CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 10:22 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 December 9, 2014.

Reconvened Hearing: NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for joint pole location in: CANDLEWOOD ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for joint pole location in: CANDLEWOOD ST.

Hearing: LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location in: MARION AVENUE. Granting permission to LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location in: MARION AVENUE

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Arthur E. Chase, the former School Committee Member, City Councilor and State Senator, who passed away at the age of 84, as well as Edward W. Brooke, the former US Senator from Massachusetts who was the first popularly elected African-American voted into the Senate, who passed away at the age of 95.

Mayor Petty presented Keys to the City to Justin Bennes, Worcester Police Officer and Daniel Papagno, Staff Sergeant for 1060th Transportation Company/Framingham, for being awarded an Exemplary Service Award for Valor while in the line of duty, and to Rhonda Karlon, Worcester Police Officer, for being awarded the Worcester Police Water Carrier Award.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. William Breault, Worcester resident 2. Robert Gibbs, Worcester resident 3. Leonard Zalauskas, Worcester resident 4. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident 5. Mike Jerry, Worcester resident 6. Sarah Kinicki, Worcester resident 7. Dr. Joyce McNickles, Worcester resident 8. Dr. Sonya Conner, Worcester resident 9. Keith Scott, Worcester resident 10. Mariana Islam, Worcester resident 11. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident 12. Keisha LaTullip, Southbridge resident 13. Chris Robarge, Worcester resident 14. Julius Jones, Worcester resident 15. John Fresolo, Worcester resident 16. Margot Barnet, Worcester resident 17. Jackie Roberts, Worcester resident 18. Anthony Petrone, Worcester resident 19. William S. Coleman III, Worcester resident 20. Thomas Daly, Worcester resident 21. Yodello Feeney, Worcester resident 22. Jo Hart, Worcester resident 23. John Provost, Worcester resident 24. Joseph Corazzini, Worcester resident

Mayor Petty brought attention to the New York Times article published January 7, 2015, which outlined the great leadership and dedication the City of Worcester’s administration, council and community all displayed promoting the City of Worcester as a College Town.

Jose Hilario request street light be installed on existing pole in front of 2 Gilman St.

Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Carl Gentile et al request Northgate Circle be removed from a "Plan A" sanding plan and added to a typical "Flat" street sanding plan.

Maria Paes request abatement of street assessment #25202, in the amount of $966.48 for Dayton Place.

Santa Mercado request installation of handicap accessible sidewalk ramp in front of 1 Spaulding St.

Ralph Santoro request resident permit parking be installed on both sides of the entire of length of Rena St.

Angelo Sposato request installation of stop signs on both the Franklin St. and Plantation St. sides of Peabody St.

Manok Ohannesian request installation of resident permit parking on Fern St.

Brian Shorten et al request installation of resident permit parking on Lamartine St. from Harding St. to Washington St.

Linda Wyman request the handicap parking space at 47 Ellsworth St. be removed.

Joseph Baratta request permission to place twenty Crime Watch signs on the telephone poles along West Pine Lane, Hilltop Circle and Oak Knoll.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request the reinstallation of a crosswalk at Chandler and King Sts.

Councilor George Russell on behalf of Mary O'Toole request the installation of handicap parking space in front of 188 Ingleside Ave.

Margaret Johnson request installation of resident permit parking on Branch St.

Santa Mercado request installation of handicap parking space in front of 1 Spaulding St.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Constables.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Pedro Figueroa and Sara Murphy to the Worcester Arts Council.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Edith Claros to the Board of Health.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Lillie Williams to the Human Rights Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Michael Baker to the G.A.R. Memorial Hall Board.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Status of the Worcester Energy Program.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Workforce Central Career Center - Worcester Community Outreach Summary.

Recommend City Council's Consideration and Approval of a Rate Increase for Hired Equipment Plowing and Sanding Rates.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Brittan Square Parking Lot

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of November 2014

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Schedule of Work on the Belmont Street Bridge Over I-290 Reconstruction Project.

Recommend that Fifty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Sixty Five Dollars And No Cents ($56,765.00) 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 Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7134, Water Transmission Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C721, Water Mains, to allow for the payments of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred as follows: $100,000.00 from Loan Account #91C7132C, Cross Connections; $65,000.00 from Loan Account #91C7133G, Leak Detection; and $35,000.00 from Loan Account #91C7133D, Leak Detection, and that the total be appropriated to DPW Account #45C720, Water Mains, to allow for the payments of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Sixteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($16,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7414, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C785, Main/Maywood Street Improvements, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations associated with this project.

Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Law Enforcement Equipment Grant.

Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to Accept and Expend a Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Job Plus Pilot Program.

Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services for the Purpose of Preventing Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Use.

Recommend that Nine Thousand Four Hundred Forty Two Dollars And No Cents ($9,442.00) be transferred from Account #14S46639, Down Payment Assistance, and be appropriated to Account #14S46239, Neighborhood Stabilization Opportunity Fund, to fully fund a housing rehabilitation project located at 5-7 Castle Street.

Recommend that Eighty Nine Thousand One Hundred Eighty Nine Dollars And Sixty Six Cents ($89,189.66) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve For Appropriation, Premium on Loans to Account # 660-92000, Treasury Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred Forty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($145,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7113C, Building Rehabilitation Nelson Place School.

Recommend Adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Eleven Million Five Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($11,515,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711E, Worcester Public Schools Building Rehabilitation, to pay for estimated construction costs for the Worcester Public School building rehabilitation projects at the following four schools: Clark Street, Goddard School of Science & Technology, Union Hill And West Tatnuck.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Request from City Council Concerning Survivor Allowance Offsets by Social Security.

Transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 20, 2014.

Request City Council remove issues of public health, and the portion of the title referring to public health, from the Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services. Further, request City Council merge the Standing Committee on Veteran’s and Military Affairs with the Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services to be reformed into the Standing Committee on Human Services, Veteran’s and Military Affairs and transfer the duties and responsibilities thereof (minus issues of public health). The City of Worcester has a Board of Health that is no longer advisory and has the full powers provided under law to make health related decisions and ordinances for the City of Worcester. The portion of the committee related to public health is thus redundant, conflicts with the powers of the board, and the majority of the City Council has expressed that public health decisions should be made by the board. (Gaffney)

Request City Council amend the proposed Act and all Orders authorizing the City Manager of the City of Worcester to appoint the chair of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to the following language, “so that the city council shall, by a majority vote, appoint the chair of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to hold office for two years with such term to end on the first meeting date of September in odd years." (Gaffney, Palmieri)

Request City Manager provide an update concerning the progress for the potential Firefighter Museum to be located at Union Station. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager reassess the effectiveness of the progress relative to the Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation over the past eight years focusing on new measures to resolve the movement of the ALB into Green Hill Park and other areas throughout the city. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager contact the Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools and area Colleges to establish a summer program relative to the ALB for participating in the educational and field observation of the ALB. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager consider contacting Congressman James McGovern to request additional federal monies for an educational program relative to the ALB as well as funding for continued resolution of the eradication of the ALB. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager contact Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to immediately begin an inoculation program in all ALB infected areas of the city and further, provide to City Council a map and perimeter of the ALB that that was funded by the government. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager provide information from the City Assessor as to what veterans’ property tax exemptions pursuant to M.G.L. Chapters 58 and 59 are available, the number of veterans applying for such exemptions during the last fiscal year, and how such exemptions are implemented and/or advertised. (Bergman)

Request City Manager provide information from the City Assessor as to how many properties are assessed at over one million ($1,000,000) dollars and in light of the recent sale of the Higgins Armory property whether or not these properties should be studied/reviewed. (Bergman, Economou)

Request City Manager provide information from the City Solicitor as to what steps are available to enforce breaches of the Services Agreement with Laz Parking Limited, LLC in regards to City owned parking garages, specifically the Federal Plaza Parking Garage. (Bergman)

Request City Manager provide information from the City Assessor, Chief Financial Officer and City Solicitor as to the assessed real property values of all City owned parking garages, the amount of debt, if any, the anticipated repairs and/or capital improvements costs for fiscal year(s) 2015/2016 and the existing lease commitments/terms for spaces in these garages. (Bergman, Economou, Russell)

Request City Manager report on the status of the influenza epidemic in Worcester and what planning is in place regarding any negative impact of the epidemic on the City's workforce and the public schools. (Lukes)

STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT FOR: YUKON AVENUE

STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT FOR: PINELAND AVENUE

That the City Council hereby recognizes Justin Bennes, Worcester Police Officer and Daniel Papagno, Staff Sergeant for 1060th Transportation Company/Framingham, for being awarded an Exemplary Service Award for Valor while in the line of duty, as well as Rhonda Karlon, Worcester Police Officer, for being award the Worcester Police Water Carrier Award. (Petty)

That the City Council go on record in support of the Worcester Police Department and the department’s high level of professionalism, leadership in community relations and dedication to the citizens of Worcester. (Lukes, Rosen, Bergman, Economou, Gaffney, Palmieri)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending approval of a Revised Zoning Ordinance Amendment relative to Commercial Corridors Overlay District that encourages compact, mixed-use, pedestrian friendly development: recommend acceptance of the recommendation of the Planning Board as amended and passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the WRA Special Legislation Authorizing the City Manager to Name the Chair. (Tabled Under Privilege - Gaffney December 16, 2014)

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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending approval of Legislation to Impose a Fine on Motorists that Damage a Bridge that is marked with a Height Restriction. (Tabled - Bergman December 2, 2014)

Motion Petty @ #12b CC – Request City Council organize and provide a means for public meetings within the community as a way to have a dialogue and develop plans of action concerning issues brought forth by the people of Worcester regarding equality and cultural differences.

Motion Rushton @ #12b CC – Request City Council provide a means for community dialogue to work towards stabilizing goals in regards to supporting both the Worcester Police Department’s dedication to the people of Worcester, as well as concerns brought forth regarding equality by the people of Worcester, as a way to become a stronger community as a whole.

Motion Bergman @ #12b CC – Request Standing Committee on Public Safety hold meetings for substantial discussions in regards to issues of equality in the community as a way to address concerns brought forth by the people of Worcester.

Motion Palmieri @ #12b CC – Request Standing Committee on Public Safety hold meetings throughout the various communities in the City to recognize all interested parties and as a way to pass meaningful resolutions in regards to equality in the community.

Motion Palmieri @ #9.7B CM – Request City Manager work with MassDOT to provide businesses, residents and schools affected by the project concerning the Belmont St. bridge over I-290 with ongoing and continuous updates regarding the project. Further, request City Manager work with MassDOT to hold discussions regarding whether traffic should be sent away from Belmont St. entirely, whether it would be less problematic for the work to be done in the evening, and whether or not there will be a solar sign projecting the timetable it will take to get from one end of Belmont St. to the other provided during the construction.

Motion Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide clean up at the corner of Paine St. and Frederick St. Further, request City Manager install a camera system at this corner to curb the longstanding problem of illegal dumping.