CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:55 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 August 11, 2015.

NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole re-location in: EUREKA STREET Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole re-location in: EUREKA STREET

NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location in: EUREKA STREET Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location in: EUREKA STREET

Mayor Joseph M. Petty read a Proclamation declaring the 2015 – 2016 Academic Year the Centennial Year for St. Mary’s Schools. The Proclamation was presented to Adam Cormier, principal of St. Mary's Schools, Cynthia Ahearn, Vice Principal and Corinna Abeddy, a member of the class of 2016 and president of the Student Government Association.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident 2. William S. Coleman, III, Worcester resident 3. Jasper Coleman, Worcester resident 4. Kyle Moon, Northbridge resident 5. Denise Healy, Worcester resident 6. Tom Tynan, Worcester resident 7. Margaret Melican, Worcester resident 8. Nicole Bell, Worcester resident 9. Stuart Loosemore, Leicester resident 10. William Breault, Worcester resident 11. Rob Branca, Shrewsbury resident 12. Richard Gonzalez, Worcester resident 13. Jo Hart, Worcester resident 14. Michael Urello, Worcester resident 15. Alina Machicote, Westborough resident 16. Athena Haddon, Worcester resident 17. Rebecca Zwicker, Worcester resident 18. Keith Scott, Worcester resident 19. Lydia Simoneau, Worcester resident

Mayor Joseph M. Petty recognized the group from the Ukraine escorted by the International Center of Worcester and their host Royce Anderson.

Steven and Beth Dumas request sidewalk panels be reset in front of 90 Commodore Rd.

Councilor Tony Economou request Lansing Ave. West, between Grove St. & Winter Hill Dr. be resurfaced.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request installation of signage at the corner of Hudson and Townsend Sts. noting the fines imposed for being found guilty of illegal dumping.

Feanna Jattan-Singh request a crosswalk be installed from the Our Lady of Loreto Church, in the vicinity of 33 Massasoit Rd. to the Rice Square School Playground.

Ude Onwuka request installation of handicap parking space in front of 165 Austin St.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Veronica Bello request installation of a "Dead End" sign in Kendig St. at the corner of Davenport St.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Veronica Bello request the installation of a "Not a Thru Street" sign in Kendig St. at the corner of College St.

LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for a conduit location in: GRANITE ST.

William Belcher request City Council fill the Library Board of Directors vacancies as soon as possible following a resignation, using the proper channels (postings, etc.) to do so.

John Paul Stevens request City Council request License Commission require International Lounge located at 27 Pleasant St. to comply with the regulations regarding the playing of "radio" music from a "non-amplified" music system.

Jo Hart request City Council immediately institute and develop an emergency triage public-safety action plan to flag with yellow protective frames around all potholes and dangerous gaps in all city streets and sidewalks and fill and recover all before snow this year.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to to file and accept an application to designate 100 Wall Street as a Housing Development Certified Project.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending August 31, 2015

Recommend that Fifty Five Thousand Six Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars And Ten Cents ($55,679.10) be transferred from the accounts listed to Account #04C714, South Worcester Industrial Park.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C724A, Street Lighting Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C712, Street Lights, to allow for the purchase and payment of anticipated lighting equipment and services. .

Recommend that Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($75,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, to Account #11C70201, Energy & Asset Management- Library, to cover the cost associated with the replacing of carpeting at the Main branch.

Recommend that Thirty One Thousand Two Hundred Fifteen Dollars And No Cents ($31,215.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C780A, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payments of this equipment.

Recommend that Forty Eight Thousand Five Hundred Two Dollars And No Cents ($48,502.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C780A, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payments of these vehicles.

Recommend that Fourteen Thousand One Hundred Eighty Three Dollars And No Cents ($14,183.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Recommend that Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($80,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C784Y, Greenwood Park, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70217, Greenwood Park, to allow for current and anticipated contractual obligations for the Greenwood Park Site Improvements which are 98% complete at this time.

Recommend that Five Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars And No Cents ($5,388.00) be transferred from available balances from concluded projects in Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehab, and be appropriated to Account #25C702, Police Department Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend that Seven Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Four Dollars And Sixty Three Cents ($7,684.63) be transferred from available balances from concluded projects in Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehab, and be appropriated to Account #25C702, Police Department Building Rehabilitation.

