CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:29 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Due to social distancing concerns associated with COVID-19, Mayor Joseph M. Petty administered the Oath of Office for City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli on March 23, 2020, his first day in office. Mr. Vangjeli is the eleventh person to hold the title for the City of Worcester since its founding in 1848. Mr. Vangjeli is also the first Albanian-born City Clerk in the City of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of February 25, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers, who all participated remotely through digital means: 1. Valerie James, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11d CC 2. Dianna Biancheria, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11d CC

Hearing: CROWN CASTLE FIBER LLC for a conduit location at: HAMMOND ST. Granting permission to CROWN CASTLE FIBER LLC for a conduit location at: HAMMOND ST.

Hearing: CROWN CASTLE FIBER LLC for a conduit location at: WILLARD AVE. Granting permission to CROWN CASTLE FIBER LLC for a conduit location at: WILLARD AVE.

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell - As Chair of the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works in accordance with Rule 33 (e) of the Rules of City Council, request City Council suspend its rules to take up the Report of the Committee on Public Works Upon the Communication of City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to right-of-way changes in the ballpark development area (Discontinuance of a portion of Gold St. and Plymouth St. & takings and layouts of Summit St., Canal St. and Canal St. Ext.), as presented to the City Council on February 25, 2020 and referred to Public Works Committee, along with related items pending before the Committee, at its meeting on March 19, 2020.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Christopher Crawley request sidewalk resurfacing for both sides of Lilac Lane.

Felix Garcia request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 61 East Central St.

Xheudet Vath Bacova request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 181 Beacon St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager inquire with the Sheriff's Office about social distancing practices within prisons.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to the effectiveness of a six month pilot program of installing stop signs in Clover St. at Pine View Ave., Montello St. and Mohawk St. for the purpose of slowing traffic down.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the cost of materials and the labor costs associated with the installation of traffic signs.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion concerning the definition and use of the term, "residential street," as it pertains to resident permit parking.

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the intersection of St. Nicholas Ave. and Clark St. in an effort to reduce speed and increase safety. (Rose)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the intersection of West Boylston St. and Mountain St. East and West in an effort to increase safety. (Rose)

Request City Manager consider allowing small businesses the liberty to create curbside pickup for their product(s). (Rose)

Request City Manager contact our state and federal legislators to persuade them to support the enclosed recommendations for economic relief as submitted by MAPP Impact, representing Worcester County restaurateurs and small businesses, during this unprecedented health epidemic. (Colorio)

SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: WILBUR STREET

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)

Edward M. Augustus, Jr., City Manager, recommending authorization to resubmit statements of interest to the MSBA for Burncoat High School (district priority project) for major renovation or replacement for 2020.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to right-of-way changes in the ballpark development area.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to right-of-way changes in the ballpark development area (Discontinuance of a portion of Gold St. and Plymouth St. & takings and layouts of Summit St., Canal St. and Canal St. Ext.): recommend adoption of the four (4) accompanying Orders.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Donna M. Colorio request repainting of the crosswalk located at 835 Pleasant St. in front of Shaarai Torah West Temple.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Donna M. Colorio request installation of stop signs in Clover St. at Pine View Ave., Montello St., and Mohawk St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to install stop signs in Clover St. at Pine View Ave., Montello St. and Mohawk St. for a six month period, as part of a pilot program in the area.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Sean M. Rose request consideration for the removal or relocation of both crosswalks in the vicinity of St. Mary’s Albanian Orthodox Church, located at 535 Salisbury St., in the interest of public safety. (Amended on March 11, 2020 to include both crosswalks in the vicinity of St. Mary's Albanian Orthodox Church): recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of "No Parking Here to Corner" signage on the right side of 156 Shrewsbury St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Deborah McCrohan et al request Clover St., beginning at South Ludlow St. heading easterly and ending at Heard St. be made a one way street.: recommend Petition be placed on File.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to accident reports for the Clover St. and Heard St. area.: recommend Petition be placed on File.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Josh Dufresne request various school safety measures be implemented in the vicinity of 345 Greenwood St.: recommend Petition be placed on File.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Therese St. Vil request the removal of "No Parking" signs on Bluff St. from Bancroft St. to Mason St.: recommend Petition be placed on File.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally request installation of traffic advisory signage in Bailey St., in the approach to the crosswalk, warning motorists of the crosswalk including "Thickly Settled" signage and "Yield to Pedestrian" signage.: recommend Petition be placed on File.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Eric Cruze request installation of a crosswalk across Pleasant St. at Oxford St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

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)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the Worcester City Council does hereby support and endorse House Bill No. 4935, An Act Providing for a Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures during the COVID-19 Emergency. – Item #20a CC Resolution adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the appropriateness of installing speed bumps and cushions on main, arterial streets. – Item #20b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Clerk transmitting a communication relative to the retirement and resignation of the City Clerk. – Item #20c CC Accepted and adopted three (3) Orders on a roll call vote of Eleven Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - That City Council does hereby elect Nikolin Vangjeli as the City Clerk of the City of Worcester at an annual salary of $130,00.00. – Item #20d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Russell @ #13a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the process used to determine how Burncoat High School was selected for a statement of interest to the MSBA over Worcester East Middle School. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning how the coronavirus, COVID-19, may affect the city’s finances in relation to school construction in general. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning a short term plan to address facility needs at Worcester East Middle School.

Motion Petty – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council does hereby amend its meeting schedule to cancel the March 31, 2020 City Council meeting and further, does hereby amend its meeting scheduled for April 7, 2020 to designate the agenda as a Joint Calendar.