CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:38 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:37 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 February 13, 2024.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Grace Ross, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7k CC 2. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #7l CC and item #8.39C CM 3. Chris Horton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7k CC 4. Ruth Rodriguez-Fay, Worcester resident, spoke concerning an item not on the agenda 5. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7k CC, spoke in opposition to item #10d CC, and neither in favor or opposed to #8.39A CM through #8.39C CM 6. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8.13A CM 7. Evan Corrigan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #7h CC through #7j CC 8. Silas (no last name given), Auburn resident, spoke in favor of item #7k CC 9. Joseph Rodville, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7k CC 10. William Gardner, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7k CC

Lorraine Adams request sidewalk resurfacing on Jaques Ave.

Gokhan Yildiz request street resurfacing from 84 Andrews Ave. to 82 Andrews Ave.

Wendy J. Gould request installation of No Right Turn on Red sign at the intersection of Federal St. and Main St.

Jeffrey Dunn request installation of speed humps on Newton Ave. North.

Samuel Torres et al. request installation of speed humps on Endicott St.

Samuel Torres et al. request installation of handicap parking space in front of 130 Endicott St.

Anita Jarvis request installation of a handicap parking space across from 36 Granby Rd.

Evan Corrigan request installation of a "Welcome to Worcester" sign at the Worcester/Holden border at West Mountain St. and Doyle Rd.

Evan Corrigan request City Council request City Manager consider establishing a board to foster and cultivate relationships with sister cities.

Evan Corrigan request February 29th be designated as a municipal holiday to celebrate Worcester's incorporation as a city on Tuesday, Feby. 29, 1848.

Grace Ross request City Council to hold the expectation that the Worcester Police will enforce the law, both criminal statutes and their obligation under the Police Reform Act, as to evictions, as described in the attached document.

Gordon T. Davis request City Council request City Manager include in the cost analysis of the WPD Drone Force the following information: 1) Cost of drones and associate equipment; 2) Itemized list of associated equipment; 3) The number of personnel assigned to the Drone Force and their salaries; 4) The number of sorties flown from the beginning of Drone Force and their respective mission; 5) The success and failure of each mission and; 6) Whether the mission was accomplished by other means, such as foot patrol, vehicle patrol, fire department, citizen.

Recommend the reappointment of Stephanie Silva to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Recommend the reappointments of Meg Mulhern and John Harrity to the Worcester Ballpark Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2024 Spring Sweeping Program

Recommend adoption of a Lease Agreement for Parking at Major Taylor Garage by the U S Postal Service.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester's traffic signal system.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2023 Crime Statistics for the City of Worcester.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a summary of the impact of Covid-19 on Worcester, with a particular emphasis on hot spots.

Recommend adoption of an amendment to the Organizational Ordinance relative to the Department of Health and Human Services, creating the Division of Youth Opportunities, and reducing the membership of the Advisory Committee on Youth.

Transmitting an informational communication relative to a status update of the City of Worcester's current and projected tree planting funding, resources, and priorities.

Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept a donation in the amount of Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($40,000.00) from the College of the Holy Cross, to support Recreation Worcester programming costs.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept a donation in the amount of Three Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,000.00) from Tufts University to support the purchase of a K-9 Explosives Training Kit.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($75,000.00) from MA Department of Career Services, through the Apprenticeship Subject Matter Expert program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Police Overtime and Off-Duty Detail Audit Report for the Worcester Police Department.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Racial Equity Audit Report for the Worcester Police Department

Recommend authorization to file a petition with the General Court which would exempt the positions of Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in the City of Worcester from Civil Service law.

Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ended June 30, 2023 audited by the Certified Public Accountant firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting the city's Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Program's Financial Reporting and Disclosures as of June 30, 2023 audited by KMS Actuaries, LLC.

Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting the financial statements of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 as audited by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.

Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk, transmitting a request for review and approval to authorize the City Manager to submit the attached statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) that were approved by the Worcester School Committee at their March 7, 2024 meeting.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Housing & Neighborhood Activities. (Tabled Under Privilege - King March 12, 2024)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Luis A. Ojeda - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support House Bill No. 2356, An Act relative to problem properties and enhancing fire safety, filed by State Representatives David LeBoeuf and Patricia Duffy. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey March 12, 2024)

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: HUNTINGTON AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: HUNTINGTON AVE. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 12, 2024)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby call upon the State Legislature to fully enforce and enact any additional required legislation to ensure full sentencing be mandatory for the illegal possession of firearms. (Tabled Under Privilege - King March 12, 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)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing actions taken pertaining to allowing residents to own chickens. – Item #25a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report defining a “What Works” City. – Item #25b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning timeframes associated with traffic studies to be completed relative to the Mill St. reconfiguration. – Item #25c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of fatal accidents occurring in the city associated with motor vehicles and pedestrians that includes the cause for said fatalities. – Item #25d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning federal dollars allocated with traffic study work sessions, including information relative to how much money is committed, how much is being spent on city activities and outreaches in the community, and if those monies are only earmarked for studies or if there are monies that can be allocated to the actual construction of making streets safer. – Item #25e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with access to the city’s vendor check register, review the feasibility of providing that information on a designated computer, and explore best practices from other communities when providing such information. – Item #25f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager review ways in which the city can record and highlight women’s history in the city. – Item #25g CC Order adopted

Motion Petty @ #7k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the roles of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and constables during foreclosures and evictions. Further, request City Manager include in said report any information concerning any disconnects occurring in the community concerning said processes of foreclosures and evictions.

Motion King @ #7k CC – Request City Manager review best practices used in other municipalities relative to creating policy for police officers attending foreclosures and evictions.

Motion King @ #8.2B CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a schedule of community events occurring at Polar Park during the upcoming Worcester Red Sox baseball season.

Motion King @ #8.2B CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of times the Worcester Ballpark Commission has met.

Motion King @ #8.13A CM – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the Research Router Program that outlines its efficacy, as well as qualifying and quantifying data pertaining to crime forecasting and other related management systems with the intent to improve policing.

Motion King @ #8.13A CM – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the efficacy of the Shotspotter program and related statistics. Further, request City Manager request Police Chief include in said report information concerning when police have responded to calls from Shotspotter being activated both with and without community and neighbors reaching out.

Motion King @ #8.39A CM – Request City Manager request Police Chief review using an online application to track the Worcester Police Department (WPD), Worcester Fire Department (WFD) and Emergency Communication departments’ overtime.

Motion King @ #8.39A CM – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning whether School Resource Officers can be used for monitoring school pickups and drop-offs instead of using Police Overtime.

Motion Russell @ #9d CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the long-term and short-term plan concerning constructing the new Worcester East Middle School.

Motion King @ #10a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any housing projects in the city that are being adjusted or paused.