CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:08 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 May 19, 2015.

Recessed Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for a joint pole location in: TORY FORT LANE Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for a joint pole location in: TORY FORT LANE

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location in: WEST BOYLSTON DRIVE Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location in: WEST BOYLSTON DRIVE

COMMUNICATION of City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. transmitting quarterly update report of economic development initiatives.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring June 2, 2015 as St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church Day. The Proclamation was presented to Greg Steffon, Co-Chair for the Albanian Festival.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speaker:
1. William Breault, Worcester resident

John Kallas et al request Norton St. from Paine to the end at 18 Norton St. be made public.

William S. Coleman on behalf of Robert Evans request installation of three (3) 15-Minute Parking spaces from 7 P.M. to 10 P.M. in front of 596 Main St. for a four month trial run.

Miguel Perez request removal of handicap parking space in front of 8 Lakeside Ave.

Luz Figueroa et al request installation of resident permit parking on Fox St.

Arthur Jarrett request handicap parking space on William St. side of 69 West St. be relocated to in front of 46 William St.

Lourdes Pagan request installation of handicap parking space in front of 6 Moen St.

Councilor Morris A. Bergman on behalf of Judith Griffin request installation of posted speed limit and thickly settled signs in Heard St. at Cowden St.

Minh Bui et al request repair of tennis courts located at: 1) Morgan Landing Park; 2) Pleasant Street Court and; 3) Institute Park.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with the job description for the Emergency Dispatch position. (Toomey)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the Chief Financial Officer provide City Council with the total dollar amount for raises within the FY2016 Budget. (Gaffney)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Inspectional Services create a tutorial video demonstrating how to use the online permitting application and place this video of the city’s website. (Toomey)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Inspectional Services review new ordinances in other Massachusetts communities such as Revere and proposed legislation concerning the rental of rooms in private residences and make recommendation for improving our local ordinances if found necessary to do so. (Toomey)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager initiate basic marketing techniques for promoting the city such as using welcoming signage for events and visitors. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with additional details concerning the budget for marketing the city. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor report to City Council whether or not the vote of City Council relative to wage adjustments for civil weddings was contingent upon these wage adjustments being offset by collected revenues. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the Chief Financial Officer report which departments, when comparing with the FY2015 budget, have had a reduction in their FY2016 budget recommendation and the reason for the reduction. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request the Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools provide City Council the audit regarding student transportation and further, report what the “major savings” were, as mentioned in the School Committee Member John Monfredo’s report, regarding the audit. (Gaffney)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request the Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools provide City Council with a report in six months as to how the Worcester Public Schools is meeting the funding needs of low-income and ELL students. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report whether or not the restrictions of the Green Trust have expired since more than 50 years have elapsed since its execution and further, report the intentions of the trust. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report the number of claims by the city for damages to city infrastructure, such as streetlights, traffic signals, street signs, hydrants etc…, filed against insurance companies but not settled. (Toomey)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager take all avenues to maximize revenues at the clubhouse and functions operation at the Green Hill Golf Course. (Economou)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install signage at all City parks depicting a list of the most common park-use restrictions. (Economou)

Request City Manager report on the status of posting current health inspection reports in restaurants and other food service entities and posting said current reports on the city web site. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report on the implementation of crowd sourcing on the City's web site. (Lukes)

Request the Mayor designate a day in June to recognize Sarah E. Wall (brief biography attached), and further, request the City Manager collaborate with the Worcester Historical Museum to develop a list of “endangered persons of historical significance to Worcester” and to develop a method of remembrance and education regarding same. (Bergman)

Request the Mayor consider appointing a task force concerning private street conversions to deal with the issues of payment, the environment and public safety. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager request the Administrator of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority to update the City Council concerning the Charlie Card for Worcester seniors and whether or not the card may be dispensed at various senior housing complexes across the city. (Palmieri)

Request City Manager update City Council concerning progress at the Mid-Town Mall. (Palmieri)

Communication of City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. transmitting the list of vacant positions included in the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Approval of the Massachusetts School Building Authority to Collaborate with the City of Worcester to Conduct a Feasibility Study for the Nelson Place School: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman request installation of Stop Sign in Winifred Ave. at Ellis Dr.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mark Tivnan, et al request installation of resident permit parking on both sides of Chicopee St. from 50 Glendale St. to 919' traveling north: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard Powers request handicap parking space in front of 125 Perry Ave. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard Powers request installation of handicap parking space in front of 178 Vernon St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Rosa Dick request installation of a handicap parking space opposite of 11 Glenwood St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mikerlange Jonathas on behalf of Midrack Saint-Fleur request installation of handicap parking space opposite of 16 Oread Pl.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Teresa Phelan request the No Parking on Wellington St., between Murray Ave. and Main St., be removed and replaced with 2 hour parking 8AM to 6PM, with Parking allowed 6PM to 8PM be installed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Cedric Arno request the Winter Parking Ban on Berkeley St. in between Gage St. and Shamrock St. be moved from the even numbered side of the road to the odd numbered side: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Thomas Haddad request installation of a commercial loading zone in front of 207 & 209 Harding St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request the parameters of the “No Passenger Zone” located in front of St Spyridon Cathedral, 102 Russell St., be reduced to an area from the street light in front of the property to the corner of Elm St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Diane Mohieldin-Swartz request the bus stop on the easterly side of Gold Star Boulevard, opposite Honey Dew Donuts, be removed in the interest of public safety: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

ORDER: That the City Council, at its meeting on May 26, 2015, suspended its Rules in order to place on the agenda for June 2, 2015 the Report of the Standing Committee on Finance and the Communication from the City Manager transmitting the Fiscal Year 2016 budget document recommendation, #8.34B on City Council's agenda for May 12, 2015. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the Fiscal Year 2016 budget document recommendation: Recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

ORDER: That the City Council, at its meeting on May 26, 2015, suspended its Rules in order to place on the agenda for June 2, 2015 the Report of the Standing Committee on Finance and the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the recommended FY16 water and sewer rates, #11a CC on City Council's agenda for May 19, 2015. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the recommended FY16 water and sewer rates: recommend passage of the accompanying two proposed Ordinances.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to City owned properties and leases. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes May 26, 2015)

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 and 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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Brittan Square Parking Lot. (Tabled - Palmieri January 7, 2015 and January 13, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - 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. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Tony Economou and Councilor George J. Russell - 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. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

Motion Lukes @ #12a CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report by December 31, 2015 that lists what vacant positions in the FY 2016 budget have been filled, what positon are still unfilled and what positions are acting positions.

Motion Lukes @ #16a CC - Request City Manager review the list of city owned properties and make recommendations as to what can or cannot be done with them and further, request the City Manager provide City Council with progress reports regarding 41 Piedmont St.

PETITION - Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of William Walsh and other residents of Heal Rd. request “No Parking during the winter months from December 1 to March 31st on both sides” (Winter Parking Ban) of the steep hill that runs down Healy Rd. from main St. to #4 Healy Rd.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to provide a legal opinion regarding the exclusion of anyone from observing the deliberations conducted pursuant to hearings by the city of Worcester and the Department of Justice and including but not limited to the members of the press. Mayor Petty moved to change Councilor Lukes motion to read as follows: Request City Manager come forward with common sense guidelines regarding the media by Monday, June 8, 2015 hearings being conducted by the city with the Department of Justice.