CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Recessed into Executive Session: 9:33 P.M. Reconvened to Open Session from Executive Session to Adjourn: 10:41 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 January 26, 2021.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Elaine Baskin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11i CC 2. Suzanne Burke, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #11j CC and #11i CC 3. Eva Johnson, Paxton resident, spoke in favor of item #10n CC through #10q CC 4. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC and #12c CC 5. Trevor Davies, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10l CC

ORDER - That the City Council convene in Executive Session at the Tuesday, February 9, 2021 meeting for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy with respect to the case of City of Worcester vs. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Spencer Tatum and Andrew Harris; Superior Court Civil No. 15-1263-C as the last item of business of the regular City Council meeting and the City Council will not reconvene in open session.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: IDEAL RD. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: IDEAL RD.

Susan Burns request abatement of street assessment #25662, in the amount of $18,000.00 for Knapp Ave.

Mary Landry request abatement of street betterment assessment #25661, in the amount of $18,000.00.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request Morningside Rd. be repaved from 72 Morningside Rd. to Hadwen Rd.

Mardek Mardirossian request removal of the handicap parking space in front of 57 Howland Terrace.

Mardek Mardirossian request removal of the handicap parking space on the Fern St. side of 488 Park Ave.

Shelby Clark request the "No Parking Anytime" signage from 21 Varnum St. to 15 Varnum St. be removed.

Tam Nguyen request removal of handicap parking space in front of 33 Orient St.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: HIGHLAND ST.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the new FEMA policy to provide 100% reimbursement.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost-share process as related to the School Department budget for FY21.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager request Chief Financial Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the vacancy factor that the city had at the midpoint of FY20.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager request Chief Financial Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the process for budget building for the new financial year.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to flyers be explored for recruitment purposes, including provision of flyers in jpeg form to City Council and other stakeholders to further advertise for boards and commissions recruitment.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager work with young adults and seniors in high school to create dialogue concerning civic duties.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager include At-large Councilors and District Councilors in conversation concerning improving recruitment for boards and commissions.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact of virtual attendance at the various board and commission meetings.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning strategies to resolve challenges concerning Internet connectivity for boards and commissions members for virtual attendance purposes.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the feasibility of changing the zoning laws relative to kennels and the keeping of animals to allow for kennels in residentially zoned areas and to include language specific for cats.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Clerk include the presentation relative to the Weekly Highlights of COVID-19 in Worcester, Mass. In the minutes of the January 26, 2021 Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager meet with Equity Task Force at City and State level as a means of advocating for modifying the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination within the city so as to provide vaccinations in as equitable a way as possible.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager work with UMass Memorial to provide City Council with information relative to demographics of who is contracting and being hospitalized by COVID-19 so as to inform the process for vaccinating individuals in an equitable way.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager reach out to Black Families Together, NAACP, Worcester Interfaith and LEON (Latino Empowerment Organizing Network) in order to set up community meetings to discuss and present on the potential implementation of ShotSpotter Connect.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager work with the appropriate representatives from ShotSpotter Connect to provide City Council with quarterly reports detailing the crime data analytics collected by the company for the city.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager work with the appropriate representatives from ShotSpotter Connect to provide City Council with responses to the various questions raised by members of the public during the public participation section of the Public Safety Committee meeting on February 1, 2021.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager conduct a city-wide crime watch meeting to present information relative to ShotSpotter Connect.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install signage on any street that has a name change indicating that the street was formerly known as another name for a minimum period of one year.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with the District Councilor to review potential signage that could be installed at the base of the unnamed road that runs near Plantation St. and Wigwam Hill Rd. to help identify the houses on said road.

Request City Manager consider implementing a Worcester Fire Cadet Program, which the Worcester Fire Department would use to increase the diversity of future recruit classes to better reflect Worcester demographics by enlisting Worcester residents to serve as Fire Cadets while performing civilian duties within the Department. Future fire recruit classes would have an allotted number of spots reserved for individuals who complete the Fire Cadet program. Further, should such a program be proposed, request City Solicitor draft language for a Home Rule Petition, which would be required to create such a program. (Wally, Rose)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a status update concerning the Route 20 Sewer Project with projected completion dates, including date for sewerage connection completion from all pumping stations to the Upper Blackstone Valley Sewerage Treatment Plant. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the status of a Marketing Plan for development of Route 20. (Toomey)

