CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:01 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 24, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers, who participated remotely through digital means: 1. Dr. Eric Garcia, no residence given, spoke in regard to #12i CC

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

Mark Brennan request sidewalk repair in front of 17 Barr St.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio on behalf of Gordon Duncan request installation of a three way stop sign on Beechmont St. where it intersects with Bancroft Tower Rd.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio on behalf of Gordon Duncan request installation of a three way stop sign on Beechmont St. where it intersects with Metcalf St.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio on behalf of Gordon Duncan request the speed limit on Beechmont St. and Salisbury St. be reduced to 20 mph.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio on behalf of Gordon Duncan request that speed cameras that automatically record traffic transgressions be looked into as a means of reducing speed throughout the city.

Joanne Simoncini request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 11 Reeves St.

NATIONAL GRID for a underground conduit location at: MADISON STREET.

NATIONAL GRID for a underground conduit location at: MILLBURY STREET.

Recommend that Seven Hundred Eighty One Thousand One Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($781,100.00) be transferred from Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #04C704, Union Station Rehabilitation, to provide funding for various building improvement projects at Union Station through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of a Lowes gift card in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($500.00) be accepted by Emergency Management for supplies related to COVID-19.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) from the Massachusetts Probation Service, under the 2020 Diverting Children, Adolescents and Young Adults from Criminal Justice System Involvement program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Million Dollars And No Cents ($1,000,000.00) from the US Department of Justice, through the OJJDP FY20 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence program.

Recommending the appointment of Stephen Andrew-James Pottle to Deputy City Clerk.

Transmitting an update relative to the hiring of the Chief of Council position.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the preliminary injunction that was granted to the property on Forest Street.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the previously requested information as to how many times public safety officials have provided services for 65 Kenwood Avenue and 17 Germain Street and concerning the property taxes collected at 65 Kenwood Avenue and similar properties.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased speed enforcement on Merchant St. from Main St. to Apricot St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief work with the principal of Woodland Academy to determine any additional traffic needs in the vicinity of the school.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager revise the availability date for the city’s survey concerning the Open Space and Recreation Plan to a later date and have the survey be advertised through the City of Worcester's social media accounts.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a complete assessment of the damage to the Institute Park tennis courts, as well as any maintenance required to make the surface safe to use.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager consider reaching out to WPI and Becker College to inquire as to whether they would be interested in sponsoring or assisting in funding of maintaining and/or renovating the tennis courts at Institute Park.

Request City Manager's representative on the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) Advisory Board provide City Council and the public with an update concerning the catastrophic effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the WRTA's ability to provide service. (Rosen)

Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks draft a conservation restriction on the park land at Newton Hill. (Wally, Petty)

Request City Manager work closely with the following outdoor recreational entities in an effort to devise a "Trails Master Plan:" 1) www.gwlt.org; 2) www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/broad-meadow-brook; 3) www.hikeworcester.com; and 4) www.parkspirit.org. (Rose, Rosen, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager publicly advertise on social media and on the city website the current city trails on parks such as Hadwen, Lake, Green Hill, Newton Hill, Coes Pond, Boynton, Cascades, the East/West Trail and any other pertinent trails not listed. (Rose, Rosen, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council and the Board of Health with race and ethnicity statistics pertaining to COVID-19 for the purpose of advancing health equity in the city. (King)

Request City Manager work with the Fire Chief to develop a way for parents and caregivers to request the Worcester Fire Department make a drive-by visit to children on their birthdays. (Rose, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager work with the city’s public safety officials to provide City Council with a report, as soon as possible and within the next thirty (30) days, concerning the following information: 1) The City’s current crime statistics from March 2020 through the present; and 2) Updated public safety policies as it pertains to the coronavirus, COVID-19. (Colorio)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks pick up leaves this spring, in conjunction with the spring street sweeping program if possible, on streets where leaves were not properly picked up last fall due to early snowstorms, etc. (Bergman, Colorio)

Request City Manager work with Worcester healthcare providers to provide a plan in regards to testing all Worcester residents for COVID-19 in the next several months. (Petty)

Request City Manager look into providing COVID-19 testing for the city's Department of Public Works and Parks Sanitation workers, as well as the city's Inspectional Services workers. (Mero-Carlson, Toomey, Bergman, Rose)

