CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:30 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 October 18, 2016.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident 2. Steve Quist, Worcester resident 3. Elsie Stone, Worcester resident

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a joint pole location at: BROOKS ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a joint pole location at: BROOKS ST.

Stephen Paulhus request City Council, in conjunction with all appropriate agencies, departments and service providers, provide emergency, safe, clean and dignified housing to all currently homeless persons in Worcester for, at minimum, the duration of Worcester's cold season within seventeen (17) days from completion of a housing application. Further, request City Council, in conjunction with all appropriate agencies, departments and service providers ensure that all of Worcester's currently homeless persons be quickly and proactively contacted and/or approached as to exactly how and where to obtain, complete and submit the aforementioned housing applications.

Stephen Paulhus request City Council schedule and attend a meeting with Worcester's homeless community members who visit Saint John's Temple Street Soup Kitchen, where they would be accompanied by a qualified "note-taker" of each member's choosing to conduct a round table discussion on a three (3) minute basis with every seated member of Worcester's homeless community. Further, request each "note-taker" keep detailed notes summarizing each homeless person's individual needs, concerns and questions, with appropriate action and feedback coming back to the homeless community in a timely manner.

Dennis Nawn on behalf of Executive House Condominium Association request complete sidewalk renovation along Humboldt Ave. which abuts the property at 80 Salisbury St.

Evan Corrigan request the project to re-do Main St. include flag brackets on the light posts, from which American Flags and city of Worcester flags can be hung from May to October.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Carol Stovall request Lovell Terrace be resurfaced.

Wael Kilani on behalf of Askandar Kilani request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 352 West Boylston St.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location at: NEWPORT ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: EDWARD ST. AND NEWPORT ST.

Jo Hart request City of Worcester immediately label every single space/area in the city "public" or "private", so public persons will know whether each structure/surface/seating area, sheltered or not, is legally available for accommodation/use by any public person.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Mary Boodie to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Recommend the appointment of Michael Angelini to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority.

Recommend the appointments of Leonard Cooper and Joseph Ortiz to the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board.

Recommend the appointment of Barbara Carmody to the Planning Board.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the FY17 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending September 30, 2016.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2016 Fall Leaf Collection Program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the renovation of the Lt. John Powers Monument located on Franklin Street.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the benefits of a Mounted Police Unit.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the activities scheduled to honor our Veterans on Veterans Day.

Recommend adoption of a Supplementing Order regarding the application of bond premium as provided in the Act Modernizing Municipal Finance and Government.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) 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 needed throughout the city.

Recommend that Eight Thousand Three Hundred Four Dollars And No Cents ($8,304.00) be transferred from Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehab, to Account #11C70204, Energy & Asset Management City Hall Rehab, to pay for current obligations that the city has committed in the Fiscal 2016 Capital Improvement Plan for City Hall renovations.

Recommend that Thirty Five Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Five Dollars And No Cents ($35,555.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7804, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the payment of this vehicle.

Recommend Twenty One Thousand Two Hundred Forty Dollars And Thirty Four Cents ($21,240.34) be transferred from Account #91C7124, WRA Urban Renewal, to Account #04C7110C, Urban Renewal, to pay for current and anticipated obligation. This transfer will provide funding that was committed and borrowed in prior years to the Urban Renewal project for consulting services.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thirty Nine Thousand One Hundred Ten Dollars And No Cents ($339,110.00) be transferred as follows: $176,646.30 from Loan Account #91C780A, DPW Capital Equipment, and $162,463.70 from Loan Account #91C7804, City-Wide Capital Equipment, and the total be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the payment of two (2) sanitation vehicles to replace two that had reached the end of their functional lives.

Recommend that Thirteen Thousand One Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($13,100.00) be transferred from Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehab, to Account #11C70203, Energy & Asset Management - 25 Meade St., to fund expenses associated replacing the existing fire alarm panel that was hit by a lightning strike.

Recommend that Eight Hundred Forty One Dollars And No Cents ($841.00) be transferred from Account #75C504, DCU Special District, to Account #75C705, DCU Enhancement Project, for costs associated with the Cable Identification Project.

Recommend that Twenty One Million Dollars And No Cents ($21,000,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7111A, Building Rehabilitation City & Schools, and be appropriated to Account #04C754, Citywide/School Energy Improvements, to fund expenses associated with the citywide ESCo project.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept and expend a grant in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($10,000.00) from MassDevelopment under the AMP it up! grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept and expend a grant in the amount of Sixty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Five Dollars And No Cents ($69,975.00) from MEMA for their FY16 Emergency Management Performance (EMPG) grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept and expend a grant in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($2,000.00) from MEMA for their FY16-17 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept a donation in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($500,000.00) from YMCA of Central Massachusetts and the Hanover Insurance Group Foundation for Shore Park.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept and expend a grant of up to Two Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Six Hundred Seventy Seven Dollars and No Cents ($262,677.00) from the US Dept of Homeland Security under the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Account #75D801, DCU Improvement Fund, and be appropriated to Account #041-92000, Promotion of Tourism, to fund the Fiscal Year 2017 Discover Central MA Marketing activities.

