CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:37 P.M.

Recessed: 7:46 P.M. Reconvened: 8:04 P.M. Adjourned: 9:49 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Jack Russell, the brother of District 3 City Councilor George J. Russell, who passed away.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 9, 2020.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. Ted Kostas, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 2. Kathleen (no last name given), spoke in opposition to defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 3. Alice Dillon, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 4. John Hardy-Lavoie, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 5. Arfaee Arash, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 6. Isaac (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 7. Ashley Hebert, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 8. Mallory Dutton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 9. Deb Bunker, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 10. Yolanda (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 11. Benjamin Desjarlais, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 12. Michaela Winter, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 13. Elizabeth Marszalek, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 14. Emily Schitman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 15. Emily Rittershaus, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 16. Erica (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 17. Emily Watzl, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 18. Nora Ali, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 19. Gabrielle Capradae, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 20. Emily Briggs, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 21. Gretta Cox-Gorton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 22. Chris Kazarian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 23. Sua Im, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 24. Tara Arthur, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 25. Jay Verchin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 26. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 27. Jessica Mackowiak, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 28. Christine (no last name given, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 29. Joanna Hampton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 30. Dave Bunker, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 31. Kaci Panarelli, Shrewsbury resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 32. Richard Cipro, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 33. Kat Miele, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 34. Pempe Staples, Worcester resident, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 35. Lindsay O’Meara, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 36. Shannon Herman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 37. Maddy Buchman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 38. Laura (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC 39. Molly Bond, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of defunding the WPD budget associated with #6a CC

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - In accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of City Council, Councilor Khrystian E. King requests reconsideration of the vote of City Council taken on June 16, 2020 to adopt the Report of the Committee on Finance Upon the Communication of the City Manager submission of the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Operating Budget for City Council review and consideration: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager submission of the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Operating Budget for City Council review and consideration: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Brian Grinnan et al. request to amend zoning ordinances and other applicable ordinances to permit residents in RS-7 zones to own egg laying chickens or poultry.

Paul J. Demoga, Esq., on behalf of Arts & Business Council Real Estate, LLC. request to amend the Zoning Map of the city of Worcester to change the zoning designation of 2 Ionic Ave. and 661 Main St. from the current zoning designation of BG-3 to BG-6, as shown on the plan attached hereto.

Desmond Dowling request abatement of street assessment #25619 in the amount of $15,000.00 for Candlewood St.

Juana Pena request implementation of traffic pattern changes as listed in the attached document.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio on behalf of Abby's House, located at 52 High St., request the fifteen (15) minute parking meters be changed to two (2) hour parking parking meters.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Brenda Davin request the traffic engineers recommend ways to increase safety measures when pedestrians use the crosswalk at Park Ave. and Charlotte St.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Brenda Davin request the traffic engineers recommend ways to stop motorists from driving down the one-way Enfield St. into Park Ave.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: NORTH ST., GROVE ST., LANCASTER ST.

Recommend adoption of Salary Ordinances to bring the ordinance into compliance with FY21 Operational Budget.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to continue Public Health Inter-Municipal Agreements with the Town of Millbury and the Town of Leicester.

Recommend adoption of a resolution re-authorizing the City Manager to submit an application to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for a State-authorized cultural district for five (5) years identified as the Salisbury Cultural District.

Recommend that Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($900,000.00) be transferred, as described, to support current and ongoing projects of the Worcester Public School.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) from Commonwealth Corp, under the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund Healthcare Hub program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Two Million Forty Four Thousand Two Hundred Seventy One Dollars And No Cents ($2,044,271.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s State 911 Department through the support and incentive grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Eight Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($8,000.00) from DESE through the MA Teacher Externship grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) from the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs through the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities Grant Program.

Recommend that Two Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Two Dollars and Fifty Eight Cents ($2,452.58) be transferred from Account #310-91101, Worcester Jobs Fund Salaries, to Account #310-92159, Worcester Jobs Fund Training Certifications, to cover costs associated with implementing an additional course for additional participants to be run under the Worcester Jobs Fund Program.

Recommend that Three Thousand Five Hundred Seventy Dollars And No Cents ($3,570.00) be transferred from Account #04T803, OPEB Trust Reserve, and be appropriated to Account #663-96000, Health Insurance, to provide funding for Fiscal Year 20 May 2020 health insurance expenses for airport retirees.

Recommend City Council's approval of Fiscal Year 2020 year-end transfers to make adjustments to City Accounts to balance the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget.

Recommend City Council's authorization of Revolving Fund Accounts in FY21 at the limits in each account, so that revenue derived from a particular service is allowed to be used for associated program cost, per M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53E 1/2.

Recommend authorization of Six Hundred Eighty Four Dollars and Three Cents ($684.03) for payment of prior year invoices to pay for repairs and parts to repair vehicles.

Recommend that Fourteen Thousand Seventy Two Dollars And Sixty Cents ($14,072.60) be approved to allow for prior year obligations to be met with fiscal year 2020 funds for a prior year purchase of services that was disputed for street lighting repairs.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City Manager's Fiscal Year 2020 Accomplishments.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the 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: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman June 16, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager and/or Mayor set up a meeting between the entire City Council, the Police Chief and Black leadership within the community as a means of moving forward and having dialogue in a transparent way. (Tabled Under Privilege - King June 16, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager contact the appropriate authority at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to ask whether the Commonwealth considers the lessee of the state-owned land at 9 Casco Street a suitable tenant and as such, determine whether said use of that property is subsequently suitable. Furthermore, that the Commonwealth consider making the parcel available for economic development. (Tabled Under Privilege - King June 16, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Council Standing Committee on Education meet jointly with the appropriate Standing Committee of the School Committee on an annual basis to assess and review matters pertaining to improving the Student to Social Worker Ratios to be in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) standards of 250 students to every 1 School Social Worker or Adjustment Counselor, and to discuss the efficacy of School Clinicians and School Resource Officers. Said review should be completed prior to budget planning. Further, be it requested that said initial review occur in the fall of 2020. (Tabled Under Privilege - King June 16, 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)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - That the Worcester City Council urges our State Delegation and others to pursue the naming in 2020 of the Worcester District Courthouse the “Sarah E. Wall Courthouse”. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman June 2, 2020 and June 9, 2020 - Petty and Tabled - Russell June 16, 2020)

