CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:31 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:30 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

The City Council and City Manager acknowledged the Deputy Cultural Development Officer, Che Anderson, who received a Key to the City of Worcester prior to the City Council meeting for all the work he had done for the city during his tenure, as he moves onto a new role outside of the city.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 22, 2020.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Sue Mailman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC and #9b CC 2. Bob Michel, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 3. Benjamin Desjarlaris, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 4. Ronald Nnamdi Nneji, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 5. David Fort, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 6. Devra Goldstein, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 7. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 8. Ike McBride, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 9. Isabel Gonzalez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 10. Nathan Pickens, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 11. Nicole Apostola, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #10b CC and #9c CC 12. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC and in opposition to item #9c CC

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: THORNDYKE ROAD and BEVERLY ROAD. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: THORNDYKE ROAD and BEVERLY ROAD.

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

Sherry Monfils request "Do Not Block Driveway" sign be installed next to the driveway at 8 Blossoms St.

Request City Manager inform City Council as to what traffic issues might arise at Tatnuck Square and in other areas contiguous to the 177,000 square foot delivery station at 125 Goddard Memorial Drive that Amazon plans to open in early 2021. (Rosen, Bergman, Colorio)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report summarizing Massachusetts H. 4794, An Act to Improve Police Officer Standards and Accountability and to Improve Training. Further, request City Manager include in said report information relative to when and how municipalities can begin the process of implementing reforms detailed in said legislation. (King, Petty)

Request City Manager review and consider the best practices in regards to security at City Hall. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the number of trash receptacles located at Elm Park, the interval of receptacles being emptied and the locations of same. (Bergman, Rivera)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks replace the Winter Parking Ban signage at Elm St. and Highland St. (Bergman, Rivera)

Edward M. Augustus, Jr., City Manager, recommending adoption of the proposed Municipal Election Calendar for 2021.

Edward M. Augustus, Jr. City Manager, transmitting an update on the Polar Park project for City Council's information, review and consideration.

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 begin the process of bringing together a small group of neighborhood representatives, as well as city staff and its representatives, to work with the city’s contractor, Berkshire Design Group, to identify potential improvements to Duffy Field. – Item #19a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the language used in both park grants, as well as land and water grants relative to Lakeside Apartment, including information relative to the property’s involvement in funding for said grants. – Item #19b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether or not the Coes Reservoir – Columbus Park East-West Trail improvements can be completed while still maintaining access to Hillside Beach. Further, request City Manager include in said report mapping depicting the location and distance of the drop-off at Hillside Beach. – Item #19c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the actions that would be required in order to make Hillside Beach a safe place for recreational water activities, including information relative to the costs associated with making those actions. – Item #19d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any accommodations that could be made for individuals who previously took the Fire Department’s Civil Service test due to there not being a fire class in the next year. – Item #19e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the current “Article X – Continuing Care Retirement Community” section of the City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance. – Item #19f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager work with the Planning Board to provide City Council with a report concerning any existing issues arising at continuing care centers as it relates to the Article X – Continuing Care Retirement Communities section of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance. – Item #19g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning expenditures the city has made associated with COVID-19. – Item #19h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager keep City Council apprised as to when the city submits for FEMA reimbursements associated with COVID-19, what the city is submitting on and if the city is awarded said reimbursements. – Item #19i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement at the corner of Main St. and Cambridge St. – Item #19j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager reach out to the appropriate state entity to ensure that should insignias or signage related to white supremacy groups or another other hate groups be found in the city on state property, the city is able to remove said insignias and signage. – Item #19k CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any information the city has gathered relative to signage appearing in the city relative to white supremacy groups or another other hate groups. – Item #19l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Colorio @ #9a CC – Request City Manager organize a neighborhood meeting for all neighborhood groups in the vicinity of Goddard Memorial Dr. to discuss the traffic patterns around the proposed Amazon warehouse site on said road.

Motion King @ #9a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with the most recent traffic study done in the vicinity of 125 Goddard Memorial Dr.

Motion Toomey @ #9b CC – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a rubric and list of action items relative to H. 4794, An Act to Improve Police Officer Standards and Accountability and to Improve Training, detailing items that have already been addressed relative to said legislation, items that are in the process of being addressed and items that still need to be addresses, in the interest of transparency.

Motion King @ #9b CC – Request City Manager report back to City Council should any complaints be received relative to any off-duty City of Worcester employees partaking in the riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Motion King @ #9b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s guidelines and policies relative to social media. Further, request City Manager include in said report any information relative to specific policies around the Worcester Police Department.

Motion King @ #9b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s policies relative to affixing anything other than a state flag or a city flag to city vehicles, as well as being carried in parades in the city.

Motion King @ #9c CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to best practices for encouraging community participation in government buildings.

Motion King @ #10a CC – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report relative to best practices being used to implement municipal elections in 2021 during COVID-19.

Motion Bergman @ #10a CC – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning any adjustments that can be made relative to holding or not holding a preliminary election in 2021 due to potential concerns regarding COVID-19.

Motion Colorio @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing an updated pro forma relative to the Ballpark.

Motion Colorio @ #10b CC – Request City Manager explore improving and beautifying lighting coming into the city towards Polar Park.

Motion Russell @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how monies have been spent during the construction of Polar Park.

Motion Toomey @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council periodically with reports concerning the various developers who credit the city’s work with the Worcester Red Sox and Polar Park for their decision to develop their projects in the city.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager contact the appropriate representatives from National Grid to provide City Council with a report detailing the schedule for updating services in the city, as well as the cause of a power outage beginning on December 15, 2020 in the Kenwood Ave., Barnard Rd., Burncoat Terrace and Millbrook St. neighborhood. Further, request City Manager ensure that National Grid provides proper notification to those affected by power outages and provides information as to how to encourage a greater level of transparency around power issues.