CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:34 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 Friday, June 21, 2019 as World Refugee Day in the city of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Dayanna Moreno of Ascentria Care Alliance.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 4, 2019.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location: OAK STREET; and Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location: OAK STREET

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – As Chair of the City Council Standing Committee on Finance in accordance with Rule 33 ( e ) of the Rules of City Council, request City Council suspend its rules to take up the Report of the Committee on Finance Upon the Communication of the City Manager regarding an Introduction of the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for City Council deliberations to begin on May 14, 2019, as presented by the City Manager and referred to the Standing Committee on Finance as Item #9.36B CM on the City Council agenda for May 7, 2019, along with related budget items pending before the Committee, at its meeting on June 18, 2019.

Erin Cahill request abatement of street betterment assessment #25646 in the amount of $11,250.00 for Navasota Ave.

Mary Whalen requests sidewalk repair in front of 46 Monroe Ave.

Fakhriya Nashari equest installation of a handicap parking space in front of 24 Lyon St.

Nick Hamel et al request installation of resident permit parking on Prouty Ln. from Assabet Ln. to Bailey St.

Councilor Khrystian E. King on behalf Ronald Caldwell, Jr. request installation of 30 Minute Parking from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on both the Norfolk St. and Suffolk St. sides of City View Barbershop, located at 1 Suffolk St., which would accommodate six (6) parking spaces.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: HOLDEN STREET.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: SHORE DRIVE.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: DEARBORN ST.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Seth Pitts to the Trust Funds Commission.

Recommend appointment of Matthew Curewitz to the Hope Cemetery Commission.

Recommend reappointment of Robert Bilotta, John Gleason, Darya Kuruna and Joseph Prochilo to the Commission on Disabilities.

Recommend reappointments of Douglas Arbetter and Michael Murphy to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the launch of a Diverse Business Directory.

Transmitting informational communication relative to Make Music Worcester Day, June 21, 2019.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to designate 6 Chatham Street as a Certified HDIP Project and approve a Tax Increment Exemption Plan.

Recommend adoption of the attached order to abandon utility easements on former Wyman Gordon property.

Transmitting communication relative to the ballpark development area street grid changes.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending May 31, 2019.

Recommend adoption of a revised ordinance relative to wage theft.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Division of Public Health's Office of Emergency Preparedness Hazard Vulnerability Assessment exercise.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's participation in the Central MA Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) for FY 19 and FY 20.

Recommend adoption of an order to authorize a lease at the Worcester Senior Center.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the middle school sports program and class size in the elementary schools.

Transmitting communication relative to responses to City Council Orders during the FY20 Budget Hearing sessions.

Recommend that Ninety Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($90,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7134, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account # 45C720, Water Mains/Clean and Line, to allow for payments for contractually obligated payments associated with cross connections, hydrant supplies and leak detection.

Recommend that Sixty One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($61,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account # 41C703, DPW Equipment, to allow for purchase and payment of approved Capital Equipment Purchases.

Recommend that Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($650,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C701, Parks Equipment, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with approved capital equipment purchases.

Recommend that Sixty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($65,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7934, Golf Improvements, and be appropriated to Golf Account # 71C702, Green Hill Golf Improvements to allow for payments associated with the Green Hill Golf Course Driving Range Project.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($11,000.00) be transferred from Account #41C780, Nelson Place School, and be appropriated to Account #41C75901, Lincoln Street School, to allow for the payment of current obligations associated with this MSBA project.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($11,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehab, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C722, RECC, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations associated with the HVAC work.

Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) be transferred from Account #41C780, Nelson Place School-MSBA, and be appropriated to Account #41C75905, Challenge and Reach Academy - MSBA, to allow for the payment of current obligations associated with this project.

