CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:47 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:53 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Dr. John E. McAuliffe, who passed away at the age of 96. Mayor Petty read a statement from both himself and the City Manager thanking Dr. McAuliffe, a veteran of World War II, for his dedicated service to both our country and our city.

Mayor Petty recognized the Grafton High School “Service Projects of Worcester Group” for volunteering efforts and commitment to community service in Worcester. Mayor Petty provided a Certificate of Special Mayoral Recognition to Grace Balzanell, Zoe Barnhill, Makayla Bowman, Ghislaine Brenner, Riley Cass, Maura Coakley, Sophia Coldwell, Abigail Corning, Zoe Davis, Brandon Dionne, Katherine Dunham, Alexander Ford, Heater Holbrook, Maithri Indraghanty, Juliana Kallio, Koshivos Koshivos, Priscilla Lam, Madison Mulligan, Lindsey Piel, Maura Rocco, Francesca Spagnuolo, Ava Taymouri, Molly Carroll, Averie Hawkins, Marsela Jahja, Mackenzie Olvert, Mariko Partin and Zayda Waters.

During Suspension of Rules, Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager and his staff for the work they did concerning the Festival of Lights ceremony on the City Hall Common on December 6, 2019 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., which featured live music, food trucks, free ice skating, tree lightings and more.

During Suspension of Rules, Mayor Petty recognized Director of Energy and Asset Management John Odell for receiving an award from the State of Massachusetts for the various Energy and Asset Management efforts occurring within the city of Worcester.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 19, 2019.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Carmelita Bello, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8l CC
2. Michael Scaglione, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8l CC
3. Tomo Sakai, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8g CC - #8i CC
4. Liz Barnes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8g CC - #8i CC
5. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #8l CC

ELECTION - To fill two (2) vacancies for terms ending December 31, 2026.

Hearing: To determine tax rates for residential, commercial, industrial and personal properties for Fiscal Year 2020.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2020 Tax Classification package.

Stephen F. Madaus on behalf of Jefferson Mararian request to amend the zoning map of the city of Worcester by changing the zoning designation of 497 Granite St. and 0 Southwest Cutoff from RS-7 to a new zoning designation of ML-0.5.

Christopher Minichilli request installation of a catch basin at the end of Wade St.

Lisa Higgins request handicap parking space in front of 23 Merrifield St. be removed.

Richard J. Lamarche request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 51 Barnard Rd.

Dennis Lipka, WRTA Administrator, request installation of various inbound and outbound bus stops on Sunderland Rd. as described in the attachment.

Dennis Lipka, WRTA Administrator, request installation of an inbound bus stops on Norwich St. as described in the attachment.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Eric Cruze request installation of a crosswalk across Pleasant St. at Crown St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Eric Cruze request installation of a crosswalk across Pleasant St. at Oxford St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Eric Cruze request installation of a crosswalk across Pleasant St. at West St.

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

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: CAMBRIDGE ST.

Maria Stella Fiore request the Worcester City Council reaffirm its commitment and participation in the celebration of Columbus Day as a holiday, on the second Monday of October, recognizing Italian Americans' contributions to America and this City.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointment of Lisa Malo to the Worcester Arts Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointment of Russell Karlstad to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointment of Diane Long and Mark Wamback to the Historical Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Sarah French to the Conservation Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Christopher Faucher to the Hope Cemetery Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Anthony Vigliotti to the License Commission.

Recommend adoption of a salary ordinance amendment regarding the Law Department. Refer to CCM Item 9.33C

Recommend adoption of an Order relative to a discontinued portion of Foster Street.

Recommend adoption of an Order to amend the table of organization of the Police Department.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the the Housing First Initiative.

Transmitting informational communication relative to additional documentation for the fiscal year 2020 Tax Classification.

Recommend adoption of an Order relative to the Elderly Exemption Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a FY21 DDTF Prevention, Education and Training Grant from the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($20,000.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept and expend funds from the MassHire Holyoke Workforce Board, through the National Health Emergency Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant in the amount of Two Hundred Thirty Six Thousand One Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars and No Cents ($236,168.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of travel-related expenses with an estimated value of up to One Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1,000.00) from the National League of Cities (NCL) for the attendance of James Brooks, Housing Development Director, to attend NCL/HUD Healthy Housing Municipal Leaders Forum.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Seventy Six Thousand One Hundred Seventy Two Dollars And Eighty Three Cents ($76,172.83) from Mass Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, under the state budget earmark program for Main Street Reimagined.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept and expend funds from the Commonwealth Corporation's YouthWorks FY20 summer and year round jobs program, in the amount of up to Nine Hundred Two Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($902,000.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) from Bloomberg Philanthropies under the Asphalt to Art Initiative for a public art installation in Main South.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Two Thousand Fifty Two Dollars And No Cents ($2,052.00) from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for the Worcester Fire Department Memorials Care Fund.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($60,000.00) from UMass Memorial Healthcare for to support the City's 2019 Recreation Worcester Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) from College of the Holy Cross for to support the City's 2019 Recreation Worcester Program.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Eight Dollars And No Cents ($11,538.00) be transferred from Account #04T803, OPEB Trust Reserve, and be appropriated to Account #663-96000, Health Insurance, to provide funding for Fiscal Year 2020 1st Quarter Health Insurance expenses for Airport retirees.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Account #270-9100, to Account #270-9700, Communications Overtime, to cover overtime costs for the remaining fiscal year.

Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($15,000.00) be appropriated from the Law Department Salary Account #120-91000, to implement the salary ordinance change in the Law Department.Refer to CCM Item 9.3A

Recommend that One Thousand One Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars And Nine Cents ($1,179.09) be transferred from Account #3314-92000, Health and Human Services Ordinary Maintenance to pay overdue invoices.

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)

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 – 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)

Petition of 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. - Item #14a CC Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

Motion Wally @ #7a CC – Request City Manager request City Assessor provide City Council with a report concerning the top fifty (50) commercial tax payers in the city.

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #7a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previous request adopted on April 2, 2019 and October 29, 2019 concerning providing City Council with a detailed report regarding the current residential and commercial tax rates in all gateway cities, as well as the percentages of nontaxable properties in each gateway city. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning the residential and commercial tax rates for the surrounding cities and towns.

Motion Toomey @ #9.17A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the possibility of using a clustered, “Tiny House” community to address issues of housing for the homeless population of the city.