Request City Manager and/or Board of Health take no action in increasing the number of homeless beds for non-Worcester residents, unless and until the following information is provided, in the interest of transparency and edification for the general public: 1) How many homeless beds are available? 2) Where are they located? 3) What is the current rate of occupancy? 4) Which colleges, universities or other available properties have been asked? and 5) What are the public health/safety pluses and minuses of creating additional Shelters for non-Worcester residents? (Mero-Carlson, Toomey, Bergman, Colorio)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Steven Gallati request removal of handicap parking space in front of 17-19 Shelby St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of George Ducas request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 85 Fox St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Esad Darman request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 31 Dale St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Chairman's Order 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.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request install on “No Parking” signs in front of 65 Kenwood Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Rafael Pena request resident permit parking on Astrid St. be extended to include 5 Astrid St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Kathleen Ryan Trumpaitis request installation of resident permit parking in front of and in the vicinity of 5 Nebraska St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Evan Corrigan request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Inwood Rd. and Quinapoxet Lane.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Dennis Lipka, WRTA Administrator, request installation of an inbound bus stops on Norwich St. as described in the attachment: recommend passage of the accompanying Ordinance and adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Dennis Lipka, WRTA Administrator, request installation of various inbound and outbound bus stops on Sunderland Rd. as described in the attachment: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request all the crosswalk on Country Club Blvd. be repainted: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Fakhri Khayoon request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 30 Lakeside Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Loan Pham request removal of handicap parking space in the vicinity of 31 Stanton St.: 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 West 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 traffic calming measures on Heard St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Maria Castillo request South St., from Shannon St. to Providence 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 Sean Kelley request Merchant St. from Main St. to Apricot 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 Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Robert Goddard request installation of resident permit parking in South Harlem St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Rafael Pena request resident permit parking on Astrid Ave. be extended to include 5 Astrid Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Tim Loew and Ken Cameron on behalf of Becker College request to amend the Resident Permit Parking on the entire odd side of Roxbury St., from the corner of William St. to Highland St., from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a "Blind Driveway" sign at the intersection of Ansonia Rd. and Dominion Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of the parents of the PTO at Woodland Academy request installation of a three-way stop sign at the corner of Claremont St. and Woodland St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of the parents of the PTO at Woodland Academy request installation of a four-way stop sign at the corners of Oberlin St. and Woodland St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman on behalf of the family of John D. Foley, who passed away in WWII, request that a memorial Square be erected in his honor and memory at or near 358 Chandler St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request restoration and relocation of the Sullivan Memorial located in Melrose St. to a location approximately 50 feet north of its current location: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the revised Mulcahy Field Master Plan: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to public meetings to discuss the Open Space and Recreation Plan for the City of Worcester: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Petition of Alexander Valle request creation of a dog park at the end of West Boylston Dr.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

Amending Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extension Of The Rl-7 Zoning Districts In The Vicinity Of Highland Street And Haviland Street.

Amending The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991, Relative To Rear Yard Setbacks In The Bg-6.0 Zoning District.

Amending Section 40 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Revise Resident Permit Parking Congress Street.

Amending Section 40 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide For Resident Permit Parking On Dominion Road.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 155 Hamilton Street.

TO BE ORDAINED: An Ordinance Amending The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991, Relative To Driveways And Front Yard Paving (Tabled Under Privilege - King April 7, 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)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – 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. - Item #16a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nays

Motion Petty @ #10a CC – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning the City Clerk Department’s staffing levels, including information concerning how staff will be allocated.

Motion King @ #12e CC – Request City Manager provide information and directions relative to calling in for City Council, Standing Committee and Board and Commission meetings on the front page of the city’s website.

Motion King @ #12g CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what the public safety official emergency exemptions to the Constitution are in respect to COVID-19.

Motion King @ #12h CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what planning has occurred to prepare the opening of Department of Public Works and Parks yard waste drop-off sites.

Motion Colorio @ #12i CC – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning any legal liabilities associated with testing Worcester residents for COVID-19.

Motion King @ #12k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any documentation the city’s Inspectional Services Department has regarding SMOC, located at 25 Queen Street, as well as any issues requiring city response in the last year.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding violations incurred by SMOC, both in city and elsewhere in the State.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the history of the city’s decision to not move forward with utilizing the Quality Inn property as a temporary shelter for homeless people who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Motion Russell @ #17d CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any new circumstances or regulations available in regard to providing an abatement for 10 Knapp Ave., Sewer Betterment Assessment #31247, as well as whether those same circumstances can be used for any other properties.