CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:37 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:58 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 January 7, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. Patricia Hobbs, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to #9.8A CM 2. Joseph Catrone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9.33G CM 3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9.8A CM

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: 32 DAYTON ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: 32 DAYTON ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: 37 DAYTON ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: 37 DAYTON ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: SALISBURY ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: SALISBURY ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MERRICK ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MERRICK ST.

Fakhri Khayoon request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 30 Lakeside Ave.

Esad Darman request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 31 Dale St.

Teresa Moran, Membership and Communications Director of EAW, request installation of a flashing pedestrian crosswalk signal in the vicinity of 397 Grove St.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointments of Daniel Gately and Stephen Mita to Constable.

Transmitting information communication relative to the reappointment of Amanda Armory to the Conservation Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Jeremy Bouchard to the Worcester Arts Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Erika Helnarski to the Historical Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Phillippe Berry to the Human Rights Commission.

Transmitting informational communication regarding two (2) new Opportunity Fairs at the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommendation of a Certified Project Designation and Tax Increment Financing Plan for YWCA CM QALICB, LLC.

Recommend approval of a Certified Project Designation and Tax Increment Financing Plan for Table Talk Pies, Inc..

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Six Month Activity Report for the period ending December 2019.

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

Transmitting informational communication relative to changes in city trash bags.

Recommend adoption of a Restated Order of Taking for the Kelley Square Reconstruction Project.

Recommend adoption of a Restated Order of Taking for the Grafton Street Improvement Project.

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

Transmitting informational communication relative to a new program launched by National Grid to improve communications with customers.

Recommend Adoption of an Order to Execute a Lease Agreement Between Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester, Inc., and the Worcester Public Library.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Arts Council Grant awards.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.

Recommend adoption of an Order to facilitate the transfer of jurisdiction of Parcel A of the Foreclosed Tax Title property, 00 Parsons Hill Drive, from the jurisdiction of the Tax Title Custodian, to the City Manager's Office of Economic Development.

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($125,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7134, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C720, Water Mains / Clean & Line, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with Water Construction.

Recommend that Four Hundred Forty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($445,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7134, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account # 45C722, Water Transmission Mains to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the Quinapoxet Pipeline Project.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C745B, Sewer Reconstruct Program, and be applied to DPW Account # 44C751, Sewer/Interceptor Inspection, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with engineering services, sanitary sewer interceptor evaluations, cost effectiveness analysis, field inspections, as well as other sewer related designs/evaluations.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($11,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C741F, Guard Rail Installations, and be appropriated to DPW Account # 41C798, Guardrails to allow contractually obligated payments for new installation of guardrail.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C737A, Water Meters, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C794, Capital Water Meters Program, to allow for the payments of current and future obligations.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Nine Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($159,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741C, Private Street Conversion, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion, to allow for the payment of current and anticipated obligation.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C744B, Off Street Parking Building Rehab, and be appropriated to DPW Account # 46C703, Parking Lot Rehab., to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the pay by plate program.

Recommend that One Million One Hundred Forty Four Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,144,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C744B, Off Street Parking Building Rehab., and be appropriated to DPW Account # 46C707, Parking Garage Improvements to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the improvements at Federal Plaza and Pearl Elm Garages.

Recommend that Three Million Two Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,230,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7413A, Streets & Sidewalks, and be appropriated to Various Accounts as detailed, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with various street and sidewalk projects.

