CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:53 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:13 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 August 9, 2022.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Leslie Slavin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8a CC 2. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8a CC 3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8a CC 4. Lucy Candib, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 5. Jancy Lavergne, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 6. Dorothy Swope, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #12a CC, #16a CC and #16b CC 7. Esther Faith, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 8. Ruth Rodriguez-Fay, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 9. Rhonda Hicks, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9k CC 10. Adam Henderson, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #15f CC 11. Robert Henderson, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #15f CC 12. Denise Stack, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #15f CC 13. Anne Bureau, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 14. David Slatkin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8a CC 15. Anita Kostecki, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12a CC 16. Daniel Gove, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #15f CC 17. Marcel Blais, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #15f CC 18. Casey Burns, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16a CC and #16b CC

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell - In accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of City Council, Councilor George J. Russell hereby requests reconsideration of the vote taken by City Council on September 20, 2022 to adopt the Communication of City Manager recommend City Council approval to increase the hourly pay rates for the majority of the Winter Operations hired equipment, as presented by the City Manager as Item #10.8B CM on said agenda.

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - As Chair of the City Council Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations in accordance with Rule 33 (e) of the Rules of City Council, request City Council suspend its rules at its September 29, 2022 meeting to take up the Report of the Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations Upon the Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Council proceed forthwith with the selection of a permanent City Manager by initiating and completing a process for said selection to include the appointment of an Ad Hoc Committee, as outlined in Rule 50 of the Rules of City Council regarding Ad Hoc Committees, including the Mayor selecting the composition of said Ad Hoc Committee; the purpose of the committee being to determine the following: 1) The Ad Hoc Committee will exist until such a time that a permanent City Manager is appointed. 2) The inclusion of the following procedures: A. Review of the prior processes used in the selection of a City Manager in 1993, 2004 and 2013-2014 and report to City Council regarding a timetable for the following steps: i. Provide for an opportunity for community input relative to the search process for a permanent City Manager. ii. Placement of an Request for Proposals (RFP) for a search firm to aid in the search process; iii. Ad Hoc Committee to review of responses for said RFP; selection of a search firm and entering into a contract with said search firm. iv. Ad Hoc Committee to provide the selected search firm with a copy of specifications and a job description for the permanent City Manager, including best practices used in other search processes; v. Ad Hoc Committee to review the list of potential candidates for the permanent City Manager position, provided by the search firm in Executive Session, for interviewing said potential candidates in said Executive Session. vi. Final referral of a recommendation of finalists to be interviewed in Open Session by the entire City Council, followed by a vote to determine the selection for the position of a permanent City Manager, as presented in City Council and referred to the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations as Item #11a CC on the City Council agenda for April 12, 2022, along with related items pending before the Committee.

Natalie Turner request the city zoning map be amended to rezone the block situated within the borders of Mayfield St., Parket St., Winfield St. and May St. from BG-4 to RL-7.

Wayne Griffin request Durant Way be repaved from Chandler St. to Hadwen Rd.

Bernadette Forget request installation of handicap parking space large enough for two vehicles in front of 10 Merrifield St.

Artur Czapla request installation of "deaf person" street signage at 119 Brookline St.

Nicole Cordero request removal of resident permit parking on Marion Ave.

Mark Borenstein request installation of signage indicating no right turns from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. (Monday through Friday) at: 1) the northwesterly corner of Parkton Ave. and Grove St., 2) the northwesterly corner of Lansing Ave. and Grove St., 3) the northwesterly corner of Chester St. and Grove St., and 4) the northwesterly corner of Chester St. and Holden St.

Mark Borenstein request installation of signage indicating no left turns from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Monday through Friday) at: 1) the northeaster corner of Barry Rd. and Salisbury St., 2) the northeasterly corner of Spring Valley Rd. and Salisbury St., and 3) the northeasterly corner of Lynnwood Ln. and Salisbury St.

Dean Fisher request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 227 June St.

Majed Anaifas request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 27 Longfellow Rd.

Diana Burns et al. request installation of bus stop at the corner of Chandler St. and Hadwen Rd.

Rhonda (Wahya) Hicks request City Council provide an opportunity to speak concerning police details, as well as violations at the SMOC shelter on Queens St.

Recommend adoption of an order to approve a 5 year contract term for the Public Safety CAD/RMS Replacement.

Recommend that Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Dollars And Ninety Seven Cents ($12,560.97) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C701, Parks Equipment, to allow for the purchase and payment of approved Parks capital equipment.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70262, Tacoma Street, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the design and engineering being completed for Tacoma Street Improvements.

Recommend that Seventy Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Three Dollars And No Cents ($70,973.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70248, Coes Beach, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the improvements to the area.

Recommend that Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($30,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70230, University Park, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with the design for park improvements.

Recommend that Seventy One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($71,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70210, Indian Hill, to allow for contractually obligated payments associated with phase 2 improvements at Indian Hill.

Recommend that Seventy One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($71,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70249, Monuments and Memorials, to allow for contractual obligations associated with the improvements and renovations to current monuments within the city.

