CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:37 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:42 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

Acting City Manager
Eric D. Batista

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 June 7, 2022.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13a CC 2. Grace Ross, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #15a CC 3. Chris Horton, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #15a CC 4. Jack Murray, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #15a CC and in favor of item #19f CC 5. David Jaffe, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8c CC through #8e CC 6. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.36A CM 7. Gerardo Schiano, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC 8. Heather Kurtz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8c CC through #8e CC 9. Virginia Pulitzer, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8c CC through #8e CC 10. Holly Johnson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8c CC through #8e CC 11. Nancy Babcock, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8c CC through #8e CC 12. Adam Thielker, West Boylston resident, spoke in favor of item #13a CC

Hearing: EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: NEPONSET ST. Granting permission to EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: NEPONSET ST.

Hearing: EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: BOARDMAN ST. and MERRILL RD. Granting permission to EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: BOARDMAN ST. and MERRILL RD.

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: BEATRICE DR. and GODDARD MEMORIAL DR. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: BEATRICE DR. and GODDARD MEMORIAL DR.

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: INSTITUTE RD. and RUSSELL ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: INSTITUTE RD. and RUSSELL ST.

Shubbhi Taneja request installation of guardrail at the corner of 46 Rudolph St. and Sunderland Rd.

Michael Sowyrda, on behalf of 15 Waban, LLC., request the sanitary sewer main on Waban Avenue be extended approximately 242+/- feet in a northwesterly direction at the petitioner's expense.

Councilor Sean M. Rose on behalf of the citizens of the Montvale Historic District request speed humps be placed at the intersection of Whitman Rd. and Sagamore Rd.

Councilor Sean M. Rose on behalf of the citizens of the Montvale Historic District request a comprehensive traffic review be completed of the immediate neighborhood, including traffic patterns on Upper Monadnock Rd., Sagamore Rd., Whitman Rd. and Pratt St. Further, request traffic calming methods be explored in the interim, while the traffic review be completed.

Councilor Sean M. Rose on behalf of the citizens of the Montvale Historic District request installation of a weight restriction for vehicles on Sagamore Rd., Whitman Rd. and Pratt St., in an effort to redirect large commercial trucks, tour buses and container vehicles.

Stephen Najemy request installation of "right turn on red" signage on Water St. at the intersection of Water St. and Grafton St.

Justice Real request installation of stop sign at the intersection of Chelsea St. and Cambridge St.

Justice Real request installation of traffic lights at the intersection of West St. and Pleasant St.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: NEWTON AVE. NORTH

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: SHREWSBURY ST. and MULBERRY ST.

VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a conduit location on: CRESCENT ST. and HARLOW ST.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a request to discontinue and convey a portion of land and aerial rights over the Ernest H. Johnson Tunnel.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the American Rescue Plan Act Funds (ARPA).

Transmitting Order requesting transfer of 20 Richards Street from care and custody of the Treasurer-Collector to the Worcester Public Schools.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the locations of Public WiFi and the status of each location.

Recommend that Fifty Four Thousand Four Hundred Seven Dollars And Ninety Three Cents ($54,407.93) be transferred from Account #68C701, Technical Services Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Account #26C701, Worcester Fire Department Capital Equipment, to fund the purchase of a vehicle.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Forty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($45,000.00) from the United Way, through the Fred Harris Daniels Foundation, to support youth data analysis.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Five Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($550.00) from Ms. Ruth Kingsbury McMahan to purchase and plant a Memorial Tree honoring Virginia "Ginny" H. Kingsbury at Dodge Park.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to complete build out of a new park located at 69 Sever Street.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($750.00) from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Worcester (Saint Paul Diocesan Junior/Senior High School) for the purchase of support equipment, maintenance supplies, and services for Glodis Field at Providence Street Playground.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Four Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($400.00) from the Worcester County Senior Athletic Association for Logan Park.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($60,000.00) from UMASS for the City's youth Summer Recreation Program.

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 MA DOT under the Earmark program for pedestrian safety improvements.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grant in the amount of Eleven Million Dollars and No Cents ($11,000,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development to support the Greendale Revitalization Initiative.

