CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Recessed: 7:00 P.M. Reconvened: 7:03 P.M. Adjourned: 8:50 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty provided the family of Aida Gautier with a Key to the City, in posthumous recognition of Ms. Gautier's service to the city and her community.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 30, 2021.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Cedric Arno, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #9.40A CM 2. Leah Bradley, no residence given, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 3. Steve Tisdale, no residence given, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 4. David Sullivan, no residence, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 5. Trang Le, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 6. David Slatkin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.4A CM 7. Jim Leary, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 8. William S. Coleman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 9. Vanessa Hossa, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 10. Jeuji Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 11. Jennifer Shank-Bardwell, no residence given, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 12. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.40B CM 13. Nea McDonald, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.40B CM 14. Nadine James, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.40A CM 15. Natalie Turner, no residence given, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.40A CM

Hearing: CROWN CASTLE NG. EAST, LLC. for a conduit location on: PARK AVE. Granting permission to CROWN CASTLE NG. EAST, LLC. for a conduit location on: PARK AVE.

Iris Estrada request removal of handicap parking space in front of 53 Upsala St.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Charles Delannoy request installation of a stop sign, stop line, and “STOP” lettering at the intersection of Pineland Ave. and Hara St., in the vicinity of pole 13.

Walter O'Connor request a memorial for Private John Kelleher be erected on the south side of the traffic island at the intersection of June St. and Chandler St.

Michael Grandone request City Council request City Manager work with the Chamber of Commerce to organize a funding mechanism for body cameras for the city's police force through soliciting donations from prominent businessmen, corporations, banks, college and more.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Charles Hopkins to the Human Rights Commission.

Recommend amendment to the table of organization for the Department of Human Resources by adding the position, Assistant Human Resources Director.

Recommend adoption of an Amendment to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Ordinance

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Upper Blackstone Clean Water FY23 Budget.

Recommend adoption of an Order relative to a Snow Plow Conflict of Interest Waiver Form.

Transmitting informational communication relative to building and using reserves to mitigate future water and sewer rate increases.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the restructuring of the WPD Operations Division.

Recommend adoption of an Order authorizing acceptance of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority’s conveyance of 100 Madison Street (Polar Park) and assignment of the Ballpark Lease Agreement.

Transmitting informational communication relative to service increases at the Worcester Public Library.

Recommend that Six Hundred Seventy Three Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Two Dollars And No Cents ($673,232.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C734A, Sewer Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C704, Sewer Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchases of new equipment needed.

Recommend that Sixteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($16,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70249, Memorials and Monuments, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the refurbishing of the Rodgers Kennedy Memorial.

Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Six Hundred Fifty Dollars And Fifty Three Cents ($25,650.53) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70205, Vernon Hill, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with security cameras.

Recommend that Fifty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($55,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C707, Green Hill Park, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with security cameras to include installation.

Recommend that Two Hundred Sixty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($265,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70201, Aquatic Facilities, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with upgrades to the pool and spray park facilities.

Recommend that Three Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($315,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Parks Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70209, Farber Field, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the new field and improvements at Farber Field.

Recommend that Ninety Three Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($93,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70210, Indian Hill, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the design services.

Recommend that Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($350,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Parks Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70248, Coes Beach, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the restorations at Binienda Beach.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70253, Skate Park, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the construction of the new skate park.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70259, Columbus Trail Park, to allow for contractually obligated payments with site improvements including new trails.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C70261, Foley Stadium, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the design services.

Recommend that Four Hundred Seventeen Thousand Three Hundred Thirty One Dollars And No Cents ($417,331.00) be transferred from Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #04C704, Union Station Rehabilitation, to provide funding for the design and construction of building improvements at Union Station.

Recommend that Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($750,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711E, Public School Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #50C704, Public School Rehabilitation, to provide funding for various Worcester Public School Rehabilitation projects.

Recommend that Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($4,500,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C702B, Land Acquisition Becker College, and be appropriated to Account #11C706, Becker College Property Acquisition, to fund the acquisition cost of properties at the former Becker College campus in Worcester.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Account #11C70203, Public Facilities - Inspectional Services Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #11C70202, Public Facilities - Senior Center Rehabilitation, to provide funding for costs associated with building improvements at the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend that One Million Three Hundred Twelve Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,312,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7124, WRA Urban Renewal, and be appropriated to Account #04C7110C, Urban Renewal, to provide the Worcester Redevelopment Authority with funding for contracted obligations associated with the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) from the Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Department of Conservation & Recreation for the Bancroft Tower maintenance program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) from Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Department of Conservation and Recreation for Elm Park maintenance.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) from under the Tree Planting & Care program.

Recommend adoption of the attached resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($2,500.00) from Ms. Allenette J. Porcher for a Memorial Bench at Green Hill Park.