Recommend that Seventy Four Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($74,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C744A, Off Street Parking Meters, and be appropriated to DPW Account #46C705, Off Street Equipment, to allow for the payment of current and anticipated obligations associated with off street parking improvements.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Nineteen Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Three Dollars And No Cents ($19,223.00) from the Mass Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, under the Firefighter Turnout Gear Grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant up to One Million Two Hundred Forty Six Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Dollars and No Cents ($1,246,380.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expand State funding in the amount of Seventy Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($75,000.00) to support the maintenance and operation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Green Hill Park.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Twenty Five Dollars And No Cents ($25.00) from Mr. Glenn C. Demallie of 100 Front Street, Worcester, Massachusetts to be used for the Department of Public Works and Parks, Hope Cemetery.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend state funding in the amount of One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($175,000.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation & Recreation under the Tree Planting Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude an earmark capital contribution donation on the design, creation and delivery of a statue in the value of up to the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) from the One Million Dollars And No Cents ($1,000,000) ASM Global/SMG Management Agreement Extension to fund a statue honoring Worcester’s legendary basketball player and resident Bob Cousy.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend state funding in an amount of up to Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($50,000.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development for Quinsigamond Village Community Center at Greenwood Park.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a FY19 Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grant in the amount of Ninety One Thousand Eight Hundred Forty One Dollars and No Cents ($91,841.00) from the Federal Railroad Administration.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of One Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Dollars And No Cents ($1,920.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation to the Worcester Public Library (WPL) Talking Book Library Account.

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 Peoples United Bank to the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($500.00) from Holy Name Central Catholic High School, to the Department of Public Works and Parks (DPW&P) for Glodis Soccer Field.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Parks Account #720-91000, Salaries, and be appropriated to Parks Account #720-97000, Overtime, to allow for the overtime costs through the rest of this fiscal year.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be transferred from Water Account #450-91000, Salaries, and be appropriated to Water Account #450-97000, Overtime, to allow for overtime costs through the remainder of this fiscal year.

Recommend that Thirty Eight Thousand Four Hundred Sixty Dollars And No Cents ($38,460.00) be transferred from Account # 900-92000, Contingency Ordinary Maintenance, to Account # 6804-92000, Technical Services Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Sixty Eight Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($68,000.00) be transferred from Account # 900-92000, Contingency Ordinary Maintenance, to Account # 6803-92000, Technical Services Ordinary Maintenance, to cover fiber network charges for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Recommend that Nine Hundred Forty Two Thousand Five Hundred Eighty Two Dollars And Twenty Five Cents ($942,582.25) be transferred from the following departmental accounts to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Program for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020.

Recommend that Five Hundred Ten Dollars And No Cents ($510.00) be authorized for payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Three Dollars And Nineteen Cents ($123.19) be authorized for payment of prior year invoices.

Amending the Zoning Map by extending the RL-7 Zoning District in the vicinity of Reeves St. northerly to include the lot located at 5 Reeves St. in it's entirety and to exclude said lot in it's entirety from the Commercial Corridors Overlay District.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 23 Marion Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking Across From 16 Ashmont Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 2 Stockton Street.

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

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Install No Parking Anytime on Natick Street.

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 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)

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - In light of recent events, request City Manager consider establishing a process to inspect rental apartments, which would help to confirm structural changes are done to the standards set by Inspectional Services, in the interest of public service. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a recommendation as to how often these inspections should take place. (Tabled - King December 17, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed report concerning the short term and long term projections of cash flow associated with the construction of the new ballpark. – Item #14a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report including a financial breakdown of costs incurred by the city regarding relocation of businesses in the vicinity of the ballpark, as well as new businesses and properties included in the construction projects surrounding the ballpark. – Item #14b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether a DIF district can be discontinued prior to the normal expiration period of thirty (30) years. – Item #14c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager keep City Council appraised of activities in regard to the ballpark and complimentary projects on an incremental basis. – Item #14d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with recommendations concerning speed calming measures that can be taken on Water St. – Item #14e CC Order adopted

PETITION of Councilor Sarai Rivera request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Park Ave. and Mason St. – Item #14f CC Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

Motion Russell @ #9.6B CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the anticipated timeline for work being done for the Grafton Street Improvement Project. Further, request City Manager provide City Council in said report both a short term and long term plan for making Grafton Street more passable for motorists and pedestrians.

Motion Colorio @ #9.33H – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update following the completion of the FY19 Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grant to determine the successes of the program, including any outreach and education completed as a result of said grant.