CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:36 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:11 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 September 19, 2023.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8.12A CM and in opposition of item #9c CC 2. John Provost, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #9d CC 3. James Arthur, Sturbridge resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 4. Sue Mailman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 5. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 6. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC and #10h CC 7. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC 8. Jacob Saido, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #9e CC 9. Tasia Cerezo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10g CC 10. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #7k CC and #8.9A CM 11. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9b CC

Klajdi Kosovrasti and David Holden request installation of street light across from 36 Lanesboro Rd.

Councilor George J. Russell request a traffic and speeding study be conducted on Fairmont Ave. to determine the appropriateness of installing speed humps on the road.

Robert Bilotta request installation flashing pedestrian crosswalk signage at the intersection of Lake Ave. and Bigelow Davis Pkwy.

Jerry Reale request removal of handicap parking space in front of 14 South Buffum St.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: CANAL ST., GREEN ST. and GODDARD ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: INSTITUTE RD. & GROVE ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: MAIN ST. and JACKSON ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: RICHLAND ST.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: APRICOT ST.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: PULLMAN ST.

Yenni Desroches request City Council request City Manager ensure all road closures, due to construction or otherwise, get added or updated in Google and Apple maps, both of which have free tools for cities to submit closures.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Walter Weeks to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority.

Recommend the appointment of Monica Adwani and Eric Stratton to the Community Preservation Committee.

Recommend appointment of Kathryn Roy to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the pre-construction notification process.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update concerning dog parks.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the use of a robot in critical police incidents along with the benefits of such use.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on whether Body Worn Cameras are on when police respond to evictions and foreclosures.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Heat and Cold Weather Emergencies.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning how short-term rentals such as Airbnb will be handled in the city’s rental registry program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an overview of the infrastructure and capacity building that was done to prepare for a launch of the Rental Registry.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #1009-600100, Law Department Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #1009-610100, Law Department Ordinary Maintenance, to provide additional funding for outside counsel expenses and operational expenses.

Recommend that Four Thousand Two Hundred Sixty Six Dollars And Thirty Eight Cents ($4,266.38) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1003, City Manager's Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that Five Hundred Twenty Five Dollars And No Cents ($525.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1002, Mayor's Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that One Hundred Forty Dollars And No Cents ($140.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1078, Parks Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the payment of prior year employee reimbursements.

Recommend that Sixty Five Dollars And No Cents ($65.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1026, Water Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the payment of a prior year employee reimbursement.

Recommend that Eighty Nine Dollars And Sixty Five Cents ($89.65) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2023 Cost Center #CC1003, City Manager's Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of a prior year invoice.

Recommend that Eight Thousand Three Hundred Ninety Four Dollars And Fifty Cents ($8,394.50) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1009, Law Department Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Council, in accordance with City Council Rule 52, to discharge from the Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations the item referred to said committee on February 15, 2022 that reads as follows: Order of Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Manager work with the City Clerk to develop an online, mandatory registration system for lobbyists and any other person being compensated to solicit elected or appointed officials concerning policy matters in the City of Worcester’s government. Said information should include who they are and on behalf of who they are contacting officials for. Further, request that this data be public information as soon as it is filed. (Tabled Under Privilege - King September 26, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer work with the City Solicitor to expand any draft ordinances relative to registered apprenticeship requirements associated with the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) policies to include all trades in future projects. (Tabled Under Privilege - King September 26, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - In an effort to consider the expansion of the applicant pool associated with the Chief of Police position, request City Manager provide City Council with draft language that would, by Special Act, remove the civil service requirement for the city's Chief of Police position, as well as any other related parameters associated with the position. (Tabled Under Privilege - King September 26, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager and City Council review documents regarding Crisis Pregnancy Centers (see attached). (Tabled Under Privilege - Nguyen September 26, 2023)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support considering the following amendments to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Report, in order to balance the public good of creating ADU’s and to preserve the character of the neighborhoods in which ADU’s are sought to be created in: 1) Section 8A C. (c) of the Report be amended to exclude an owner being temporary absent other than for documented medical reasons; 2) Section 8A C. (f) of the Report be amended to require a family relationship of up to three (3) degrees of kinship; 3) Section 8A C. 4. of the Report be amended to require an ADU to have one (1) additional off-street parking space (for a non-family relationship) in any zones other than RS-10 and RS-7; and 4) Prior to the adoption of any Zoning Ordinance Amendment relating to ADU’s that consideration be given to any suggested restrictions upon ADU’s offered through state legislation. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman September 26, 2023)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend adoption of an amendment to the City’s organizational ordinances that deletes the Worcester Ballpark Commission and places 100 Madison Street (Polar Park) under the care, custody, and control of the Department of Public Facilities: recommend proposed Ordinance be denied. (Tabled Under Privilege - King)

