CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:35 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:08 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 February 4, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. Gordon Davis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7l CC, #20a CC and #20b CC 2. Richard Shea, Worcester resident, spoke concerning #16a CC 3. Sue Mailman, Worcester resident, spoke concerning #16a CC 4. Emily Linires, Worcester resident, spoke concerning #16a CC 5. Isabel Gonzalez-Webster, Worcester resident, spoke concerning #16a CC 6. Bobby Hazleton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 7. Julie Marzel, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 8. Rachel Henry, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 9. Maura Coakley, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 10. Philip Economou, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 11. Colin Novick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 12. Kevin Austin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 13. Michael Cirillo, Paxton resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 14. Elaine Baskin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 15. Pam Economou, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 16. David Minassian, Worcester resident, spoke concerning #16a CC 17. Martha Assefa, Worcester resident, spoke concerning #16a CC 18. Rachel Ramsey, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 19. Alex Guardiola, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #16a CC 20. Mickey O’Hara, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 21. Charlotte Kane, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 22. Ruth Stewart, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 23. Chris Kane, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 24. Kate McCann, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 25. Phil Bolduc, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 26. Aiden Cirillo, Paxton resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC 27. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor #20a CC and #20b CC 28. Thomas Doughton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #20b CC 29. Gordon Ward, Auburn resident, spoke in favor of #20b CC

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request Atwater St. be repaved.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio request installation of a metal guardrail in front of 278 Heard St.

Gene Abbascia request relocation of the street light in front of 11 Devens Rd.

Evan Corrigan request Sagamore Rd. be resurfaced.

Evan Corrigan request the city of Worcester adopt a proactive approach to road repairs in the post winter months.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Anne Gerardi request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 155 Hamilton St.

Mariam Pacheco request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 22 Minthorne St.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio request installation of stop signs in Clover St. at Pine View Ave., Montello St., and Mohawk St.

Anne Rysell et al. request Tyson Rd. be restricted to commercial vehicles that do not exceed a maximum of 5,000 lbs.

Carol Allen request removal of a handicap parking space in the vicinity of 86 Lakewood St.

Wendy Walsh request public hearings with the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Commission for input regarding any changes to Wetherell Estate Park (Duffy Field).

Gordon Davis request City Council 1) establish a policy of a formal complaint procedure for the receiving complaints against City employees by residents; 2) establish a policy of a bureau of professional standards for City employees other than the Police Department, which would review and adjudicate the complaints; 3) a policy of the codification of professional standards for City employees other than the police; and 4) a policy of publishing to the public all documents related to the complaint procedures and bureau of professional conduct (see attachment).

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Angel Rosario to Constable.

Recommend approval of the Executive Office of Economic Development’s table of organization by adding two Staff Assistant III grant funded positions.

Recommend approval of a Certified Project Designation and Tax Increment Financing Plan for WuXi Biologics USA, LLC

Recommend adoption of an order to transfer 13 Southgate Place to Economic Development.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the installation of a Burncoat Street pedestrian flashing warning beacon.

Transmitting informational communication relative to right-of-way changes in the ballpark development area.

Transmitting informational communications relative to the Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grant.

Transmitting informational communication relative to accident reports for the Clover St. and Heard St. area.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the City's homelessness outreach efforts.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the DCU Special District Improvement Fund Note/Bond Issue.

Recommend that Nineteen Thousand Four Hundred Eight Dollars And Eighty Nine Cents ($19,408.89) be transferred from Account # 91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment to Account # 33S701, Health Equipment.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Seventy Four Dollars And No Cents ($7,574.00) from the MA Attorney General's Office under the Healthy Summer Jobs program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Thirty Nine Thousand Two Hundred One Dollars And Sixty Five Cents ($39,201.65) from ESG Emergency Solutions Grant under the Homeless Outreach program.

Recommend to accept with gratitude a donation of a Smart TV and mounting hardware with a monetary value of Three Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($350.00) from Percy's to the Worcester Police Department.

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 the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services to develop and implement community-based workforce readiness and employment programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Stearns Tavern and Coes Reservoir in coordination with Seven Hills Foundation.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,000.00) from under the National Network of Libraries of Medicine program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Awarded Scholarships valued up to the total amount of Three Hundred Ninety Dollars And No Cents ($390.00) from Campus Fire Safety for 2020 Firefighter Safety Symposium to the Worcester Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division.

