CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:31 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:04 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Eric D. Batista

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Reverend Walter J. Riley, who passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the age of 63. Reverend Riley served as the Catholic Chaplain to the City of Worcester Fire Department from 2007 to 2021.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 30, 2024.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Sean Dacey, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9a CC and #11b CC 2. Name not given, residence not given, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #5a CC 3. Name not given, residence not given, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #5a CC 4. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #11d CC, #11k CC and #11l CC 5. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11b CC and #11h CC 6. Eric Stratton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10d CC, #10e CC and #11i CC

ELECTION - To fill one (1) unexpired vacancy for a term ending December 31, 2024.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: PLEASANT ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: PLEASANT ST.

Sean Dacey request installation of sidewalk on the south side of Shore Dr. along the length of Shore Park.

Kathryn Hagan request street resurfacing between 277 and 281 Moreland St.

Rebecca Hemenway request installation of new public infrastructure and utilities within public ways (Great Brook Valley Ave., Brookview Dr., Service Rd. and Joseph P. Carlson Way) as part of the Curtis Apartments Redevelopment Project.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty, on behalf of Nicholas Gage, request installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Plantation St. and Natural History Rd.

Manushaque Seferi request installation of resident permit parking on Ingleside Ave. between Hamilton St. and Cohasset St.

Patricia Losapio request installation of handicap parking sign at 80 Stanton St. on the Vinson St. side in front of gate 3.

Diep Tran request parking be allowed only on the odd side of Ripley St. at the intersection of Ripley St. and Beacon St.

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

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

Danute and Vincent Sangermano request the damage to Chevy Chase Rd. due to rerouted traffic from the temporary closing of Brattle St. from Stoneleigh Rd. to Chevy Chase Rd. be addressed.

Timothy Lillard request events be held to commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of Worcester's various actions in the 1774 American Revolution.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager work with the Chief Development Officer to develop a testimonial marketing campaign to advertise the Down Payment Assistance program.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report summarizing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements with colleges and universities in the city.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager request City Assessor provide City Council with a report concerning the trigger component that would render the usage of a nonprofit-owned property by a for-profit entity to be classified for taxable usage.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report detailing the budgeting required to implement the adoption of a statutory speed limit of 25 mph and the establishment of Safety Zones with 20 mph in the city.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report reviewing the cities and towns in Massachusetts who have considered adopting a statutory speed limit of 25 mph and the establishment of Safety Zones with 20 mph speed limits but did not elect to move forward with the proposal, including the reason(s) why such proposals were not adopted.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning how long each city or town that has adopted reduced speed limit legislation has had such legislation enacted.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what is being done to address issues around water runoff on Granite St. that is negatively impacting the private roads connected to the street, including but not limited to St. Anthony St. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the shortage of lifeguards in the city. Said report should include strategies being used to recruit and retain lifeguards to staff all of the city’s public beaches and pools. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install signage at Hadwen Park to indicate “No Dirt Bikes or Motorcycles Allowed.” (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager invite representatives from the city’s colleges and universities when holding discussions and meetings regarding solutions to the unhoused. (Toomey)

Request City Manager consider recognizing and marking in a historically appropriate way the location and story of the 1854 Asa Butman Riot and to present same on the event’s 170th anniversary this coming Halloween. (https://www.worcestermag.com/story/news/2008/02/28/the-slave-catcher39s-riot/10910854007/) (Bergman)

Request City Manager immediately review best practices regarding security at City Hall for the safety of its employees and the general visiting public. (Bergman, Russell)

Request City Manager request Veterans’ Services Officer/Director consider creating a new monument or adding to existing monument(s) the names of those Worcester veterans whose deaths in the service of their country during military actions do not otherwise qualify for official recognition. (Bergman)

Request City Manager work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Commissioner of Inspectional Services to create a comprehensive plan to eradicate rats in the city. Said plan should include an online reporting tool to report any rat sightings. (Colorio)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility review crosswalk locations on Gold Star Blvd. to determine the appropriateness of installing additional safety measures at said crosswalks, including but not limited to “Crosswalk Ahead” signage, as well as flashing pedestrian light signals. (Pacillo)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning Discover Central Massachusetts and the agency’s impact as it relates to the city’s tourism industry. (Pacillo)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost of funding the Quality of Life Team, its funding sources, and a breakdown of their hours spent on various tasks including but not limited to handling nuisance properties, interacting with the unhoused population, cleaning up the city, etc. (Nguyen)

