CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:41 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Mary Valentine “Sid” Callahan, who passed away at the age of 93 on April 2, 2017. Ms. Callahan was a lifelong Worcester resident, who worked at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette and was a woman dedicated to making the City of Worcester a better place.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty recognized Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Powers as this year’s recipients of the Caffrey Memorial Award. The Caffrey Award is presented to those in Worcester’s community who demonstrate courage, fortitude and perseverance through deeds and actions on behalf of the community.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty read a Proclamation declaring Saturday, April 22, 2017 as Earth Day in the City of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Pat Barnowsky and Steve Fischer.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty read a Proclamation declaring Tuesday, April 4, 2017 as Equal Pay Day in the City of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Jennifer Maddox, Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty read a Proclamation declaring the month of April 2017 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Kim Dawkins, Executive Director of Pathways for Change.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty read a Proclamation declaring Tuesday, April 4, 2017 as National Service Recognition Day in the City of Worcester. The Proclamation serves as a reminder to thank those who find ways to give back to their communities.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of March 21, 2017.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Amanda Barker, Leicester resident
2. Mary Dwayne, Worcester resident
3. Richard Callahan, Worcester resident
4. Steve Fischer, Worcester resident
5. Elizabeth Sheehan-Castro, Worcester resident
6. Stuart Loosemore, Leicester resident
7. Martha Assefa, Worcester resident
8. Virginia Ryan, Worcester resident
9. Jo Hart, Worcester resident

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for conduit location at: WINTHROP ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for conduit location at: WINTHROP ST.

Enio Barbosa et al request Ellie Way be made public.

Gerardo Schiano et al request Longmeadow Ave. be resurfaced.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Barrows Hardware requests sidewalk resurfacing on Webster St. from the power company substation to the corner of Webster St. and Cambridge St.

Kitty Schrow request abatement of street betterment assessment #25492 in the amount of $12,192.00 for Dominion Rd.

Caitlin Laplante, Property Manager at Canal Lofts, request installation of a drop off/pick up zone in front of 48 Water St.

Carmen Luna request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 27 Sigel St.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage in the north side of Albany St., from Muskeego St. to the entrance of the first driveway.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage in the west side of Muskeego St., from Nebraska St. to Albany St.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage in Envelope Terrace, west side extended, from Nebraska St. to the end.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council invite Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler to a City Council meeting and present her with a Key to the City for her work as the most powerful women in the Senate Chambers.

Recommend adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to add provisions relating to urban agriculture.Refer to CCM Item 9.15A

Recommend adoption of an revised ordinance amendment relative to honeybee keeping and farm stands.Refer to CCM Item 9.4A

Recommend authorization of a resolution to execute a renewal of leased space by Pastoral Counseling Centers of MA, Inc. at the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend that Thirty One Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars And Eighty Five Cents ($31,999.85) be transferred from Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, to Account #25C702, Police Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend that Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($350,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7134, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account # 45C721, Water Mains, to allow for current and anticipated contractually obligated payments.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($500.00) from Spencer Savings Bank for the Worcester Public Library's 2017 Summer Reading Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept donations totaling One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($1,500.00) to be used for the purpose of fire prevention.

Recommend the transfer of One Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($100,000) from Account #480-92000, Union Station Ordinary Maintenance, to various accounts, as described, to cover costs associated with injured on duty expenses for the Worcester Police Department and the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommend that Six Thousand Two Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($6,200.00) be transferred from #3311-92000, Office of Human Rights & Disabilities Ordinary Maintenance, to #3311-93000, Office of Human Rights & Disabilities Capital Outlay, to cover the costs for designing ADA compliant counters for the Treasurer’s, Clerk’s, and Planning Office. This project is budgeted under the FY17 Operating Budget for the ADA transition Plan.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the selection of Mr. Gerald and Mrs. Karen Powers as the recipients of the Caffrey Memorial Award.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager request City Assessor when notifying a taxpayer who is denied a residential property abatement to provide more details as to the reasons the request was denied.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager insert in the city’s tax bills information as to all the different types of abatements/exemptions that are available to the tax payer.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager request the Appellate Tax Board to consider creating a new factor for water usability that can assist in determining assessments for water front properties.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Auditor review and provide his opinion as to the City Manager’s updated Five Point Plan. Further, request the City Auditor provide recommendation if there are any as to the feasibility of paying off loans early to save on the paying of interest.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of initiating an elderly tax work off program, which is available to seniors in various Massachusetts communities, including information concerning what liability the city could hold if the program was initiated. Further, request City Manager include in said report which communities currently provide the elderly tax rate exemption in lieu of the work off program.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning communities with lower tax deferral rates and how their residents take advantage of it.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding the feasibility of implementing a policy of ascertaining whether a company has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau when granting permits for door to door sales.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager consider legal means to delay the increase in tax assessments to property owners who put work into their properties and thus increase said property’s value.