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)

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager work with appropriate departments and stakeholders to establish an Office of Housing Stability in an effort to prevent the involuntary displacement of city residents who are in the process of being evicted or at the risk of losing their housing, as well as to enact policies to combat displacement, homelessness and enhance tenants’ rights. (Tabled Under Privilege - Haxhiaj July 18, 2023 and Tabled - Haxhiaj August 22, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to draft ordinances related to pregnancy service centers. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio August 22, 2023 and Tabled Under Privilege - Rose September 12, 2023 and Tabled - Rose September 19, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Chief Sustainability Officer provide City Council with a report concerning how the Building Stretch Energy Code and Municipal Opt-In Specialized Code may impact specific types of buildings and their needs, including biotechnical buildings. – Item #20a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Chief Sustainability Officer provide City Council with a report concerning whether Boston and Cambridge have seen a decrease in the number of biotechnical buildings built since their adoption of the Building Stretch Energy Code and Municipal Opt-In Specialized Code. Further, said report should also include information as to whether any issues or unintended consequences have occurred for said municipalities since the discussed codes were adopted. – Item #20b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager review any technology that could be purchased by the city to aid in the inspection trench work done by the city’s utility companies. Further, request City Manager determine the feasibility of fining utility companies whenever a location fails to meet standards associated with repairing the road after trench work. – Item #20c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning whether the city can calculate the efficacy of speed humps. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility include in said reports whether any grants are available to provide financial aid in installing speed humps. – Item #20d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of installing crosswalk light sensors at crosswalks that blink for both pedestrians and bicyclists. – Item #20e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide outreach to educate residents of the various options available for putting recycling out to be collected, including but not limited to the use of city bins and the use of purchased rolling containers. – Item #20f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility review technologies that could be pursued by the city to improve flow of vehicles and pedestrian safety, such as IBM Smart Traffic Lights. – Item #20g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager reach out to WPI to encourage its students to complete a study of potential traffic engineering innovations that could be completed in the city. – Item #20h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

PETITION of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request removal of parking meters in front of 37 Mechanic St., with a Fifteen (15) Minute Parking zone large enough for two (2) spaces being installed in its place. – Item #20i CC Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion King @ #8.1A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning efforts being made around the composition of the city’s boards and commissions, including information pertaining to district representation, gender of members and racial and ethnic backgrounds of members.

Motion King @ #8.1A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with an analysis of the city’s various boards and commissions over the years, including information breaking down the gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds of the individuals that have served on each board and commission. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning which boards and commission vacancies are the most challenging to fill.

Motion King @ #8.9A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing specific improvements to the city’s dog parks, including what has been considered for installations, what has been ruled out and what may need additional approvals.

Motion Rose @ #9b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how many students who went through the Worcester Jobs program were hired into apprenticeship programs.

Motion King @ #9f CC – Request City Manager determine the feasibility of transferring the individuals who remain as part of Worcester Ballpark Commission to a different advisory group.

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #9f CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby recommit Item #9f CC on the October 3, 2023 City Council meeting that reads as follows back to the City Manager: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend adoption of an amendment to the City’s organizational ordinances that deletes the Worcester Ballpark Commission and places 100 Madison Street (Polar Park) under the care, custody, and control of the Department of Public Facilities: recommend proposed Ordinance be denied.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager work with representatives from Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. to organize a meeting with Main South neighborhood residents, Main South and Webster Square neighborhood groups and stakeholders regarding the purchase of the Main South Post for the purpose of merging Spectrum Health Systems, Inc’s clinics and opening a methadone clinic at the location.