I respectfully recommend that One Hundred Twenty Six Thousand Five Hundred Eighty Five Dollars and Twelve Cents ($126,585.12) be transferred from Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #04C714, South Worcester Industrial Park, to fund expenses associated with the abatement and demolition of silos at 26 Southgate Place, within the South Worcester Industrial Park project area. This transfer will cover the Fiscal Year 2015 year end account deficit of $126,585.12.

I respectfully recommend that Nine Thousand Two Hundred Sixteen Dollars And Seventy Seven Cents ($9,216.77) be transferred from Account # 72S427, GAR Hall Records-Relics, and be appropriated to Account # 72T644, GAR Hall Trust and further recommend that City liquidate the entire amount currently held in the Morgan Stanley Trust Fund Investment Account, last statement date was Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Two Hundred Two Dollars And Sixty Cents ($270,202.60) be transferred from GL Account # 35915, and be appropriated to Account # 72T644, GAR Hall Trust. These transfers will be utilized for the restoration of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on the Worcester City Hall Common. Restorations will include finishing of the plaques, re-pointing of the base and cleaning of the cannons.

Transmitting informational communication on a quarterly update relative to the City of Worcester’s plan to implement improved strategies and policies that better serve and represent our diverse community.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request the City Clerk forward to the School Committee a copy of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau’s report “Toward a Common Understanding of the Common Core”.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager communicate with the Superintendent of Public Schools to ascertain what measurers could be available to educate teenagers on the license requirements, safety hazards as well as informing them that it is illegal to drive off-road vehicles on city streets. Further, request City Manager implement an outreach program to make the community aware of rules and dangers of off-road vehicles and perhaps launch an awareness campaign.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor report to City Council any best practices in other communities for handling the illegal use of off-road vehicles and report whether or not any community has enacted any special legislation for regulating these vehicles.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor and the Police Chief work together to draft a home rule petition to give the city the authority to further regulate off-road vehicles such as immediate confiscation of these vehicles pending the outcome of any court actions against the owner/operator.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 providing for Stop Sign on Paradox Drive at Beaconsfield Road for Southbound Traffic.

Request City Manager consider review of access to public buildings, including but not limited to the Public Library, City Hall, Union Station, DCU Center, Police and Fire Headquarters, and to research the need and effectiveness of the use of panic buttons, inside cameras, and sign in sheets, and other strategies, all with the purpose of promoting public safety. (Lukes)

Request the City Manager consider a safety audit for public buildings, including but not limited to City Hall, Union Station, DCU Center, Public Library. (Lukes)

Request City Manager update City Council concerning improvements taking place at the Kendig Street side of Cookson Park. (Rivera)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning assuming control of the basketball courts bounded by Hawley and Piedmont Streets, bringing them under the Parks Division umbrella of recreational facilities available to our youth. (Rivera)

Request City Manager recommend to the City Council an initiative to establish a high level of street level outreach in the Pleasant/Hawley and Piedmont neighborhood. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks establish a policy and add a stipulation to contracts with private paving contractors that requires contractors repaving City of Worcester streets to complete a side street repaving project within 30 days of the onset of site work and within 90 days of the onset of site work for major streets. (Russell, Rosen, Lukes, Rivera, Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed report as to the process for receiving permits for road races, parades or similar activities within the city and what is required of this applicant as it pertains to traffic control, noise and who is responsible for clean up after the event. (Economou)

Request the City Manager request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works & Parks repair and maintain the historic concrete pillars along Burncoat Street at the entrances to Thorndyke Rd, Monterey Rd, Brighton Rd, Coventry Rd, Bellingham Rd and Devens Rd in the interest of public safety and preservation of this neighborhood. (Economou)

Request City Manager request the Worcester Regional Transit Authority update the City Council concerning the route schedule changes that have been implemented and concerning the progress and challenges at the maintenance facility construction site on Quinsigamond Avenue. (Petty)

Request City Manager consider installation of parking meters in the area of Worcester State University along Chandler Street, May Street, and Hadwen Road and other abutting streets in order to deal with student parking in the neighborhoods surrounding the university. (Lukes)

Request City Manager consider adding personnel within the Parks Division whose job it is to collect trash in the city parks. (Rivera)

Request City Manager bring together various entities for the purpose of continually sharing overdose data between elected officials and these agencies and government departments. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the establishment of a drug court in Worcester. (Rivera)

Request City Manager encourage a process whereby outreach workers are better able to provide education and information as to how to access Narcan and substance abuse treatment options. (Rivera)

