CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:34 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:59 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 January 9, 2024.

Vice Chairman Councilor King read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to items #8.19A CM and #8.39A CM 2. Evelyn Darling, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9c CC 3. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9c CC and #12a CC 4. Tasia Cerezo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8.19A CM 5. Geoffrey Killebrew, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7f CC 6. Margot Barnett, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11a CC 7. Mitsey Biphee, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC 8. Matt Mahan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13a CC 9. (Name Indiscernible), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8.35C CM 10. Danny Diaz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a CC

Danny Diaz request City Council request City Manager consider reviewing the age requirement to become a police officer by raising the age limit from 32 to 38.

Frank C. Romano, President of West Side House, request the relocation of "No Parking Loading Zone" signage on the corner of 35 Fruit St. from its Fruit St. location to the Cedar St. side of the building.

Nathalie Gibson request installation of No Parking Anytime signage in the vicinity of the mailboxes in front of 5 and 7 Fourth St.

Nathalie Gibson request installation of No Parking Anytime signage in the vicinity of the mailboxes in front of 35 and 37 Fourth St.

Felix Osafo and Corinne Karanja request installation of additional handicap parking signage at existing handicap parking space on Leon St. opposite of 18 Plantation St. to provide further clarification that there are two (2) handicap parking spaces on the street.

Geoffrey Killebrew request an opportunity to present the attached "Worcester Renaissance Project" Plan.

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

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: REED ST.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Timothy Magliaro to the Community Preservation Committee as the Conservation Commission delegate.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Kevin Durkan to the Off Street Parking Board.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the reappointments of Bernard Reese and Robert Bilotta to the Human Rights Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Lenny Ciuffredo to the Civic Center Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Private Street Update.

Transmitting informational communication relative to Snow Plow Contractors Conflict of Interest Form.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the January Snowstorm Recap

Transmitting informational communication relative to a study of traffic safety for the intersection of Franklin Street, Suffolk Street and Norfolk Street.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the use of rumble strips as a traffic safety measure.

Transmitting informational communication relative to sidewalk accessibility and ADA self-evaluation.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an Opioid Overdose Strategic Plan.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of December 31, 2023.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a generous donation valued at Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($7,500.00) from Imperial Cars.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a generous donation valued at Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($3,500.00) from Oerd Mena of Affordable Auto Exchange.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of One Thousand Three Hundred Forty Dollars And No Cents ($1,340.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation to the Worcester Talking Book Library.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($200.00) from Our Lady of Vilna Parish for the McKeon Road Fire Station.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Ninety Six Thousand Six Hundred Two Dollars And No Cents ($196,602.00) from the MassHire Emergency Assistance (EA) Shelter Engagement Supplemental Funds program.

Resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a technical assistance grant of up to Two Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($200,000.00) from the MassHousing Neighborhood Hub Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($17,500.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security through the Verification Program (AVP) Grant.

Recommend approval to make necessary adjustments to finalize the FY24 City Budget.

Recommend that Four Hundred Seven Dollars And Fifty Seven Cents ($407.57) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Public Works & Parks Cost Centers for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that Ten Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Four Dollars And Thirty Five Cents ($10,924.35) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1038, Police Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of a prior year invoice.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the update on the administration of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk, transmitting an informational communication regarding the filling of one (1) vacancy on the Library Board of Directors.

Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk, transmitting an informational communication relative to the scheduled community hearings regarding adopting a statutory speed limit of 25 mph and the establishment of Safety Zones with 20 mph speed limits.

Evelyn Darling, Executive Director of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, transmitting an informational communication titled, “Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District Annual Report 2023."

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jim Chacharone request Southgate Pl. from Southgate St. to railroad property be discontinued as a public way and removed from the official map.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Knitty Council. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio January 9, 2024 and January 16, 2024)

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)

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: APRICOT ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: APRICOT ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Haxhiaj October 17, 2023 and October 24, 2023 and Tabled - Petty November 14, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report every six (6) months) relative to data collection associated with any Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Policy. –Item #13a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks redouble the efforts for sanding and salting during snowstorms. – Item #13b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Bergman @ #8.8A CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report detailing the number of private streets in the city, the names of the private streets in the city, and the private lengths of said private streets in the city.

Motion Toomey @ #8.8A CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks update any information listed on the city’s websites relative to private roads to reflect information relative to the city’s ability to assist residents on said private roads.

Motion Russell @ #8.8A CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks complete a comprehensive update to the city’s private road maintenance program that includes working with the City Solicitor to provide City Council with a home rule petition that would allow the city to aid residents on private streets by conducting temporary repairs to said private streets following a petition of abutters and a vote by City Council. Said private street maintenance should build upon on the city’s 1996 approval of providing the sum of up to six dollars per linear foot and be amended to reflect cost of living increases that have occurred since its passage. Said cost of living increases should also always be included in this program without the requirement of a City Council vote.

Motion Haxhiaj @ #8.19A CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services provide City Council with a report regarding the feasibility and benefits of establishing overdose prevention centers (OPC’s) in the city, similar to OnPointNYC.

Motion Nguyen @ #8.19A CM – Request City Manager allocate funding to support increasing partnerships and community education regarding overdose prevention and intervention, including providing people with stipends for work on said issue.

Motion Colorio @ #8.19A CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services provide City Council with best practices associated with opioid overdose prevention.