CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:35 P.M.

Adjourned: 10:19 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 March 21, 2023.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Patience S., Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11b CC 2. Gabrielle Pearson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11b CC 3. Jordan Berg Powers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 4. Jeff Kiernan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 5. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 6. Gina Plata-Nino, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 7. River [No last name given], Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 8. Sarah Stewart, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 9. Lindita Taka, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 10. Judy Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 11. Robert Bolatta, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 12. Joyce Mandela, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 13. Jenna Knight, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 14. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 15. Meg Gallo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 16. Malerie Shelley, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 17. Andrew Marsh, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 18. Guillermo Creamer, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 19. Eric Stratton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 20. Dominica Perron, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 21. Isaac Chazman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8d CC 22. Emma Markowicz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 23. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 24. M. Morales, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 25. Keith S., Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 26. Ann Buro, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 27. Dale Wickenheizer, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 28. Scott Hayman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 29. Paul Hernandez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 30. Susan Swanson, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposition to items #16b CC and #16c CC 31. Karen Vargas, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 32. Maria Sebasco, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 33. Corinne Kimball, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 34. Alma Rodriguez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 35. Katia Norford, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC 36. Amy Evason, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16b CC and #16c CC

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

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for a pole location on: WHITE AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for a pole location on: WHITE AVE.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for a pole location on: BLITHEWOOD AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC for a pole location on: BLITHEWOOD AVE.

Hearing: VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a conduit location on: BROOK ST. Granting permission to VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a conduit location on: BROOK ST.

Jonathan Finkelstein, on behalf of Michael O'Rourke, Principal of S&O Realty LLC, request City Council amend Zoning Map by changing the zoning district designation for the property at 12 Jackson St. from MG-2.0 to RG-5.0.

Jimmy Georges request removal of street light in front of the driveway at 204 Dana Ave.

Lena Riccardi request abatement of street assessment #25813, in the amount of $18,381.60 for Delmont Ave.

Isaac Chassman request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage in front of New England Chiropractic Health Clinic (192 Lincoln St.).

Peter Maybay request installation of speed monitoring device on Goddard Memorial Dr. in the vicinity of Parsons Hill Dr.

Patricia Groccia request installation of stop sign at the intersection of Spofford Rd. and Broughton Rd.

Tarek Yatim, Manager of TK Quinsigamond LLC, request Arwick Ave. between Quinsigamond Ave. and Harding St. be converted into a two way street.

Eric Doan and Junly Nhan request installation of stop sign at the intersection of Hillsboro Rd. and Bay State Rd.

Councilor Donna M. Colorio on behalf of William Hurley request installation of a two-way stop sign on Barrett Ave. at its intersection with West Chester St.

Samuel Duah request removal of handicap parking space in front of 52 Plantation St.

CROWN CASTLE NG EAST, LLC for a conduit location on: CANTERBURY ST.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointment of Cecilio Gonzalez to the Election Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Kristen Livoti to the Worcester Arts Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Asuncion Ausriaco to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Recommend the appointment of Ammar Asbahi and the reappointment of James Leo Bedard and Theodore Kostas to the Citizen Advisory Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a detailed report of all City of Worcester and Worcester School Department wage earners for calendar year 2022.

Transmitting informational communication relative a summary of the FY24 health insurance premium rates.

Transmitting informational communication relative to lodging houses.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2023 Arbor Day celebration scheduled for Friday, April 28, 2023 in University Park at 10AM.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the University Park Master Plan.

Recommend adoption of a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 13, Section 71, Schedule IV-B to relocated on-street parking from the east side of Harding Street to the west side of the street between Arwick Avenue and Endicott Street.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an analysis of the 2022 Crime Statistics.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Eight Million Six Hundred Twenty Two Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Three Dollars And Forty Cents ($8,622,323.40) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program.

Resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Six Million Dollars and No Cents ($6,000,000.00) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.

Recommend adoption of resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Fifteen Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($15,000.00) from Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation for the Fitness in the Parks Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in an amount up to Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($7,500,000.00) over five years from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) FY24-FY28 program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($60,000.00) from UMass Memorial Health under the Community Benefits program.

Recommend that Three Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($375,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #1044-610100, Fire Ordinary Maintenance, and be appropriated to Cost Center #1044-601100, Fire Overtime. Furthermore, recommend that One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($125,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #1044-600100, Fire Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #1044-601100, Fire Overtime, to provide funding for overtime costs through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023.

Recommend that Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #1061-600100, Administration & Finance Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #1061-610100, Administration & Finance Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funding for departmental operating costs through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023.

Recommend that Four Hundred Twenty Five Dollars and Thirty Two Cents ($425.32) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2023 Cost Center #1008, Department of Sustainability & Resilience Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility work with the School Department to review sightline and potential obstructions on Richards St. and explore traffic calming solutions such as convex mirrors.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Clerk provide City Council with the North High School Transportation Youth Plan relative to how students travel to and from school.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION - Request City Manager request City Solicitor review the penalties associated with parking in bus stops.

