CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:36 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:32 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty presented Tommy Nixon, Gabbi Lutz, Grace Brombach, Lily Pochintesta and Peter Crinella, seniors from the Working For Worcester program with certificates of Mayoral Recognition for their work improving recreation infrastructure throughout the city of Worcester.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring Wednesday, May 8, 2019 as 508 Day in the city of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to members of POW! WOW! Worcester.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring the week of May 5th through May 11th, 2019 as Children’s Mental Health Week in the city of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Matteo Anderson, Jonathan Moabley and Ray Librie.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring Saturday, May 11, 2019 as National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive Day in the city of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Norman LaFlash.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 23, 2019.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Roger Nugent, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11a CC
2. State Representative Mary S. Keefe, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11a CC
3. Cara Berg-Powers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11a CC
4. Patricia Kirkpatrick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8k CC
5. Nicole Belanger, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8k CC
6. Jo Hart, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to #9.36A CM
7. Elizabeth Barnes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8b CC, #8d CC and 8e CC
8. William S. Coleman, III, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11a CC

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: WILTSHIRE DRIVE; and Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: WILTSHIRE DRIVE

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Delmont Ave. from Harmon St. to Clarendon St. be made public.

Elizabeth Barnes and Marc Moran request the city consider installing aesthetically appropriate street lighting in the Crown Hill Historic District, including the core portion of the district of Congress St., Crown St., Oxford Place and Oxford St.

Varun Kasireddy request the sidewalk in front of 1 Waconah Rd. be repaired.

Elizabeth Barnes and Marc Moran request the Wednesday trash pick up area be included in the seasonal rotation for street sweeping similar to the other four areas, ending the first in fall and last in spring situation.

Elizabeth Barnes and Marc Moran request the brick sidewalk in front of 14 Oxford St. be repaired.

Urania and John Papas request installation of "No Parking From Here to Curb" signage and yellow, "No Parking" striping 3 feet from the curb on either side of the driveway at 20 Hackfeld Rd.

Robert Karockai on behalf of Jozsef Karockai request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 1 Stone St.

Javier Amarat request removal of a handicap parking space located in front of 211 Constitution Ave.

Teresa Castillo request installation of handicap parking space in the vicinity of 31 Haynes St.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Vincent Pignataro request installation of resident permit parking on Nebraska St. from Envelope Terrace to Muskeego St.

Patricia Kirkpatrick et al request a subcommittee hearing to address current gas leaks within 50 feet of Worcester Public School zones, due to the health risks they post to children. Furthermore, request City Council send a letter to Governor Baker endorsing the F.U.T.U.R.E. Act Bill.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointment of Lilian Chukwurah and Elizabeth O'Callahan to the Human Rights Commission.

Recommend appointments of Abigail Russell-Favreault and Raymond Smith II and reappointment of Ken Asafo-Adjei to the Citizen Advisory Council.

Recommend appointment of Danaah McCallum to the Elections Commission.

Recommend appointment of Elisa Rosales to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Recommend appointment of Khym DeBarros to the Diversity and Inclusion Board.

Recommend appointment of Pamela Stolz to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester Fiscal Year 2020/Program Year 45 Funding Recommendations for U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Entitlement Programs – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

Transmitting informational communication relative to the DPW&P Street Resurfacing Program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Police Departments' Traffic Division.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an updated Wage Theft Ordinance that reflects points provided to the Committee at the February 26, 2019 meeting.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the homeless population of Worcester college students and programs to address this issue.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's green accomplishments.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7413A, Streets and Sidewalks, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C727, DPW TIP Program, to allow for current and anticipated contractually obligated payments associated with the program.

Recommend that Eighty Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy Five Dollars And No Cents ($87,875.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70213, South Worcester, to allow for current and anticipated contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7113E, Auditorium Rehab., and be appropriated to Parks Account # 74C701, Auditorium Rehabilitation to allow for current and anticipated obligations for building improvements at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Two Hundred Seventy One Dollars And No Cents ($271.00) from The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ladies Auxiliary #4311 for the City of Worcester's Department of Health and Human Services.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Three Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars And No Cents ($3,388.00) from Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) under the FY19-20 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant program.

