CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:35 P.M.

Recessed to Executive Session: 9:12 P.M. Adjourned from Executive Session: 10:42 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

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 November 15, 2022.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10i CC and #9a CC and regarding #8a CC 2. Gordon Davis, Worcester resident, spoke regarding an item not listed on the agenda 3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10i CC 4. Sue Mailman, Worcester resident, spoke regarding item #8a CC 5. Casey Starr, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #15c CC 6. Alex Guardiola, Worcester resident, spoke regarding item #8a CC 7. Katherine Hagen, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #15a CC 8. Austin Seganowitz, Worcester resident, spoke regarding item #8a CC

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: CHILMARK ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: CHILMARK ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: HANCOCK HILL DR. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: HANCOCK HILL DR.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a pole location on: DOMINION RD. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a pole location on: DOMINION RD.

Hearing: To determine tax rates for residential, commercial, industrial and personal properties for Fiscal Year 2023. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 22, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 Tax Classification package. (Submitted to City Council on November 15, 2022 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 22, 2022)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to frequently asked questions during the tax rate process. (Submitted to City Council on November 15, 2022 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 22, 2022)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester convene in Executive Session at its November 29, 2022 meeting immediately following the conclusion of the City Council agenda for the purpose of negotiating a contract of about two (2) years, subject to negotiation, appointing Eric D. Batista as the city’s permanent City Manager.

Donald J. O'Neil request extension of public water main in Hooper St. from its current terminus to service the property located at 40 Hooper St.

Joshua Lee Smith of Bowditch & Dewey, LLP request the removal of one (1) metered parking space and installation of a 30-minute parking zone on the southerly side of Temple St., beginning west of Grafton St., opposite of 44 Grafton St., and extending for approximately 50 feet to accommodate two (2) standard sized vehicles or one (1) larger delivery vehicle (see attached).

Jean Gaucher request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on Quinapoxet Ln. from the telephone pole on the right side of 14 Quinapoxet Ln. to 367 Burncoat St.

Terry Habib request installation of speed humps on Brooks St. from Rockdale St. to Mt. Vernon St.

Bayda Asbridge et al. request installation of flashing crosswalk lights at the pedestrian crossing in front of 75 Webster St.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: TRAHAN AVE.

Gordon T. Davis request City Council request City Manager develop a clear and transparent anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedures with a deadline for completion.

Gordon T. Davis request City Council request City Manager change the Office of Diversity to include intake, adjudication and resolution of Discrimination complaints and to conduct public hearings on all substantive ordinance changes.

Michael J. Grandone request City Council request City Manager consider reducing the residential real estate tax bills of citizens who are seventy (70) years or older by twenty-five (25) percent.

PETITION – Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the winter parking ban on Harmon St. be reversed to No Parking on the Odd Side of the street, when declared.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Eddy Fisher to the Ballpark Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Catheryn C. McEvoy to the Civic Center Commission.

Recommend adoption of a salary ordinance amendment relative to water filtration plant stipends and overtime for certain positions and in limited circumstances.

Recommend adoption of a salary ordinance amendment relative to the Assistant Commissioner of Health and Human Services.

Recommend adoption of a Salary Ordinance Amendment relative to the Director 311 Operations and the Deputy Director 311 Operations.Refer to CCM Item 11.37E

Transmitting informational update on American Rescue Plan Act Funds (ARPA).

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Master Plan Initiative for Improvements to Blithewood Park.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Youth Violence Prevention Initiative Year One Plan.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 financial update, as of October 31, 2022.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand Eight Hundred Forty Seven Dollars And Seventy One Cents ($11,847.71) 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 capital equipment.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($300,000.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services for The State Opioid Response Prevention in Early Childhood (SORPEC) program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a Sports Field donation in the amount of Three Hundred and Seventy Five Dollars ($375.00) from Notre Dame Academy.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health & Human Services to support the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (YVPI).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of One Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($100.00) from Richard Gacek for education, technology or supplies.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in an amount up to Two Hundred Twenty Six Thousand Six Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($226,600.00) from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, as received by the Worcester Arts Council (WAC) for its 2023 grant cycle.