Recommend adoption of the attached resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($2,500.00) from Ms. Kerrie Schofield and Mr. John Malvarose for the purpose of a Memorial Bench at Cristoforo Colombo (East) Park

Recommend adoption of attached resolution to accept with gratitude Two Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($2,437.50) from St. Paul Central Catholic High School for Glodis Field.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, and accept with gratitude, a donation of Twenty Dollars and No Cents ($25.00) from Mr. & Ms. Beane for the Vietnam Memorial.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Two Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($270,000.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, to fund a training and placement program in a high priority occupational field identified in the Workforce Skills Planning Initiative regional blueprint process.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, and accept with gratitude, a donation of Three Hundred Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($307.50) from Skyhawks Sports Academy, Inc. to be used for the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery division’s future recreational programming.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Million Dollars and No Cents ($1,000,000.00) from the Commonwealth Corporation through the Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly Workforce Success program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Sixty Two Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($62,000.00) from the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research, VAWA STOP program, for a FFY 2021 Year 5 continuation grant.

Recommend adoption of the attached resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Two Hundred Sixty Dollars and No Cents ($260.00) from Our Lady of the Angels School.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration/Department of Transportation through the FY2021 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program in the amount of One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($180,000.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in the amount of Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($65,000.00), which was awarded through the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) under the Recycling Dividend Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Forty Nine Thousand Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($49,050.00) from Massachusetts Department of Fire Services under the FY22 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program.

Recommend that One Hundred Eighty Six Thousand Six Hundred Twenty Dollars And No Cents ($186,620.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, and be appropriated to Account #500-91000, Worcester Public School Salaries, to provide additional funding to the Worcester Public Schools based on an adjustment to the Fiscal Year 2022 Cherry Sheet Assessments for Special Education.

Recommend that Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($500.00) be transferred from Account #330-91000, Public Health Salaries, and be appropriated to Account #330-97000, Public Health Regular Overtime, to provide overtime funding through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022.

Recommend authorization of One Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Five Dollars And No Cents ($1,525.00) from Account #170-92000, Human Resources Ordinary Maintenance, to fund prior year invoices.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the ARPA funding recommendations.

Transmitting informational communication relative to recommendations from the School Safety Taskforce on the removal of the School Resource Officers.

Joseph M. Petty, Mayor, submitting for approval by the City Council the attached Annual Calendar of City Council meeting for calendar year 2022.

Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk, transmitting an informational communication concerning the recommendations and comments provided by public participants at the Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee meetings relative to the School Committee election process.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996, Relative to Members Of Local 490, NAGE (Clerks).

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group A - Administrative and Supervisory for the Grants Compliance Manager.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group C - Information Services for the Workday Training Coordinator and Workday Administrator.

Amending Chapter Two of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Ban the Acquisition and Use of Facial Surveillance Technology.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Council duly consider changing the City Council’s method of electing City Council in order to align it with the chosen electoral system for the School Committee. (Tabled Under Privilege - King)

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 Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager dedicate new growth over the budgeted amount to the Fire Department’s Community Risk Assessment Master Plan. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey October 12, 2021 and October 19, 2021 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson and Councilor Matthew E. Wally – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the State Legislature’s Redistricting Committee’s use of the local census building blocks and local knowledge of the City Clerk and Board of Election Commissioners to redraw the State Legislature’s districts for the next ten (10) years. (Tabled Under Privilege - King October 12, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 19, 2021 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Clerk research the feasibility of authorizing legal residents who have not been naturalized yet to vote in elections at the local level. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager consider prioritizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for REC Worcester’s capital project involving the development of the new REC Worcester headquarters and Center for Food Justice and Urban Agriculture (for Worcester and Central Massachusetts), in an effort to support community food security, as well as youth development and employment. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2022 be set at $15.53 for Residential Property and $32.24 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #19a CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays.

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2022 be set at $15.22 for Residential Property and $33.29 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #19b CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays.

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2022 be set at $15.28 for Residential Property and $33.09 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #19c CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 4 Yeas and 7 Nays.

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2022 be set at $15.21 for Residential Property and $33.33 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #19d CC Order approved on a roll call vote of 6 Yeas and 5 Nays.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend adoption of an order releasing deed restrictions on the property located at 51 Gage Street: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. – Item #19e Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with information and guidance concerning any streets that will be revisited for the purpose of picking up leaves as part of the Leaf Pick-Up program. – Item #19f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager request City Assessor review the assessments associated with the city’s waterfront properties to ensure the city’s process for assessing said is following all standard rules and regulations. – Item #19g CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated report concerning the work being done relative to potentially bringing municipal broadband to the city. – Item #19h CC Order adopted

Motion Russell @ #9.5A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning details associated with the upcoming Upper Blackstone Clean Water FY23 Budget.

Motion King @ #9.10A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any new processes implemented as it relates to dispatching emergency services personnel, including the police department, in an effort to eliminate any backlogs.

Motion Petty @ #9.23A CM – Request City Manager request Head Librarian provide City Council with a presentation relative to the recent service increases at the Worcester Public Library.

Motion King @ #9.40B CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the trainings received by the city’s police officers.