Recommend that Eighty Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Six Dollars And Sixty Three Cents ($87,856.63) be transferred from Parks Account #720-91000, Salaries, and be appropriated to Parks Account #720-97201, Overtime, to allow for overtime costs through the rest of this fiscal year.

Recommend that Thirty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars And Thirty Nine Cents ($34,958.39) be transferred from Sewer Account #440-91000, Salaries, and be appropriated to Sewer Account #440-97201, Overtime, to allow for overtime costs through the remainder of this fiscal year.

Recommend that One Million Three Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,375,000.00) be transferred as follows, so as to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Parking Program for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2019.

Recommend that Ninety Two Thousand Four Hundred Nineteen Dollars And Six Cents ($92,419.06) be transferred from Water Account #450-91000, Salaries, and be appropriated to Water Account #450-97201, Overtime, to allow for the overtime costs through the remainder of this fiscal year.

Recommend One Hundred Forty One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($141,000.00) be transferred from Account #662-94000, Debt Interest Debt Service, to the accounts as described.

Recommend that Four Hundred Fifty Five Thousand And No Cents ($455,000.00) be transferred from various Police Department accounts to Account #250-97000, Police Overtime.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Account #043-91000, Economic Development Salaries, to Account #121-92000, Law Court Judgments, for damages caused by rainwater from the newly constructed city street entering the property.

Recommend that Five Hundred One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty One Dollars And Ninety Three Cents ($501,231.93) be transferred from Snow Account #411-92000, OM, and be appropriated to Snow Account #411-97000, Overtime, to cover overtime costs that were incurred during the winter months.

Recommend that Nineteen Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Five Dollars And Ninety Five Cents ($19,235.95) be transferred from Snow Account #411-92000, OM, and be appropriated to Snow Account #411-91000, Regular Salaries, to cover regular salaries that were incurred during the winter months.

Recommend that the total of Seventy Four Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($74,000.00) be transferred from the following Accounts: Account #172-96000, Unemployment Compensation ($30,000) and Account #043-92000, Economic Development Ordinary Maintenance ($44,000), and be appropriated to Account #174-96000, Public Safety Injured on Duty.

Recommend that Thirteen Thousand Thirty Dollars and No Cents ($13,030.00) be transferred from Account #29-33007, Law Department Damage Settlements, to Account #250-93301, Police Furniture & Equipment.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the renovation of Francis Carroll Plaza.

Introduction of the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for City Council deliberations to begin on May 14, 2019.

That the sum of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,250,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741E, Bridge Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Bridge Rehabilitation, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($900,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C715A, Dam Improvements, to pay for costs associated with Dam Improvements, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741F, Guardrails, to pay for costs associated with Guardrails, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($750,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C756, Landfill Improvements, to pay for costs associated with Landfill Improvements, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($7,500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711F, Building Rehabilitation Library, to pay for costs associated with Building Rehabilitation Library, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Four Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($460,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744A, Parking Meters, to pay for costs associated with Parking Meters, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Nine Million Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($9,075,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744B, Off Street Parking Rehab, to pay for costs associated with Off Street Parking Rehab, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum Nine Million Five Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($9,575,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C784, Park Improvements, to pay for costs associated with Park Improvements, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741C, Private Street Conversion, to pay for costs associated with Private Street Conversion, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C780E, Public Schools Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Public Schools Equipment, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Three Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,600,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711E, Public Schools Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Public Schools Rehabilitation, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Sixteen Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($16,850,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C745B, Sewer Construction, to pay for costs associated with Sewer Construction, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,100,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C734A, Sewer Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Sewer Capital Equipment, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($600,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C735A, Sewer Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Sewer Building Rehabilitation, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum Sixty One Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($61,900.00) be appropriated to Account #91C780S, Solar Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Solar Capital Equipment, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Ten Million Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,020,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7413A, Street and Sidewalk Construction, to pay for costs associated with Street and Sidewalk Construction, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of amount of Five Million Eighty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Two Dollars And No Cents ($5,089,522.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Citywide Capital Equipment, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Two Million Nine Hundred Thirteen Thousand Six Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($2,913,600.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Citywide Building Rehabilitation, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of One Million Dollars And No Cents ($1,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C724B, Traffic Signal Improvements, to pay for costs associated with Traffic Signal Improvements, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of One Million Dollars And No Cents ($1,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Union Station Rehabilitation, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Three Million Nine Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,975,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Water Capital Equipment, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Eleven Million Two Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($11,215,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7134, Water Mains, to pay for costs associated with Water Mains, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Five Million Nine Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,910,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C732, Water Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Water Building Rehabilitation, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C702, Water Land Acquisition, to pay for costs associated with Water Land Acquisition, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

