CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:03 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:07 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Joseph M. Petty read a Proclamation declaring June, 2019 as Immigrant Heritage Month in the City of Worcester.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 21, 2019.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Lukes recognized the following speakers:
1. Jo Hart, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to #8a CC, #10d CC or #10e CC
2. Evan Tejada Solari, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8a CC
3. Jai Chavis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8a CC
4. Nicholas Wurst, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8a CC

Joann Lee request Nelson Park Dr. be resurfaced.

Jackson Restrepo request removal of the existing handicap parking space located in front of 16 Bellevue St.

Crystal Jackson request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Gardner St. and Southgate St.

Giselle Grenier et al request either installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on one side of Trahan Ave. from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., or, installation of resident permit parking on both sides of Trahan Ave. from Hamilton St. to the property line four houses down from Hamilton St. from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request Morningside Rd., from Morningside Terrace to Fiske St., be resurfaced.

Edgadiel Miranda Serrano request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 11 Upsala St.

Idella Hazard request City Council request City Manager direct the package store on the corner of Grafton St. and Waverly St. to remove the half sized billboard on their roof that depicts a black man and a liquor bottle, as though he were dreaming of it.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Police Department's protocol, regulations and procedures associated with the Body Camera Pilot Program.

Recommend adoption of an Order to authorize lease of space at the Worcester Senior Center

Transmitting informational communication relative to position changes in the FY20 budget.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the allocation of funds for the Marketing Campaign listed in the Economic Development Office budget.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the inquiries posed by City Council regarding the FY20 budget for estimates of increases to taxes and fees, and information on the required votes by City Council to advance activities associated with the Urban Renewal Plan.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the program costs of the residential street sweeping and leaf pick up programs.

Recommend that Seven Hundred Forty Two Thousand One Hundred Thirty Seven Dollars And Fifty Five Cents ($742,137.55) to be transferred from various City Capital Accounts to various Police Capital Accounts.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Two Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,000.00) from Mark Epstein to the Department of Public Works and Parks for the Charlie's Surplus Road Race Memorial.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($60,000.00) from UMass Memorial Medical Center and Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester Determination of Need Resource & Development Committee under the Community Benefits Grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a grant from the National Institute of Justice through the FY 2019 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement program in the amount of Seventy Six Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars and No Cents ($76,770.00) to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of One Thousand Three Hundred Fifty One Dollars And No Cents ($1,351.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation to the Worcester Public Library Talking Book Library.

Recommend that Thirty Six Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($36,000.00) be transferred from Account #043-92000, Economic Development Ordinary Maintenance, and be appropriated to Account #110-91000, City Energy Asset Management Salaries, to cover salary cost though the end of the year.

Recommend that Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($30,000.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, and be appropriated to Account #040-91000, City Managers salaries, to cover costs through the end of the fiscal year.

Eric Kneeland, Director of Programs & Operations of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting, “The Implications of a Fare-Free WRTA.”

Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting an informational communication regarding the passage of time taken to develop the Madison Properties' effect on the timing of the receipt of revenues required to service Series A bonds.

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 Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with an inventory of all the flashing yellow pedestrian signals at crosswalks near schools in the city, especially looking at signals adjacent to elementary schools. – Item #20a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the Department of Public Works and Parks is at its full complement of employees and if there are any staffing needs that need to be addressed. – Item #20b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with details concerning the Item #8.31T CM on the May 28, 2019 City Council agenda, concerning paying for current and anticipated contractual obligations for the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. – Item #20c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the pros and cons of being part of a regional bus service as opposed to one that only services the city. – Item #20d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Administrator of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority provide City Council with a summation of the minutes detailing events at the WRTA Transit Authority Advisory Board. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with an update regarding the advocacy that occurs on the behalf of the city at the WRTA Transit Authority Advisory Board. – Item #20e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased responsiveness in Greenwood Park as a means to curb any illegal activities occurring in the park. – Item #20f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with the contract currently in use in regards to the city’s Marketing Campaign prior to the next Standing Committee on Finance meeting. – Item #20g CC Order adopted

Motion Toomey @ #6g CC – Request City Manager provide increased enforcement of the city’s sign ordinance.

Motion King @ #6g CC – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning what jurisdiction the city has to remove signage depicting offensive content throughout the city.

Motion Toomey @ #7.10A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the Worcester Police Department plans to quantify the data collected from the Body Camera Pilot Program.

Motion Rosen @ #7.18A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing how the rates for leasing spaces at the Worcester Senior are set.

Motion King @ #8a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council a report concerning what attempts can be made to increase governmental aid to the WRTA. Further, request City Manager include in said report any information concerning anything that has been done by the city to advocate for increased aid to the WRTA.

Motion King @ #8a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what occurs at the various WRTA Board meetings.