CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:02 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:06 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Joseph M. Petty recognized the members Boy Scout Troop 99 from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were in attendance for the City Council meeting earning their Citizenship and Community Badges.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 31, 2017.

Donna Barsamian request sidewalk repair at 5 Stoneland Rd.

Donna Barsamian request installation of resident permit parking on Taylor St.

Tennyson Pablo de Assis request removal of handicap parking space in front of 87 Plantation St.

John F. Welcom request installation of handicap parking space in front of 22 Loring St.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Jennifer Desroches request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Nevada St. and Monroe Ave.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of “Thickly Settled” signage in Harrington Way.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of signage prohibiting trucks from entering Granby Rd. and provide enforcement of the prohibition upon its installation.

Jonathan Church, Administrator of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority, request installation of an inbound bus stop, near 701 Lincoln St., south side, 244' west of the Lake Ave. North intersection on pole #102.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION - Request City Manager request Veterans’ Agent/Director contact each of the City’s legion posts for any ideas about what should be done for upcoming Veterans Day activities.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION - Request City Manager consult the inventory of City monuments organized by WPD Officer Sean Lovely to see how that information could be used in the planning of Veterans Day activities.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION - Request City Manager offer assistance to the School Committee in advocating for changes in the Foundational Budget Formula.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with information concerning what the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act entails and how the City complies with it.

FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION - That the City Council does hereby go on record in support of changing the Foundational Budget Formula in a manner that would reflect the actual needs of the Worcester Public School System’s budget.

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased speed enforcement in Olean St. (Rosen)

Request the Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation hold an annual public hearing to discuss the overall quality of service, customer service and price points of Charter Communications. (Rosen)

Request City Manager request City Assessor add to every letter sent out denying a taxpayer's request for an abatement, the reason(s) why that request for tax relief was denied. (Rosen)

Request City Manager submit a report to City Council stating the 250 highest salaries of city employees including the school department. (Lukes)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the city's need for increased enforcement of its policy of ticketing and towing illegally parked cars prior to and during storms in violation of declared winter parking bans. (Rosen)

Request City Manager update the City Council as to the status of the lawsuit between the Town of Holden and the City of Worcester regarding sewer rates. (Gaffney)

Request City Manager arrange for a funding mechanism for our new school buildings such as Nelson Place School and South High School. (Petty)

Request City Manager report concerning the number of active employees who served in a civil service position as a provisional or a provisional promotion employee in the City of Worcester and what the process would be to make them permanent. (Petty)

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased speed enforcement in Harrington Way. (Mero-Carlson)

That the City Council does herby recognize Esther Howland who is celebrated as the "Mother of the American Valentine Industry"; Esther Howland (1828-1904) was a Worcester native, artist and businesswoman and was instrumental in popularizing and mass-producing Valentine’s Day greeting cards in America. (Rosen, Bergman, Russell, Economou, Mero-Carlson, Petty, Lukes, Rivera, King, Toomey)

That the City Council does hereby recognize the month of February as “BLACK HISTORY MONTH,” and urge all residents to join together in making this a period of rededication to the principles of justice and equality for all people. (King)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Great Brook Valley request the bench at the bus stop in the vicinity of the health clinic be reinstalled, as soon as possible: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Route 20 Sewer Extension Project: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the FY17 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order approving selections of sidewalks for Districts 4 and 5.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Craig Blais, President New Garden Park, Inc. request the discontinuance and removal of a portion of the area known as Goddard St. as described as a private way from the Official Map: recommend Report of Planning Board be accepted and placed on file.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 1 Stone Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 19 New Vista Lane

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 33 Canterbury Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 77 Sterling Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Amend One Hour Parking To 15 Minute Parking On Merrick Street adjacent To 325 Pleasant Street

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

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For Stop Sign On Gambier Avenue At Acton Street

Amending Section 43 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Amend The Winter Parking Ban On Abington Street

Amending Section 68 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Make Sudbury Street One-Way Eastbound From Harvard Street To Eden Street

Amending Section 68 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Make John Street One-Way Eastbound From West Street To Linden Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking On Carlstad Street Adjacent To 43 Kosta Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 9 Windsor Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking Across From 39 Wall Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 110 Farrar Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 11 Olga Avenue

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 17 Dryden Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 46 William Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking Across From 26 Benefit Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 27 Parker Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 1 Judson Road

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 64 Wall Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 12 Schussler Road

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 25 Wyman Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Install No Parking Anytime On Quinapoxet Lane

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind No Parking On Harding Street Adjacent To 26 Millbury Street

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance of 2008 to amend handicap parking in front of 11 Richmond Avenue.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to HUD Regulations governing the granting of funds to organizations engaged in politics. (Tabled Under Privilege - Gaffney February 7, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Marwood Road and Dorset Street flooding. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rosen February 7, 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 include a notation on all resumes of individuals being confirmed for a Board or Commission that indicates the person is a resident of Worcester. – Item #15a Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks look into any public resources that are available for storage of materials used during conduit work at Clarence St./Chadwick St./Rosemont St., such as Francis McGrath Elementary School or Forest Grove Middle School. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider where materials used during all conduit work will be stored overnight moving forward. – Item #15b Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request Standing Committee on Public Works meet with all utility companies that deal with conduit street construction to discuss the their processes for updating or installing new services to a business or the public. – Item #15c Referred to Public Works Committee

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager broaden the scope of any conversations for the expansion of MBTA and Amtrak services to and from Worcester so that representatives from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Washington, D.C. and other surrounding areas are present. – Item #15d Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what rules and regulations are currently in tact concerning recycling protocols in the City. – Item #15e Order adopted

Motion Petty @ #9b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a service report concerning Charter Communications for the year 2016.

Motion Lukes @ #9g CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the possibility of transferring the ownership of Union Station to Massport and using the Worcester Regional Airport as a model for Union Station.

Motion Lukes @ #14a CC - Request City Manager include in City’s contracts involving HUD funding language that states OMB Circular A-122 prohibits the expenditure of federal funds on any political activities

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager shovel out City-owned property in the vicinity of Lake Ave. and Sunderland Rd.