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby amend its meeting schedule to make May 9, 2023 a joint City Manager and City Council combined agenda for the purpose of preparing the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget. (Petty)

Request City Manager work to implement a vaping education curriculum as part of the programming for Recreation Worcester. (King)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks pursue creating an income-sensitive trash bag purchasing program for increased community-based accessibility to trash bags. (King)

Request City Manager request City Solicitor hold a discussion with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Standing Committee on Public Works to draft a policy relative to the creation of “Honorary Street Names.” Said policy should include, but not be limited to: 1) what or who should be eligible for honorary street names; 2) whether the policy should be limited to Worcester residents/past Worcester residents; 3) whether business names should be included; 4) causes that would justify passage of an honorary street name title; and 5) whether passage should be limited to a certain number of years, decades or centuries that the entity gained notoriety. (Russell)

Request City Manager draft a policy to adjust tax title options in a way that would prevent property owners from losing their properties due to owing taxes on a small portion of their equity. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the progress being made relative to improvements to the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, as well as any ways the City Council can support said project. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously adopted Order on January 11, 2023, which read as follows: “Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of creating a business corridor from Brittan Sq. to AdCare Hospital on Lincoln St. that replicates the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) District.” (Mero-Carlson)

Recommend accepting a communication relative to the filling of the Assistant City Clerk position in the Elections Department

Recommend adoption of the attached resolution to accept with gratitude a donation/gift to the City Archive with an in-kind historical value from the American Antiquarian Society, the Worcester County Horticultural Society and New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Alex Corrales, Chief Executive Officer of the Worcester Housing Authority, request 1) discontinuance of a westerly portion of Brookview Dr.; a northwesterly portion of Brookview Dr.; and a cul-de-sac at an easterly portion of Green Brook Valley Ave. near its intersection with Joseph P. Carlson Way; 2) the alteration and layout of a northwesterly portion Brookview Dr.; a portion of the westerly end of Great Brook Valley Ave.; and portions of the northerly and southerly sides of Great Brook Valley Ave. by virtue of permanent easements to be taken in certain parcels of land as shown in the attached plans; and 3) the abandonment of the City's property rights in the discontinued portions of Brookview Dr. and Great Brook Valley Ave.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request Hockanum Way be converted from a private street to a public street.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Ekow Dadzie request Corning Ave. be made public.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to collaborate with the WRTA Director to ensure signage for bus stops are present and readable: recommend Order be placed on file.

An Ordinance Establishing the Community Preservation Committee of the City of Worcester.

An Ordinance Amending the Salary Ordinance Relative to the Salary of the City Clerk.

An Ordinance Renaming the Executive Office of Diversity and Inclusion as the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Moving the Accessibility and the Human Rights Divisions, Together with the Accessibility Advisory Commission, Human Rights Commission, Status of Women Committee and the Commission on Latino Affairs from the Department of Health & Human Services to the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Eliminating the Diversity Inclusion Advisory Committee.

An Ordinance Amending Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991, Relative to Extension of the BG-2.0 Zoning District in the Vicinity of 267 Providence Street.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager allocate up to $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars) to rental assistance through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rose March 28, 2023)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Inclusionary Zoning: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance as amended. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 28, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request City Manager work with the appropriate representatives from the Departmentt of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to approve a local preference clause for the proposed Inclusionary Zoning ordinance to ensure that Worcester residents are prioritized for Inclusionary Zoning-restricted units. (Tabled Under Privilege - Haxhiaj March 28, 2023)

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)

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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023)

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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of two (2) salary ordinance amendments related to the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that the Fiscal Year 2023 Table of Organization for the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion be amended by increasing the total number of authorized positions from two (2) to nine (9). (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that the Fiscal Year 2023 Table of Organization for the Executive Office of Health & Human Services, Human Rights Division, be amended by eliminating one (1) Executive Director of Human Rights Commission position, Pay Grade 42EM, and one (1) Staff Assistant I position, Pay Grade 32. (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that the Fiscal Year 2023 Table of Organization for the Department of Human Resources be amended by eliminating one (1) Lead Investigator position, Pay Grade 45M, and one (1) Coordinator of Training, Development, and Wellness Programs position, Pay Grade 44M. (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer provide City Council with an outline of the city’s plans relative to designating 274, 284, and 290 Franklin Street; 1, 14, and 23 Hygeia Street; and 25, 33, 38, and 45 Arctic Street as a Certified Project under the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) and approve a Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Plan for the properties. – Item #20a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager work with the Police Chief and the state delegation to discuss and explore any potential remedial measures to the civil service age restrictions that are impacting recruitment of new police officers in the city. – Item #20b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager work with the Superintendent of Public Schools and Police Chief to ensure plans are in place to deal with “swatting’ calls, which are phone calls made regarding fake school shootings. – Item #20c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased speed enforcement on Plantation St. from Brown Square to the Saint Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 101 Plantation St. – Item #20d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager contact the appropriate representatives from Massachusetts DOT to ensure the trash on the on-ramp and off-ramp for I-290 in the vicinity of Wawecus Road School/Burncoat St. is cleaned up due to panhandlers leaving their trash in the area. – Item #20e CC Order adopted

Motion King @ #16b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support moving forward with a feasibility study as it relates to implementing an Inclusionary Zoning ordinance in the city.

Motion King @ #9.12A CM – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning data relative to the efficacy of ShotSpotter.

Motion King @ #9.3A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with an analysis of the demographics of wage earners for the City of Worcester to ensure women and BIPOC individuals are being paid proportionally. Further, request City Manager include in said analysis information relative to how much entry level positions are being paid, as well as the demographics of the highest wage earners.

Motion Nguyen @ #9.3A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report outlining the Worcester Police Department’s (WPD) overtime data, including information relative to the process used for determining details over the past three years.

Motion King @ #9.3A CM – Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of auditing overtime expenditures throughout the city.

Motion Toomey @ #9.3A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning other cities and towns offering signing bonuses for lateral transfer to their municipalities.