Recommend City Council's approval of Fiscal Year 2022 year-end operating transfers to make adjustments to City accounts to balance the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request Standing Committee on Economic Development hold a meeting with the stakeholders from Madison WG Holdings and the Plumb House Project to discuss compliance with their TIF/TIE policy.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager explore amending the city's TIF and TIE policy to include penalties and fines for failing to reach compliance once the TIF/TIE recipients reach a certain percentage of completion on the project.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the number of women and people of color who have been promoted from patrollers to officers from 2018 to present. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any challenges associated with the Worcester Police Department having their own Bureau of Professional Standards as it relates to the creation of a citywide investigation policy. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager inform City Council as to any major projects occurring within the city, including briefings for district City Councilors when said projects are in their district. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby affirm its expectations, along with residents’ expectations, for compliance with the city’s TIF and TIE policies.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide email and text notifications to residents when the residential yard waste drop off location hours change. (Rose)

Request Standing Committee on Public Safety host a public meeting concerning the actions, plans and goals of the city administration in addressing the issues and challenges of homelessness, substance abuse and crime in the Lincoln St. corridor. (Rose)

Request City Manager request Police Chief work to ensure specific language and provisions related to data sharing be incorporated into the Unmanned Aircraft System/drone policy beyond the Worcester Police Department (WPD)'s pledge to adhere to general policies that protect drone data from being shared with federal agencies such as ICE. (King)

Request City Manager request Police Chief work to ensure specific language and provisions that prohibit the use of drones to track people experiencing homelessness be incorporated into the Unmanned Aircraft System/drone policy. (King)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support: 1) The Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) continuing its zero fare policy for the 2023 calendar year; 2) The city's representation on the WRTA Advisory Board using all legal means to maximize its vote(s) in favor of the continuation of a zero fare policy in 2023; and 3) The interactive questions and answers be allowed without requiring the public to sign up to speak prior to a meeting, now that the public meeting participation policy allows for bifurcated public meetings (in person and virtual). (Bergman)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to training courses at the Worcester Police Department: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 relative to Members of Local 495, NAGE. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group D – Stores And Purchasing for DPW Storekeeper Positions. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group F – Inspection for the Nuisance Ordinance Inspector. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group N – Police for the Senior Parking Control Officer. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group O – Engineering and Allied for DPW Engineer Positions. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group P - Foreman and Supervisor for DPW Foreman Positions. Amending the Salary Ordinance Of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group Q – Trade Inspection for the Environmental Analyst. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group R – Laborer and Craftsman for Multiple Positions. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group X Human Services, Law Enforcement and Public Health for the Public Health Aide.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: DIX ST. and LANCASTER ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: DIX ST. and LANCASTER ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty June 7, 2022 and June 14, 2022)

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)

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 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)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Council work to ensure City Council and School Committee districts are parallel, so as to ensure public clarity. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson May 24, 2022 and June 7, 2022 and Tabled - Petty June 14, 2022)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Operating Budget for City Council review and consideration: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. – Item #13a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2023 proposed Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Worcester: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. – Item #13b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the department development plans for Cable Services, City Clerk, Elections, and the Police Department: recommend Communication be placed on file. – Item #13c CC Placed on file on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

CHAIRMAN’S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning creating a mechanism for City Council to hire outside counsel for various legal matters. (Russell) – Item #13d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

CHAIRMAN’S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to options available to City Council concerning engaging with the city’s administration for the purpose of reviewing the City Council budget. Further, request City Manager include in said report any barriers relative to same. (King) – Item #13e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report outlining research for the use of unmanned aircraft systems as it relates to individuals with mental health challenges, including how the city’s policy will be used in those circumstances. – Item #13f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager consider capping the number of unmanned aircraft systems/drones purchased by the city at one (1). – Item #13g CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 6 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager consider not purchasing any additional unmanned aircraft systems/drones until one (1) year after the initial purchase. – Item #13h CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 4 Yeas and 6 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee hold a discussion regarding exploring the creation of a Charter Commission. – Item #13i CC Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby amend its meeting schedule to cancel its agenda on June 28, 2022, which was originally set to be an evaluation of the City Manager and further, does hereby amend its meeting schedule to hold a joint City Council and City Manager agenda at its June 21, 2022 meeting. – Item #13j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion King @ #9.4A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report informing the City Council of protections for the city during the development process associated with the Ernest H. Johnson Tunnel.

Motion Petty @ #9.32A CM – Request City Manager meet with representatives from the School Department to determine how the maintenance process for 20 Richards Street and other transferred properties will proceed.

Motion Russell @ #9.35A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the quality of the service provided by the city’s Public WiFi.

Motion King @ #12b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning outcomes from neighborhood meetings relative to addressing the issues and challenges of homelessness, substance abuse and crime in the Lincoln St. corridor, including what strategies and action plans exist relative to said issues.

Motion King @ #13a CC – Request City Manager consider using its public and private marketing partners to promote the message that the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) is fare free.

Motion Nguyen @ #15a CC – Request City Manager work with the Police Chief and anti-foreclosure advocates to ensure residents are not evicted unlawfully.

Motion King @ #15a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing an incident regarding foreclosures and evictions on Diamond St.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the responsibilities and enforcement policies around Lake Quinsigamond.