CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:50 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:05 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 May 12, 2021.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Franco Girardi, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #17a 2. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a

Hearing: CROWN CASTLE NG EAST, LLC. for a conduit location on: GODDARD MEMORIAL DR. Granting permission to CROWN CASTLE NG EAST, LLC. for a conduit location on: GODDARD MEMORIAL DR.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: ELM ST. and FRUIT ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: ELM ST. and FRUIT ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: OAK AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: OAK AVE.

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - In accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of City Council, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey requests reconsideration of the vote of City Council taken on May 25, 2021 to file the Report of the Committee on Public Safety Upon the Petition of Gordon Davis request the City Council establish policies for the use of police body cameras: recommend Petition be placed on file.

Donald J. O'Neil, Esq. request removal of Hemans Court from the Official Map of the city.

Inmaculada Rodriguez request review and installation of street light at the entrance of Moreland Green Dr. at Moreland St.

Anthony and Ashley Frustaci request installation of Slow Down Children traffic signage on Ridgewood Rd.

Bill Coleman request City Council give a special recognition to the Free Health Clinics offered at Epworth Methodist Church Free Medical Program (64 Salisbury St.)

Bill Coleman request City Council give a special recognition to the Free Health Clinics offered at Akwaaba Free Health Program (67 Vernon St.)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council provide City Council with an update concerning the successes of the Summer Impact Program. (Petty)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the specifications of the new vehicles ordered by the Worcester Police Department. (Toomey)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning average response times for emergency calls requiring the Police Department, how the department grades each call and the department’s expectations for responses to such calls. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the various undertakings being taken the Police Department related to diversifying the department. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI) Grant is allocated. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning how other communities manage their funds received relative to said grant. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request City Solicitor work with the City Clerk to provide City Council with a report concerning Robert’s Rules of Order relating to members speaking in Standing Committee, as well as whether members of a Standing Committee are allowed to Table Items Under Privilege in Committee. (Petty)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with information relative to the proposed increase in salary allocations for the Director of Emergency Communications in FY 2022. (Mero-Carlson)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report how data collected within the Emergency Communications department informed improvements relative to dispatching emergency calls during shift changes. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning plans to address the gaps in preparedness planning, training and exercising in the Emergency Communications department. (King)

That the Rules of City Council of the City of Worcester be and are hereby amended, effective as of the June 8, 2021 City Council meeting, as follows: Rule 61. No Speaking for More Than Ten Minutes During Finance Committee Meetings. After being recognized by the chair no councilor shall speak for more than ten (10) minutes at a time nor more than fifteen (15) minutes total on any agenda item, or a group of calendar items taken collectively. The chair may grant additional time to any councilor if comments made by the city manager or other individuals in response to questions have taken an unusual amount of time. The chair shall make note of the time each member is recognized. Whenever any member substantially exceeds ten minutes during their first time speaking on an item, the chair may rule that the member is being allocated his or her second five minutes and the member shall be deemed to have waived his or her right to speak twice on an item. (Petty)

Request City Manager work with Police Chief and Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to prioritize the enforcement of any applicable ordinances, regulations and laws relative to public drinking, arson and vandalism at the public park land at Newton Hill. (Wally, Rosen, Toomey)

Request the City Manager work with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to submit a list of pending and potential park and playground projects to the City Council. These should be prioritized by location, expected cost and implementation date to ensure fairness, transparency and equity for residents across the city. (Rosen, Mero-Carlson, Bergman)

Request City Manager work with the Police Chief to reassess on-the-water enforcement and oversight on Indian Lake. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the anticipated timeframe within which the Police Department’s NRT will be fully staffed. (King)

Request City Manager consider ensuring daily on-the-water oversight and enforcement occurs at Indian Lake. (King)

Request City Manager consider prioritizing aspects of the Indian Lake/Morgan Park Masterplan, in the interest of public safety. (King)

