CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:42 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:18 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 December 1, 2020.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Alex Guardiola, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11b CC 2. Alex Mazin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 3. Benjamin Desjarlias, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9g CC, #10b CC, #11j CC, #12b CC and spoke in opposition to item #7a CC 4. Chris Mitchem, Portland, OR resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 5. Juan Gomez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12b CC 6. Mike Kennedy, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11j CC 7. Robert Bilotta, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11j CC 8. Joe Bellil, Holden resident, spoke in favor of item #11j CC 9. Tomas Gonzalez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 10. Vicki Galinsky, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11b CC 11. William S. Coleman, III, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9g CC 12. Natalie Medina, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11k CC 13. Megan Brunelle, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11h CC

ORDER - That the City Council convene in Executive Session at the Tuesday, December 15, 2020 meeting for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to contract negotiations with I.B.P.O. Local 504, Worcester Police Officials.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MANN ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MANN ST.

Councilor Sean M. Rose on behalf of Rich Lundin request Chester Terrace, where the Menard family lived for over 50 years, be renamed to honor Jason Menard.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request Minthorne St. be repaved.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request Maywood St. from Park Ave. to Lovell St. be repaved.

Scott Kerner request removal of a sewer easement located at 67 Millbrook St.

Beth-Ann Alexander request handicap parking space be installed in front of 55 Plantation St.

Brenda Nichols request removal of handicap parking space in front of 32 Newbury St.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council file a Home Rule Petition with the Massachusetts Legislature requesting permission to suspend Article 7 Section 74 of the city's Charter, by reducing the number of signatures required by candidates for the 2021 Municipal Election to not more than 50 signatures for At-Large City Council, District City Council and School Committee, for the safety of the public and the candidates during COVID-19.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the lease between the city and the ballpark.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Council and the City Manager notify the Governor of the Commonwealth, the city’s local delegation and the MBTA Administration, once the threat of COVID-19 has diminished, that commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston, including on weekends and after 9 p.m., be fully restored.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager provide City Council with a traffic study exploring making Tyson Rd. a one-way street, installing speed humps and restricting the truck traffic on the street.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide City Council with a report relative to the expected impact of traffic issues associated with converting a street from a private street to a public street. Said report should also be made available to individuals pursing the possibility of converting their streets from private roads to public roads.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any equipment that would be of help to the WPD – Traffic Division to better monitor speeding and traffic issues throughout the city.

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased enforcement of the parking regulations on Princeton St., where cars are parking on both sides of the street in locations where only one side is permitted, which is impacting emergency vehicles' ability to traverse the street. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding the implications of an Amazon location at the Greendale Mall site, including information as to how neighborhood concerns will be addressed. (Petty)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously adopted order on March 17th, 2020 relative to including a military discount as part of the discounts, which include discounts for Seniors, Students, Juniors and Millennials, offered at the Green Hill Golf course. (Colorio)

Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking review Policy and Procedure No. 693 relative to Towed Vehicles from Private Property of the Worcester Police Department and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 266 Section 120D relative to removal of motor vehicles from private ways or property; penalties; liability for removal and storage charges; release of vehicle. (Colorio)

Request City Manager and appropriate staff investigate the “15 Minute City” concept as a future plan for Worcester as we adapt to the new “normal.” (Toomey)

Request City Manager explore the strength of the WI-FI on Salisbury St. from the Worcester/Holden line to Assumption University. (Rose, Wally)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the increase and/or decrease of businesses in District 1 over the last three years, in an effort to plan around any areas of the district facing potential market vacancies. (Rose, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager consider turfing the sports field that is used in the back of Foley Stadium. (Rose)

Request City Manager consider placing cameras or some form of surveillance up at Bancroft Tower. (Rose, Colorio)

Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation invite to an upcoming meeting representatives from the Worcester's disability community, the Director of Human Rights and Disabilities for the city, the city's taxi and ridesharing companies, and the WRTA to determine how equitable, accessible on-demand public transportation in Worcester can be expanded. In 2019, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) provided over 1 million trips in Worcester but currently there are zero wheelchair accessible TNC vehicles. And, while Worcester has 110 licensed taxis, that includes only one wheelchair accessible vehicle. (Rosen)

