CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:37 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:14 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 March 16, 2021.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Kathy Roy, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 2. Elaine Baskin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 3. Margaret McGrath, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 4. Mauro DePasquale, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7c CC 5. Sandy Meltzer, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 6. Suzanne Burke, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 7. Laurie Perch, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 8. Denise O’Connell, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 9. Ted Kostas, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 10. John True, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 11. Yaya Harris, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 12. Bobby Hazleton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 13. Etel Haxhiaj, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC 14. Jenny Pacillo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC 15. Jeremy Shulkin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC 16. John Rodgers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #7h CC, item #11c CC, #11d CC, #11j CC 17. Marie Brouliette, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC 18. Meighan Sharry, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 19. Shameen (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #7h CC and #7a CC 20. Shaun Connolly, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC 21. Tom Brenner, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 22. Maura Brenner, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 23. Andrew Trapp, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC 24. Natasha Trapp, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7h CC

Jenny Pacillo request City Council vote to remove Rule 39 of its rules in its entirety and replace with a new Rule 39 as follows: "Consistent with the City's Charter, at any meeting of the City Council, the citizens and employees of the City shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard, both in person and remotely, regarding any matter presently under consideration by the City Council. The time for speaking shall not exceed two minutes. This privilege shall not apply to items "held under privilege." This privilege shall also not apply to items listed on the agenda as pending in the Committee on Finance and/or ordinances or to tabled items. At all times members of the public shall be accorded the same respect when making their comments as is required of members when addressing the chair."

William S. Coleman, III request City Council add a provision to its rules that allows a petitioner one point of information or clarification on an item before the City Council.

Mauro DePasquale, Executive Director of WCCA TV, request City Council vote to support the attached resolution in support of Massachusetts legislation relative to streaming entertainment operation's use of public rights of way.

Kathleen McGuirk request installation of retaining wall on the property line at 32 Barnes Ave.

Evan Corrigan request the bridge on Route 12 (next to 317 W. Boylston St.) be reviewed and repaired.

Mayor Petty on behalf of Marsha Sadusky request removal of the handicap parking space on Ingleside Ave., adjacent to 45 Cohasset St.

Dennis Lipka request installation of a new, outbound bus stop location approximately 136' south of the intersection of Chestnut St. and Walnut St., located directly in front of 18 Chestnut St.

Meighan Sharry request City Council request City Manager effectively stop efforts to develop athletic fields at Duffy Field/Wetherall Park.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: FRANKLIN ST.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council send a collective letter of congratulation to the new Mayor of Boston with an invitation to visit Worcester.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Anatoly Yankovsky as a Constable with a term to expire December 2023.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending February 28, 2021.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report detailing outreach efforts conducted by the Homelessness Outreach Team.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester Open Data Policy.

Recommend adoption of an Order authorizing the City Manager to execute four leases on behalf of the Worcester School Department.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2021 financial update, as of February 28, 2021.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,000.00) from the Worcester Red Sox for the benefit of the 2021 Recreation Worcester Summer Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Three Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Eight Dollars And No Cents ($338,378.00) Massachusetts Department of Public Health through the COVID-19 Vaccination Capacity and Confidence in Priority Communities program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($187,500.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) through the Opioid Prevention in Early Childhood program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept,and expend grant funds in the amount of One Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars And No Cents($138,688.00) from the Commonwealth Corporation that supports efforts to improve workforce prospects and outcomes for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in an amount up to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($300,000.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for analysis of the functionality and sustainability of the Central MA Regional Public Health Alliance.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Fifty Nine Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Five and No Cents ($59,375.00) from the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research through the VAWA STOP program FFY 2020 Year 4 continuation grant.

Recommend that Thirty Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($36,500.00) be transferred from Account #250-93000, Police Capital Outlay, and be appropriated to Account #250-92000, Police Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funding for operating expenses through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021.

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($125,000.00) be transferred from Account #720-91000, Parks Salaries, and be appropriated to Account #720-97000, Parks Overtime, to cover anticipated overtime costs through Fiscal Year 2021.

Recommend that Sixty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars and Thirty Cents ($67,979.39) be transferred from Account #29-33007, Damage Settlement, and be appropriated to Account #250-92000, Police Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the repair of Worcester Police Department vehicles involved in no fault motor vehicle accidents.

Recommend that Six Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Nine Dollars And Twenty Eight Cents ($6,269.28) be authorized in Account #610-92000, Budget Office Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of a prior year invoice.

RESOLUTION of Councilor Gary Rosen - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby encourage Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey to support the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country. DST started as a wartime effort over a century ago but now makes little sense. There are many studies that show the negative impact of these biannual time changes and the benefits of a year-round Daylight Saving Time. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rosen March 23, 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)

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, Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson February 2, 2021 and Tabled - Petty February 9, 2021)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February 23, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report examining how lighting at public parks can have an effect on the safety in the area. – Item #20a 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 number of individuals contributing to public participation sections of public meetings. – Item #20b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager and Mayor prioritize public participation for all individuals who attend public meetings in person, when such a time comes that individuals from the public are allowed to participate in public meetings in person and in the event that remote Public Participation becomes permanent. – Item #20c CC Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request Mayor more strictly enforce the City Council rules surrounding the timeframe allowed during Public Participation. – Item #20d CC Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager work to provide residents who are using their phones to call in for remote public participation with a local phone number, so as to not affect their long distance phone bills. – Item #20e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager develop a series of city responses against movements against certain groups of individuals, including but not limited to any anti-Mulsim, anti-Asian, anti-Black or anti-Jewish groups. – Item #20f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager provide City Council with a breakdown of all hate crimes that have occurred in the last year or more. – Item #20g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning whether the language on the street listings that are mailed to the residents of the city are consistent with what is required on said street listings. – Item #20h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a copy of the Sunshine Protection Act 2021. – Item #20i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Councilor Matthew E. Wally – Request City Manager request Police Chief work and engage with community stakeholders to create a plan to address the rapidly increasing incidences of package thefts, car break-ins, bicycle thefts and other increasing types of crime throughout the city. Further, request City Manager request Police Chief and representatives from Recreation Worcester make plans to start activities sooner, rather than later, and to include youths ages 11 to 15. – Item #20j CC Order adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Rose @ #8.7A CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks break future Construction Progress Reports down by each City Council district.

Motion King @ #8.17A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a breakdown of the protocols, procedures and related policies used during situations where the Homeless Outreach Division is used as a first point of contact.

Motion King @ #8.17A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the City Council has access to red cap reports.

Motion Toomey @ #8.17A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the city’s efforts to help those in the homeless population who do not have jobs with opportunities to become employable.

Motion King @ #8.17A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning which models are most effective in aiding the city’s chronically homeless population.

Motion King @ #8.17A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning systemic barriers in place when aiding homeless individuals in future reports dedicated to homeless outreach efforts.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager investigate the possibility of purchasing the Becker property at 69 Sever St., formerly known as the Worcester Tennis Club, to use as a rectangular field.