Request City Manager conduct a review of the current zoning along the Route 20 corridor to identify any potential roadblocks to highest and best use development. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility, including a cost estimate, of Recreation Worcester working with 2GetherWeEat, a youth hydroponic farming program, to facilitate bringing a location into appropriate city schools and/or neighborhood organizations, as a way to teach the city’s youth food and nutrition education, as well as STEM with the potential for business skill development. This project would also address food insecurities and sustainability. (Rivera)

Since national and state data reveals that Black and Hispanic people are receiving far fewer COVID-19 inoculations than their white counterparts despite getting sick and dying at much higher rates, request City Manager inform the City Council as to what Worcester is doing and must do to fairly distribute limited supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to communities of color. (Rosen)

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement on Pleasant St., north of the Newton Square Rotary. (Wally)

Request City Manager work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to establish a system of communication of agenda items voted on, in order for councilors to track progress of said item. (Colorio)

Request City Manager work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to erect a memorial at Wetherell Park, also known as Peat Meadow, to honor Hester (Newton) and John Wetherell, who gifted said land to the city. (Colorio)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report of the traffic study done relative to the Doherty Memorial High School project. (Colorio)

Request City Manager work with UMass Memorial and the city’s Equity Task force to provide City Council with an updated presentation relative to the data collected relative to how the city’s diverse community has been adversely impacted by COVID-19. Further, request City Manager include in said presentation information as to how said data collected by UMass Memorial and the Equity Task Force will be used to guide the city in its vaccination process. (Rivera, King)

Request City Manager meet with representatives from LEON (Latino Empowerment Organizing Network) and Black Families Together to discuss how the research done by the city and state Equity Task Forces during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to the disproportionate effect the virus has had on communities of color will be used to guide the city in its vaccination process. (Rivera, King)

Request City Manager work with the city’s public safety departments and the Superintendent of Public Schools to provide a program similar to the Career Pathways to Public Safety program, a partnership between the Rochester City School District and the City of Rochester to increase minority representation and local residency in its uniformed divisions while increasing the awareness of career opportunities within the public safety field. For more information, view https://www.rcsdk12.org/Page/23781 and https://www.rcsdk12.org/cms/lib/NY01001156/Centricity/Domain/39/Public%20Safety_brochure_dec2015.pdf. (Toomey)

Request City Manager work with the City Solicitor to draft language for potential rules expansion relative to executive sessions, given the current virtual parameters and realities considered. (King)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the Police Reform related orders that have been filed beginning in June of 2020. (King)

That the Worcester City Council recognizes February as Black History Month and encourages our City Clerk and the City Council's Chief of Staff to provide virtual resources that will allow city residents, families, students and businesses to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and to recognize their efforts in making Worcester a better community for all people. (Rosen, Bergman)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support Representative Rebecca Rauch and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz’s SD 699 HD 1283, An Act effectuating equity in COVID-19 Vaccination Bill. (King)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support and recognize February 2021, as BLACK HISTORY MONTH in the city of Worcester. Further, that the Worcester Council believes Black Lives Matter. Further, The City Council does hereby call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all its citizens to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs in honor of the many achievements and contributions made by African Americans to our economic, cultural, spiritual and political development. Further, the Worcester City Council commits itself not only to address the symbols of institutional racism and white supremacy, but also to proactively identify and address biases, practices, policies, and institutional barriers that perpetuate injustice and inequality in our union, schools, and our communities. (King)