In light of 55 million Americans presently struggling with hunger during the pandemic, resulting in huge lines of cars at drive through food banks, and a growing subset of Americans stealing food to survive, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the state of food insecurity in Worcester and what steps still need to be taken by our caring city to make sure that no residents go hungry. (Rosen, Wally, Colorio, Toomey, Rose, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer develop a “best practices” procedure(s) to notify the City Council when planning board applications are first received/reviewed that have a potential for significant impact(s) on vehicular traffic/patterns. (Bergman, Wally, Rose, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with report concerning the current condition of the Rodgers-Kennedy Memorial at Elm Park. (Bergman, Wally, Rivera)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby go on record expressing concerns over the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s decision to approve wholesale delivery regulations in the State of Massachusetts for the marijuana industry. (Rose, Petty, Wally)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby call upon Congressman James P. McGovern to co-sponsor the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2020 (H.R. 8113). Further, that the City Council of the City of Worcester call upon United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, the Massachusetts Federal delegation, and all of Congress to support the passage of H.R. 8113. (Rivera, Rose, King, Petty, Wally)

Mayor Joseph M. Petty submitting for approval by the City Council the attached Annual Calendar of City Council meeting for calendar year 2021.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend adoption of the attached amendment to the City’s organizational ordinances relative to the establishment of the Worcester Ballpark Authority: 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 the proposed Worcester Ballpark Authority: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public hearing to discuss possible options in light of the MBTA's proposed cuts that will, among others, eliminate commuter rail service on weekends and after 9 p.m. on weekdays. These major service cuts will cause definite hardship for some of Worcester's essential workers and city residents for whom public transit is a necessity; recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Petition of Jo Hart request City Council provide a master plan for public transportation to the Polar Park area: recommend Petition be placed on file.

Amending Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extension Of The Adaptive Reuse Overlay Zoning District In The Vicinity Of Lamartine Street.

An Organizational Ordinance Removing the Chief Diversity Officer, Together with the Diversity Inclusion Advisory Committee, From the Human Resources Department to a Separate Cabinet Level Agency.

ORDER: Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: ORIENT ST., DIVISION ST., RIDGE ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson December 8, 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)

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)

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Donna M. Colorio, Councilor Gary Rosen and Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager support the (re)opening of the City’s licensed cigar and hookah lounges and for the state to amend the classification of these establishments. These establishments can, and should, fit under the guise and parameters set forth as restaurants as they have or will have a common ViC license. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rivera September 8, 2020 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson September 15, 2020 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson September 22, 2020)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager work the Commissioner of Inspectional Services to work with the contractors associated with the new apartment complex being built on Ridge St. to address neighborhood concerns in the area related to the construction of the project. – Item #13a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager consider reducing the City Manager’s contingency account by $1,000,000.00 and be reallocated for tax relief. – Item #13b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2021 be set at $16.62 for Residential Property and $35.07 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #13c CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager provide a notice within the city’s senior’s tax bills about the qualifications they may meet relative to applying for tax relief. – Item #13d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2021 be set at $16.28 for Residential Property and $36.20 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #13e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request City Assessor place a video on the city’s website relative to the process used to apply for abatements. Further, request City Manager request Chief Development Officer place a video on the city’s website relative to preparing estates for when the occupants come of older age. – Item #13f CC Order adopted 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager place on the city’s website information relative to what individuals are able to do if they are unable to pay their tax bills. – Item #13g 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 an update concerning Paycheck Protection Program Loans in the city. – Item #13h 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 how the patrol boat donated to the Worcester Police Department by the Massachusetts Environmental Police will be used. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning the role the Massachusetts Environmental Police had on the city’s water bodies. – Item #13i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Russell @ #9g CC – Request City Clerk provide City Council with information relative to the process used for collecting signatures for the previous elections occurring during COVID-19 as part of a report to City Council relative to potentially decreasing signatures for the 2021 Municipal Election.

Motion Russell @ #11k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what interaction the city has had with the Worcester Together Fund as it relates to feeding individuals in need, as well as any partnerships that could be made with restaurants in the city to help feed those same individuals.

Motion King @ #12a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council will a report relative to the impact the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s decision to approve wholesale delivery regulations in the State of Massachusetts for the marijuana industry will have on the city.

Motion Petty @ #12a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the applicants for the Economic Empowerment and Social Equity Program through the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), including information relative to if and how the city can assist those applicants to begin business in the city.