CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:34 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:05 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 April 11, 2023.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC. 2. Roxanne Jackson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8f CC. 3. Georgina Griffith, no residence given, spoke in opposition of item #10b CC 4. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to items #10b CC and #8f CC. 5. Eric Stratton, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of item #10b CC.

Hearing: EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: INSTITUTE RD. Granting permission to EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: INSTITUTE RD.

Hearing: EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: HAVILAND ST. Granting permission to EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: HAVILAND ST.

Roxas Joshua Angell-Clune request installation of advisory signage and repainting of road lines at the intersection of Francis J. McGrath Blvd. and Southbridge St. to correct merging and minor collision issues.

Roxas Joshua Angell-Clune request installation of blinking crosswalk warning signage at the intersection of Francis J. McGrath Blvd. and Southbridge St.

Patrick Sargent request installation of crosswalk signage on both sides of the existing crosswalk on Coburn Ave. at the corner of Touraine St.

Jimmy Kang request installation of 30 Minute Parking zone in front of 32-49 Pleasant St.

EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: INSTITUTE RD.

Roxanne Jackson request the city's ordinances relative to hawkers and peddlers licenses be amended to allow for the sale of handmade items in the city's downtown as well as parks.

Recommend adoption of a proposed zoning map amendment that would extend the Residential, General - 5.0 (RG-5) zoning district to wholly encompass the property located at 104 Armory Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Integrating safety and complete streets improvements into the annual street resurfacing and reconstruction program

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Police Cadet Program that will impact the representation and demographics of underrepresented groups within the Police workforce.

Recommend adoption of an amendment to ordinances related to driveways, parking and paving.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,000.00) from National Grid under the Corporate Giving Grant Program program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Ten Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Three Dollars and Twenty Cents ($10,273.20) from the Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet via the Commonwealth Corporation for a Scaling Capacity and Leveraging Employers (SCALE) Planning and Design grant.

Recommend that Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($8,500.00) be transferred from Cost Center #CC1081-600100, Transportation & Mobility Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #CC1081-601100, Transportation & Mobility Overtime, to cover anticipated overtime costs through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023.

Recommend that Six Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($6,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #CC1006-600100, City Clerk Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #CC1006-601100, City Clerk Overtime, to allow for staffing coverage.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($238,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #CC1072-610100, City Manager's Contingency, and be appropriated to Cost Center #CC1038-600100, Police Salaries, to provide funding for the proposed body worn camera Fiscal Year 2023 stipend.

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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty April 11, 2023 and Tabled Under Privilege - Russell April 25, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of a salary ordinance amendment necessary to implement the City's recently completed collective bargaining agreement with Local 911-NEPBA. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey April 25, 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)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Donna M. Colorio and Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request Salisbury St., from Park Ave. to the Holden line, be given the honorary street name title of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Way. This request is in honor of the 555 anniversary of the death of the national hero of the Albanian Community: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to designate Salisbury St. from Moreland St. to Flagg St. as Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Way. – Item #22a CC Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with interested parties to ensure noise issues at Beaver Brook Park are addressed. – Item #22b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager review the city’s current noise ordinance against similar ordinances in other cities and towns to determine whether the ordinance needs to be updated. – Item #22c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks prioritize the replacing of trees that were removed on Heywood St. – Item #22d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks complete all within the city’s power to apply for and access funds associated with the U.S. Forestry Grant. – Item #22e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer provide City Council with a report concerning engaging in conversation with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on how best to establish a local preference option for residents as it relates to Inclusionary Zoning. – Item #22f 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 feedback concerning how the President of Community Healthlink leaving her role and eighty (80) layoffs at said organization will impact the city. Said feedback should include information relative to Community Healthlink being involved with the city’s Crisis Response program and the plan for patients that will be phased out of Community Healthlink’s services. – Item #22g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Petty @ #8f CC - Request City Manager review the existing ordinance relative to hawkers and peddler's to implement any necessary improvements.

Motion King @ #8f CC - Request City Manager include Roxanne Jackson and other stakeholders in any discussions when formulating improvements to the ordinance for hawkers and peddlers.

Motion Russell @ #8f CC - Request City Manager review the ordinance for hawkers and peddlers to see if changes are needed as it relates to other high traffic areas such as the DCU Center and Polar Park.

Motion Bergman @ #9.10A CM - Request City Manager review the installation of the speed humps in the spring and the removal in the fall and ensure this is done in a timely manner as intended. Further, request City Manager review the timing of lights at intersections that do not safely line up such as Southbridge and Cambridge Streets and Mill and Chandler Streets.

Motion King @ #9.12A CM - Request City Manager request the Police Chief provide City Council with a plan to encourage increased representation in the Worcester Police Cadet Program.

Motion Rose @ #9.12A CM - Request City Manager, in collaboration with the leadership of Worcester Police Department, explore naming the newly implemented cadet program the “Sgt. Derrick Leto Cadet Program" honoring the tremendous efforts in creating this program.

Motion Toomey @ #9.12A CM - Request City Clerk invite the proper representatives from the Worcester Police Cadet Program to attend any upcoming Public Safety Committee Meetings when the Program is discussed.

Motion Nguyen @ #10b CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report of all the City Manager’s Contingency Fund expenditures over the past five (5) years.

Motion Bergman @ #10b CC - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide City Council with a report regarding the role of the City Council relative to the budget of the School Department and Teacher’s Union Contract. Further, request the report include the differences between the responsibilities of the School Committee and City Council relative to contract negotiations.

Motion Bergman @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report of contingency funding that will require future votes during the budget discussions.

Motion King @ #9.15A CM – Request City Manager create a Parking Master Plan.

Motion King @ #9.15A CM – Request City Manager work with the Police Chief and the Commissioner of Inspectional Services to balance the parking on Merrifield Street with residents and soccer players.

Motion Petty - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning funding for food insecurity.

Motion Petty - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council convene in Executive Session at the Tuesday, May 9, 2023, meeting for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy with respect to the case of Town of Holden v. Department of Conservation and Recreation and the City of Worcester.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to review the timing for posting signs notifying residents of street sweeping, in an effort to better prepare residents who park in the streets.

PETITION of Councilor Haxhiaj on behalf of Maydee Morales - Request City Manager work to either issue a temporary moratorium on encampment sweeps or find a suitable site to properly and safely support individuals living in encampments throughout the City, while the City works on a plan to expand shelter beds, temporary housing options, and bring permanent supportive housing units online. Further, request that this item be sent to the next meeting of the Public Health and Human Services Standing Committee for further discussion.

Motion Nguyen - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager not allow anyone, including a special process server and an outside constable not licensed as a constable in the city of Worcester and approved by City Council to have the power and ability to execute an eviction and commit to protecting our residents facing evictions from physical harm.

Motion King - Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider requesting the City’s Legislative and Government Relations Representative reach out to the Office Governor Healy for assistance regarding the litigation between the City of Worcester and the Town of Holden.