CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:35 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:22 A.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring January, 2019 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the City of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Nicole Bell, Chief Executive Officer of Living in Freedom Together (LIFT).

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 15, 2019.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Ruth Seward, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9f CC
2. Evan Corrigan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9g CC

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PARKER and DEWEY STREETS; and Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PARKER and DEWEY STREETS

Susan S. Nichols on behalf of the Owner of Worcester Mill LLC, request to extend the BL-1.0 (Business, Limited) zoning district to encompass the entirety of 195 Mill Street, in order to eliminate the current split zoning of the property.

William S. Coleman III request City Council consider suggesting to City Administration that Worcester participate in a "Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program".

Councilor George Russell on behalf of Walter Andros request sidewalk resurfacing and removal of overgrown tree roots in front of 25 Harold St.

Halime Acevedo request installation of handicap parking space in front of 16 Breck St., Unit 1E.

Adam Cormier, President St. Mary's Schools and Rev. Richard Polek, Pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa request additional and necessary speed calming measures and parking enforcement at crosswalks to ensure safety of children on Richland St. and Ward St. in vicinity of elementary school since recent signage resulted in no changes and continues to be unsafe.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager, when negotiating for all requested easements, consider the value of the property.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Director of Traffic Engineering contact the landlord of 15 Fifth Avenue to determine if off street parking is granted to the tenants.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement in Batavia St. during student pickup and drop off.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement in Taylor St. to ensure street is passable.

Request City Manager request Keolis to clarify their policy for notification of canceled or delayed commuter trains on the Worcester line. (Petty, Wally)

Request City Manager provide details and timeline of the Mass DOT’s plans regarding the Aitchison St./Plantation St. bridge. (Petty, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request the Technical Services Department work with the appropriate city divisions to ensure the agendas of all the Boards, Commissions, and Standing Committees of the City Council on the cities website include the necessary meeting attachments. (Wally)

Request City Manager review current snow plowing practices and report on the appropriateness of deploying a combined system of high tech strategies such as global Positioning Systems, sensors on trucks and the use of surveillance camera networks to plow the streets more efficiently. (Lukes)

Request City Manager provide an update to City Council concerning the recent developments at the Greendale Mall. (Mero-Carlson, Bergman)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner Public Works & Parks to update Worcester’s Ordinance Relative to the Protection of Public Trees last ordained in October of 2009. (Wally, Bergman, Rosen, Lukes, Mero-Carlson, Rivera)

Request City Manager explore options to consolidating the DPW buildings on Albany St., Meade St. and East Park into the Greendale Mall. (Rose)

STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENTS: HILMA STREET

STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENTS: CANDLEWOOD STREET

Transmitting for your review the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2018.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Brian Laforte, V.P., Real Estate & Facilities Management of Polar Beverages request removal of Wolfenden St., a private street, from the Official Map.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Robert Longden, Esq. on behalf of New Garden Park, Inc. request changing the zoning designation of Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 4, which is part of 305 Belmont St. from BG-2.0 & ML-0.5 to BG-3.0.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Kristin Sundberg et al request Martha Ave. be made public.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of John Paul and Michelle L'Esperance request Bishop Ave. be made public.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Stephen Madaus, Attorney for Agrand Realty, LLC request to amend the Zoning Map of the city of Worcester by changing the zoning designation of the property located at and known as 223 Greenwood St. from a current designation of RL-7 to ML-0.5: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the petition Bob Richard of Worcester Investment Group request a sidewalk be constructed from the corner of Tacoma St. and Clark St. extending to the entrance of 326 Clark St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the petition of James Ritchotte request installation of a sidewalk on the northwest side of Stafford St. from the Leicester Town Line to Ludlow St : recommend approval of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS 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: recommend approval of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Liza Vittek request the guardrail in the vicinity of 35 Trahan Ave. be extended to cover the left corner of the property at 35 Trahan Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Michelle Sampson request a handicap ramp curb cut in front of 9 Plantation St: 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 bulk and yard-waste drop-off site, spring 2018 household hazardous waste collection events, and online appointments: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Public Hearing for the Intersection Improvements at Holden Street, Drummond Avenue and Shore Drive.: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Carole Edwards et al request Hooper St., from Catharine St. to Mount Vernon St. be made public: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the petition of Tony Economou on behalf of Timothy Doherty request sidewalks be installed on Squantum Street.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of 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: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Tanya Resto request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 9 1/2 Douglas St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Abdulrazzad Abed request to remove handicap parking space in front of 78 1/2 Ward St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Roberta Adams request the handicap parking in front of 197 Eastern Ave. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean Rose request installation of a stop sign at the corner of Beechmont St. and Bancroft Tower Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anthony Belcher request speed enforcement on Willow St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the four ADA handicap corner ramps be replaced at the intersection of Lake View St. and Sherbrook Ave.: recommend Petition be referred to the Public Works Committee

