CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:38 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:47 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 21, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers, who spoke concerning the Item:
1. Barbara Haller, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of Item #8.36A CM
2. Steve Teasdale, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of Item #8.36A CM
3. Joseph O’Brien, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of Item #8.36A CM
4. Frank Zitomersky, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of Item #8.36A CM
5. Maritza Cruz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of Item #8.36A CM
6. Laura Perez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of Item #8.36A CM
7. Michael Papani, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of Item #8.9A CM

William S. Coleman, III request City Administration look into adding more lights under the Southbridge St. railroad bridge for improved public safety.

John Cole request a large "Right Turn Only" arrow be painted in the right lane of Francis J. McGrath Blvd. travelling northeast at Green St.

Matthias Remillard request installation of a "Do Not Enter" sign at the corner of Gage St. and East Shelby St.

Justice Love Real request installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Pleasant St. and West St.

Therese St. Vil request the removal of "No Parking" signs on Bluff St. from Bancroft St. to Mason St.

William S. Coleman, III request City administration consider a Worcester Spring 2020 cleanup kick off event to encourage all residents and guests to help keep our City clean.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointments of Facely Henriquez and Noreen Shea to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointments of David Filar and Jennifer Riley to the Worcester Arts Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointment of Paul Foley to the Trust Funds Commission.

Recommend the appointment of Janny Nivar De Reyes to the Citizens Advisory Council.

Recommend appointment of Tracey Whitney to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Recommend adoption of an Order to transfer jurisdiction and authorize disposition of 261 Clover Street.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the FY20 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Resurfacing Program for FY21 and FY22.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the new curbside recycling brochure.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Open Space & Recreation Plan Public Meeting.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Fire Department Master Plan.

Recommend authorization to submit statements of interest to the MSBA for accelerated repair projects at Vernon Hill School and Worcester Arts Magnet School.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Financial System (ERP) replacement.Refer to CCM Item 8.33A

Recommend that Three Thousand Three Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($3,350.00) be transferred from Account # 91C114, City Wide Building Rehabilitation, to Account # 11C70204, EAM City Hall.

Recommend that Seven Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($770,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #04C704, Union Station Rehabilitation, to provide funding for expenses associated with the fit out of tenant space in Union Station.

Recommend that Eight Hundred Forty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($845,000.00) be transferred as follows: (145,000) from Account 91C780E School Capital Equipment, to Account #50C702, Schools Capital Equipment, and (700,000) from Account #91C711E, Schools Capital Rehabilitation, to Account #50C704, Schools Capital Rehabilitation, per the request of Worcester Public Schools.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,000.00) from Massachusetts Councils on Aging under the Diverse Cultures program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand Three Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($2,700,350.00) from US Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration under the the FY2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance program.

Recommend to accept with gratitude a donation of used office furniture with an approximate monetary value of Three Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($3,000.00) from Allegro Microsystems' former Worcester Campus offered by Mr. Nick Chacharone from Chacharone Properties.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education through the FY20 DESE Stem-focused Internship program in an amount up to Fifty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($50,000.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services under a FY20 State Budget Earmark for fire safety equipment.

Recommend that Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($20,000.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager Contingency, and be appropriated to Account #680-92000, Technical Service Ordinary Maintenance, to cover costs to hire a consultant to assist the City with replacing the current legacy financial system (ERP).Refer to CCM Item 8.30A

Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($15,000.00) be transferred from Account # 900-92000, City Manager Contingency, to Account # 040-92000, City Manager Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that the sum of Nine Million Eight Hundred Sixty Two Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Five Dollars and No Cents ($9,862,535.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7113V, Burncoat Street Preparatory School, 526 Burncoat Street; Account #91C7113W, Vernon Hill School, 211 Providence Street; Account #91C7113X, Tatnuck Magnet, 1083 Pleasant Street; Account #91C7113Y, Worcester East Middle School, 420 Grafton Street; Account #91C7113Z, Lincoln Street School, 549 Lincoln Street, to fund a potential building improvement project of the Worcester Public School as described.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the opening of the Municipal Services Center.

Transmitting informational communication relative to planned programs during Black History Month.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of an Ordinance Amendment relative to rear yard setback requirements in the BG-6.0 Zoning District.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of 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.

COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY AUDITOR transmitting an informational communication concerning the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2019. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 28, 2020)

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 Gary Rosen – Request City Manager report to City Council concerning whether the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind plans to move out of their downtown Worcester location. – Item #16a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with periodic updates concerning efforts to keep government programs and entities such as the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance located in the downtown area. – Item #16b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review sewer drainage on Natural History Dr., which is draining into Lake Quinsigamond. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks identify why sewers were not installed approximately ten years ago when such an action was approved. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks find a solution to drainage issues in the area. – Item #16c CC Order adopted

Motion King @ #8.36A CM – Request City Manager and City Clerk provide City Council with a joint report concerning the staffing impact “Mini City Halls” would have on the City Clerk’s Office, as well as what processes are necessary for implementing a “Mini City Hall.”

Motion Colorio @ #8.36A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the services and new programs expected to be offered at Mini City Hall locations. Further request City Manager include in said report information concerning the successes of the various programs implementing at the Mini City Hall.

Motion Bergman @ #8.4A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning why the City took six (6) years before rendering judgment on the tax lien for the property located at 261 Clover St.

Motion Bergman @ #8.4A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the rationale for the assessment value for the property located at 261 Clover St.

Motion Russell @ #8.5C CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider providing the public with educational information regarding the ability to use multiple containers when putting out their recycling.

Motion Toomey @ #8.5C CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks ensure the new curbside recycling brochure be provided to tenants and property owners alike.

Motion King @ #8.5C CM – Request City Manager denote on recycling brochures that clear bagged recyclables are acceptable.