Recommend that Nine Hundred Fifty Three Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Six Dollars And No Cents ($953,326.00) be transferred as described so as to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Program for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017.

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Six Thousand One Hundred Ninety Dollars And No Cents ($126,190.00) be transferred from and to various CDBG accounts to provide sufficient funding for anticipated project costs for the demolition of six buildings, each having been adjudged a nuisance to the neighborhood, or dangerous, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 139, §1.

Transmitting informational communication relative to current opportunities on boards and commissions.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Robert Branca, Jr. on behalf of Branded Realty Group, LLC request to rezone the parcels at 38 Norfolk St. and 42 Norfolk St. by extending the RG-5 zoning district to encompass them.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of William Randell of ABG Real Estate request the entire length of Luther Ave. be made public.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request to make public Grove St. Terrace.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Tony Economou on behalf of Richard Pentland request the private portion of Chevy Chase Rd. be made public.

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For Stop Sign On Short Street At Sunderland Road (By Ellen Street)

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For Stop Sign On Canterbury Street At Gardner Street

Amending Section 40 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Revise Resident Permit Parking On Rena Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking On Wachusett Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking At 249 Shrewsbury Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking On Camp Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking At 3 Perry Avenue

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Amend Front Street Parking Meters

Amending Section 47 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Amend No Parking 7am – 6pm School Days On Richland Street Amending Section 47 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind No Parking 7am – 6pm School Days On Richland Street

HEARING AND GRANTING PERMISSION TO: NATIONAL GRID for conduit location at: HOUGHTON ST (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes October 25, 2016)

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)

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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 26, 2016 and Tabled - Petty February 2, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request removal of granite borders placed by the City onto private properties on Plantation St., and placed instead in a City park. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request removal of large planters clumped together on Plantation St. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request the targeted second "makeover" of Shrewsbury St. be placed on hold until other city streets have had their first "makeover". (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a list of the non-profit agencies who keep their properties on the tax rolls. (Tabled - Gaffney May 24, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report listing properties that have been converted from commercial or industrial to residential. (Tabled - Gaffney May 24, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting communication responding to City Council inquiry requesting City Manager submit an estimated assessor's recap comparing the proposed FY 17 tax levy with the current real estate assessments and the FY 16 assessed values. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 14, 2016 and June 21, 2016 and Tabled - Lukes July 19, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to legislation to regulate and restrict non-profit organizations in residentially zoned districts. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman September 20, 2016 and September 27, 2016 and Tabled - Bergman October 4, 2016)

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager create a plan for a community group to raise funds that will help support the preparation and maintenance of dog parks. – Item #17a Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide traffic enforcement of the “No Parking Anytime” restrictions in Beacon St. in the vicinity of Jackson St. and Hermon St. – Item #17b Order adopted

PETITION of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Francis Carroll request sidewalk repair in front of 11 Hancock Hill Dr. – Item #17c Referred to Public Works Committee

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide any possible emergency sidewalk repairs in front of 11 Hancock Hill Dr. – Item #17d Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager provide street sweeping in Pullman St. – Item #17e Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager forward the sediment analysis results for Indian Lake to the Indian Lake Watershed Association for future planning, as soon as possible. – Item #17f Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide the City Council with a plan for immediate remediation of flooding in the area of 31-69 Barry Rd. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks create a long term solution to said flooding. – Item #17g Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager coordinate with residents along Route 20 so as to provide proper support during the Route 20 Sewer Project. – Item #17h Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning a solution to providing enough water along Route 20 during fire emergencies. – Item #17i Order adopted

PETITION – Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Elsie Stone request sidewalk repair in front of 10 Hollywood St.

Motion King @ #8.10A CM – Request City Manager formalize a plan concerning when the horses in the Mounted Police Unit retire from duty that includes each horse being properly housed and cared for.

Motion King @ #8.10A CM – Request City Manager reach out to Becker College to inquire how their veterinary students could be included in the process of maintaining a Mounted Police Unit.

Motion Toomey @ #8.10A CM – Request City Manager consider sending horse manure to local farms.

Motion Gaffney @ #8.10A CM – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report outlining the legality of sponsorships being placed on Worcester Police property transporting horses in the Mounted Police Unit.

Motion Bergman @ #8.7B CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider allowing more time for residents to rake their leaves into the street for pickup.

Motion Russell @ #8.7B – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report outlining the rotation of the last three years of leaf pick up, including reasoning behind how the rotation works.

Motion Rivera @ #8.7B – Request City Manager consider providing residents with a Text Alert and/or a Reverse 911 phone call notifying them of upcoming leaf pickup in their neighborhood.

Motion Lukes @ # 8.30A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report highlighting the main points of the Act Modernizing Municipal Finance and Government.

Motion Lukes @ # 8.33C CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning which locations are set to be demolished with CDBG monies and who the owners of each building are. Further, request City Manager provide in said report information concerning whether the City will receive monies back for the cost of demolition.

Motion Lukes @ # 8.36A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding the status of filling vacancies on the Conservation Commission and whether the vacancies are affecting the items before the commission.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou request sidewalk repair in Chalmers Rd.