CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:33 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:21 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Eric D. Batista

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

During Business Under Suspension, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj made a statement condemning acts and expressions of violence, hostility, aggression, and harassment, regardless of political designation. Councilor Russell, Councilor King and Mayor Petty also expanded on the statement.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 22, 2024.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8s CC and #9.38A CM, spoke in opposition to item #10a CC, and spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.30A CM 2. Jill Marcotte, Auburn resident, spoke in favor of item #11d CC on the November 12, 2024 agenda 3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 4. Dean Fisher, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.30 CM 5. Mark Wright, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.30 CM 6. Charles Luster, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.30 CM and spoke in favor of item #11i CC 7. Ellis Cropper, no residence given, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.30 CM 8. Charles McNeil, no residence given, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 9. John Mysliwiec, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 10. Rhonda Hicks, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 11. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8l CC, #8q CC, #8r CC, #8t CC and #8u CC and spoke in opposition to items #10a CC and #10c CC 12. Lillian Voke, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 13. Carolyn Dunderdale, Shrewsbury resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 14. Czenilriene Santander, Shrewsbury resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 15. Safia Bashir, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 16. Gualai Shah, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC 17. Samara Ebinger, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9.16A CM 18. Nathalie Gibson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8t CC and #11i CC and spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #9.30 CM 19. Evan Corrigan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8q CC and #8r CC 20. Frederick Rushton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item #8s CC 21. Ahmed Hussain Amjed, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8s CC

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: CIRCUIT AVE. EAST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: CIRCUIT AVE. EAST.

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

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a solely-owned pole at: TACOMA ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a solely-owned pole at: TACOMA ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole at: BARROWS RD. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole at: BARROWS RD.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: SOUTHBRIDGE ST. and COLTON ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: SOUTHBRIDGE ST. and COLTON ST.

Jaycie Jouregui et al. request streetlight repair in the vicinity of 61 and 63 Orient St.

Austin Tepsic request sidewalk resurfacing on Herbert Ln. between Hadwen Ln. and Hadwen Rd.

Aaron Blum request existing street light pole be relocated from the vicinity of 16 and 30 Winfield St. to allow for the installation of a new driveway at the property.

Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Chester St. and Barry Rd.

Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of temporary speed humps on Country Club Blvd.

Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on one side of Greenbriar Ln.

Ivette Navarro request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 31 Oxford St.

Josef Konkol request missing resident permit parking signage in the vicinity of 18 Chestnut St. be replaced.

Kevin T. Baldwin request removal of resident permit parking on Kendig St.

Kevin T. Baldwin request removal of handicap parking space in the vicinity of 100 Kendig St.

Michael Monfredo request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Azalea Dr. and Rainbow Dr.

Michael J. Grandone request the criteria and reasoning be defined and made public for speed hump installation to decide if previously installed speed humps are being placed for a legitimate reason.

Feuster Njoroge request installation of resident permit parking on Ward St. from Seymour St. to Endicott St.

Pedro Romero request installation of speed humps throughout Plantation St.

Pedro Romero request installation of additional crosswalks throughout Plantation St.

Pedro Romero request installation of flashing speed limit signage throughout Plantation St.

Evan C. Corrigan request transfer of 1 Spring Lane, (MBL: 42-019-84-88), currently held in Tax Title, to the custodianship of the Worcester Conservation Commission.

Evan C. Corrigan request transfer of 553 Plantation St, (MBL: 46-045-0001D), currently held in Tax Title, to the custodianship of the Worcester Conservation Commission.

Frederick Rushton request City Council request City Manager establish a citywide plan to establish at a minimum 30 pickleball courts by modifying some of the underutilized tennis courts in the city or establishing new courts similar to all the other towns surrounding Worcester. Further, request City Council work with the School administration to establish a minimum of 8 courts at or next to the four city junior high schools to help expand at the school the sports opportunities for middle school children.

