CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:32 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:52 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty presented Christine Forrett with a Key to the City, recognizing her for being named Administrator of the Year by the Department of Veterans’ Services. Christine Forrett accepted the key alongside her husband and daughters.

Mayor Petty recognized former Mayor Joseph C. O’Brien, who was in attendance with undergraduate and graduate students at Clark University.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 23, 2018.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speaker:
1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to #9.3A CM

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 168 HOUGHTON ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 168 HOUGHTON ST.

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 160 HOUGHTON ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 160 HOUGHTON ST

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 284 GROVE ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 284 GROVE ST.

Ryan Laprade request abatement of street betterment assessment #25529 in the amount of $11,250.00 for Monmouth Ave. assessed in the name of Paul O'Rourke & Brittany Rupp.

Rocco Leone request installation of a "Dead End" street sign at 35 Natural History Drive.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Charles Grimaldi request signs in Batavia St. where it intersects with Edison St. such as "Do Not Block Entrance" or any other appropriate signage to prevent vehicles from blocking Edison St. during school pick ups and drop offs of children.

Councilor Sean Rose request installation of a stop sign at the corner of Beechmont St. and Bancroft Tower Rd.

Teresa Smith request removal of handicap parking space in front of 13 Whipple St.

James Paquette request installation of Resident Permit Parking on Eastern Ave. from Mulberry St. to Normal St.

Jo Hart request City Council work with the City Solicitor and the Department of Transportation to clarify who or what entity is actually responsible for seeing what needs to be done to obtain at minimum a workable level of public transportation for Worcester from the Worcester Regional Transportation Authority (WRTA).

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Tracey Weeden to the Human Rights Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Mariana O'Brien to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointments of Lisa Malo and Yasmin Goris to the Worcester Arts Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Kira Terrill to the Mayor Thomas Early Scholarship Fund.

Recommend appointment of Savvas Kosmidis to the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board.

Recommend appointment of Marie Dicardy to the Cable Television Advisory Board.

Recommend appointment of George Cortes to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Recommend appointment of Rachel Brown to the Citizens Advisory Council.

Transmitting informational communication regarding the Worcester Police Department Open House for Hiring, as presented by the Worcester Police Department and the Human Resources Department.

Transmitting informational communication relative to semi-annual TIF reporting.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a public hearing for the assessment of municipal parks.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on the status of the police fleet.

Recommend adoption of an Ordinance Change to reform the application criteria for the Hope Cemetery Board of Commissioners.

Recommend adoption of the attached order to convey city property located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts to Saint John’s High School for school purposes.

Transmitting informational communication relative to recent recognition for Christine Forrett in the Veterans Services Division.

Recommend that Sixty Nine Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($69,000.00) be transferred from Parks Account #72C70210, Indian Hill, to Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, as this project will be closed out following the payment of current obligations.

Recommend that Ninety Six Thousand Fifty Dollars And Twenty Three Cents ($96,050.23) 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 capital equipment items.

Recommend that Four Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Five Dollars And No Cents ($6,525.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Parks Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70249, Memorials & Monuments, to allow for the payment of contractual obligations.

Recommend that One Million Seventy Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars And Fifty Two Cents ($1,070,750.52) be transferred from Account #75C504, DCU Special District, to various accounts listed, for costs associated with DCU Rehabilitation and Equipment projects.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($215,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #04C704, Union Station Rehabilitation, to provide funding for the Union Station exterior stucco project.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of one previously owned vehicle, with an estimated value of Two Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Six Dollars and No Cents ($2,236.00) from Edward Proko, owner of Mill Street Motors for the Worcester Police Department’s Neighborhood Response Team.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept and expend a grant from the Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program FY19 Appropriation grant administered by the Commonwealth Corporation. The total award amount for this funding opportunity is One Hundred Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($112,500.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Sixty Four Thousand Eight Hundred Two Dollars And No Cents ($64,802.00) from Alkermes under the Alkermes Inspiration Grant Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend three grant in the amount of Two Hundred Twenty Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($220,500.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Highway Safety Division under FY19 programs Traffic Enforcement and Equipment Grant, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Enforcement and Equipment Grant, and Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,000.00) from Fallon Health, under the Fallon Health Hunger Relief Grant Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Ninety Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($190,900.00) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation, to Account #660-92000, Treasurer's Office Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Thirty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Forty Two Dollars And Ninety Eight Cents ($39,942.98) be authorized from various DPW Ordinary Maintenance accounts, for payment of a prior year invoice.

Recommend that Five Hundred Sixty Six Dollars And Ten Cents ($566.10) be authorized from Account #260-92000, Worcester Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of prior year invoices, as outlined by Michael Lavoie, Fire Chief.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the cause of a gas issue in the vicinity of Forsberg St., Tatman St. and Victoria Ave. that affected service of 150 homes.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to how the transferred monies for Cable Services are expended for each account in City Manager’s communication from October 23, 2018 #9.33B.

Request City Manager and Mayor provide City Council with an update regarding the status of identifying the future (re) location for the "new" Doherty Memorial High School (Bergman)

Request City Manager review the Chapter 90 program in an effort to attain state reimbursement funds to dedicate toward our city streets. (Rose)

Request City Manager explore the idea of a superintendent of city buildings to better coordinate maintenance and upkeep of our city owned facilities. (Rose)

Request City Manager prioritize the funding of the Linear Park at Lake Quinsigamond in the upcoming capital budget and detail a funding plan for the project. (Petty, Rose, Mero-Carlson, Wally, Russell, Rivera, Bergman, King, Rosen, Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding the regulations and enforcement plan for the selling of Christmas trees for this upcoming holiday season. (Petty)

Request City Manager and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks present to City Council the state plan for reconstruction of Grafton St. so that it can be reviewed at a public meeting by the Standing Committee on Public Works for public comments. (Russell)

Transmitting Certifications of the City Clerk and City Assessor regarding the Worcester Business Improvement District petition.

