CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:32 P.M.

Recessed: 7:57 P.M. Reconvened: 9:06 P.M. Adjourned: 9:12 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 22, 2022.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9a CC and #10f CC and in opposition of item #13a CC 2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #14e CC 3. Sue Mailman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13a CC 4. Al Ramos, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13a CC 5. Tracy O’Connell Novick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13a CC

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: TRAHAN AVE. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: TRAHAN AVE.

ELECTION - To fill two (2) vacancies for terms ending December 31, 2028.

That the City Council of the City of Worcester convene in Executive Session at its December 6, 2022 meeting 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. The City Council will reconvene in Open Session at the conclusion of its negotiations.

Daniel Heckman request installation of guardrail in front of 4 Knox St.

Matthew Rabasco request Copley Rd. be resurfaced.

Melanie von Bitter request removal of handicap parking space in front of 14 Crown St.

Kyle Cheung request installation of a commercial loading zone in front of 521 Main St.

Scherley Beauvais request installation of handicap parking space across from 28 Mendon St.

Michael Grandone request City Council request City Manager work with Police Chief to establish an ongoing and permanent City of Worcester Gun Buy Back Account and division, where monies can be donated year-round for gun buy back efforts. Further, request City Manager consider soliciting all colleges and corporations for donations to said account to build revenue for the use of gun buy back program.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with report concerning the streets that are most in need of street and sidewalk improvements.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with report concerning the streets where students often walk to and from schools or have school bus stops without sidewalks, as well as streets that have become dangerous and inaccessible due to the weather such as snow.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with report concerning the feasibility of piloting a municipal sidewalk snow clearing program in the interest of student and pedestrian safety, as well as to ensure attendance of students during winter storm events.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with report concerning a cost-analysis of piloting a municipal sidewalk snow clearing program.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with report concerning who would maintain liability of sidewalk-related injuries if the city were to create a municipal sidewalk snow clearing pilot program.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager work with the State Legislature to address funding support for general repairs and windows at city schools.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager work with State Representative Daniel Donahue and State Senator Michael Moore to explore the feasibility of participating in the Local Bottleneck Reduction Program as well as the MRS Grant Program for Street Safety.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Manager work with the Superintendent of Public Schools to provide City Council with report concerning the feasibility of increasing funding to the Worcester Public Schools capital budget.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide parking enforcement in the vicinity of 27 Longfellow Rd. to prevent driveway blockages.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request the Director of Transportation and Mobility review parking issues in the vicinity of 27 Longfellow Rd.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the history of Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) approval and installations occurring for said RRFBs in the city over the past two (2) years.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility review street signage in the vicinity of Russell St. and Blossom St.’s intersection to confirm whether a fifteen (15) minute parking zone is in effect at the location.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief provide enforcement with speed monitoring equipment in the vicinity of 126 Elm St.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of partnering with local medical entities to provide short-term medical and recuperative services for homeless people who are too sick for shelters but not sick enough to occupy a hospital bed. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of creating a phone line for residents to call during emergencies that collects their concerns and streamlines where the information provided is sent, in an effort to ensure appropriate city responses to said emergencies. (Rivera, Haxhiaj, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning when the Charter/Spectrum contract expires, the process that follows said contract expiring, including how a Request for Proposals (RFP) is generated, as well as the status of creating a municipal broadband network. (Bergman)

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: SOHEILI CIRCLE

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby go on record in disapproving the creation of the Worcester Cultural Academy Charter School in the City of Worcester. (Petty)

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Joe Boynton, on behalf of Rhonda Cotton, request Sala St. be removed from the official map of the City of Worcester.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Paul Conger request the Zoning Map be amended to include 38 Harlow St. and 24 New St. within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Paul Conger request Article XV, Section 5 of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance be amended to allow the Planning Board to modify certain zoning requirements by special permit for new Multi-Family Dwelling buildings within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District by deleting Subsection D in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “D. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article IV, Section-7, the Planning Board shall be authorized to grant a special permit to modify parking, loading requirements, dimensional requirements for off-street parking and loading areas; landscaping requirements; intensity of use buffer area requirements; layout requirements and number of required spaces for uses permitted in Adaptive Reuse Overlay District (by right or by special permit) pursuant to Section-3 of this Article. This provision shall only apply to Multi-Family Dwelling (low-rise and high-rise) uses (new or existing) and uses in the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District which are located in buildings or structures in existence as of October 22, 2022. Per Article IV, Table 4.4 Notes, the required number of spaces cannot be reduced below (1) space per dwelling unit.”

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Paul Conger request Article XV, Section 5 of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance be amended to reduce the required minimum number of off-street parking spaces for new Multi-Family Dwelling buildings within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District by deleting Subsection A and Subsection C in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “A. Subject to Subsection 5(C) of this Article XV, for all new buildings and structures, the parking requirements of Table 4.4 of this Ordinance shall apply.” “C. For reuse or substantial restoration of existing buildings or structures within the Adaptive Reuse Overlay District and new Multi-Family Dwelling buildings (low-rise and high-rise), the parking requirements of Table 4.4 of this Ordinance shall apply with the following exceptions: 1. All residential parking shall require 1.5 parking spaces for each dwelling unit; and 2. Office, professional/general uses shall require one (1) parking space for every 500 square feet of gross floor area.”

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Inclusionary Zoning.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request installation of a crosswalk across Lansing Ave. at Holden St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian Underwood request installation of flashing crosswalk lights on Apricot St. in the vicinity of South High Community School, 170 Apricot St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian Underwood request installation of flashing crosswalk lights in the vicinity of Claremont Academy, 15 Claremont St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian Underwood request installation of flashing crosswalk lights in the vicinity of City View Elementary School, 80 Prospect St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Janily Lopez request installation of residential permit parking on both sides of Barclay St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Patrice Lyons request installation of blinking signage that monitors the speed of motorists on Grafton St. near the Worcester-Grafton border: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Jacqueline Coppedge et al., on behalf of Grace Christian Centre, request installation of speed monitoring equipment in the vicinity of 126 Elm St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Justice Real request installation of stop sign at the intersection of Chelsea St. and Cambridge St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Justice Real request installation of traffic lights at the intersection of West St. and Pleasant St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

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 and November 29, 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 Sean M. Rose – 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. – Item #18a CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 4 Yeas and 7 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – 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. – Item #18b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 7 Yeas and 4 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – 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. – Item #18c 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 the various vacancies on the city’s boards and commissions. – Item #18d 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 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. – Item #18e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – 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. – Item #18f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

PETITION of 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. – Item #18g CC Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Haxhiaj @ #12b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing response protocols for emergency disaster events. Further, request said report include information relative to feedback provided by residents on where improvements can be made to said protocols.

Motion King @ #12b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report exploring the feasibility of requiring apartment complexes to develop their own emergency crisis response mechanisms and accesses, either through a municipal ordinance or through working with the city’s State Legislators.

Motion King @ #16a CC – Request City Manager consider determining what funding would be needed to implement a hybrid system of installing both pools and aspects of spray parks at University Park and the Tacoma Street Playground.