Request City Manager and the Mayor establish a citywide collaborative effort possibly replicating the Worcester Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation model for the purpose of providing on-demand services and treatment for substance abuse. (Rivera)

Request City Manager consider utilizing the services of recovery coaches at access points around the city, including emergency rooms at our acute care facilities. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a status report concerning the role of the District Attorney’s Opioid Task Force and their integration into local efforts to combat substance abuse including information relative to funding levels. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a status report concerning the roll out of Governor Baker’s Opioid Overdose Prevention, Intervention, Treatment and Recovery Plan. (Rivera)

Request City Manager bring together various agencies who deploy outreach workers in the fight against substance abuse and overdoses with a goal of overall collaboration. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide a report concerning the recent actions to enforce the clothing donation receptacle ordinance. (Toomey, Petty)

Request City Manager provide a report regarding plans to enhance the current bulk waste drop off program, including a possible exchange program for working items. (Toomey, Petty)

Request City Manager consider inclusion of other types of collection receptacles in the current clothing donation receptacle ordinance. (Toomey, Petty)

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: OCKWAY STREET

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Petition of William S. Coleman III request City Council place before the voters on the November 3, 2015 Election Ballot the following non-binding question: "Should there be a moratorium on Standardized PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) Testing?": recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Petition of William S. Coleman, III request City Council place on the November 3, 2015 Municipal Election Ballot the following non-binding question: "Should Massachusetts rescind its decision to adopt the National Common Core Education Standard for Math and English, and revert back to the curriculum frame work that was previously in place? Yes or No.": recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Cynthia Glynn et al request the handicap parking space across from 4 Gage St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kurt Grundberg request handicap sign in front of 41 Edward St. be removed or relocated: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Dan Dao et al request installation of a "No Parking" or "No Parking From Here to Corner" sign in Acton Street at the intersection of Acton Street and Vale Street: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install “No Parking” South Side of Acton St., west of Vale St., for 30’.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kevin Joslyn request resident permit parking in Lovell St. from Carlisle St. a point 210' south of Carlisle St. be removed. In Committee May 13, 2015 amended to include the removal of the entire resident permit parking restriction in the vicinity of 381 Lovell St.): recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kayla Baillargeon request resident permit parking on Gage St. from Ford St. to Berkeley St. be amended to twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kwaku Boateng, Pastor Rhema Gospel Church International, request resident permit parking be removed on Mulberry St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to remove resident permit parking in front of 72 Mulberry St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Jacqueline Pina request removal of resident permit parking on the south side of Earle St. from Edward St. to Earl Ter. and installation of one hour parking from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday in its place: recommend passage of the two (2) accompanying proposed Ordinances.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Wall St. and Norfolk St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Andrew Roy request the one way portion of Arthur St. be given a permanent winter parking ban designation: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of William Walsh and other residents of Healy 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.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

That the sum of Seven Million Twelve Thousand One Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($7,012,100.00) be appropriated to fund four building improvement projects of the Worcester Public Schools.

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)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Order of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney request City Manager consider amending the Five Point Financial Plan to require that any increases in local aid received from the Commonwealth be assigned to the Other Post Employment Benefit Trust Fund: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled - Gaffney June 16, 2015)

Motion Lukes @ #12n CC – Request City Manager consider doing more in-house training in regards to opioid overdoses and having Narcan available in case of any emergency.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request City Council, as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Development, suspend its rules to include on the September 29, 2015 council agenda, as a reasonably anticipated item, the Economic Development Committee’s Report of the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Nate Smith, President of Absolute Machinery, request to extend the existing ML-2.0 zone to incorporate the entire parcel of 92 Gardner St. which is currently split zoned by ML-2.0 and RG-5.0 zones and also to extend the existing ML.2.0 zone to incorporate the entire parcel of 57 Southgate St. which is currently split zoned by ML-2.0 and RG-5.0 zones.

PETITION – Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request installation of stop sign in Seymour St. at Millbury St. facing both eastbound and westbound traffic.

PETITION – Councilor Gary Rosen request street resurfacing for Meadow Lane.

PETITION – Councilor Gary Rosen request additional street lighting be installed in South Flagg St. in the vicinity of Bet Shalom apartments.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou request street resurfacing for Volkmar Rd.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks give immediate attention to manhole in the vicinity of 22 Ellis Dr. in order to alleviate cars from hitting the structure.