Request City Manager explore the legislative process necessary for the city to require boating licensure on municipal water bodies. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning same. (King)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously requested Order 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. (King)

Request City Manager consider working with the Environmental Police to increase oversight and enforcement on Indian Lake, in the interest of public safety. (King)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby ask the State Legislature to pass with haste H. 1959 and S. 1179, to provide protection to workers in the City of Worcester and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (King)

Transmitting an informational communication relative to parliamentary procedures used in Committees of the whole, as referred to in Robert's Rules of Order.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Clifford Rucker request the Worcester Zoning Map be amended by extending the RG-5 zoning district to fully encompass properties at 113-115 Elm St., 61 Cedar St., 65 Cedar St. and 67 Cedar St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to eliminating or decreasing the use of jet skis on Indian Lake: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

That the sum of Fifteen Million Dollars And No Cents ($15,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7383A, Reservoir Rehabilitation.

That the sum of Eight Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($815,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C715, Dam Improvements, to pay for costs associated with dam improvements.

That the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741F, Guardrails, to pay for costs associated with guardrails.

That the sum of Eight Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($820,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with improvements at Union Station.

That the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C780E, Worcester Public Schools Capital Equipment

That the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711E, Public Schools Building Rehabilitation.

That the sum of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($550,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7242B, Street Light Improvements.

That the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C724B, Traffic Signal Improvements, to pay for costs associated with traffic signal improvements.

That the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741C, Private Street Conversion, to pay for costs associated with private street conversions.

That the sum of Six Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($610,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7443A, Off Street Parking Equipment, to pay for costs associated with the purchase of Off Street Parking Equipment.

That the sum of Eight Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($8,200,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744B, Off Street Parking Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Off Street Parking rehabilitation projects.

That the sum of Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,700,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C784, Parks Improvements, to pay for costs associated with parks improvements.

That the sum of Two Million Three Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,340,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, for fund costs associated with equipment purchases.

That the sum of Two Million Two Hundred Fifty Five Thousand Five Hundred Seventy Six Dollars And No Cents ($2,255,576.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with various building rehabilitation projects.

That the sum of Nine Million Two Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($9,220,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C745B, Sewer Construction, to pay for costs associated with sewer construction projects.

That the sum of Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($900,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C734A, Sewer Equipment, to pay for costs associated with the purchase of sewer equipment.

That the sum of Thirteen Million Three Hundred Sixty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($13,365,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7413A, Streets & Sidewalks, to pay for costs associated with street and sidewalk construction.

That the sum of One Million Two Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,210,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C731A, Water Equipment, to pay for costs associated with the purchase of equipment for Water operations.