COMMUNICATION of Stephen Herzog, Project Manager at Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., on behalf of CSX Transportation, Inc. transmitting an informational communication relative to the application of herbicide on the railroad. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty June 9, 2020 and Tabled - Russell June 16, 2020)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager submission of the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Operating Budget for City Council review and consideration: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. – Item #19a CC Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays; Reconsidered on June 23, 2020 Tabled Under Privilege - King

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2021 proposed Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Worcester: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. – Item #19b CC Accepted and adopted on a roll vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the total number of hours and wages for all snow removal inspectors and the total number of snow removal inspectors so employed for FY16 - FY19: recommend Communication be placed on file. – Item #19c CC Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a status report on finances for City parking garages: recommend Communication be placed on file. – Item #19d CC Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the 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: recommend Communication be placed on file. – Item #19e CC Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the 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: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. – Item #19f CC Tabled Under Privilege – Bergman

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the amount of free cash monies in the FY20 budget once the amount has been certified. (Colorio) – Item #19g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager work with the Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools to adjust the school budget in order to eliminate/reduce the charge for assigned police officers. Further, request City Manager encourage the Superintendent of Public Schools to work towards reallocating said funds to the positions of School Social Worker and/or Adjustment Counselor. (King) – Item #19h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

CHAIRMAN’S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the potential budgetary impact associated with the termination of teachers who have not reached professional status. Said report should include information relative to the teachers’ eligibility for collecting unemployment and whether the city would pay said unemployment. (Russell) – Item #19i CC 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 suspend the rules to allow for the public participation section of the agenda on June 16, 2020 to occur beyond the typically allotted thirty (30) minutes. – Item #19j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager and/or Mayor set up a meeting between the entire City Council, the Police Chief and Black leadership within the community as a means of moving forward and having dialogue in a transparent way. – Item #19k CC Tabled Under Privilege - King

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report containing a detailed timeline of events that occurred regarding the police action taken on June 1, 2020 in the Main South area. – Item #19l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager reach out to State Delegation to explore whether or not funding could be attained at the State level for the purpose of implementing body cameras for the Worcester Police Department. – Item #19m CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning learnings from recorded images during the police incident near Clark University on June 1, 2020, including information relative to how those learnings have contributed to policy, development and/or the evolution of focus and training. – Item #19n CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to what similar cities in size to Worcester and surrounding Worcester have done in relation to implementing dash cameras. – Item #19o CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the City Council does hereby suspend the rules to allow for the City Council meeting held on June 16, 2020 occur past midnight. – Item #19p CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager reach out to Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. and provide City Council with a report concerning the environmental impact of herbicide being applied on the railroad. Further, request City Manager include in said report the exact location of where herbicide will be applied. – Item #19q CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Petty @ #5a CC – That the City Council does hereby suspend the rules to allow for the public participation section of the agenda on June 23, 2020 to occur beyond the typically allotted thirty (30) minutes.

Motion King @ #6b CC – Request City Manager allocate funding in the amount of $120,000.00 for the creation of a jail diversion social worker position, who can serve as an advocate for individuals who face developmental, mental health and other life challenges. Said funding should come from savings acquired from previously approved reallocations in the Worcester Public Schools Budget. Said position should also be part of a pilot program of the Worcester Police Department and be privately contracted out.

Motion King @ #6b CC – Request City Manager allocate funding out of the Worcester Police Department budget in the amount of $137,000.00 for the purpose of establishing of a Black community cultural hub. Said funding should be allocated in tandem with funding for a Case Manager in the Public Health and Human Services department.

Motion King @ #6b CC – Request City Manager allocate funding out of the Worcester Police Department in the amount of $137,000.00 for the purpose of creating a Case Manager position in the Public Health and Human Services department. Said funding should be allocated in tandem with funding for the creation of a Black community cultural hub.

Motion Rosen @ #6b CC – Request City Manager research and consider the feasibility of Worcester implementing a pilot program for a specialized mobile mental health crisis intervention team such as Eugene, Oregon's CAHOOTS program, which stands for Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets. Consisting of mental health workers, medics, and social workers, among others, who are unarmed, trained to de-escalate, and most of the time without police backup, this team answers calls like suicide interventions, overdoses, homelessness and behavioral health issues of people in crisis. Started in 1989, CAHOOTS responds to well over 20,000 calls per year in a city about the size of Worcester. Many cities across the country are now considering similar pilot programs.

Motion Toomey @ #6b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the various orders by City Council for mental health services within the city’s various departments.

Motion Rivera @ #6b CC – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report relative to the feasibility of re-implementing the practice of hiring civilian paraprofessionals, or police service aides, who can respond to non-crime related service calls.

Motion Rivera @ #6b CC – Request City Manager work with Director of Public Health, the Mayor’s Task Force on Mental Health and the Police Chief to redirect funding to go to mental health providers, social workers and recovery coaches as a means of working to address 911 calls related to people experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as assessing all individuals arrested, so that individuals can be directed to health services needed and increase treatment instead of incarceration.