CITY OF WORCESTER | AGENDA OF THE CITY COUNCIL | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | 6:30 P.M. |
|
Mayor Joseph M. Petty | www.worcesterma.gov | City Manager Eric D. Batista
City Auditor Robert V. Stearns | Councilors | Morris A. Bergman | Donna M. Colorio | Etel Haxhiaj | Khrystian E. King | Candy Mero-Carlson | Thu Nguyen | City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli | Luis A. Ojeda | Jenny Pacillo | George J. Russell | Kathleen M. Toomey |
| Virtual Attendee Call-In Information:
City Council Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91727574825
City Council Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
City Council Zoom Access Code: 917 2757 4825
_________________________________________________________________
To request a reasonable accommodation or interpretation or to submit written comments or questions in advance of the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office by email at clerk@worcesterma.gov. Please note that interpretation requests must be received no later than 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Para solicitar una interpretación razonable, o enviar comentarios o preguntas por escrito antes de las reuniones municipales, por favor comuníquese con la oficina del Secretario Municipal por correo electrónico a clerk@worcesterma.gov. Por favor note que las solicitudes de interpretación deberán ser enviadas 48 horas antes de la reunión.
| City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
4. | PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE | |
5. | APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES | |
| | | | | | 5a Adopt | | | 5a. | Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of September 17, 2024. | Attachments |
6. | PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - a person may speak for no more than two (2) minutes on any items appearing on the agenda | |
| | | | | |
| | | 6a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the "Public Participation" section of the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9.
City Council Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/91727574825 City Council Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099 City Council Zoom Access Code: 917 2757 4825 | |
7. | HEARINGS AND ORDERS - 6:30 P.M. | |
| | | | | | 7a and 7b Hold Hearings and Adopt | | | 7a. | Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: MADISON ST.
Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: MADISON ST. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 7b. | Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 702 SOUTHBRIDGE ST.
Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 702 SOUTHBRIDGE ST. | Attachments |
8. | PETITIONS - a Petitioner may speak up to three (3) minutes the first time their petition appears on an agenda | |
| | | | | | 8a Refer to Public Works Committee | | | 8a. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request Mayfield St. be resurfaced. | Attachments |
| | | | | | 8b - 8j Refer to Traffic and Parking Committee | | | 8b. | Glenda Carabello request installation of handicap parking space in front of 15 Rodney St. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8c. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request establishment of a 20 MPH Safety Zone in the vicinity of Binienda Beach at Coes Pond Parks located at 72 Coes St. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8d. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request establishment of a 20 MPH Safety Zone in the vicinity of the Guild of St. Agnes Child Care Center located at 248 Mill St. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8e. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request establishment of a 20 MPH Safety Zone in the vicinity of Mill Swan Head Start located at 337 Mill St. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8f. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request establishment of a 20 MPH Safety Zone in the vicinity of Logan Field located at 539 Mill St. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8g. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request establishment of a 20 MPH Safety Zone in the vicinity of Worcester Seventh-day Adventist School located at 2 Airport Drive | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8h. | Mayor Joseph M. Petty request installation of increased signage on Portland St. indicating there is metered parking along the street. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8i. | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Michael Carey request installation of speed humps on Lavallee Terrace. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8j. | Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Philip Herman request installation of speed humps in the vicinity of 215 Fairmont Ave. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 8k. | Maydee Morales request City Council request City Manager consider directly designating the balance of the remaining $44,348,367.00 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, after current pending contracts are completed, to BIPOC led organizations who directly provide services and resources to those who were most affected by the pandemic. | Attachments |
9. | COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER | |
| | | | | 9.1 | APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation | |
| | | | | | | | Informational Communication | | | | A. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Angelique Webster to the Worcester Arts Council. | Attachments |
| | | | | 9.2 | APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation | |
| | | | | 9.3 | DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
William Bagley, Jr., Esq., Chief Human Resources Officer | |
| | | | | 9.4 | EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Peter Dunn, Chief Development Officer
| |
| | | | | 9.5 | EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Eric D. Batista, City Manager | |
| | | | | 9.6 | EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Division of Human Rights and Accessibility
Victor Perez, Interim Director
| |
| | | | | 9.7 | DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Administration Division
Jay J. Fink, P.E., Commissioner | |
| | | | | 9.8 | DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
Jay J. Fink, P.E., Commissioner
| |
| | | | | 9.9 | DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Operations Division
Jay J. Fink, P.E., Commissioner | |
| | | | | 9.10 | DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Parks Division
Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Assistant Commissioner
| |
| | | | | 9.11 | DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY
Stephen S. Rolle, P.E., Commissioner | |
| | | | | | | | Recommend Adoption | | | | A. | Recommend adoption of an amendment to GRO, Part I, Chapter 13, §79 related to establishment of reduced speed school zones. | Attachments |
| | | | | 9.12 | FIRE DEPARTMENT
Martin Dyer, Fire Chief | |
| | | | | | | | Informational Communication | | | | A. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of existing firefighter turn out gear. | Attachments |
| | | | | | | | Informational Communication | | | | B. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the location of all the fire hydrants in the city. | Attachments |
| | | | | 9.13 | POLICE DEPARTMENT
Paul B. Saucier, Interim Police Chief | |
| | | | | | | | Informational Communication | | | | A. | Transmitting informational communication relative to internal police detail spending in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. | Attachments |
| | | | | 9.14 | DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Charles R. Goodwin, Director | |
| | | | | 9.15 | LAW DEPARTMENT
Michael E. Traynor, Esq., City Solicitor | |
| | | | | 9.16 | DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
David Horne, Interim Commissioner | |
| | | | | 9.17 | DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
David Horne, Deputy Building Commissioner
| |
| | | | | 9.18 | DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
Lee R. Hall, Director
| |
| | | | | 9.19 | DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration
Dr. Matilde "Mattie" Castiel, M.D., Commissioner | |
| | | | | 9.20 | DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Public Health
Soloe M. Dennis, MS, MEP, Director
| |
| | | | | 9.21 | DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Elder Affairs
Amy Vogel Waters, Director | |
| | | | | 9.22 | DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Veterans Services
Dr. Joe Robinson, Veterans' Services Officer/Director | |
| | | | | 9.23 | DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Youth Services
Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Director | |
| | | | | 9.24 | WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Jason L. Homer, Executive Director | |
| | | | | 9.25 | EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk | |
| | | | | 9.26 | PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Rachel Monarrez, Superintendent | |
| | | | | 9.27 | DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
Samuel E. Konieczny, City Assessor | |
| | | | | 9.28 | DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
Erin E. Taylor, Director | |
| | | | | 9.29 | DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
Christopher Gagliastro, Director | |
| | | | | 9.30 | DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
Timothy J. McGourthy, Acting Treasurer and Collector of Taxes | |
| | | | | | | | Informational Communication | | | | A. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2025 financial update, as of July 31, 2024.
