CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:35 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:33 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty provided William Jaquith-Houston of Fifth Element Health and Wellness, Inc. with a Certificate of Mayoral Recognition for his work in developing a health oriented yoga program for individuals who are facing health and wellness challenges such as cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, arthritis, M.S., addiction and more.

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Joseph DiLiddo, who passed away February 27, 2018 at the age of 97 and Richard Aucoin, who passed away February 17, 2018 at the age of 56. Joseph DiLiddo served the City of Worcester as District Fire Chief, and Richard Aucoin was a political activist.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of February 13, 2018.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: FORBES ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: FORBES ST.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: HOLLYWOOD ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: HOLLYWOOD ST.

William Allen request installation of stop sign at the uphill side of Chatham St. at the intersection one way streets Chatham St. and High St.

Peter Milecki request handicap parking space in front of 9 View St. be removed.

Denise Darmagmac request installation of driveway clearance signage in front of 397 Shrewsbury St.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: FENWICK ST. and VASSAR ST.

NATIONAL GRID for conduit and manhole locations at: FLORENCE ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: BEECHING ST. and FLAGG ST.

NATIONAL GRID for conduit and manhole location at: HARRINGTON WAY

Request the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation discuss the feasibility of a pilot project that will open the Mann St. parking lot for patrons of the dog park and other areas of Beaver Brook Park. (Rosen)

Request City Manager work with the Media Relations Specialist to improve awareness of the City's Internal Review Team through advertising this valuable assistance resource for prospective businesses on the City's website and wherever else appropriate. (Rose)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the development of the Higgins Armory properties. (Rose)

Request City Manager consider funding options for improving the Great Brook Valley library. (Rose)

Request City Manager consider exploring opportunities to fund upgrades to the Burncoat Middle School auditorium. (Rose, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previous order requesting a way be found to systematically increase funding for street resurfacing and sidewalk repair. (Rose)

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide City Council with a report regarding the legal alternatives available to deny or terminate "TIF" agreements when employee wage violations are present. (Bergman, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding Union Station occupancy. (Petty, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide a strategy for financing the funding for new school buildings at South High School, Doherty Memorial High School and if selected Burncoat Sr. High School. (Petty)

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: KNAPP AVENUE

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: MYRICK AVENUE

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: PELICAN AVENUE

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: PHOEBE WAY

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: TORONITA AVENUE

That the Worcester City Council does hereby supports an amendment to the U. S. Code to remove marijuana as a controlled substance and further, requests the members of the U.S. Congressional and Senatorial delegation support this request and pursue said amendment of the U.S. Code. (Lukes)

Transmitting informational communication to provide an update regarding dog licensing for 2018.

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request City Manager provide a report concerning the legality, proliferation and paving by homeowners of driveways on their front lawns, often resulting in unauthorized curb cuts which eliminate on-street parking spots for their neighbors. Further, report if these homeowners choose to drive over the curb instead of creating a curb cut, are cars parked along that curb subject to ticketing and towing for blocking such driveways. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rosen February 27, 2018)

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting the requested list of banks and other depositories of cash and cash equivalents of the City of Worcester, the DCU Cener and the WRA. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes February 27, 2018)

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting communication concerning stocks held by the city and the Worcester Retirement System (WRS). (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes February 27, 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 Mayor Joseph M. Petty forwarding a survey by the Worcester Student Governmental Association (WSGA), which asked current undergraduate and graduate college students in the Worcester consortium about their time as a student living in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Tabled - Petty February 6, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning which sober houses and sober house owners have committed to the voluntary certification process for such places. – Item #20a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on how to escalate a plan dealing with speeding and changing speed limits throughout the City. – Item #20b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the City’s outreach efforts to hire Worcester residents over the last two years. – Item #20c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khyrstian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with the list of the additional streets and routes needing pre-treatment prior to the arrival of snow and ice storms be provided to City Council before the next winter season. – Item #20d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson @ #9.13D CM – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning whether there could be a limit of three marijuana retailers per City Council district. – Item #20e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a map of the potential number of marijuana retailers that can be established in one particular City Council district based on the proposed zoning restrictions. – Item #20f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khyrstian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the establishment of marijuana retailers can be staggered throughout each district, so as to not have too many in one district prior the establishment of other retailers in other districts. – Item #20g CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with an overlay map concerning where all liquor stores are located in the City as well as potential marijuana retailers. – Item #20h CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager consider developing a specific overlay zoning district outlining where marijuana retailers can operate. – Item #20i CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report listing any surrounding cities or towns that have pending legislation or have taken a vote in regards to banning marijuana retailers, as well as those who have reversed such a vote. – Item #20j CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with information comparing anticipated costs of enforcement due to marijuana legislation with its anticipated revenue. – Item #20k CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report determining the number of potential sites for marijuana retailers, based on which parcels are empty and available to move into. – Item #20l CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager consider the location of addiction treatment centers when reviewing the placement of marijuana retailers. – Item #20m CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks repair the flashing pedestrian lights at 425 Pleasant St. – Item #20n CC Order adopted

Motion Lukes @ #8d CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning National Grid’s policy regarding locating conduits on private property, including information as to whether there is land taking involved and if there is any compensation for the land taking.

Motion Lukes @ #8e CC – Request City Manager include information concerning the Higgins Armory properties on the Biannual Economic Development Update reports.

Motion Russell @ #9g CC – Request City Manager look into whether or not the City can use the REAP ordinance as a tool to determine if an entity applying for building permits paid their taxes.

Motion Lukes @ #10a CC - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion as to the consequences, if there are any, in supporting an amendment to the U. S. Code to remove marijuana as a controlled substance and further, requesting the members of the U.S. Congressional and Senatorial delegation support this request and pursue said amendment of the U.S. Code.

Motion Toomey @ #12a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a breakdown of streets in the City without sidewalks, and whether someone creating a driveway would be considered as using City property for the first few feet next to the road.

Motion Lukes @ #12b CC – Request City Auditor provide City Council with a quarterly report concerning any accounts that are not collateralized or insured.

Motion Toomey @ #12b CC – Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report concerning what the threshold is for when the City puts money into a CD Account.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager conduct an inquiry as to where the WWII Memorial at Mt. Carmel Church will be located.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager replace the light pole at 60 Southgate St.

PETITION – Councilor Sarai Rivera request the tree in front of 60 Southgate St. be inspected for possible removal.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a status update concerning the repairing of the Billing Square monument.