LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS, LLC for a conduit location in: MARION AVE. AT PROVIDENCE ST. Granting permission to LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: MARION AVE. AT PROVIDENCE ST.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
2. Jo Hart, Worcester resident
3. Dorothy Hargrove, Worcester resident
4. John Provost, Worcester resident

Tina Parousis request installation of curbs on both sides of Columbus St.

Chris & Tina Parousis request Mann St. be resurfaced.

Bruce Hoffner, Trustee for Hoffner Realty Trust request abatement of street betterment assessment #245261A in the amount of $5,195.70 for Bullard Ave.

Bruce Hoffner, Trustee for Hoffner Realty Trust request abatement of street betterment assessment #25261 in the amount of $8,666.43 for Bullard Ave.

Councilor Tony Economou request Longmeadow Ave. be resurfaced.

Sandra Pike request "No Parking" zone be installed on both sides of Goddard Memorial Dr. in the vicinity of 150 and 152 Goddard Memorial Dr.

Register of Probate Stephen G. Abraham request to speak to invite the Mayor and City Councilors to a roundtable discussion he is hosting with representatives of the Franklin County Opioid Task Force, the District Attorney and Sheriff to be held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at the Worcester County Law Library.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager incorporate within a Comcast contract an annual communitywide evaluation of the provider’s service to Worcester on a yearly basis.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager, in the event that Comcast becomes the cable services provider in Worcester, to request Comcast to agree to amend section 10.8, page 30, of the existing cable service provider contract.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to report to the City Council what, if any, conditions in the existing cable service provider contract can be changed before, or after, any transfer takes place.

Request City Manager consider developing a series of seminars to promote and encourage the development and growth of small businesses. They may be similar to those he has done for engaging citizen interest in boards and employment opportunities. (Russell, Rushton, Economou, Lukes, Toomey, Rivera)

Request City Manager provide interpretation and recommendations to the City Council concerning commercial wall murals and/or signs addressing the following questions: At what point is art considered a sign? Is a sign not a sign just because it is painted directly on a structure? Are there rules in place that address this or do we need to consider a new ordinance? Further, request City Manager include in this discussion the painting of portions of exteriors in bright or fluorescent colors as part of signage’s attraction. (Russell)

Request City Manager request Police Chief install an advisory speed trailer in Fairmont Ave. (Russell)

Request City Manager clearly define the protocol of notifying residents, businesses and schools when there is imminent danger from crime and/or natural disaster, who is responsible for giving the "all clear", and how quickly is information usually released, all in the interest of public safety. (Economou)

Request City Manager report on any updating of rapid responses to confirmed illnesses caused by ebola and EV-D68. (Lukes)

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide the City Council with details as to its technical capabilities in monitoring activity in city parks and playgrounds through video cameras and the Real Time Crime Center. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request the Director of Planning and/or the City Solicitor to inform the City Council who is notified when a proposal for creation of an overlay district is considered by the administration. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor inform the City Council whether or not there are laws/regulations governing design or content of the “Entering Worcester” signage installed at the major entrances to the city. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks inform the City Council as to the procedures/processes, if any, regarding changes to a finalized Master Plan. (Bergman)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman request a street light be (re)installed on pole #2 in front of 2 Benson St., or as close thereto as possible: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 18 Lafayette Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance of 2008 to rescind “No Parking Anytime” on Garland Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 19 Garland Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 3 Arbor Vitae Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 19 Willard Avenue.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance of 2008 to rescind handicap parking in front of 4 Lund Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 622 Pleasant Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 54 Rodney Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide two handicap parking spaces in front of 43 Harvard Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking across from 12 Ashton Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to relocate handicap parking in front of 7 Richmond Avenue to in front of 11 Richmond Avenue.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide a second handicap parking space in front of 21 Preston Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to rescind handicap parking in front of 1 Westminster Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking adjacent to 607 Millbury Street on Maxwell Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 9 View Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to parking on Providence St., Harrison St., and Dorchester St.

Amending Section 10 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to prohibit trucks over 5,000 pounds from Mount Avenue.

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)

Motion Economou @ #8e CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report as to when the Street Resurfacing Improvement List will come forward.

Motion Petty @ #10a CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding what the City currently provides small business owners relative to development and expansion.

Motion Rivera @ #10e CC – Request City Manager work with the School Department to send notices out regarding all relevant information to Enterovirus-D68, including flu shot accessibility in the City.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Council suspend the rules of the City Council at the October 14, 2014 meeting to allow the Committee on Public Service and Transportation provide the City Council with any recommendation resulting from the Committee’s October 8, 2014 meeting relative to the transfer of the Cable License from Charter Communications to Comcast Corporation.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager set guidelines for the artwork in City Hall, which would include but is not limited to bringing in a curator to voluntarily assess the artwork on criteria such as size and placement.

Motion Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding the intended use of the property located at 133 Paine St., which was purchased by SMOC.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Carolyn Gemme request installation of a blinking red light in Brattle St. opposite of Ararat St.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks inform whoever is doing construction work on Chester St. to immediately remove the granite block in the vicinity of West Chester St., in the interest of public safety.

PETITION – Councilor Gary Rosen request installation of children advisory signs at the corner of Monroe Ave. and Franconia St.

Motion Gaffney – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager and Mayor send a notice to Comcast Corporation forthwith regarding the City’s stance on not changing the channel number of the WCCA.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide speeding enforcement on Sigel St., Beacon St. and Hollis St., which all continue to pose problems in that regard.