Request City Manager have T Base and/or gravel available for pickup at Department of Public Works and Parks facilities that residents can utilize to fill in holes on private streets at no cost to private street residents or private street property owners. (Russell)

Request City Manager evaluate the stone wall from the Newton Square basketball court to Doherty Memorial High School, which has loose and missing sections of stone, to determine what work might be needed to repair it and to prevent further deterioration. (Rosen)

Request City Manager and the Police Chief review the state of parking on Williamsberg Dr. and Outlook Dr. in Washington Heights to ensure that area residents are adhering to all city parking regulations and to recommend, if needed, more appropriate signage on these streets. (Rosen)

Request City Manager review the legality of changes in this year’s tax classification from residential to commercial of several assisted living facilities and, if correct, review the options for making these dramatically increased tax payments, without penalties. (Bergman, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request WRTA Administrator review and report to City Council concerning revenues and expenses of operating bus service in outlining towns in order to determine if cuts/changes in local services can be avoided. (Bergman)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning an order previously adopted on February 3, 2015 requesting a report concerning the number of pawn shops in the city, the process for establishing a pawn shop, the regulations applicable to the operation of a pawn shop, what government oversight exists concerning the operations of pawn shops, and the ability of the City Manager/City Council to place a cap on the number of pawn shops operating in the city. (Lukes)

Transmitting the GAO and OMB reports for the year ended June 30, 2016.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of James Healy, WCS 100 Century Drive, Inc. request to amend the City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance, Article 1, Section 2, Definitions, by amending the definition of "Hospital or Sanatorium": recommend Accepting the Planning Board’s recommendation and passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Carl Freedman, President of United Barrel and Cooperage Company, request to extend the MG 2.0 zone to include 29 Lyon St.: recommend accepting the Planning Board Report and Deny.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Petition of Virginia Ryan request City Council lower the tax deferral rate from 8% to 2.5% to accommodate seniors in Worcester who are "House Rich and Income Poor": recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to lower the tax deferral rate to 4%.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Petition of Virginia Ryan request City adopt both the small business exemption and residential exemption as recommended by the AWARE coalition: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Petition of Norman Guertin et al request $1,000 each year be subtracted from property tax bill for three-family, owner occupied buildings if $1,000 is spent on exterior house improvements: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Petition of Norman Guertin et al request City Council vote to stop selling property tax liens to third parties: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Petition of Virginia Ryan request the City of Worcester pay for the difference in cost of Part B Medicare for 2010 and 2011 for City retirees not receiving Social Security checks: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Petition of Virginia Ryan request the City, when granting permits for selling services going door to door, ascertain whether the company doing so has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau and ensure proper permits for services obtained from the door to door solicitation, such as electrical services for installation of burglar alarms, are acquired from the city: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the biannual actuarial valuation of the City's Other Post-Employment Benefits program (OPEB) as of July 1, 2015, prepared by KMS Actuaries, LLC.: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Consumer Rights Program now open to assist residents: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to FY17 health insurance rate projections: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2016: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting report concerning the 10 year returns reported by PERAC in their 2014 Investment Report and the impact on the City Budget of those returns: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting schedule of the Tax Levy Limit and resulting Excess Levy Capacity for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016 with projections for fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2020 based on estimates provided by the administration for new growth and taxable valuation increases: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting monthly report on the status of the City Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the Monthly Report on the Status of the City Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the semi-annual financial statement of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) for the six month period ended December 31, 2015: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting report regarding the audit of federal awards from the outside auditor for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting a report concerning the total obligations transferred to PRIM, the amount the City is responsible for and the return on investment in both categories: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the Monthly Report on the Status of the City Budget for the eleven months ended May 31, 2016: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication responding to request for the City Auditor's opinion as to whether the Worcester Retirement System should transfer its assets to the state for investment and what are the rules for any subsequent withdrawal: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the Independent Auditor's Report on financial statements and supplementary information for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the unaudited financial reports on the budgetary basis for results of operations in fiscal 2016 for the General and Enterprise Funds (Schedules A through B-3): recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2015: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to methodology of when and how an audit should be conducted and how often: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication responding to a request from City Council requesting a report detailing the net differential and return on investments associated with the pension obligation bonds: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of Joseph Connarton, Executive Director of PERAC, transmitting communication relative to the amount required to be appropriated to the city's retirement system for Fiscal Year 2017 which commences July 1, 2016: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of Joseph Connarton, Executive Director of PERAC, transmitting communication relative to the amount required to be appropriated to the city's retirement system for Fiscal Year 2018 which commences July 1, 2017: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Angel Nieves request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 7 Clarence St.: recommend passage of the accompanying Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of John F. Welcom request installation of handicap parking space in front of 22 Loring St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Wael Kilani on behalf of Askandar Kilani request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 352 West Boylston St.: recommend passage of the two (2) accompanying proposed Ordinances to amend the One Hour Parking and install handicap parking.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Alexandro Santos request handicap parking space in front of 87 Plantation St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request installation of on-street parking spaces adjacent to Coes Pond Beach by re-striping that area's portion of Mill St. so that only the present left lane is used for traffic while the right lane is used for parking: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

That the sum of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($750,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7844, Park Improvements-Holmes Field, to pay for costs associated with the improvement of Park Improvements, Holmes Field, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 25 Almont Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 11 New York Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking Across From 16 Oread Place.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 67 Stanton Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking On Grosvenor Street Adjacent To 46 Lafayette Street.

