CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:36 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:28 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 17, 2024.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #8c CC through #8g CC and #8k CC, as well as neither in favor or opposed to item #9.39A CM 2. Grace Ross, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 3. Maydee Morales, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 4. Parlee Jones, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 5. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 6. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 7. Charles Luster, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 8. Linford Cunningham, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 9. Geoffrey Killebrew, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 10. Margot Barnett, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 11. Jermoh Kamara, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 12. Ruth Rodriguez-Fay, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 13. Casey Burns, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 14. Amy Ebbeson, Rutland resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 15. Karen Valentine-Goins, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k and #8c CC through #8g CC 16. Jennifer Gaskin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 17. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8c CC through #8g CC and #8k CC 18. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC 19. Karina Herrera, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8k CC

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: MADISON ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: MADISON ST.

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 702 SOUTHBRIDGE ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: 702 SOUTHBRIDGE ST.

Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request Mayfield St. be resurfaced.

Glenda Carabello request installation of handicap parking space in front of 15 Rodney St.

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.

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.

Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request establishment of a 20 MPH Safety Zone in the vicinity of Mill Swan Head Start located at 337 Mill St.

Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request establishment of a 20 MPH Safety Zone in the vicinity of Logan Field located at 539 Mill St.

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

Mayor Joseph M. Petty request installation of increased signage on Portland St. indicating there is metered parking along the street.

Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Michael Carey request installation of speed humps on Lavallee Terrace.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Philip Herman request installation of speed humps in the vicinity of 215 Fairmont Ave.

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.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Angelique Webster to the Worcester Arts Council.

Recommend adoption of an amendment to GRO, Part I, Chapter 13, §79 related to establishment of reduced speed school zones.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of existing firefighter turn out gear.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the location of all the fire hydrants in the city.

Transmitting informational communication relative to internal police detail spending in fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2025 financial update, as of July 31, 2024.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2025 financial update, as of August 31, 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recommend adoption of an ordinance to extend the Worcester Housing Authority Fee Waiver.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the FY2025-29 Strategic Plan.

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.

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.

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.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Jenny Pacillo request Pocasset Ave. from Squantum Ave. to Hilda St be made public.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Relative to Members of Local 1009, IAFF International Association of Firefighters.

Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Relative to Members of Local 504, IBPO Worcester Police Officials.

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

Motion Petty @ #8k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding has been allocated, as well as the impact it has had in the community, once all allocations are completed.

Motion King @ #8k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how and in what instances lump sum and upfront payments from the city have been made for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding recipients, organized by groupings of fundings.

Motion King @ #8k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to best practices the city followed to equitably distribute American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Motion King @ #8k CC – Request City Manager ensure the city does not create any additional barriers relative to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocations beyond what is required by the federal government. Further, if such additional requirements are currently being enforced, request City Manager cease and desist said requirements.

Motion King @ #8k CC – Request City Manager, once the pending contracts are completed, allocate any additional monies associated with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to BIPOC led organizations who directly provide services and resources to those most impacted by the pandemic.

Motion Nguyen @ #8k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the amount of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that are currently committed for use but may not or cannot be used for its intended purpose.

Motion Nguyen @ #8k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning strategies that can be used to ensure American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are made accessible to BIPOC led organizations. Further, request City Manager reconcile challenges associated with BIPOC led organizations receiving said funds, as soon as possible.

Motion King @ #8k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the history of the $196,458.98 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Revenue Recovery Funds in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) that were allocated for Body Worn Cameras/Contingency.

Motion Russell @ #9.11A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to the city’s ability to include non-public schools such as private, parochial and charter schools as part of reduced speed limit school zones.

Motion Bergman @ #9.13A CM – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the percentage of money gained from police details over the last four (4) years.

Motion King @ #9.13A CM – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report that identifies the number of internal police details that go unfilled.

Motion King @ #9.13A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the timeline for when and how the administration will measure the efficacy of non-union positions.