CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:02 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:45 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 10, 2017.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Joan Crowell, Worcester resident
2. Steve Quist, Worcester resident
3. Robert Branca, Shrewsbury resident
4. Stuart Loosemore, Leicester resident

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a pole location at: COLBY AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a pole location at: COLBY AVE.

Recessed hearing: NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for jointly-owned pole location at: MORELAND ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 17, 2017) Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for jointly-owned pole location at: MORELAND ST.

Recessed hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit and pad-mounted transformer location at: FOREST HILL & HICKORY DRIVE (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 17, 2017) Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit and pad-mounted transformer location at: FOREST HILL & HICKORY DRIVE

John DaSilva et al request City of Worcester plow all snow to the left side of Hermitage Ln. into Greenhill Park after each snowstorm, as there are no houses on that side of the street. Further, request Hermitage Ln. be sanded or salted after the street is plowed.

Amos and Ann Wasgatt request abatement of street betterment assessment #25443 in the amount of $29,537.56 for Stark Rd.

Katherine Maxwell request abatement of street assessment #25426 in the amount of $13,101.45 for Stark Rd.

Joseph and Carol Carlomagno request abatement of street betterment assessment #25420 in the amount of $7,596.08 for Stark Rd.

Colleen Kay McGinn request abatement of street betterment assessment #25498 in the amount of $8,596.00 for Beaver Brook Parkway.

Miriam Rosario request sidewalk repair in Perry Ave. along the property of 35 Euclid Ave.

Patricia Finnegan Gates, Attorney for Roseland Residential Trust, request the removal of four (4) parking meters on Front St., near the intersection with Foster St., shown on the attached plan, and further request the four (4) spaces be re-designated as a "Commercial Loading Zone."

Patricia Finnegan Gates, Attorney for Roseland Residential Trust, request the removal of three (3) parking meters on Front St., near the intersection with Trumbull St., shown on the attached plan, and further requests the three (3) parking spaces be redesignated as a "Passenger Loading Zone."

Jerry Clark of Clark Mailing Service request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on both sides of Beacon St. from the loading dock for 41 Jackson St. to the adjacent stop sign.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Robert Bolivar to Constable.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Courtney Ross Escobar to the Historical Commission.

Recommend reappointment of Talena Ngo to the Citizens Advisory Council.

Recommend appointment of Christian Escobar to the Conservation Commission.

Recommend appointment of William Eddy to the Worcester Housing Authority.

Recommend adoption of a zoning ordinance map amendment for parcels in the James Street and South Ludlow Street area.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2017 Worcester Arts Council Grant Awards.

Recommend adoption of an Order to amend the Tax Increment Exemption Plan for Branded Realty Group, LLC for the Housing Development Certified Project at 100 Wall Street.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the current drought conditions.

Transmitting informational communication relative to staffing levels of the Police Department.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the increases in the assessments of waterfront properties.

Transmitting informational communication relative to revenues and expenditures through December 31, 2016.

Recommend that Twenty Nine Thousand Six Hundred Forty Five Dollars And No Cents ($29,645.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C734A, Sewer Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C704, Sewer Capital Equipment, to allow for the payment of this vehicle.

Recommend that Five Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Nine Dollars And No Cents ($5,839.00) 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 storage container.

Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70243, Providence Street to allow for contractually obligated payments for the design for the Providence Street Playground Glodis Rectangular Sports Field.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend funds from the Commonwealth Corporation's Health Care Jobs Pipeline Grant. The total award amount is Two Hundred and Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($205,000.00).

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($126,500.00) be transferred from Account #260-91000, Worcester Fire Department Salaries, to Account #260-92000, Worcester Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance .

Recommend that Four Hundred Seventy Thousand Four Hundred Ninety Four Dollars And No Cents ($470,494.00) be transferred from the following accounts: $144,711.00 be transferred from Account #750-92000, DCU Center Ordinary Maintenance, and $325,783.00 be transferred from Account #750-94000, DCU Center Debt Service, and be appropriated to the following accounts: $144,711.00 to Account #75S503-92000, DCU Center Ordinary Maintenance, and $325,783.00 to Account #75S503-94000, DCU Center Debt Service.