Amending Section 40 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Rescind Resident Permit Parking On Sever Street From Marston Way To Dayton Street.

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager submit a City Solicitor's report concerning the wording of the ordinance voted by the Town of Westborough on March 7, 2017, which banned any recreational marijuana stores, farms or other related businesses in that Town and what, if any, would be the impact of the ordinance on medical marijuana businesses, personal consumption and limited home grown plants and further what is the process for the city to implement a such a ban on commercial, non-medical marijuana business. (Held to be First Item of Business - Lukes March 21, 2017 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 28, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to litter and recycling containers. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 28, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to what federal, state or local legislation established resettlement cities and what the legislative responsibility is for funding services as a result of being designated a resettlement city. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes March 28, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that Fifty Six Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($56,000.00) be transferred from #900-92000, Contingency, to Account #330-91000, DPH Salaries, for a projected Worcester Division of Public Health salary budget deficit. (Tabled Under Privilege - Gaffney March 28. 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)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - That the Worcester City Council does hereby support the initiation of negotiations by the WRA with MassPort or other entities regarding the feasibility of transferring Union Station as an intermodal transportation center to MassPort. The transfer concept is based upon the transfer of the Worcester Airport to MassPort and is necessitated by similar transportation and financial concerns that resulted in the conveyance of Worcester Airport to MassPort. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty February 28, 2017- and Tabled - Lukes March 7, 2017)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - That the City Council does hereby strongly urge the Mayor, School Superintendent, School Committee and the Worcester Department of Public Health to follow EPA guidelines and direction in immediately authorizing and funding and the testing of the air and environment at both Doherty Memorial and Burncoat High Schools for dangerously high levels of toxic and carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and to use the test results to determine an appropriate remediation process. (Tabled - Rosen March 21, 2017)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager work with Discover Central Massachusetts to get the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament back to Worcester. – Item #14a Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning if property values are being inflated through the Assessor’s Office, as properties are being sold far lower than what they are valued at. – Item #14b Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the implementation of an infant mortality reduction initiative, including what has and has not worked and if there has been a reduction in infant mortality. – Item #14c Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning potential statutory change in terms of preventing double payment to retirees who may also be collecting unemployment. – Item #14d Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning ways to pay off accounts similar to the North High School Construction Fund in advance. – Item #14e Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning a breakdown of the snow and ice removal cost by date of storm. – Item #14f Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the source of funding for the Mounted Police Unit. – Item #14g Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks replace missing street name and resident permit parking signage in College St. and Clay St., as they were taken down when those streets were repaved. – Item #14h Order adopted

RESOLUTION of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – That the City Council does hereby recognize and congratulate Burncoat Senior High School’s Green Reaper Robotics Team for winning the Chairman’s Award at the First Robotics Competition in Bedford, New Hampshire on March 26, 2017. The Chairman’s Award is presented to the team judged to have the most significant impact on a community for a sustained period of time. – Item #14i Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

PETITION of Councilor Tony Economou request Tuxedo Rd. be resurfaced. – Item #14j Referred to Public Works Committee

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager reach out to the owner of the old Salter School property located at Indian Hill Rd. and look into a means to clean up the property, including graffiti on the building, prior to the adjacent baseball field opening up for the season. – Item #14k Order adopted

Motion Petty @ #9.4A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how other cities and towns are implementing urban agriculture regulations.

Motion Lukes @ #9.31A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the future of the building used by the Worcester Police Department and whether it serves the City’s present needs.

Motion Gaffney @ #14a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a yearly report concerning where the tax deferral interest rate is set.

Motion Lukes @ #18c CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with updates concerning the events at each quarterly consultation meeting for key stakeholders hosted by Clark University that looks at increasing dialogue for community planning regarding delivery of programs and services.

Motion Lukes @ #18c CC – Request City Manager request Superintendent of Public Schools provide City Council with a report concerning extra services and estimated costs associated with refugee students being relocated to the city.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a traffic study regarding multiple accidents at the intersection of May St. and Lovell St.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a study of pedestrian and bike use and identify safe practices and ensure youth are informed about sharing the road.

PETITION – Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Lorraine Laurie request installation of children advisory signage in Vernon St. at Pattison St., in the interest of public safety for students at after school programs.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks repaint the crosswalk in Vernon St. at Pattison St.

PETITION – Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Lorraine Laurie request installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Vernon St. and Seymour St.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Eugene and Penelope Kaczyk request sidewalk and driveway apron repair in front of 12 Greenbriar Ln.