| Attachments |
| | | | | | | | Informational Communication | | | | B. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2025 financial update, as of August 31, 2024. | Attachments |
| | | | | 9.31 | DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
Julie A. Lynch, Chief of Public Facilities | |
| | | | | 9.32 | DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE
John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer | |
| | | | | 9.33 | DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Michael P. Hamel, Chief Information Officer
| |
| | | | | 9.34 | FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers | |
| | | | | 9.35 | FINANCE ITEMS
Grants and Donations | |
| | | | | | | | Votes Required | | | | A. | Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Thirty Six Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($36,000.00) from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to support the Recreation Worcester Summer program. | Attachments |
| | | | | | | | Votes Required | | | | B. | Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,800,000.00) from the Commonwealth Corporation MA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. | Attachments |
| | | | | | | | Votes Required | | | | C. | Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant of up to Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) from the Department of Fire Services under the FY25 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program. | Attachments |
| | | | | 9.36 | FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers | |
| | | | | 9.37 | FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year | |
| | | | | | | | Votes Required | | | | A. | Recommend that Forty Three Thousand Two hundred Nine Dollars and Six Cents ($43,209.06) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Public Works and Parks cost centers for the payment of prior year invoices. | Attachments |
| | | | | | | | Votes Required | | | | B. | Recommend that Two Thousand Twenty Two Dollars And Three Cents ($2,022.03) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2025 Cost Center #CC1044, Fire Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year expenses. | Attachments |
| | | | | | | | Votes Required | | | | C. | Recommend that Four Thousand Two Hundred Nine Dollars And Fifty Six Cents ($4,209.56) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2025 Cost Center #CC1062, Treasury Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of a prior year invoice. | Attachments |
| | | | | 9.39 | MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS | |
| | | | | | | | Recommend Adoption | | | | A. | Recommend adoption of an ordinance to extend the Worcester Housing Authority Fee Waiver. | Attachments |
| | | | | | | | Infomational Communication | | | | B. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the FY2025-29 Strategic Plan. | Attachments |
10. | REPORTS OF THE PLANNING BOARD | |
| | | | | | 10a Accept | | | 10a. | REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jasmine Tamakloe et al request Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of 10 and 14 Gardner St. from RG-5 to BL-1. | Attachments |
| | | | | | 10b Refer to Economic Development Committee | | | 10b. | REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of David Sadowski, on behalf of Joseph Jreij, request the Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of the property at 0 Grafton St. (Assessors Map 41-028-0000B) from MG-0.5 to BL-1. | Attachments |
| | | | | | 10c and 10d Refer to Public Works Committee | | | 10c. | REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Milagros Ortiz et al. request Royal Rd. from Edlin St. west to Heard St. be made public. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 10d. | REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Jenny Pacillo request Pocasset Ave. from Squantum Ave. to Hilda St be made public. | Attachments |
| | | | | | 11a and 11b Ordain on a roll call | | | 11a. | Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Relative to Members of Local 1009, IAFF International Association of Firefighters. | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 11b. | Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Relative to Members of Local 504, IBPO Worcester Police Officials. | Attachments |
12. | TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE | |
| | | | | |
| | | 12a. | ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager install metal detector safety equipment at City Hall whenever open, similar to the equipment used at Polar Park, the Worcester District Court and other public places, on or before December 31, 2024. (Tabled Under Privilege - Russell September 24, 2024) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13a. | 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) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13b. | 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) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13c. | 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) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13d. | 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) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13e. | 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) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13f. | 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) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13g. | 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) | Attachments |
| | | | | |
| | | 13h. | PETITION of Gordon Davis request City Council request Standing Committee on Public Safety investigate the issue of systemic racism and public safety with public hearings included. (Tabled - Toomey May 14, 2024) | Attachments |
14. | BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION - Items brought forth under suspension at the September 24, 2024 City Council meeting. | |
| | | | | |
| | | 14a. | ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with written clarification on whether an item that is amended resets the amount of times an item can be Tabled Under Privilege. – Item #18a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nays | |
| | | | | |
| | | 14b. | ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any permit fees that can be waived associated with running various events in the city. – Item #18b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| | | | | |
| | | 14c. | ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report outlining best practices associated with institutional zoning ordinances. Said report should also review all previous City Council orders regarding nonprofit organizations in the city. – Item #18c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| | | | | |
| | | 14d. | ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a qualitative analysis of Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) ridership that includes the reasons why people ride their busses. Further, request City Manager work with any interested local institutions to gather any relevant data for said report. – Item #18d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| | | | | |
| | | 14e. | ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review and improve the lighting at the intersection of South Ludlow St. and Clover St. – Item #18e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| Scheduled Meetings of the Standing Committees | |
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 05:00 PM -
| Traffic and Parking Committee Chairperson Donna M. Colorio, Thu Nguyen, Khrystian E. King | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | |
| |
| Contact Info:
Worcester City Clerk
City Hall Room 206
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-799-1124
clerk@worcesterma.gov | |
|