CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:33 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:07 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 12, 2019.

Donald J. O'Neil, Esq. on behalf of Anthony Rossi request to amend the Worcester Zoning Map to add the land parcels of 26, 33 and 39 Hermon St. to the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District.

Kathleen and Joseph DiGregorio request more lighting under the I-290 overpass on Southbridge St., near Rotmans and Holy Cross College.

Deborah Rothstein request installation of a stop sign in Barry Rd. at its intersection with the entrance to the Willows Retirement Complex in the vicinity of 101 Barry Rd.

Paul Stankus, Office Manager Paul F. Cantiani Insurance Agency, request the monument at the corner of Plantation St. and Solferino St. be relocated.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Christina Andrianopoulos to the Worcester Airport Advisory Committee.

Recommend the appointment of Sergio Bacelis to the Cable Television Advisory Committee.

Transmitting informational communication relative to zoning for single-family attached multi-family low rise dwellings in the RL-7 Zoning District.

Recommend adoption of an Ordinance Amendment relative to rear yard setback requirements in the BG-6.0 Zoning District.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a five year procurement contract for water meter replacement.

Recommend adoption of an Order to grant exemptions to snow plow contractors that are also City employees.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a comparison of hired equipment plowing and sanding rates.

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

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Crompton Park Skate Park Master Plan Meeting.

Recommend adoption of an Order authorizing a lease agreement for property located at 89-91 Tacoma Street.Refer to CCM Item 8.32E

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2020 Tax Classification package.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of a Memorial Sculpture valued up to the amount of Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($12,500.00) from Greater Worcester Community Foundation for Worcester Fire Department in memory of Firefighter Christopher Roy.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($500.00) from Cynthia and Stephen Pitcher to the Worcester Public Library.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a FY20 Community Traffic Safety Projects Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in an amount of up to Twenty Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($25,000.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a FY20 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in the amount of Ninety Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($90,000.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of One Hundred Thirty Nine Thousand Sixteen Dollars and Seven Cents ($139,016.07) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation to support the renovated improvements to the Great Brook Valley Branch of the Worcester Public Library.Refer to CCM Item 8.22A

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a FY20 Site Readiness grant from MassDevelopment in an amount of up to One Million Dollars and No Cents ($1,000,000.00).

Recommend that One Hundred Sixty Eight Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Eight Dollars And Fifty Two Cents ($168,378.52) be transferred from Account #260-91000, Worcester Fire Department Salaries, and be appropriated to Account #260-92000, Worcester Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend adoption of the attached adjustments required to finalize the FY20 budget, including a recommendation that Four Million Nine Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Two Dollars and No Cents ($4,987,282.00) be appropriated to finalize the City’s Fiscal Year 2020 annual budget based on changes in the State Cherry Sheet and that Five Million Nine Hundred and Five Thousand Six Hundred Seventy Four Dollars and No Cents ($5,905,674.00) be appropriated to finalize the City's Fiscal Year 2020 annual budget with the City's Fiscal Year 2019 certified free cash.

Recommend payment of a prior year invoice from Account #043-92108, in the amount of Sixty Nine Thousand One Hundred Sixty One Dollars and Six Cents ($69,161.06).

Transmitting informational communication relative to two (2) public meetings being held regarding Doherty High School.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Asael and Ana Yudelka Baez request to annex the abandoned portion of Rice Lane abutting the property at 43 Heywood St.

Amending The Salary Ordinance Of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group B - General Administrative (Snow Customer Service Representative) Amending The Salary Ordinance Of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group P - Foreman and Supervisor ( Snow Operations Inspector, Supervisor & Coordinator) (Snow Customer Service Representative)

Amending The Salary Ordinance Of August 20, 1996 Relative To Water Operations Division

Amending Section 2 Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extending The Bl-1.0 Zoning District In The General Vicinity Of The Intersection Of Grand Street And Armory Street To Include 169 And 179 Grand Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 1 Upsala Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 178 Vernon Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking On The Rugby Street Side Of 222 Ingleside Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 35 Gardner Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 65 Eastern Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 32 Newbury Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking Across From 20 Strathmore Road.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Amend Handicap Parking In Front Of 13 Tower Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 125 Chino Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking 110 Farrar Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Amend No Parking Anytime On Courtland Street.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the salary difference of a police officer assigned to the Union Station Substation and a police officer working paid detail. (Tabled Under Privilege King - November 12, 2019 and November 19, 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)

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)

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)

TO BE ORDAINED - Amending Section 2 Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extending The Bl-1.0 And Commercial Corridor Overlay (CCOD) Zoning Districts In The Vicinity Of The Property Located At 57 Highland Street And 33 & 35 Wachusett Street. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty June 25, 2019 and Tabled - Wally July 23, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – That City Council does hereby support the Comprehensive Clean City Program as submitted to City Council, with the exception of changing the price increase on garbage bags from fifty cents to twenty-five cents and eliminating the clear plastic bag portion of the program. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty July 23, 2019 and Tabled - Russell August 13, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - That City Council does hereby support the Comprehensive Clean City Program as submitted to City Council. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a review of the Comprehensive Clean City Program in one year’s time. Further, request City Manager consider providing all neighborhood based clean-up grants to only established neighborhood groups. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty July 23, 2019 and Tabled - Russell August 13, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally – That City Council does hereby support the Comprehensive Clean City Program as submitted to City Council, with the exception of implementing an a la carte system for purchasing clear plastic recycling bags and yellow trash bags, which would allow residents to purchase large bags separately from small bags, and yellow trash bags separately from clear plastic recycling bags. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty July 23, 2019 and Tabled - Russell August 13, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the process of instituting a residential rent control program and the resulting impact of implementing such a program. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019 and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning information regarding the meetings for the building of a new Doherty Memorial High School, including information concerning the purpose of each meeting. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning who sits on the Doherty Memorial High School Building Committee and how those individuals were selected. – Item #18a CC Order adopted

PETITION of Councilor Matthew E. Wally on behalf of Urania Papas request installation of “No Parking Here to Curb” signage on both sides of the driveway of 20 Hackfeld Rd. – Item #18b CC Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes and Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager provide City Council with a presentation concerning the Worcester Community Choice Electricity Aggregation Program at the December 17, 2019 City Council meeting. – Item #18c CC Order adopted

PETITION – Suspension of Rules – Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of “No Parking Anytime” signage throughout the entire length of Natick St., on the west side of the street.