Recommend that Two Hundred Sixty Eight Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($268,000.00) be transferred to provide sufficient funding for the Cable PEG Program for the 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020.

Recommend that Four Hundred Sixty One Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Three Dollars And Seventy Seven Cents ($461,363.77) be transferred from Account # 330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, to Account # 660-92000, Treasurer’s Office Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Sixty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($68,800.00) be transferred from the following various Departmental accounts to be appropriated to the following Boys & Girls Club accounts.

Recommend that Two Thousand Six Hundred Fifty Six Dollars And Thirty Five Cents ($2,656.35) be transferred from Account #14S40542, Senior Center, and be appropriated to Account #14S47942, Friendly House.

Recommend that Six Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($638,250.00) be transferred from Account # 900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, to Account # 260-93000, Fire Capital Outlay, for the purchase of MSA G1 Breathing Apparatus.

Recommend adoption of an order to regrade a position within the City Clerk's Office, as requested by the City Clerk.

Recommend adoption of an order to approve the filing of a petition with the general court which would authorize the Retirement Board of the city of Worcester to provide certain survivor benefits to Ava Roy, the daughter of fallen firefighter Christopher Roy.

Transmitting informational communication relative to Duffy Field (Wetherell Estates).

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Clerk provide the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations the resumes of the two Assistant City Clerks for consideration.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Clerk recommend to City Council available certifications, courses and memberships a City Clerk could use to enhance professional growth and development.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager conduct a staffing analysis of the City Clerk's Office for budget and operational purposes.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager, his Director of Urban Innovation and the City Clerk provide to City Council with a status report of the Municipal Service Center within one month of the opening and include in said report what were the successes and challenges that occurred during this period.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - That the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations does hereby recommend City Council support the opening of the Municipal Service Center contingent to status reports regarding its operations.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - That the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations does hereby recommend that City Council support the current position dedicated to City Council within the City Clerk’s office continue as is.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request the City Clerk invite the principal or designee of Norback Elementary School to the next Traffic & Parking Committee meeting when discussing the petition regarding Reynolds St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor report to City Council whether or not it is legal to install portable speed bumps in Massachusetts.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request the Standing Committee on Traffic & Parking discuss the installation of “Right Turn Only” signage in Clover St. into Heard St. from both directions.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request the Police Chief provide sporadic speed enforcement in Burncoat St. from Matteo St. to West Boylston Town line.

Request City Manager and City Council consider establishing a program through which every non-profit organization in the city that owns non-taxable property is asked to make a voluntary and partial payment in lieu of taxes. The revenue from this PILOT program would be earmarked to improve transit service in the city including the implementation of a Zero-Fare program. (Rosen)

Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation hold a public hearing on Eversource’s proposed increase in gas distribution rates. (Wally)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the July request to Eversource to identify all gas leaks in the city. (Wally)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks develop protocols for Eversource to follow in order to repair holes left in the street after checking for gas leaks. (Wally)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks identify opportunities to offer open water swimming lessons for the city's youth. (Wally)

Request City Manager consider implementing an incentive program for residents to report potholes they find throughout the city. (Rose)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning whether the goals set forth in the TIF Agreements for this phase of the Worcester Red Sox ballpark construction are being met. (Rose)

Request City Manager consider designating a location or multiple locations within City Hall, including but not limited to elevators, where a map of the city’s districts could be placed that include pictures of City Councilors that represent each district. (Rose)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support and recognize March of 2020 as Women’s History Month in the city of Worcester and that the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby call upon its public officials, community members and residents to observe in the celebration of Women’s History Month by participating in the various happenings that honor the many achievements of women throughout history. (Rose, Wally, Rosen, Mero-Carlson, Bergman, Rivera)

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting an informational communication regarding the passage of time taken to develop the Madison Properties' effect on the timing of the receipt of revenues required to service Series A bonds. (Referred to Finance Committee - #8a CC June 4, 2019)

Transmitting an informational communication regarding the financial statements of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, as audited by the CPA firm of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.