Transmitting the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year ended June 30, 2020 audited by the CPA firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Todd Rodman, Esq. on behalf of Churchhill James, LLC request to change the underlying zoning classification for said parcels from Business, General (BG-4.0) to Business, General (BG-6.0): 85 Green St., 89 Green St., 99 Green St., 103 Green St., 2 Plymouth St., 5 Gold St., 7 Gold St. and 62 Washington St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to funding received to address the impacts of COVID-19: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2021 financial update, as of November 30, 2020: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to current opportunities on boards and commissions for the City of Worcester: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Petition of Nicole LeBlanc request City Manager repeal or amend to update Department of Public Health Regulation X to reflect current administrative oversight. Further, request said regulation to be equivalent to current zoning laws. Further, request said regulations to allow non-profit cat rescues to operate in the city, similar to operations given to Animal Rescue League: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the expansion of ShotSpotter and the capabilities of the ShotSpotter Connect Program: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Craig Blais, President of New Garden Park, Inc., request the name of Hospital Dr., an existing roadway with direct access to Belmont St., be renamed Reactory Dr: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Michael J. Grandone request Brightwood Ave. be renamed to Brightwood St., so as to avoid confusion with Blithewood Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition Anne Baier request the road abutting 434 Plantation St. to 514 Plantation St. known as Wigwam Hill Dr. and Unnamed Rd. be renamed Espresso Dr: recommend Report be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Christopher Crowley, Manager of Goodman Property Holdings, LLC., request the existing residential permit parking on East Central St. be amended to occur between 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and be extended to include 99 East Central St. (Amended in Committee on November 18, 2020 to include time restrictions): recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of “No Parking Anytime” signage on the south side Nonquit St., from Lake Ave. easterly to the end of the street, directly abutting the parkland at 283 Lake Ave. and opposite of 2 Nonquit St: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Sean M. Rose request the “No Parking Anytime” ordinance on west side of West Boylston St. be amended to include five (5) on-street parking spots for thirty (30) minute parking beginning 5’ south of the curb cut for 609 West Boylston St. continuing southerly in front of 607 West Boylston St: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Joanne Troiano request Short St. be made a one-way street going from Massasoit Rd. down towards Sunderland Rd: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of David Trabucco of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) request the right lane on Main St. approaching Madison St. from Ionic Ave. be made a "Right Turn Only, Except for Buses" lane: recommend the passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting a draft of social media policies and procedures for City Council, in the event that a Facebook page for the City Council is created, including information relative to best practices used in other communities. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 26, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson February 2, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update on Columbus Park. (Tabled Under Privilege - King February 2, 2021)

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 Manager 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 Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager request City Solicitor work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to provide City Council with a report concerning the appropriate times an abatement on a sewer or street assessment can be granted, including specific information as to whether an abatement can be granted on sewer betterment assessment #31247 for Luther Ave. – Item #12a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request City Solicitor work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the impact of City Council approving abatements on sewer and street assessments when there are no legal grounds to do so. – Item #12b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager delay the pursuit of any approvals associated with the Conservation Commission as they relate to the Columbus Park project adjacent to Hillside Beach. – Item #12c CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 8 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the availability of state and federal funding to be used to alleviate food insecurity concerns in the city. – Item #12d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact COVID-19 has had on food insecurity on college and university students. – Item #12e 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 the impact hydroponic farming could have to help relief concerns around food insecurity in the city. – Item #12f 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 the entirety of implementing the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative in the city. – Item #12g 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 detailing My Brother’s Keeper’s Reimagining Policing Pledge. – Item #12h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the potential impact municipal broadband internet services could have on businesses and economic development in the city. – Item #12i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning outreach done by the city to attract additional internet providers into the city. Further, request City Manager include in said report the history of Spectrum becoming the city’s primary source of internet services. – Item #12j CC Order adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager consider including a diverse group of individuals in an ad-hoc group discussing municipal broadband in the city. – Item #12k CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated report concerning the positions that have gone unfilled through the city’s hiring freeze due to COVID-19. Further, request City Manager include in said report information relative to the position’s dollar amount. – Item #12l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion King @ #11a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a feasibility report concerning the implementation of cadet programs for the city’s public safety offices, including information as to any concerns as it relates to the financing of such a program.

Motion Colorio @ #11a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the diversity of the city’s Fire Department in comparison to the city at-large over of the last five (5) years.

Motion King @ #11a CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby advocate to the State Delegation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Marylou Sudders, Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and the State’s COVID-19 Equity Task Force that the city of Worcester is in need of more COVID-19 vaccines.

Motion Colorio @ #11a CC – Request City Manager consider creating a public service announcement and/or reverse 911 call educating the city’s residents on the process for accessing COVID-19 vaccines.

Motion King @ #12c – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report and recommendations concerning implementing training on the history, causes and solutions to the issue of white supremacy to all city employees. Further, request City Manager consider establishing a commission to gather information from all communities of the city to determine the state of white supremacy in the city.

Motion Petty – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council convene in Executive Session at the Tuesday, March 2, 2021 meeting for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy with respect to the case of Worcester Interfaith, Inc., et. al. v. City of Worcester et al.; United States District Court Civil No. 4:21-CV-40015.

Motion King – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with information fact-checking the recent claims relative to a potential Worcester Police Department coordinated “sick out.”

Motion King – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the language in the Worcester Police Department’s collective bargaining agreements relative to coordinated “sick outs.”