Recommend that Twenty Nine Thousand Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($29,050.00) be transferred from Account #68C701, Technical Services Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Account #28C701, Inspectional Services Capital Equipment, for the purchase of a vehicle for the Inspectional Services Department.

Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in an amount of up to Forty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Seven Dollars and No Cents($47,927.00) from the Massachusetts Probation Service under the Diverting Children, Adolescents and Young Adults from Criminal Justice System Involvement program.

Recommend that Two Hundred Seven Dollars And Twenty Two Cents ($207.22) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2023 Account #680-92000, Technical Services Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of a prior year invoice.

Recommend that Ninety Nine Dollars and Ninety Six Cents ($99.96) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2023 Account #670-92000, Assessing Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of a prior year invoice.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($150.00) be authorized from Account #043-92000, Economic Development Ordinary Maintenance, to pay a prior year invoice.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility work with residents within the Montvale Historic District to initiate a traffic study for both short-term and long-term traffic calming options in the area.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement during school drop-off and pickup at the Learning First School, once it opens its new location at 50 Richland St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility conduct a traffic study concerning the installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Salisbury St., Barry Rd. and Salisbury Hill Blvd.

Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services host an open forum between members of the community, the city’s administration and representatives from the Family Health Center of Worcester in an effort to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to voice their concerns relative to the operations of the Family Health Center of Worcester. (Rivera)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on youth violence prevention: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the numbers of opioid fatalities in Worcester between 2020 and 2021: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gregory Russell, on behalf of Leo Flanagan and Learning First, LLC. request installation of crosswalk on Richland St. at a point 390' east of Ward St., to be funded by petitioner: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of 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: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of 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.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request installation of a crosswalk on Salisbury St. in the vicinity of Barry Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Sue O’Brien request an in-depth traffic study be completed relative to truck traffic violations on Heard St., including but not limited to increased truck ban/weight restriction enforcement and the installation of additional signage warning trucks of said restriction in more visible locations turning onto the street from Clover St. and South Ludlow St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting an informational communication updating City Council as to the status of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process associated with identifying the executive search firm tasked with aiding in the hiring process for a permanent City Manager. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Inclusionary Zoning. (Tabled Under Privilege - King September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Racial Equity Audit Report for the departments of Human Resources and Health & Human Services. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the East Park Little League Field Renovation Project. (Tabled Under Privilege - King September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) for the East Park Renovation program. (Tabled Under Privilege - King September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of a proposed ordinance to a ban on personal watercraft at Indian Lake. (Tabled Under Privilege - King September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the legality of asking property owners to fill out financial statistics on their properties or be fined for not completing said statistical analysis, as well as what the city does with said data. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the city’s new policies and procedures relative to the resident permit parking program, including what the process is for changing such a program, City Council’s involvement in the changes, the public notification process and the process the public should use to obtain resident permit parking placards/stickers. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 financial update, as of August 31, 2022. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio September 20, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the cutoff income elder homeowners must meet to qualify for a rate reduction in the Water and Sewer Rate for FY23. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio September 20, 2022)

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated list concerning how many applications are received for the city’s ARPA community-focused program. Further, request said report include how many applications are completed, how many are left incomplete, as well as any barriers individuals and groups encounter while filling out said applications. – Item #28a 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 detailing the rubric the city is using to grade applications associated with the city’s ARPA community-focused programs, who is awarding the recipients of said applications and what role the city’s task force/ad hoc committee will play in awarding ARPA funds. – Item #28b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the grants received by the city in the last year. Said report should include where said grant funds were allocated. – Item #28c CC Order adopted on a roll vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Thu Nguyen – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the ways the city is endeavoring to encourage and incentivize accessible and adaptive living units. – Item #28d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #15g CC – Request City Manager request City Assessor review the city’s practices relative to collecting financial statistics associated with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 38D Income and Expense form, including the fines associated with said form.

Motion King @ #15g CC – Request City Manager request City Assessor provide City Council with a report concerning best practices used in other communities relative to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ 38D Income and Expense form. Further, request said report include a copy of said form.

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #15h CC – Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility and Chief Financial Officer review the city’s Resident Permit Parking Program to ensure property owners are not ticketed when visiting their property/properties.

Motion King @ #15b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of veterans within the city who would qualify for housing at the Area Median Income (AMI) thresholds of eighty, sixty and fifty percent.

Motion Colorio @ #15c CC – Request City Manager ensure Letterman White Consulting, LLC be made available to City Council when their work for the city’s Racial Equity Audit be discussed at future meetings.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager work with the city’s State Delegation to discuss the effect electric rate increases will have on the community and advocate to the Department of Public Utilities regarding same. Further, request City Manager ensure fuel assistance options are listed on the city’s website.

Motion Haxhiaj – Suspension of Rules – Request Standing Committee on Public Works hold a public hearing with the appropriate parties and local service providers to discuss the ramifications of electrical rate increases, as well as how said service providers intend to remove the use of fossil fuels from their practices.

Motion King – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated report concerning advantages the city’s municipal aggregation program provide residents of the city.