Transmitting an informational communication regarding the financial statement of the DCU Center for the year ended June 30, 2019, as audited by the certified public accounting firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

Transmitting the resumes of Assistant City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle and Assistant City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Mayor Joseph M. Petty. Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Councilor Khrystian E. King request Mullberry St. from Shrewsbury St. to East Central St. be renamed Mount Carmel Way.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of 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.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Ballpark Financing Update: recommend advertising the proposed Loan Order, adoption of the four (4) accompanying Resolutions and adoption of the three (3) accompanying Orders.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to information to assist in the hiring of a City Council staff member: recommend adoption of accompanying three (3) Orders.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting communication relative to responses to City Council Orders during the FY20 Budget Hearing sessions: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Donna Canny-Sanford request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 35 Columbia St.:recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Susan Chaffee request installation of a second handicap parking space in front of 17 Perry Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Lisa Higgins request handicap parking space in front of 23 Merrifield St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Richard J. Lamarche request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 51 Barnard Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Jessica Waltz request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on both sides of Burncoat St. between 146 Burncoat St. and 162 Burncoat St.: recommend passage of the accompanying three (3) proposed Ordinances to install No Parking Anytime in front of 152 Burncoat St. to 162 Burncoat St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Stephen Krosoczka, President Sem-Tec, Inc. request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage 20 feet beyond the fire hydrant across from the driveway of 62 Jackson St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anthony DeCillis request speed limit signs be installed on Eastern Ave. at City View School: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to install school zone signs in Prospect St. at City View School.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anthony DeCillis request speed enforcement on Eastern Ave. from Belmont St. to Elliott St. and also at City View School: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Nick Hamel et al request installation of resident permit parking on Prouty Ln. from Assabet Ln. to Bailey St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gina Vazquez request resident permit parking on Bowdoin St. be extended to include 20-22 Bowdoin St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Diane Pacevicz request installation of resident permit parking on Ames St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Order of Mayor Joseph Petty - Request City Manager study the possible change of Sudbury St. to a two way street between Chestnut St. and Main St.: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gueng Yang request installation of a commercial loading zone in front of Oishi, located at 8 Franklin St., between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request Burncoat St., from Matteo St. to the West Boylston line be designated and posted as a 30 mph zone with children signs in the area of Apthorp St. and Tyson Rd., as there are no signs posted designating speed limits in this area of Burncoat St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mayor Joseph M. Petty request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Cowden St. and Heard St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

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.

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning Worcester’s Black History Trail, as well as the projected timeline for completion on the project. (Tabled Under Privilege - King February 11, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager request Veterans’ Agent/Director provide City Council with a report identifying all black, mulatto and mixed raced Worcester residents who served in World War II. Further, request City Manager review the city’s list against any national databases with similar information. (Tabled Under Privilege - King February 11, 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 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)

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #16a CC - RESOLUTION - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby reaffirm its commitment to the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy and expectations that hold all TIF recipients to the goals and requirements outlined in the Worcester TIF Policy, including the goals that the permanent jobs reflect livable wages, include workforce diversity, local hiring and require responsible employers for construction on all which will be monitored for compliance.

Motion Bergman @ #10a CC – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion as to whether there would be any legal concerns about separating out Worcester’s regional transit busses to be fare free while still allowing other communities to collect a fee for riding the bus.

Motion Bergman @ #10a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether funds collected from non-profit organizations and non-taxable properties for the purpose for implementing a Zero-Fare program would have to be allocated to the entire Worcester Regional Transit Authority or if the funds could be used specifically for servicing Worcester residents.

Motion Rose @ #10a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the costs associated with implementing a Zero-Fare bus program in the city.

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #17a CC – That City Council does hereby request the City Manager recommend for the FY21 Budget an amendment to the Mayor’s Table of Organization a regrading of the position for the Secretary to Mayor from Paygrade 39 to Paygrade 41. Further, request City Manager recommend for the FY21 Budget an amendment to the Mayor’s Table of Organization a regrading of the position for Assistant Secretary to Mayor from Paygrade 35 to Paygrade 40.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks look into safety measures that should be taken at the intersection of Major Taylor Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the vicinity of the DCU Center, as pedestrian crosswalk signals may currently coincide with green lights causing safety concerns.

Motion Rose – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council post the plans concerning construction on Shore Drive on the city’s website and social media as a means to allow for sharing of information.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby recognized March of 2020 as Irish-American Heritage Month in the city of Worcester.