CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:34 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:58 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 March 17, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speaker, who participated remotely through digital means: 1. Sandy Ellis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9k CC and #9l CC

Amy Scheinin request installation of a streetlight in the vicinity of 35 Fairfax Rd.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Tyler Prentice Rd. be resurfaced.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Dodge Ave. be resurfaced.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Turner Ave. be resurfaced.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the sidewalks on Marsh Ave. be resurfaced.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the sidewalks on Shattuck St. be resurfaced.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the sidewalks on Perkins St. be resurfaced.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the sidewalks on Melville St. be resurfaced.

John J. Nadolink request installation of a "No Left Turn 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. School Days" sign facing northbound traffic on Grafton St. at its intersection with Palm St.

Michael Letendre request installation of speed limit signage on Orton St.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: GRAFTON STREET

Recommend the reappointments of Gerardo Schiano, Elle Parker, Benetta Kuffour, and Raymond Smith to serve on the Citizen Advisory Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to 2020 Spring Sweeping Program set to begin on Monday, April 13, 2020, weather permitting.

Recommend adoption of an order to authorize the lease of office space at the Senior Center to "Our Deaf Survivor's Center".

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Special Revenue Account # 330-09, Real Estate Sales, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C750, Lincoln Square Memorial.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Three Hundred Sixty Five Thousand Five Hundred Eleven Dollars And No Cents ($365,511.00) from Federal Emergency Management Agency, under the FY19 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a FY20 Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Grant from the State Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Highway Safety Division, in the amount of up to Six Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($6,000.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, for the purposes of supporting a citywide COVID-19 response.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, for the purposes of supporting the communities in the Central MA Regional Public Health Alliance.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a donation in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) from the Worcester Youth Soccer Association, to be used for a scoreboard at Glodis Field.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) from the Worcester Rotary Club, to be used for a scoreboard at Glodis Field.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept, and expend up to Four Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($400,000.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the statewide disaster recovery national dislocated worker grant project, through the US Department of Labor for COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts, including temporary employment and occupational training.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($750,000.00) from the State Division of Conservation Services, under the FY20 Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Round 2 program for Coal Mine Brook renovations.

Recommend that Fifty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars And Seventy Two Cents ($58,888.72) be transferred from Account #29-33007, Damage Settlement, to Account #250-92000, Police Ordinary Maintenance, for the repair of WPD vehicles damaged in no fault motor vehicle accidents.

Recommend that Eighteen Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Five Dollars And No Cents ($18,455.00) be transferred from Account #04T803, OPEB Trust Reserve, and be appropriated to Account #663-96000, Health Insurance, to provide funding for Fiscal Year 2020 (October 2019-February 2020) Health Insurance expenses for Airport retirees.

Recommend that Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($700,000.00) be transferred from Account #250-91000, Police Personal Services, to Account #250-97000, Police Overtime, to fund overtime expenses through June 30, 2020.

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Six Thousand Six Hundred Forty Dollars And Ten Cents ($126,640.10) be transferred from Special Revenue Account #33091, R/A TNC Ride Share Surcharge, and be appropriated to Account #4103, DPW Streets, to allow for line painting.

Recommend that Eighty Four Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Dollars And Thirty Cents ($84,890.30) be transferred from Special Revenue Account #33091, R/A TNC Ride Share Surcharge, and be appropriated to DPW Account #40C704, Signal Installation, for the purchase and installation of pedestrian signals.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Managers Contingency, and be appropriated to Account #270-92000, Communications Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funding related to the COVID19 outbreak.

Recommend that Seventy One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($71,000.00) be transferred from Water Account #450-91000, Salaries, and be appropriated to Water Account #450-97000, Overtime, to cover anticipated overtime costs.

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide traffic enforcement of the stop sign at the intersection of Morningside Rd. and Hadwen Rd. (Wally)

Request City Manager develop a plan with appropriate partners to restart Worcester's economy that would be ready and waiting for immediate implementation once the coronavirus threat lessens and state of emergencies have ended. Such a plan should encourage all Worcester residents to get out of the house and spend locally at our restaurants, entertainment venues, retail shops and other businesses. (Rosen, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide the following list of supports to residents on the city’s website and through periodic posts on the city of Worcester social media; 1) Suicide Prevention: 800-273-8255; 2) Substance Abuse/Mental Health Helpline: 1-800-662-4357; 3) Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673; 4) Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233; and 5) Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741. (Rose, Wally, Rosen, King, Toomey)

Request City Manager light the Burns Memorial Bridge in appropriate color(s) during the current State of Emergency in order to show support and appreciation to physicians and all those providing and supporting medical services. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning what, if any, impact the current State of Emergency has on the Open Meeting Law and the ability of City Councilors to communicate with one another. (Bergman, Rose, Rivera)

Request City Manager request each department head for budget saving recommendations, excluding job reductions, for the upcoming FY21 Budget. (Bergman)

Request City Manager meet with representatives from SMOC, located at 25 Queen St., as well as representatives from the State of Massachusetts Department of Public Health to address significant concerns regarding the management of the facility and their response to community needs associated with the coronavirus, COVID-19. (Rivera)

Request City Manager work with his administration to come up with a solution to mitigate the littering of gloves and masks on the city's streets and sidewalks. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager review best practices used throughout the United States and world around sanitizing public spaces. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to whether additional funds are available to support more businesses in the city of Worcester. (Petty, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager consider the feasibility of working with the city’s colleges and hotels to provide temporary housing to frontline healthcare professionals who are working with COVID-19 patients. (Rivera, Bergman, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager consider working with funders and healthcare providers to create outdoor showers for frontline healthcare professionals, who would be able to access said showers at the conclusion of their workdays. (Rivera, Bergman, Rose, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report summarizing State of Massachusetts House Bill 4598, An Act to address challenges faced by municipalities and state authorities resulting from COVID-19 for the purpose of reviewing, assessing and debating said information in the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations. Said report should summarize and delineate all state aspects of the Act. (King, Rose, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager consider partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, local banks and the City’s Economic Development Staff to create a virtual call center that would give advice and referrals to Worcester businesses. Said information to be provided about resources that are available under various State, Federal and local programs. Further, request City Manager consider authorizing the Chamber and Discover Central Massachusetts to utilize current City tourism funds to temporarily promote and staff this service. (Russell)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby declare Friday, April 17, 2020 as Take Out Day in the city of Worcester, in an effort to support the various restaurants in the city who have been adversely impacted by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. (Rose, Wally, Rosen, King, Toomey)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Robert E. Longden, Esq. request to change the zoning designation at 284 Highland St., from RS 7 to RL-7: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the 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: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on Economic Development: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the TIF Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning small business: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Workforce Disparity Study Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Magdalene Ngala request existing resident permit parking on Congress St., from Crown St. to a point 214' west of Crown St. 7 a.m. 4 p.m. be expanded to be in effect at all times: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Cara Girard request installation of resident permit parking in Dominion Rd. from Ansonia Rd. to Lake Ave. North: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Anne Gerardi request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 155 Hamilton St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group AA - Legislative for a Chief of Staff, City Council.

Amending Section 2 Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extending The BG-3.0 Zoning District To Include 40 Ellsworth Street Aka 7 Bigelow Street.

Amending Section 2 Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extending The BL-1.0 Zoning District To Include 8 Washburn Street.

Amending The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991, Relative To Driveways And Front Yard Paving.

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)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – 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. – Item #19a Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – 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. – Item #19b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Petty – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council does hereby amend its meeting schedule to cancel the April 14, 2020 City Council meeting and further, does hereby amend its meeting schedule to hold a joint City Manager and City Council meeting on April 21, 2020.