CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:01 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:45 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 January 12, 2016.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speaker: 1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident

Gregory Lano, Managing Partner Chandler 128 Associates, LLC request to extend BG 3.0 zone to include all of 128 Chandler St.

William S. Coleman III request City Administration seek an energy grant to replace all traffic light bulbs with LED bulbs.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request street light in front of 8 Norfolk St. be removed.

Taylor Bearden of Hampton Properties LLC request sidewalk repair in front of 91 Elm St.

Taylor Bearden of Hampton Properties LLC request sidewalk repair in front of 80 Sever St.

Taylor Bearden of Hampton Properties LLC request sidewalk repair in front of 5 Claremont St.

Jo Hart request the City of Worcester establish a new public safety program for constructing new sidewalks for all city streets in the city immediately for pedestrians' public safety.

Joseph Nader request installation of handicap parking space in front of 51 Marjorie St.

David Chauncey request installation of handicap parking space on the Fruit St. side of 81 Elm St.

JoAnne Gribbons request a stop sign replace the yield sign as you exit Route 20 onto Sunderland Rd.

Councilor Gary Rosen request installation of “No Parking Anytime”, both sides of Healy Rd. from Main St. to House #4 from December 1st to April 30th.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council have City Administration support the efforts of Worcester's African American community as it attempts to locate and establish a World War II Memorial honoring Worcester's citizens of color who served our country.

William S. Coleman III request City Administration help homeowners over the age of 65 years who are in tax title default keep their homes.

William S. Coleman III request City Administration look into providing closed captioning for our City Council meetings to assist citizens with a hearing challenge.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of George Maple, Jr. to the G. A. R. Memorial Hall Board of Trustees.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointments of Lois D. Cuiffredo and Edward L. Moynihan to Constable.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Employee Wellness Programs.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2016 Worcester Arts Council Grant Recipients.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the ongoing and planned work on Mill Street.

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

Transmitting informational communication relative to a presentation on the 2015 annual crime statistics.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a presentation on the Gun Buyback Program.

Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($15,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7414A, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C798, Guardrails, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations associated with the repairs of guardrails throughout the city.

Recommend that Respectfully Recommend the One Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($1,650.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7800A, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Elections Account #15C701, Capital Equipment, when and as received, to allow for the purchase of an EVS Report Printer and additional keyed locks for the new Voting Machines.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745K, Sewer Pumping Rehab, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C764, Sewer Pumping Station Capital Program, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Four Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Four Dollars And Forty Four Cents ($4,364.44) be transferred from Account #91C774, Civic Center Capital Equipment, to Account #75C701, Civic Center Capital Equipment, to pay for equipment.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant of service from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and Central Region Homeland Security Council to make improvements to the Millstone Site radio shelter at the request of Worcester Emergency Communications.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept a donation in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($200.00) from the parishioners of Our Lady of Vilna Parish to the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept a donation in the amount of Twenty Five Dollars and No Cents ($25.00) from Stacey Martin to support the Fire Prevention Division of the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommend that Two Million Four Hundred Seventy Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Six Dollars And No Cents ($2,478,966.00) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation-Premium on Loans, to Account #661-94201, Debt Service-Principal, to refinance a portion of the City's outstanding 2005 and 2007 General Obligation Bonds.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Account #260-91000, WFD Salaries, to Account #260-97000, WFD Overtime.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, Contingency Ordinary Maintenance, to Account #040-92000, City Manager Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend adoption of an Order for the issuance of refunding bonds.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 15th Annual Caffrey Memorial Award Nomination process.

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.

#8.23A June 9, 2015 Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an estimated assessor's tax recap using the proposed FY16 tax levy with current real estate assessed values and actual FY15 assessed values.

#8.28A June 9, 2015 Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Bond Anticipation Notes (BAN) rating.

#9.24A June 23, 2015 Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the FY16 Capital Improvement Plan.

#11a CC November 10, 2015 Communication of the City Auditor transmitting unaudited financial reports on the budgetary basis for results of operations in Fiscal Year 2015 for the General and Enterprise Funds (Schedules A through B-3). Also attached are summaries of the activities in the Special Revenue, Capital Project, Debt Service and Trust Funds (Schedules C-1 through C-5).

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking on Dwight Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 30 Proctor Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 7 Montrose Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking on Bigelow Street adjacent to 28 Sigel Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 52 Dixfield Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking across from 6 Salford Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking on Westminster Street adjacent to 15 Forbes Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 16 Louise Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to rescind handicap parking in front of 17 Gordon Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to rescind handicap parking in front of 121 Paine Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Rescind Handicap Parking in front of 3 Dartmouth Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 101 Illinois Street.

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

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 14 Plantation Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 49 Windsor Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 31 Fifth Avenue.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide handicap parking in front of 3 Hitchcock Road.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to install No Parking Anytime on Plum Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to install two hour parking meters on Harding Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Amend No Parking Anytime on Ormond Street. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to install 30 Minute Parking on Ormond Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Amend No Parking Anytime on Hampden Street.

Amending Section 43 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Amend Winter Parking Ban on Forbes Street.

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2015. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 19, 2016)

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)

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)

PETITION of Todd Holland request the City Council Calendar available on the City Government web site provide the following: 1) Under description a full and accurate synopsis be placed to properly inform all citizens of the true & accurate purpose of said meeting. 2) Under the Heading of "More Information" a link is provided to available agenda and purpose of meeting. 3) All meeting minutes be available on line in a timely manor and to include accurate details on presenters, attendees and attachments of any proposed plans. 4) A more efficient format making it easier to navigate using a graphical user interface friendly to people who lack full computer literacy. (Tabled - Economou January 12, 2016)

PETITION of Todd Holland request all City of Worcester agendas include the name of the specific person(s) or department presenting on each item in a given agenda. (Tabled - Economou January 12, 2016)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes @ #9g CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with information regarding the roles both City Council and the potential neighboring communities of medical marijuana facilities play in regards to siting such facilities. - item #12a Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell @ #10A CC – Request Standing Committee on Rules and Legislative Affairs meet to review the Rules of City Council, enacted January 19, 2016. - item #12c Refered to Rules and Legislative Affairs Committee

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with information regarding Worcester Police Department's involvement in an incident that occurred at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at Quinsigamond Community College on Monday, January 18, 2016. - item #12a Order adopted

Motion Gaffney @ #10a CC - Request City Auditor report the city’s current growth rate and the current spending rate to see if it is going to collide against the tax levy capacity and include some estimated years. Mayor Petty moved to amend: Further, request the report include the actual current unused and available tax levy.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion as to whether backup materials for a presentation is required to be given to City Council prior to the meeting or is the communication notifying City Council of a presentation sufficient.

Motion Economou - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works review its snow plowing policy to eliminate the practice of plowing excess snow onto street corners.