CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:31 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:35 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 April 28, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speaker, who participated remotely through digital means: 1. Michael Papagni, no residence given, spoke in favor of #10b CC

Peter and Lisa Honig request the sidewalk in front of 12 Spring Valley Rd. be repaved.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty request installation of speed calming measures on Seymour St. from Vernon St. to Millbury St.

Anthony Lananelli request monitoring of illegally dumped trash on Granite St. by utilizing video technology and law enforcement personnel.

NATIONAL GRID for a solely-owned pole location at: MOWER STREET.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointment of Jacqueline Yang to the Human Rights Commission.

Communication Relative to the FY2021 Water & Sewer Rate Recommendation, Status of the Integrated Plan, Status of the Water & Sewer Enterprises, and the Water & Sewer Reserve Policy

Transmitting informational communication relative to Crime Statistics During the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a legal opinion concerning the history of Article Two, Section Eight of the Worcester Revised Ordinances of 2008, Part 1, Residency of Officers and Employees, and the interplay between the ordinance and Section 3-3(a) of the Worcester home rule charter.

Recommend that Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($450,000.00) be transferred from Account # #330-09, Real Estate Sales, and be appropriated to Account #04C650, Roosevelt School New Land.

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 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program program.

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 Workforce Competitive Trust Fund FY 20 program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Seventy Five Thousand Three Hundred Ninety Four Dollars and Twenty Cents ($75,394.20) from the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, under the FY2020 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of a K9 bulletproof vest with an approximate monetary value of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($2,500.00) from Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($25,000.00) from the Berkshire Bank Foundation for the Small Business Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($30,000.00) from the US Department of Labor under the FY20 TechQuest program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Twelve Thousand Three Hundred Fifteen Dollars And Forty Cents ($12,315.40) from the Worcester Together program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept federal Supplemental Funding in the amount of Two Million Seven Hundred Sixteen Thousand Five Hundred Fifty One Dollars And No Cents ($2,716,551.00) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), for assisting with COVID-19 impacts through the City of Worcester Fiscal Year 2020/Program Year 45 from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Entitlement Programs through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Account #900-9200, City Managers Contingency, and be appropriated to Account #270-9200, Communications Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funding related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Nine Thousand One Hundred Sixty Dollars And No Cents ($159,160.00) be transferred as described to allow funding for Fire Department Overtime.

Recommend that Nine Hundred Forty Two Thousand Five Hundred Eighty Two Dollars And Twenty Five Cents ($942,582.25) be transferred to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Program for the 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020.

Recommend that Fifty Five Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars And Fifty Two Cents ($55,888.52) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, to Account #660-92000, Treasurer’s Office Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the costs associated with the issuance of the $40,203,000 Bond Anticipation Notes, dated August 30, 2019.

Recommend that Fifty Two Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars And Eighty Four Cents ($52,779.84) be approved to allow for the payment of a prior year invoice with Fiscal Year 2020 funds.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Twenty Five Million Dollars and No Cents ($25,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7113T, Doherty High MSBA, to pay for costs associated with the construction and furnishing of a replacement Doherty Memorial High School at 299 Highland Street.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Four Hundred Nineteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,419,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Citywide Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Fourteen Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($14,250,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C784, Park Improvements, to pay for costs associated with Park Improvements.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Thirteen Million Eight Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($13,860,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7413A, Street and Sidewalk Construction, to pay for costs associated with Street and Sidewalk Construction.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Dollars And No Cents ($3,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744B, Off Street Parking Rehab, to pay for costs associated with Off Street Parking Rehab.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744A, Parking Meters, to pay for costs associated with Parking Meters.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Two Million Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,020,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7134, Water Mains, to pay for costs associated with Water Mains.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Million Eight Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,840,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C732, Water Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Water Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the sum of Ten Million Six Hundred Eighty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,685,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7134, Water Mains, to pay for costs associated with Water Mains.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C702, Water Land Acquisition, to pay for costs associated with Water Land Acquisition.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($600,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Water Capital Equipment.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Eleven Million Six Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($11,670,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C745B, Sewer Construction, to pay for costs associated with Sewer Construction.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($600,0000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C734A, Sewer Capital Equipment.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741F, Guardrails, to pay for costs associated with Guardrails.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($510,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741E, Bridge Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Bridge Rehabilitation.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741C, Private Street Conversion, to pay for costs associated with Private Street Conversion.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($650,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C724B, Traffic Signal Improvements, to pay for costs associated with Traffic Signal Improvements.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711E, Public Schools Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Public Schools Rehabilitation.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,150,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Union Station Rehabilitation.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in Two Million Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,030,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711F, Building Rehabilitation Library, to pay for costs associated with Building Rehabilitation Library.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C780E, Public Schools Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Public Schools Equipment.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Two Million Five Hundred Twenty Eight Thousand Five Hundred Forty Three Dollars and No Cents ($2,528,543) be appropriated to Account #91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with Citywide Capital Equipment.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($255,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744B, Parking Lots, to pay for costs associated with Parking Meters.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Ninety Seven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($397,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C775, Civic Center Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Citywide Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C724B, Street Light Improvements, to pay for costs associated with Street Light Improvements.

Submission of the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Operating Budget for City Council review and consideration.

Recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2021 proposed Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Worcester.

Amending The Salary Ordinance Of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group EM – Executive Management To Add The Positon Of Deputy City Clerk To The City Clerk's Table Of Organization.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 7 Irene Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Amend Handicap Parking In Front Of 53 Upsala Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 86 Lakewood Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Amend 15 Minute Parking On Winter Street.

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For Stop Sign On Institute Road At Wachusett Street.

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio - Request City Manager provide City Council with a financial analysis, which includes capital cost estimates and funding requirements for the South Division Fire Station and the city wide Financial Management System prior to revising the City’s Financial Integrity Plan. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 5, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King, Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - Request City Manager consider revising the Financial Integrity Plan for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) to allocate excess New Growth above budgeted to: 1) The High School Building Fund; and 2) The City Manager Capital Campaign Fund, to prepare for the capital costs for the South Division Fire Station and the city wide Financial Management System. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson April 28, 2020 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 5, 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)

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)

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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson April 21, 2020 and April 28, 2020 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson May 5, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager review areas frequently used as illegal dumping sites across the city. – Item #17a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning what regulations regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), if any, could be imposed on the panhandling community during the COVID-19 pandemic, in light of the Supreme Court decision that protects their constitutional right to panhandle. – Item #17b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the pros and cons of requiring all operators and employers of a retail business to check their employees’ temperatures with a non-contact infrared thermometer. – Item #17c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Wally @ #8.36A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update prior to the close of the first quarter of FY21 concerning the city’s actual revenue as it relates to projections in the FY21 budget.

Motion Rosen @ #8.36A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative what affect COVID-19 may have to the financial aspects of building Polar Park.

Motion Russell @ #8.36A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any immediate actions that may need to be taken to improve the South Division Fire Station while a more permanent location is determined and built.

Motion Wally @ #8.33C CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the financials to date for the Off-Street Parking Program.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider providing increased signage prior to completing street sweeping, including the area in the vicinity of Newbury St.