Transmitting informational Communication regarding the upcoming vacancies in the Library Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2019.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of the youth of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester request Kilby St. be renamed Boys & Girls Club Way.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein, Attorney on behalf of Miriam Hyder request the City Council amend the Zoning Map to change the zoning designation for 4 Winslow St. from BG-3 and CCOD to RG-5.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of City Manager requesting approval relative to an agreement for the sale and redevelopment of the Lincoln Square Boys Club: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Felix Burgos and Rosa Rodriguez request more street lighting on Larch St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Tom Taylor request installation of a street light on a pole in front of 92 Blue Bell Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Jackie Kamenetsky request street lights be installed on Yukon Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of John Giangregorio request installation of a street light in the area of 83 or 88 Ernest Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a street light on Viele Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Eric Ward request installation of new street lights in the vicinity of 270-276 Wildwood Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Jo Hart request the enclosed list for information regarding the WRTA and any other available information the city may have for the next City Council meeting: recommend Petition be referred to the City Manager and the WRTA.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Udeth Rosario request installation of additional street lights in the vicinity of 24 Tainter St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair at the corner of Kilby St. and Main St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 34 Richards St., 40 Richards St. and 41 Richards St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 897 Main St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 912 Main St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair at the corner of Richards St. and Illinois St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Felix Burgos et al request installation of additional street lights in Larch St.: recommend Petition be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 973 Main St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Evan Corrigan request City of Worcester form a task force to tackle the problem of non-functioning street lights that are spread out all across the city: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Jo Hart request City of Worcester work with the WRTA to show them how best to interact with the public by setting up a staffed public space at City Hall to post and distribute important current information like copies of lists of new schedule changes and dates of hearings about these changes, and how to inform the public of all bus re-routing due to street work or event closures and to move immediately to restore normal service by having public meetings for new management and a new administrator: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order Councilor Michael T. Gaffney – Request Public Service and Transportation, at the suggestion of the City Manager, invite the City’s State Delegation to a committee meeting to discuss increasing state funding levels to support the WRTA: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Communication of Timothy J. McGourthy, Executive Director for the Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting communication relative to "City on the Move - An Overview and Assessment of Worcester's Transportation Needs": recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a pilot bike share program brought to Worcester from ofo: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Luz Ortiz on behalf of Angel Ortiz request installation of handicap parking space across from 48 Upsala St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Hong Vo request to remove the handicap parking space in front of 5 Plane St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Timothy Gendron on behalf of Winifred Gendron request installation of handicap parking space with two signs in front of 23 Delawanda Dr.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mundher Alzuhairi on behalf of Eeda Alzuhairi request installation of handicap parking space in front of 35 Barclay St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Father Jonathan Slavinskas request installation of No Parking from the corner of Harlow St. to the bus stop in front of St. Bernard's Church at 236 Lincoln St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Lorraine Adams on behalf of Edna Williams request installation of handicap parking space on the Dale St. side of 13 Jaques Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Todd & Joy Lewis request installation of stops sign at the following intersections with Ararat St.: Marconi Rd., Westinghouse Parkway, Delaval Rd., Ridgewood Rd. and Sunrise Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying three (3) proposed Ordinances.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Petition of Molly Welch, Reg. Director of Admissions for Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center request removal of all parking meters located on the Center's side of Harvard St. and replace with free parking access for those spaces between the hours of 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the exception of when winter parking ban is declared: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Wanda Lebron request installation of handicap parking space in front of 21 May St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Bruce LaBoffa request zone change for the property at 452 Southwest Cutoff from Residential to ML-0.5.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson April 3, 2018)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – That the City Council go on record in favor of supporting the Worcester Bravehearts as they plan for the future. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes August 21, 2018 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty September 12, 2018 and Tabled - Lukes September 25, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on what further construction will be performed and the date of completion for June Street. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes September 25, 2018 and Tabled - Lukes October 2, 2018)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager request City Solicitor prepare a local ordinance to disallow campaign solicitation 150 feet from the entrance of any early voting location similar to the state law used on Election Day. – Item #19a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager consider bringing the Red Sox 2018 World Series Championship trophy to Worcester. – Item #19b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Khrystian E. King, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager develop a process to have the Worcester Police Department contact religious institutions and evaluate security issues of each institution and help develop a process to address those needs. – Item #19c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with the current plan the Worcester Police Department uses to respond to acts of violence and terrorism. – Item #19d CC Order adopted

Motion Lukes @ #9.10A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the positives and negatives of police officers bringing home their police vehicles.

Motion King @ #9.10A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a graph detailing which vehicles in the Worcester Police Department fleet are good, fair and poor.

Motion Russell @ #9.10A CM – Request City Manager consider allowing police officers who live in the City’s urban neighborhoods to bring home police vehicles if studies show that it may help neighborhood safety.

Motion Lukes @ #9.36A CM – Request City Manager forward to City Council the report given by utility companies to the Department of Public Utilities regarding the condition of their infrastructures. Further, if the City does not receive said report, have the report forwarded to the City by DPU on an annual basis.

Motion Rose – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the city’s responsibilities to the baseball fields in District 1.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider including more sports for girls when looking at Recreation Worcester programs next year.