CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:43 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 December 20, 2022.

Vice Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9a CC through #9c CC and item #10a CC 2. Adam Thielker, Worcester resident, spoke in favor items #9a CC through #9c CC and items #12a CC and #12b CC 3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9a CC through #9c CC 4. Virginia (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9a CC through #9c CC 5. Kimberly Stone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor or item #15e CC

Andrew Jalil request Jackson St. be made a one-way street, flowing from Southbridge St. to Main St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager communicate with the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) Administrator to determine actions the city can take to help facilitate the hiring of additional drivers for the WRTA.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of adding trash receptacles and providing for trash collection in the vicinity of bus shelters.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility work with the WRTA Administrator to provide City Council with an inventory of bus shelters in the city, including shelters that are owned by the WRTA, by the city and by private entities.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the city’s ability to provide free swim lessons to the city’s youths. Further, request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review partnering with other entities to provide said lessons if the staffing level of city workers will not allow for such an action.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks ensure exit interviews are completed by appropriate staff to determine ways to provide better opportunities for outgoing lifeguards, as well as provide City Council with a report concerning efforts made relative to hiring lifeguards for the summer of 2023.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing a list of properties purchased by colleges and universities from 2019 to the present, whether the college or university kept the property on the tax roll, any signed community benefit agreements associated with new projects on these properties and what changes, if any, were made to PILOT contributions. (Haxhiaj)

In light of the local hiring goals and targets the city currently attaches to its Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements and municipal construction projects, request City Manager provide City Council with a report delineating the city’s current policy in regards to a residency requirement for cabinet, staff and city employees. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the recent string of thefts associated with catalytic converters in the city. (Rivera)

Request City Manager consider developing a plan for constructing new sidewalks along busy streets near all Worcester Public Schools, which would be done at the city’s expense and waive all fee assessments for abutters to said construction. (Russell)

Request City Manager inspect the stairway that connects Canterbury St. with Illinois St. for the purpose of beautifying the stairway through actions including but not limited to removing any graffiti along the stairway, disposing of any trash found and providing for any needed landscaping in the area. (Rivera)

Transmitting the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ended June 30, 2022 audited by the Certified Public Accountant firm of ClifftonLarsonAllen, LLP

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public discussion with the WRTA Administrator relative to the removal of a bus route that passes the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation meet with the WRTA Administrator to provide City Council with a report concerning the WRTA’s winter weather plan, especially including information as to how snow will be removed at each of the bus stops: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the 149 West Boylston Drive master plan: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan Initiative public hearings: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan Initiative: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Urban Forestry Master Plan: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with the Greater Worcester Land Trust to seek improvements and/or rehabilitation to Roosevelt Oak Park on Indian Hill Rd.: recommend Order be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Order of Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request the Standing Committee on Veterans’ Memorials, Parks and Recreation review the attached Indian Lake Walk audit found at the following site: https://sites.google.com/WalkBoston.org/walkbostonworcester/home: recommend Order be placed on file.

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 Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the delineation of federal and state funding that is received and goes towards housing in the city. – Item #18a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Teas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report outlining the operations of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), including information as to how the WRTA Administrator is appointed, the city’s voting power and representation on the WRTA Advisory Board and how the city can appropriately bring about action and provide recommendations to the WRTA. – Item #18b 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 of the minutes of previous Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) Advisory Board meetings. – 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 identify the appropriate State Delegation representative associated with issues relative to public transportation for the purpose of holding discussions concerning the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA). – Item #18d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning whether a pilot program at Vernon Hill Baseball and Softball fields relative to requiring Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) was implemented. Further, request City Manager prepare a plan to implement the requirement of AED's at all ball fields, citywide. – Item #18e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the rules and regulations affecting the closure of One Eyed Jack’s Tiki Bar and Grill, located at 433 Park Ave. – Item #18f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council of the City of Worcester will hereby convene in Executive Session at the conclusion of its January 24, 2023 meeting for the purpose of negotiating a contract with City Auditor Robert V. Stearns.

Motion Toomey @ #10a CC – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion relative to the feasibility of building Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements with colleges and universities in the city based on their various properties that are not used for educational purposes, such as their dormitories.

Motion King @ #10a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated report concerning which Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements the city has had with colleges/universities, as well as other nonprofits, have elapsed, as well as which agreements are still in effect.

Motion Toomey @ #10a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated list of all properties purchased by nonprofits in the city. Said list should separate out the various types of nonprofit entities.

Motion Rose @ #10c CC – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning vehicle safety tips the public can follow in the event of their vehicle or vehicle parts being stolen.

Motion King @ #12a CC – Request City Manager work with the WRTA Administrator to provide City Council with a documented delineation of responsibilities as it relates to snow removal in the vicinity of bus stops.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility review the crosswalk at the intersection of May St. and Hammond St. for the purpose of improving safety for pedestrians at the crosswalk.