That the sum of Twenty One Million Nine Hundred Fifty Four Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Two Dollars And No Cents ($21,954,482.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7111A, ESCo Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with ESCo Building Rehabilitation, including the costs incidental and related thereto.

RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the Worcester City Council urges the Legislature to approve the Promise Act to ensure that every family in the city of Worcester has access to excellent public schools. (Tabled Under Privilege - King April 30, 2019)

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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a legal opinion concerning the extent of discussion of City Council matters by City Councilors outside of City Council meetings. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman February 5, 2019 and Tabled - Bergman February 26, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Council have the City Council Standing Committees on Public Works and Municipal Operations conduct a joint meeting about the future recommended staffing of the City Council office as well as logistics for office space for staff and City Council. Further, request the joint committee discuss potential recommendations regarding the job description and role of the City Council staff persons and further, encourage other City Councilors who are not members of the joint committee to attend and be included in the conversation. (Tabled - Petty February 26, 2019)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to information to assist in the hiring of a City Council staff member. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes March 12, 2019; Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 19, 2019 and Tabled - Petty March 26, 2019)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manger transmitting informational communication relative to a legal opinion as to the jurisdiction of office space and facilities within City Hall. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson March 12, 2019; Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 19, 2019 and Tabled - Petty March 26, 2019)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Susan Burns & Mary Landry request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31247 in the amount of $36,000.00 for Luther Ave.: recommend Petition be denied. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rose April 23, 2019 and Tabled - Russell April 30, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager consider any painting of 3D crosswalks as part of a pilot program be done in school areas. – Item #21a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the Massachusetts School Building Authority allows for compensation of swimming pools. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning the feasibility of installing a swimming pool in the new Doherty Memorial High School. – Item #21b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with the contract between the City of Worcester and DCU Center. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning the process for reviewing the contract, including what City Council’s role would be during such a review. – Item #21c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the economic spin off from people coming into the city during events at the DCU Center. – Item #21d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with the loan amortization schedule for loan orders associated with the FY20 Capital Improvement Plan. – Item #21e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager reach out to National Grid to address concerns over how much power is being sent to the block that includes That’s Entertainment, located at 244 Park Ave. – Item #21f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks complete a long patch street repair to address potholes at Elm St. and Chestnut St. – Item #21g CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager clean up properties at the corner of Lake Ave. and Sunderland Rd., the corner of Route 20 and Greenwood St. and on McKeon Rd in the vicinity of the Blackstone Visitor Center. – Item #21h CC Order adopted

Motion Petty @ #9.36B CM – That the City Council does hereby cancel its City Council meeting on May 14, 2019 to hold a Finance Committee meeting at 5 p.m. Further, that the City Council meeting on May 21, 2019 will begin at 7 p.m. and that the agenda will only have time sensitive items the City Manager and the City Clerk deem appropriate. Further, that the City Council agenda for City Council’s meeting on May 28, 2019 will be a joint City Council and City Manager calendar.

Motion Lukes @ #9.38B CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning all the new positions found in the FY20 Budget, as well as projected salary and reasoning for each position.

Motion King @ #9.10A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the Traffic Division’s Traffic Flow Analysis once it is completed.

Motion Bergman @ #9.10A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what effect synchronizing the city’s traffic lights would have on the Traffic Division’s enforcement procedures.

Motion Lukes @ #9.10A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact that the gridlock where I-190 and I-290 meet is having on the inner-city traffic patterns.