Recommend that One Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($160,000.00) be transferred from Parks Loan Accounts and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70251, Stearns Tavern as detailed to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the Stearns Tavern Project.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Account # 330-09, Real Estate Sales, and be appropriated as so, ($75,000.00) to Account # 72C759, Lake View Playground and ($25,000.00) to 41C737, Canterbury Street School Library.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept a grant in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($5,000.00) from the Trustee for The Nathaniel Trust. This one-year grant was made for trees for the Parks Division of the City of Worcester.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Five Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($550.00) from the Emerald Club Inc. and Our Lady of Vilna Parish in appreciation of the Worcester Fire Department's commitment to the community.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept and expend funds from the Youth Works Year-Round 2019/20 Program administered by the Commonwealth Corporation. The maximum award amount for this funding opportunity is One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($175,000.00).

Recommend adoption of resolutions totaling One Million One Hundred Seventy Eight Thousand Ninety Eight Dollars And No Cents ($1,178,098.00) for the purposes of supporting WDPH programs, salaries, fringe, and professional development opportunities for FY 20.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency under the FY18 Competitive Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($20,000.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation for the Worcester Public Library.

Recommend adoption of resolutions to file, accept and expend formula grants in the amount of Twenty Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Five Dollars And No Cents ($22,845.00) from the Mass Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for adult education and training programs.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend fifteen (15) formula grants in the amount of Three Million Twenty Five Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Nine and No Cents ($3,025,459.00) from the Office of Labor and Workforce Development, MassHire Department of Career Services (MDCS).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) from the Christos and Mary T. Cocaine Charitable Trust to support the construction and renovations of the Canterbury Street School Library.

Recommend that Fifty One Thousand Four Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($51,400.00) be transferred from Account #260-91101, Worcester Fire Department Regular Salaries, to Account #260-97201, Worcester Fire Department Regular Overtime.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand One Hundred Seventeen Dollars And Twelve Cents ($50,117.12) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, to Account #660-92000, Treasurer’s Office Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the costs associated with the issuance of the $35,217,000 Bond Anticipation Notes dated May 15, 2019.

Recommend that Fifty Seven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($57,000.00) be transferred from Debt Account # 440-941000, Sewer Debt Services, and be appropriated to Sewers Account # 440-92000, Sewers Ordinary Maintenance, to cover expenses in excess of the fiscal year 2019 budget .

Recommend that Two Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Dollars and No Cents ($2,970.00) from Account #043-92000, Economic Development Ordinary Maintenance be transferred to Account #043-93000, Economic Development Capital Outlay, for the purchase of an Imagination Playground Big Block Set for Worcester Common Events.

Recommend that Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($500.00) be transferred from Account #650-91000, Auditing Salaries, to Account #650-97000, Auditing Overtime.

Recommend that a total of ($2,029,207.72) General Fund of $765,371, Other Sources of $115,00.00, Enterprise of $261,600.00, and Capital Accounts of $887,236.72, be transferred from various General Fund, Enterprise/Special Revenue Accounts, and Capital Accounts, and be appropriated to various General Fund, Enterprise/Special Revenue, and Capital Accounts, to make adjustments to City Accounts to balance the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget.

Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Three Dollars And Sixty Cents ($15,663.60) from DPW Account # 412-92000, Street Lights, be authorized from FY19 funds to meet prior year obligations.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Superintendent of Public Schools provide City Council with a report concerning the ratio of school adjustment counselors to students. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Superintendent of Public Schools provide City Council with a report detailing the information provided last October to the School Committee in regards to each school building’s enrollment projections, broken down by school, by grade and by classroom. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion as to as to whether City Council has the jurisdiction to evaluate the City Council Secretary position. Further, request City Manager request City Solicitor include in said report information concerning City Council’s authority to provide oversight on the position. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning the process for increasing the number of employees hired by City Council. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager change the title of the position in the City Council budget from Secretary to the City Council to Staff Assistant to the City Council. (Rosen)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning whether the City Council’s budget having a Staff Assistant position could be defined as a reorganization. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report depicting how much revenue was generated from the DCU Center advertising. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether or not there are any non-DCU funds being utilized for any DCU expenditures, including debt services for the building, various different upgrades and equipment. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Auditor provide City Council with details concerning the administrative fees shown in the independent audit of Discover Central Massachusetts that were paid to the Chamber of Commerce in the amounts of $264,148.00 and $273,533.00, including information regarding any outstanding liabilities as well. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Auditor review cost estimates for the spring street sweeping program, looking at possible sources of revenue that could be used to provide for debris pick up in the spring. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager recommend to the City Council how a full spring 2020 leaf pickup program can be funded and staffed. (Rosen)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby go on record in support the city administration’s plan and goal of allocating $100,000.00 additional monies to middle schools and an additional $30,000.00, when funds become available, to a freshman sports program. (King)

Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting an informational communication concerning an audit of the five-hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) allocated to Discover Central Massachusetts through the Marketing Campaign funds in the city's Economic Development budget.

Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting an informational communication regarding the instances of increases in pay grade or step because of a new job function due to reorganization or instance of title or salary regrade.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager regarding an Introduction of the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for City Council deliberations to begin on May 14, 2019: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommending approval of the FY20 Capital Improvement Plan: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the program costs of the residential street sweeping and leaf pick up programs: recommend to refer the Communication to Public Works Committee.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager 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: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the allocation of funds for the Marketing Campaign listed in the Economic Development Office budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to position changes in the FY20 budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting an informational communication relative to responses to City Council Orders during the FY20 Budget Hearing sessions: recommend Communication be placed on file.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending adoption of salary ordinance amendments that will bring the ordinance in compliance to the changes proposed in the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget. (Tabled Under Privilege - June 11, 2019)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report highlighting all city employees’ positions that are receiving more than a 2% raise and/or their recognized union steps. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 11, 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 George J. Russell – Request City Manager formally provide City Council with air quality reports pertaining to the area of the city near the Wheelabrator Plant in Millbury if such reports exist, and if they do not, request City Manager consider conducting air quality testing in that area and reporting the findings to City Council. – Item #17a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager meet with restaurant owners in the city to discuss ways the city can help curb patrons from bringing, without permission, their own alcohol into restaurants. – Item #17b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager look into whether there are any local options for collecting deposits on miniature alcohol bottles or nips or whether collecting the deposits are only a state option. – Item #17c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council does hereby amend the City Council Meeting Schedule for 2019 by changing the June 25, 2019 meeting from a City Manager’s evaluation agenda to a joint City Council and City Manager agenda. – Item #17d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager collaborate with the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Veterans’ Services Agent and Veterans’ Inc. to create a public service announcement in regards to shooting off fireworks illegally and at improper times. Further, request City Manager look into illegal fireworks being used around Indian Hill Parkway. – Item #17e CC Order adopted

PETITION of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a stop sign in Albany St. at its intersection with Hill St. – Item #17f CC Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

ORDER of Councilor Motion Toomey – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks repaint the crosswalk on Grove St. in the vicinity of the fix. Further, request City Manager consider said crosswalk as a location to install flashing yellow pedestrian signal lights. – Item #17g CC Order adopted

Motion Russell @ #12a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the future of Discover Central Massachusetts, including information concerning how the city can facilitate the independence of the organization.

Motion Russell @ #12a CC – Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report concerning the most recent audit of Discover Central Massachusetts when that item becomes available.

Motion King @ #12a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the viability of using other avenues that Discover Central Massachusetts could be funded through besides the Worcester Chamber of Commerce.

Motion King @ #13c CC – Request City Manager go back to providing courtesy services while completing the Spring Street Sweeping program at no additional cost.

Motion Lukes @ #9.4C – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report, as soon as the information becomes available, concerning the compliance records of all entities that have been granted TIFs in the city.

Motion Wally @ #9.7A – Request City Manager amend all future Construction Progress Reports to include the district of each street discussed.

Motion Russell @ #9.18A – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning future opportunities for leases at the Worcester Senior Center.

Motion Lukes @ #9.33B – Request City Manager provide City Council with list of what payments on Bond Anticipation Notes (BAN) and/or costs associated with them are for, whenever such items come before City Council.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide street sweeping for Florence St., between Downing St. and Charlotte St., which did not receive street sweeping due to construction work being done on the street.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager follow up with the Department of Public Works to determine the timetable for the street repairs on Providence St. and Vernon St.