CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:32 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:42 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 9, 2018.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Etel Haxhiaj, Worcester resident
2. Joyce Mandel, Worcester resident
3. Amy Waters, Worcester resident
4. Liz Tomaszewski, Worcester resident
5. Ciro Aprea, Worcester resident
6. Nicole Louise, Worcester resident
7. Kaylee (no last name given), Worcester resident
8. Lucelia DeJesus, Worcester resident
9. Edwardo Torres, Worcester resident
10. Catalina Garcia, Worcester resident
11. Mary Ann O’Brien, Worcester resident
12. Yung Pham, Worcester resident
13. Chin Wong, Worcester resident
14. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
15. Stephen Murphy, Worcester resident
16. Stuart Loosemore, Leicester resident
17. School Committee Member Jack Foley, Worcester resident
18. Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools Maureen Binienda, Worcester resident
19. Chris Evans, Worcester resident
20. Patty Haynesworth, Worcester resident
21. Sarina Lapin, Worcester resident
22. Chris O’Keefe, Worcester resident
23. Sarah Bertrand, Worcester resident
24. Margot Barnet, Worcester resident
25. Theresa Eckstrom, Worcester resident
26. Ronald Motta, Worcester resident
27. Richard Shea, Worcester resident
28. Nicholas Connors, Shrewsbury resident

Feanna Jattan-Singh request installation of sidewalks on Sunderland Rd. from Grafton St. to Massasoit Rd.

Councilor Sean M. Rose request Osceola Ave. from Squantum St. to Clark St. be repaved.

Councilor Sean M. Rose request sidewalk repair at 3 Rutland Terrace.

Janice Hinson request to reverse the winter parking ban on Berkeley St. to allow parking on the odd side of the street.

Doris Young request to remove handicap parking space in front of 56 Everard St.

Jo Hart request City of Worcester to establish a fixed monthly (or more frequent if called for) public meeting for everyone interested in pedestrian freedom and public rights, public ways and public safety, free to all public persons, not a committee chosen by City Hall to aggregate its position.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Jeffrey Cammuso to Constable.

Recommend the appointment of Nicole Dicello to the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2018 Worcester Arts Council Grant Awards.

Recommend adoption of an order to grant an exemption for a city employee as a snow plow contractor.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of renovations at the Pearl Elm Garage.

Recommend that One Hundred Eighty Seven Dollars And Eighty Nine Cents ($187.89) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7804, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the payment of a new meter.

Recommend that Ninety One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars And No Cents ($91,697.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, to Account #25C701, Police Capital Equipment.

Recommend that Forty Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($45,000.00) be transferred from Account #11C70202, EAM Senior Center Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #11C70204, EAM City Hall Rehabilitation, to provide ADA compliant signage throughout City Hall.

Recommend that Nine Hundred Seventy Nine Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Seven Dollars And Eleven Cents ($979,527.11) be transferred from Account #75C504, DCU Special District, and appropriated to the following: Account #75C701, Civic Center Capital Equipment ($125,371.30); and, Account #75C702, Civic Center Rehab ($854,155.81), to fund anticipated costs for ongoing Capital Projects and Equipment at the DCU Center, as approved in the FY17 and FY18 Capital Improvement Plan.

Recommend that Twenty Three Thousand Eight Hundred Eleven Dollars and Eleven Cents ($23,811.70) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Project Account #67C703, Assessing Department Capital, for the payment of a new vehicle, as approved in the FY18 Capital Improvement Plan.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($180,000.00) from the MA Dept. of Energy & Environmental Affairs under the Drinking Water Supply Protection (DWSP) FY18 grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Two Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($2,750.00) from the Eversource Grant Program for the Stearns Tavern Renovation Project.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Twenty Two Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($22,550.00) from MOVA under the FY19 DDTF Prevention, Education, and Training Grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of a K9 Police Dog Protective Vest, with a monetary value of Nine Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars And No Cents ($999.00) from the young women of the Paxton/Spencer 4H Club for K9 Elvis and the Worcester Police Department K9 program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to approve the prior application for, and authorize the acceptance and expenditure of funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offered by UMass Medical School. The total amount for this funding opportunity is Sixty Three Thousand One Hundred Twenty Eight Dollars and No Cents ($63,128.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of One Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1000.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation to the Worcester Public Library Talking Book Library.

Recommend adoption of an amendment to the Table of Organization of the Worcester Police Department by adding one civilian Forensic Scientist II position.

Recommend that One Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,900,000.00) be transferred from Account #663-96000, Health Insurance Fringe Benefit, to various accounts as described. PLEASE REFER CCM ITEMS 7.36B and 7.36CRefer to CCM Item 7.36B

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept the gift of a painting with a value of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($250.00) from Nicholas Connors.

Transmitting information and recommend approval of the Health Claims Trust Fund Policy.Refer to CCM Item 7.33B

Recommend adoption or orders authorizing the acquisition by deed of the properties located at 12 Winthrop Street and 1 Spurr Street, to support the operation of the Worcester Senior Center and related purposes.

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Manager report to City Council if there are any programs in place or being developed to assist both residential and business tenants (many minority businesses) at-risk of displacement due to development downtown, and share what staff member acts as point person for any issues. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty January 16, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update as to the legal status of any state-wide ban, as well as bans of other cities and towns dealing with the elimination of plastic trash bags, which is similar to an order that was adopted by this City Council on May 23, 2017. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 16, 2018)

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 and Tabled - Rosen December 19, 2017)

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, Tabled - Petty February 2, 2016 and Tabled - Lukes December 19, 2017)

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager consider expanding the Worcester Public Library’s Libby’s services to include municipal services. – Item #9a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks inspect the streetlights in the vicinity of Westminster St., Windsor St. and Channing St., which all have been out of service. – Item #9b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager enforce regulations in regards to putting out trash on time in the Burncoat St. area. – Item #9c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager contact MassDOT to ensure the streetlights on I-290 are on between Lincoln Sq. to Holy Cross. – Item #9d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with the article about Worcester recently featured in Commonwealth Magazine. – Item #9e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Clerk provide City Council with the appropriate amendments for the City Council 2018 Meeting Schedule. – Item #9f CC Order adopted

Motion Bergman @ #8b CC – Request City Manager consider reaching out to developers of plastic bags and to grocery stores to discuss the impact of banning plastic bags, as well as consider the usage of the city’s own plastic bags prior to a ban being established.

Motion King @ #8b CC – Request City Manager report to City Council regarding considerations for individuals who may not be able to afford reusable bags. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing what percentage of municipal waste plastic bags make up. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with information regarding whether there is a strong environmental impact made by plastic bags in the City.

Motion Toomey @ #8b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost impact made in Shrewsbury after the ban on plastic bags was implemented, taking into consideration the different economic circumstances in Worcester.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager market the former Big Y Lot located on Westborough St. as a place for potential developers.