Recommend that Three Hundred Eleven Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty One Dollars And Four Cents ($311,951.04) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, to Account #660-92000, Treasurer's Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Twenty Three Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($23,000.00) be transferred from Account #29-33007, Damage Settlement Account, to Account #2602 - 92201, Worcester Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that a previously approved Loan Order be amended from Nine Million Three Hundred Sixteen Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($9,316,000.00) to Ten Million Nine Hundred Forty Five Thousand One Hundred One Dollars and No Cents ($10,945,101.00), in order to properly fund the MSBA Worcester Public Schools Accelerated Repairs Program.

Amend the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Relative to Members of Local 1009, IAFF International Association of Firefighters

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - While the City seeks developers to restore and reuse the magnificent and historic Worcester Memorial Auditorium, request City Manager consider utilizing and showcasing it as the Worcester Public Market at the AUD. Planned, managed and maintained through collaboration with Worcester's colleges and their students, this indoor retail and farmers marketplace would allow vendors, new entrepreneurs, organizations and individuals to rent booth space to market their products and wares. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 17, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2016. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 17, 2017)

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 Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to how much it costs for each participant to be trained in the Worcester Jobs Fund Progress program, including what collaborations take place with the program and a comparison with the Worcester Public Schools. – Item #15a Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report, prior to the budget hearings, reviewing what other towns contribute to the Worcester Regional Tourism Visitors Corporation as well as all expenditures across the City.” – Item #15b Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what cost savings, if any, would be realized if the City used Mass Core, Prison Industries for the purchase of and making of the City’s signage, as well as what effect this might have on the City’s collective bargaining agreement with 495. – Item #15c Order adopted

ORDER Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with exit interviews of small businesses leaving the City. – Item #15d Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider opening up the views of water bodies throughout the City. – Item #15e Order adopted

PETITION of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Cherokee Rd. request Cherokee Rd. be resurfaced. – Item #15f Referred to Public Works Committee

PETITION of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Mohave Rd. request Mohave Rd. be resurfaced. – Item #15g Referred to Public Works Committee

PETITION of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Woods Ave. request Woods Ave. be resurfaced. – Item #15h Referred to Public Works Committee

PETITION of Councilor Sarai Rivera request assessment of on-street parking in Beacon St. from Madison St. to Hammond St. so that parking be allowed on one side of the street, alternating from the odd and even side if necessary. – Item #15i Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager pickup of debris that has been left at the corner of Hitchcock Rd. and Freeland St. – Item #15j Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks remove weeds at the intersection of Route 20 and Sunderland Rd. – Item #15k Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager work with MassDOT to provide signage for the dangerous blind spot at the intersection of Route 20 and Sunderland Rd. – Item #15l Order adopted

Motion Lukes @ #10.2B CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with the Worcester addresses of individuals getting appointed to the various boards and commissions in the City.

Motion Petty @ #10.10A CM - That the City Council does hereby go on record in support of the City Manager’s proposed Staffing Plan, as presented to City Council on January 24, 2017, as follows: 1) Add an additional seven (7) recruits to the upcoming Police Academy Class; 2) Extend a condition of employment to forty two (42) candidates for the upcoming academy class; 3) Additional new officers to be hired through the current pool of applicants and; 4) Add one (1) Captain, two (2) Lieutenants, two (2) Sergeants and seven (7) Officers to the Police Department Command Structure.

Motion Gaffney @ #10.10ACM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the impact that increasing the staffing levels of the Worcester Police Department will have on the City’s budget.

Motion Petty @ #10.5A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with how much money has been spent on Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to replace the City’s water supply.

Motion Bergman @ #10.25ACM – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with information regarding Appellate Tax Board decisions that discuss negative factors effecting evaluations of property.

Motion Russell @ #10.25A CM – Request City Manager request City Assessor consider holding open houses throughout the City that help guide Worcester residents through the process of filing abatements for property assessments.

Motion Bergman @ #12a CC – Request City Manager consider the importance of parking in the downtown area when discussing the development of both the Worcester Memorial Auditorium and the Worcester Courthouse.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide snow removal enforcement in the vicinity of 102 Shore Dr.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager determine who is responsible for snow removal enforcement in West Boylston St. from Art’s Diner to New Bond St.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Saxon Rd., Westbrook Rd. and Greenbriar Ln. request installation of children advisory signage in the vicinity of Saxon Rd., Westbrook Rd. and Greenbriar Ln., in the interest of public safety.

PETITION – Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of the residents of William St. request sidewalk repair in front of 51 William St.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager address the issue of cars parking illegally in Muskeego St.

Motion King - Suspension of Rules - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation discuss continuing the bus route that services the area that includes 151 West Boylston Dr., in the interest of public safety and public service.