Recommend approval to make necessary adjustments required to finalize the FY23 City Budget.

Recommend that Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) be transferred from Account #150-91000, Elections Salaries, and be appropriated to Account #150-97000, Elections Overtime, to fund overtime costs associated with mail-in voting, in-person early voting, and November 8, 2022 State Election costs.

Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars and No cents ($10,000.00) be transferred from Account #170-91000, Human Resources Regular Salaries, and be appropriated to Account #170-97000, Human Resources Regular Overtime, to cover the cost of overtime related to the Open Enrollment Period and staff shortage.

Recommend that Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($500.00) be transferred from Account #330-91000, Public Health Regular Salaries, and be appropriated to Account #330-97000, Public Health Overtime, to provide funding for overtime costs through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023.

Recommend an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 Table of Organization for the Department of Emergency Communications.Refer to CCM Item 11.3C

Recommend that Nine Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($9,000.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2023 Account #260101- 92000, Worcester Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance, Administration Training, for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Dollars and No Cents ($1,190.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2023 Account #170-92000, Human Resources Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of a prior year invoice.

Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk, transmitting an informational communication relative to the notice of acceptance relating to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Election Results, as well as the specific language of the Ballot Question approved by the city's voters.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Relative to Deputy Fire Chief Shift Stipends.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group B - General Administrative for Multiple Positions. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group C - Information Services for Multiple Positions. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group E – Fiscal for Multiple Positions.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group B - General Administrative for Snow Customer Service Representatives.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group P - Foreman And Supervisor for Snow Operation Employees.

Amending Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative to the Extension of the Manufacturing Limited (ML-2.0) Zoning District to Include the Entire Parcel Located at 1 Brussels Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 15 Orne Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 11 Larch Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 36 Florence Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 21 Hitchcock Road.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 4 Malden Terrace.

That Five Million Four Hundred Seventy One Thousand Nine Hundred Seventeen Dollars And Twenty Three Cents ($5,471,917.23) be reallocated from Account #91C711F, Main Library - Master Plan, to Account #91C7113T, Doherty High MSBA.

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks make appropriate upgrades to dog parks around the City and to identify appropriate funding, including the possibility of utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. (Tabled Under Privilege - King November 22, 2022)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager introduce plans for building new City pools and spray parks, along with identifying the appropriate funding, including the possibility of utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. (Tabled Under Privilege - King November 222, 2022)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager consider providing additional support to the Main South Worcester Ambassador Program. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rivera November 22, 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 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)

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of agencies, churches and social service organizations who provide homeless individuals with winter outreach items. – Item #17a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report detailing information relative to providing notice of acceptance associated with the Community Preservation Act (CPA), as well as the specific language that was approved by the city, in order to determine whether the surcharge will be applicable for this fiscal year or next. – Item #17b 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 actions being taken by the city to organize a community committee associated with the Community Preservation Act (CPA) for the purpose of dispersing funds associated with the act, as well as any matches the city plans to make moving forward. Further, request City Manager include in said report a roadmap the city will follow relative to dispersing funds as well as what strategies have worked in other communities. – Item #17c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Rose @ #8a CC – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2023 be set at $14.64 for Residential Property and $30.12 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property.

Motion Russell @ #8a CC – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2023 be set at $14.34 for Residential Property and $31.26 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property.

Motion Petty @ #8a CC – Request City Manager organize a discussion between the Mayor, city administration, Chamber of Commerce, local business owners and additional stakeholders to determine ways in which the city can aid local businesses relative to their tax rates.

Motion King @ #11.1A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the various vacancies on the city’s boards and commissions.

Motion King @ #11.1A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how Polar Park plans to allot time for community usage, as well as how community time that has occurred at Polar Park has been dispersed throughout the city.

Motion King @ #11.18A CM – Request City Manager consider working with stakeholders to determine additional ways to engage with the City Council and the city’s State Legislators relative to the Worcester Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.