CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:09 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

In Memory of Herbert Adams, a decorated war veteran and volunteered decades of service to the city. Councilor Economou took a moment to add his personal remembrances.

In Memory of Robert Achorn, publisher and editor for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of September 15, 2015.

PROCLAMATION – Mayor Petty read a proclamation declaring the month of October 2015 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This was presented to Lynn Rocker

PROCLAMATION – Mayor Petty read a proclamation declaring October 18, 2015 as Making Strides Against Brest Cancer of Worcester. This was presented to Dottie Hargrove and Nicola Deary.

Khoai Huynh request tree in front of 61 Harold St. be removed.

Charles Gatsios request sidewalk repair in front of 20 Brantwood Rd.

Ronald Samara et al request repaving of Oakwood Ln.

Khoai Huynh request sidewalk and driveway apron repair in front of 61 Harold St.

Beverly Kelly request installation of resident permit parking in front of 178 and 176 Lincoln St.

Dr. Edward Driscoll on behalf of Marie Charest request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 3 Ashton St.

Robert Palmieri request removal of handicap parking space in front of 247 Shrewsbury St.

Michael Husson et al request removal of handicap parking space in front of 17 Acton St.

Antonia Diaz request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 6 Payson St.

Maryann Ritacco, Administrative Assistant Greendale's People's Church, et al request "No Parking from Here to Corner" sign be placed at the corners of Francis and Leeds Sts.

Katherine Nguyen request installation of resident permit parking on Chandler St. from May St. to Claridge Dr.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request crosswalk in front and around 275 Pleasant St. be painted.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request the handicap ramp in front of 275 Pleasant St. be repaired.

William S. Coleman III request City Council have the Board of Election Commissioners consider a voter education and informational program similar to Newton, MA where voters get a voting report card on how often they have voted in recent elections.

William S. Coleman III request City Council hold a public "town" meeting to discuss summer youth jobs and internships for city youth in 2016.

William S. Coleman III request City Council hold a "town" meeting in Council Chambers with City Administration to discuss with concerned citizens the city's plans for neighborhood snow removal in the event we receive large amounts of snowfall this upcoming winter of 2015-2016.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager reach out to State Senator Harriette L. Chandler to discuss the bill relative to Saving Affordable Housing currently before the State Legislature to determine where it is in the legislative process and what language will accomplish the goal to save affordable housing stock for Worcester. Further, request City Solicitor draft a Home Rule Petition that reflects saving vulnerable, existing affordable housing stock specifically for Worcester.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning Affordable Housing in Worcester that shows whether or not owners of existing housing inventory intend to preserve its affordable housing status, and if they are preserving their status, where they are in the process and report how long the term will be for the extension.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager request the School Administration to meet with City Council’s Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services to discuss ways to reach out to the city’s youth and provide information to assist in preventing drug abuse and addiction as well as providing resources to find treatment.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager request the District Attorney’s Opiod Overdose Task Forces invite providers of addiction treatment facilities to discuss concerns regarding their practice of discharging patients who have broken minor infractions to rules.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager improve inter-departmental communications regarding the use of Narcan so that information is easily shared and includes more detail such as reporting what was the outcome after administering this drug for better analysis.

Request City Manager consider removing the appointment requirements for the dropping off of household bulk items at the Department Public Works residential drop off site on Millbury St. (Russell)

Request City Manager consider offering charitable organizations, who have donation receptacles, a place for their receptacles at the Department of Public Works residential drop off site on Millbury St. (Russell)

Request Mayor and City Manager and School Administration seek and suggest potential solutions to the various and dangerous traffic and parking conditions on Lovell St. outside Columbus Park Preparatory School during the morning drop-off and afternoon pickup times. (Rosen)

Request City Council promote grass roots participation and citizen engagement in our local government through the implementation of Article 8 of the city of Worcester's Home Rule Charter by piloting, in District 5, the city's first Neighborhood Area Council. Although in the city's Charter for almost 30 years, Article 8 has never been piloted. If this request is endorsed by the City Council, a petition signed by 20% of the registered voters in District 5 will be presented to the Council in the near future. (Rosen)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks require the inspection of street/sidewalk widths adjacent to Worcester Public Schools for safety following a snow storm and if deemed unsafe make immediate corrections. (Bergman)

Request City Manager report to City Council what the percentage of Chapter 90 monies will be utilized for repair of private streets in next year’s construction season. (Palmieri)

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)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor Philip P. Palmieri - Request City Manager inform City Council as to whether he and other representatives from the city intend to meet with the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox to see if they have any interest in relocating to Worcester. (Tabled - Gaffney September 29, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney - Request City Manager reach out to our corporate business partners concerning the appearance and cleanliness of the exterior of their establishments, and, if necessary, review any requirements set out by the Zoning Board for compliance. (Tabled - Gaffney September 29, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning the status of the Home Rule Petition draft to aid Joseph Tortorelli as a result of errors made by the city of Worcester in applying tax payments. (Tabled - Bergman September 29, 2015)

Motion Bergman @ #9d CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with historical context as to how the concept for Neighborhood Area Council was included in the Home Rule Charter final document.

Motion Bergman @ #9d CC – Request City Manager send to the neighborhood groups information regarding Neighborhood Area Councils to see if there is any interest.

Motion Rivera and Petty – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a formal presentation of actions being taken to counteract the opioid crisis in Worcester and further, request presentation be conducted at a future regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update regarding steps being taken to resolve flooding in the Green Island area.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager have the groundwater checked for contamination from cyanide pollution at the WRTA construction site and further, report if this contamination affected the Crompton Park area.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager report to City Council recommendations regarding any appropriate amendments to the city’s zoning regulation relating to the paving over of front yards on residential parcels.

Motion Palmieri – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager investigate the use of technology for paying parking meter fees through smart phones.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager research the mattress recycling program utilized in Newburyport and see if this is a viable option for Worcester.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager study the Town-gown created in Amherst and see if Worcester would benefit from this type of program.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager look at the police program called “Steps” that is used for 5th and 6th graders in Somerville and see if this is a program Worcester should implement.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager report to City Council as to who in the administration negotiates with area restaurants and businesses for use of parking meter spaces where red bags with locks are used to save parking spaces, how much revenue is generated from this program and the reasons why this type of program is used instead of having parking meter spaces used as needed by anyone.

PETITION – Councilor Gary Rosen request the existing vehicle weight limit in Blaine Ave. be reduced to 2.5 tons.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Paul Foster request sidewalk repair in front of 170 King Philip Rd.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Kathleen Myshrall request apron repair on Salisbury St. between Newton Ave. North and Jamesbury Dr.