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Angel Torres request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 86 Arthur St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Spyridon Frangos request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on the odd side of Taylor St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Heidi Lashua request installation of resident permit parking on Edward St, from Laurel St. to Elliott St. Further, request installation of resident permit parking on Elliott St., from Edward St. to Eastern Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anthony Quarta request that the resident permit parking on the east side of Natick St. include 6 Natick St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Bob Keidan request installation of resident permit parking in front of 301 May St., due to student parking: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request installation of a large stop sign on the corner of Barry Rd. Extension and Chester St. coming down from the Willows: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sandra and Maria Mena request installation of a pedestrian light at the crosswalk on Mill St. and Park Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gary Peters, Esq. request that a traffic light be installed at the intersection of Shore Drive, Holden St. and Drummond Ave. and further request the intersection be made a 4-way intersection with Shore Dr. being diverted to the left in order to form the 4-way intersection: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of 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: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard Pilski request additional numerical signage indicating the beginning and ending addresses for 20 to 30 Hulbert Rd. at Lanark St. and a "Not a Thru Street" sign at the top of Hulbert Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally request installation of a crosswalk in Chandler St. to Mann St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

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 Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager consider looking into programs in Minneapolis, MN such as their Clean City Classroom program as a means to enhance the city’s program and educate the community. – Item #13a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally – Request City Manager provide City Council with a ten (10) year breakdown of the per ton costs associated with recycling and trash removal. – Item #13b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request Standing Committee of Public Works consider looking into additional drop off locations for recyclables, including Millbury St. and more as possible as part of the Comprehensive Clean City Program. – Item #13c CC Referred to Public Works Committee

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request Standing Committee of Public Works consider the feasibility of a hybrid recycling system that would allow single family home areas and multifamily home areas to use either a two-wheeled recycling bin or plastic recycling bags depending on what is more appropriate as part of the Comprehensive Clean City Program. – Item #13d CC Referred to Public Works Committee

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request Standing Committee on Public Works consider any and all ways that the city could reduce or mitigate price increases for plastic bags as part of the Comprehensive Clean City Program. – Item #13e CC Referred to Public Works Committee

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager consider looking into ways to increase the responsibility of packaging and manufacturing producers to use recyclable materials. – Item #13f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the pros and cons of allowing very small businesses to use the city’s recycling program. – Item #13g CC Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager create a task force to assist residents affected by the federal government shutdown with resources such as food and housing. – Item #13h CC Order adopted

Motion Bergman @ #9e CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any taxes owed on the Greendale Mall property.

Motion Russell @ #9e CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report comparing whether the value and the assessed value of the Greendale Mall property was similar during its sale.

Motion Bergman @ #9f CC – Request City Manager consider creating zoning incentives for those developing lots to either keep trees that are existing or add trees where they are not.

Motion Lukes @ #9f CC – Request City Manager enact a policy to check whether new and old public shade trees have to be replaced due to gas pipe leaks.

Motion Petty @ #9f CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning what ordinances and state laws are in place regarding gas pipe leaks and their impact on trees. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning how to ensure gas companies are in accordance with those regulations.

Motion Lukes @ #9g CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a list detailing all buildings and parcels owned by the City of Worcester.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of homeless college students in the city. Further, request City Manager include in said report what programs colleges are undertaking to address this issue.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s history and policies regarding tax liens, including issues of notification.