That the sum of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($125,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C732, Water Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with water building rehabilitation.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: GRAFTON ST. AND PILGRIM AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: GRAFTON ST. AND PILGRIM AVE. (Tabled Under Privilege - Russell May 12, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Smart911, a lifesaving service employed by the 9-1-1 Regional Emergency Communications Center. (Tabled Under Privilege - King May 12, 2021 and May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an honorary street name designation program. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – That the City Council does hereby amend the 2021 City Council Meeting Schedule to cancel the June 1, 2021 City Council Meeting and make the June 8, 2021 City Council Meeting a joint City Council and City Manager agenda. (Tabled Under Privilege - King May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of a resolution to authorize the continuation of work with the Towns of Grafton, Shrewsbury, West Boylston and Millbury through renewed health inter-municipal agreements. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the schedule of upcoming Memorial Day activities in the City. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend City Council’s approval to resubmit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for Burncoat High School. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's Financial Integrity Plan. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2021 financial update, as of April 30, 2021. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester IT Strategic Plan. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s definition of white supremacy. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the timetable and process for establishing both the Chief’s Equity Advisory Council and the Equity Cabinet. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the administration’s expectations of the working relationship between the Chief Diversity Officer, Human Resources and the Chief’s Equity Advisory Council. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the timeframe, as well as previous actions taken towards the planning and establishment of the working group as relates to School Resource Officers (SROs). (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with the mission statement of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with the role of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an update on a previously requested order relative to a report relative to implementing a non-solicitation ordinance, including information concerning any costs associated with the ordinance and whether the ordinance would have an effect on individuals collecting signatures for public matters. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager consider extending the trial period for parking meter overtime fee warnings in the Canal District for thirty days after the ballpark reaches one-hundred percent capacity, during all times, to better educate the public on the process for using said parking meters. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request City Manager recognize the remarkable achievements of Esther Forbes by placing a plaque or historic marker at 23 Trowbridge Rd., the site of her former but long-demolished Worcester home. Esther Forbes, historian, prolific writer, multi-literary award winner, and the first female member of the American Antiquarian Society, won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1943 for her biography of Paul Revere, titled Paul Revere and the World He Lived In. In the same year, Forbes published her most well-known work, a young adult novel titled Johnny Tremain. Read by generations of school children across the country, the book has yet to be out of print. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request City Manager inform the City Council as to whether the city's computer network has secure, up-to-date and state-of-the-art software and protection against crippling ransomware attacks that encrypt critical files until a ransom is paid. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Manager work with the WRTA Director to replace the missing bus stop signage in front of St. Bernard’s Church. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks repair the damaged traffic signal at the intersection of Harlow St. and Lincoln St. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks expand the fog lane on Lake Ave. in the vicinity of the Marine Corps League and Madulka’s Ice Cream, located at 181 Lake Ave. and 193 Lake Ave. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Manager develop a strong public awareness campaign concerning the Illegal status and danger of backyard fireworks. Further, request City Manager re-establish the firework tip line. Further, request City Manager ensure the Chief of Police and Chief of Fire have the resources needed and plans in place to mitigate said issue. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally and Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review Newton Square Rotary to determine what improvements can be made to ensure a higher level of pedestrian safety. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - Request City Manager provide City Council with updated organizational charts of the city’s FY2022 Annual Operating Budget that include names aligned to each position listed. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager and City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning the reopening plan for the city’s government offices as it relates to the Governor’s announcement that all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29, 2021. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the expiration of the Governor’s State of Emergency effective June 15, 2021 will impact the city and its restaurants. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation hold a public hearing to discuss what changes are needed in the quality, quantity, placement, information provided and mainly the accessibility of Worcester's bus stops/signage. Unfortunately, bus stops without sidewalks, without nearby crosswalks and without signs are not unusual. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the demographics and the number of residents participating in the upcoming Worcester Police Department and Worcester Fire Department civil service exams. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the 55+ retirement ages of the Worcester Police Department and Worcester Fire Department staff. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks revisit removing the old bus parking area road in the vicinity of 17 Mountain St. East. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased foot patrols in the Main South neighborhood, specifically from Gardner St. to Wellington St. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Health and Human Services meet with social service organizations that should be offering outreach and services to the people of Main South. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Sarai Rivera - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the efforts of State Representative Daniel M. Donahue and others in advocating for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to install an appropriate height barrier fence between 34 Ward Street and Interstate 290 and to assist in the cleanup of litter between the two locations. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty May 25, 2021)

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)

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)

PETITION of Meighan Sharry request City Council request City Manager effectively stop efforts to develop athletic fields at Duffy Field/Wetherall Park. (Tabled - Petty March 30, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning information previously requested relative to personnel at Upper Blackstone Clean Water. – Item #24a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager consider working with the Aboody Family as the first family to use the honorary street name designation program. – Item #24b 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 how the potential honorary street name designation program works with global position systems and emergency responses. – Item #24c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – That the City Council does hereby amend the 2021 City Council Meeting Schedule to cancel the July 1, 2021 City Council Meeting and make the June 8, 2021 City Council Meeting a joint City Council and City Manager agenda. – Item #24d CC Tabled Under Privilege – King