Request City Manager investigate the potential of utilizing currently unbuildable, undersized parcels in the city for the purpose of building tiny homes. (Toomey)

Request City Manager review the city’s Construction Noise ordinance to consider amending the operating hours for construction projects occurring in residential zoning districts to be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays only. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report detailing any existing Master Plan documentation relative to Chandler Hill. Further, if such a plan does not exist, request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks begin such a Master Plan process. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review of pothole damage on Moreland St., in order to determine areas for immediate repair. (King)

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Stephen Madaus request Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of 4 Brandt Ln., which is currently zoned partially BG-2.0, RL-7 and BL-1.0, and 0 Grafton St., which is currently zoned partially BL-1.0 and RL-7, such that both parcels will be zoned BG-2.0.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Antonion Sanchez request Zoning Map be amended to extend the BL-1.0 zoning district to encompass the properties at 3 Carson Ct. and 4 Carson Ct.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2024 financial update, as of December 31, 2023: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the update on the administration of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of an Ordinance relative to vacation, sick, parental, compassionate and holiday leave for unrepresented employees: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a side-by-side comparison of the benefits of the Paid Family Medical Leave Act to the new leave benefits that will be offered by the City, effective January 1, 2024: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report outlining the City administration’s research into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the restructuring of the Comprehensive Leave Benefits in Lieu of adoption of PFML: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Resolution of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support Massachusetts HD 2091 and SD 761, which would amend Chapter 59 of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59 to make it easier for municipalities to collect a minimum of 25% of tax value from large nonprofits that own property valuing more than 15 million dollars: recommend Resolution be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Fernando Cardoso request extension of sewer connection from Southwest Cutoff to 25 Eskow Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to approve the extension of the sewer connection from Southwest Cutoff to 25 Eskow Rd. at the cost of the petitioner, pending completion of the DPWP Engineering utility permitting process, including execution of a utility extension agreement.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Eric Doan and Junly Nhan request installation of stop sign at the intersection of Hillsboro Rd. and Bay State Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Luz Galarza request installation of two (2) stop signs on Oread St. at the intersection of Oread St. and Beacon St. in both directions: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Mark Campbell request installation of a stop sign on Myrna Rd. at its intersection with Miscoe Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Peter Magerowski request installation of three-way stop sign at the intersection of Barry Rd., Barry Rd. Ext. and Toronita Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mark Andrews request traffic safety improvements be made at the intersection of Moreland St., Carter Rd. and Brigham Rd., including the installation of traffic signals, signage indicating right of way or cautioning drivers that traffic may be crossing in front of them, a stop sign for vehicles approaching the intersection from the upper part of Moreland St. or flashing warning lights indicating traffic may be crossing: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance and adoption of the accompanying proposed Order.

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: MILTON ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: MILTON ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty February 6, 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 Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager invite Samantha Olney and other representatives from the homeless community when holding discussions relative to finding respectful, dignified solutions for housing concerns brought forward by community neighbors, public safety officials and the homeless population. – Item #12a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing legal proceedings and decisions relative to allowing homeless individuals to sleep in public parks. – Item #12b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager hold conversations with the city’s State Delegation to determine ways the city’s surrounding towns can help share responsibilities associated with caring for the homeless community, either through creating housing or through funding, due to a number of residents from other cities and towns relocating to Worcester for services. – Item #12c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager ensure that currently or recently unsheltered individuals are included as members of the Homelessness Task Force. – Item #12d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the city is engaging with the State to ensure funding for housing solutions for the city’s homeless population. – Item #12e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager request Interim Police Chief provide City Council with a five-year comparison relative to gun violence and firearms seized by the Worcester Police Department (WPD). – Item #12f CC Order adopted

Motion Russell @ #11j CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with information outlining the benefits that neighboring communities receive from Discover Central Massachusetts, as well as what funds said neighboring communities contribute to Discover Central Massachusetts’ budget.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to provide City Council with the list of approved streets and sidewalks to select for funding in future construction projects.