CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:33 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:55 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Eric D. Batista

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty provided a Certificate of Mayoral Recognition to Avah Ortiz for her ability to balance a rigorous academic career at Worcester Academy and her commitment and dedication as a dancer on the USA Tap Team, who will be competing in the 2024 International Dance Organization (IDO) World Tap Dance Championships.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 1, 2024.

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

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: ENDICOTT ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: ENDICOTT ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: BANCROFT TOWER RD. and FARNUM ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: BANCROFT TOWER RD. and FARNUM ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MULBERRY ST. and EASTERN AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MULBERRY ST. and EASTERN AVE.

RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council does hereby recognize Avah Ortiz’s commitment and dedication as a member of the USA Tap Team competing in the 2024 International Dance Organization (IDO) World Tap Dance Championships in Prague, Czechia October 23-27th. A championship that is the experience of a lifetime, bringing the best tap dancers from across the globe together to compete on stage for the world to see. Skillfully balancing her rigorous academic schedule with the demands of competitive dance, Avah has demonstrated resilience and passion. We stand in admiration of Avah’s hard work and the pride she brings to the City of Worcester. (Postponed - King October 8, 2024)

That the City Council convene in Executive Session at the Tuesday, October 15, 2024 meeting for the purpose of discussing the deployment of security personnel or devices, or strategies with respect thereto, as the last item of business of the regular City Council meeting and the City Council will not reconvene in open session.

Barbara Strogoff request installation of streetlight to the telephone pole in front of 6 Virginia Rd.

Kevin Stewart request installation of traffic light on Plantation St. at its intersection with Ancona Rd. and Lord St.

Carlos Santana Jr. request removal of handicap parking space in front of 44 Paradox Dr.

Talia Trotta and Anthony Giangregorio request installation of speed humps at 729-759 Franklin St.

Grisel Carrasquillo et al. request installation of speed humps on Puritan Ave.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: COMMERCIAL ST. at 50 FOSTER ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: HARLEM ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MILLBROOK ST. and MILTON ST.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a jointly-owned pole location at: BROOKS ST.

Catherine Holmes and Dominick Calsolaro request free parking for visitors of the Worcester Public Library Main Branch.

Michael J. Grandone request City Council inform the colleges in the city that the City of Worcester will no longer provide Police Department and Fire Department support and therefore said colleges must provide, finance, support, and maintain their own on-campus police and fire departments.

Mary Ann Carroll request City Council request City Manager request City Solicitor draft documentation required to amend the City Charter to require candidates beginning with the Municipal Election in 2025 to be a citizen of the United States of America to be eligible to hold elected office in the city. Further, request said amendment include language requiring any candidate not born in or within the jurisdiction of the United States, but has become a naturalized citizen by the time signature papers are due for that year's election, submit naturalization papers or other legal documents as proof of citizenship to the City Clerk's Office and any other necessary office or department relative thereto. Failure to submit such authenticated documents shall make the candidate ineligible for local elected office in the city.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Olanike Ojelabi to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Anthony Dell'Aera as an alternate member to the Planning Board.

Recommend the appointment of Monica Goodwin to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Recommend adoption of an amendment to the salary ordinance to bring it in compliance with changes enacted in the FY2025 Budget.

Recommend adoption of an amendment to the salary ordinance to implement the City's recently completed collective bargaining agreement with Local 495-NAGE.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Community Preservation Program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2024 Fall Leaf Collection Program.

Transmitting informational communication relative to tree planting plans for FY2025.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the revised Lead and Copper Rule.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the best course of action to repair or replace the pedestrian bridge that connects Illinois, Crystal, and Canterbury Streets.

Transmitting informational communication relative to implementation of the 25 mph statutory speed limit.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an opinion regarding a proposed charter amendment to grant the City Council authority to move, edit, and/or eliminate any line item/funding listed in the annual proposed City Budget.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a process to establish a charter review commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the negotiation with Charter/Spectrum.

Transmitting an informational communication relative to bodywork spas in the city.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of One Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,000.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation in memory of Dorothy Doyle, to support the Goddard Branch Library.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,750,000.00) from the US DOL Growth Opportunities program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Thirteen Thousand Four Hundred Sixty One Dollars And Twenty Four Cents ($13,461.24) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation to support the Worcester Public Library's 2024 Summer Reading Program.

Recommend that Eighty Two Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Two Dollars And Fourteen Cents ($82,792.14) be transferred from Fund #FD314, Reserve for Appropriation Premium on Loans, and be appropriated to Cost Center #CC1062, Treasury Ordinary Maintenance, to fund costs associated with $40,574,929 BAN dated September 24, 2024.

Recommend that Ten Thousand One Hundred Twenty Dollars And No Cents ($10,120.00) be transferred from Account #FD313, RRA-Damage Settlement, and be appropriated to Account #FD101-CC1028, Library Administration, to fund repairs on the bookmobile that was damaged during a traffic accident.

Recommend that Thirty Five Thousand One Hundred Thirty Six Dollars And Six Cents ($35,136.06) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2025 Cost Center #CC1017, Emergency Communications Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks repair the streetlight on James St. in the vicinity of the gas station located at 61 South Ludlow St. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty October 8, 2024)

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks repaint the crosswalk at the intersection of May St. and Zenith Dr. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty October 8, 2024)

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Jenny Pacillo - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility implement interim traffic calming measures at the Newton Square Rotary, such as better signage for pedestrians and other feasible measures. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty October 8, 2024)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Manager work with the Mayor to create a small business task force in the city. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty October 8, 2024)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support Bill H. 2963, An Act relative to Payments in Lieu of Taxation by Organizations Exempt from the Property Tax. (Tabled Under Privilege - King October 8, 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 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 and October 1, 2024 and Tabled - Russell October 8, 2024)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing a short-term and long-term plan to address helping the unhoused population in the city. – Item #16a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager engage in creating a public service education campaign relative to the use of cigarettes and nicotine products. – Item #16b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager reengage in existing curriculum through Recreation Worcester that educates the city’s youth of the dangers of vaping. – Item #16c CC Order adopted

PETITION of Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Jaime Florez request Hawthorne St. from Main St. to Woodland St. be given the honorary street name title of Jaime Florez Way. – Item #16d CC Referred to Public Works Committee

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager provide City Council with a timeline and process relative to separating the passage of exempting the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police positions from Civil Service law. – Item #16e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council convene in Executive Session at the Tuesday, October 15, 2024 meeting for the purpose of discussing the deployment of security personnel or devices, or strategies with respect thereto, as the last item of business of the regular City Council meeting and the City Council will not reconvene in open session. – Item #16f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing any legal action the city can take to ensure solar companies do not take down trees on private properties that are not their own customers. – Item #16g CC Order adopted

Motion Ojeda @ #11.7A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning the number of residents that are signed up for Alert Worcester.

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #11.15C CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the previous discounts for Charter/Spectrum services, as well as what the discount will be moving forward. Further, request City Manager clarify information relative to whether the discount will be eligible for all users or only basic cable users. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning how seniors will be notified to speak with Charter/Spectrum about their discount eligibility.