Lillian Voke et al. request City Council request City Manager increase services related to supporting individuals experiencing housing insecurities in the city, including increased shelter capacity and duration, increased resources related to the temporary RMV shelter, extended hours at the Worcester Public Library, and address the housing shortage crisis.

Brian Dutremble request City Council request City Manager to allocate funds to update the payroll system for Worcester Public Library employees.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointments of Chizoma Nosike and Matthew Torrey to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Transmitting informational communication addressing traffic safety on a portion of Belmont Street.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the unauthorized removal of trees from private property.

Transmitting informational communication relative to Institutional Master Plans.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Worcester Rodent Action Plan.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Classification package.

Transmitting informational communication relative to frequently asked questions during the tax rate process.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Ballpark District Improvement Financing Plan (DIF).

Recommend adoption of the attached resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Thirty Nine Thousand Four Hundred Ninety One Dollars and Eighty Four Cents ($39,491.84) from the trust of June D. Jurey to support the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 table of organization for the Worcester Public Library, Talking Book Library.

Recommend approval to make necessary adjustments to finalize the Fiscal Year 2025 City Budget.

Recommend that Three Thousand One Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars and Six Cents ($3,199.06) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2025 Cost Center #CC1048, Veterans Services Medical, for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend request for a City Council vote to approve funding for the Burncoat High and Middle School Eligibility Period and Feasibility Study which will include Owners Project Manager, Designer, and Architectural Services fees estimated in the amount of Three Million Dollars And No Cents ($3,000,000.00).

Transmitting informational communication relative to an agreement between the municipality and Worcester Polytechnic Institute relative to the purchase of hotels within the boundaries of the Gateway Park Master Plan.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the feasibility of using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to advance environmental sustainability goals. (Tabled Under Privilege - Haxhiaj November 12, 2024)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of an order to transfer City-owned 51 and 61 Sever St. from the Department of Public Facilities to the Office of the City Manager for disposition purposes and authorizing the conveyance of properties. (Tabled Under Privilege - King November 12, 2024)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a list of properties purchased by colleges and universities from 2019 to the present, whether the college or university kept the property on the tax rolls, any signed community benefit agreements associated with new projects on these properties and what changes, if any, were made to PILOT contributions. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson November 12, 2024)

COMMUNICATION of Paul Matthews, Executive Director and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting, "Mass. Exodus from Civil Service: Examining Worcester’s Proposal to Exempt Police Leaders Amidst Statewide Shifts.” (Tabled Under Privilege - King November 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)

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 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning the following: A) What matters are not under the purview of the City Council; B) What the appeal process is for the public and City Councilors relative to City Clerk and Chair rulings; and C) What discretion does the Chair of the City Council have relative to Rule 2 and Rule 11. – Item #22a 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 provide City Council with a report clarifying the necessity of additional snow equipment in order to maintain four (4) foot clearances for bike lanes. – Item #22b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager consider publishing social media content related to educational traffic safety on the City of Worcester’s The Buzz. – Item #22c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Luis A. Ojeda – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of community engagements the Police Department conducts in a twenty-four (24) hour period. – Item #22d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager and Mayor make statements on behalf of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and City Council relative to ensuring that the city will go above and beyond to support its immigrant and refugee communities, as well as ensuring that no member of WPD will work with federal administration to conduct any raids to deport people who are not breaking any laws. – Item #22e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion King @ #8t CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing around homeless individuals being sheltered at 611 Main St., the former RMV property.

Motion King @ #8t CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the timeline and efforts being made to secure a day center and general public facilities for the city’s homeless population.

Motion King @ #9.11A CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the timeline and process relative to implementing rapid response actions relative to Belmont Street traffic safety.

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #9.30A CM – Request City Manager consider all options relative to recouping monies associated with the Left Field Building at 50 Washington St. owned by Madison Properties, including but not limited to eminent domain.

Motion Haxhiaj @ #9.30A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with updates concerning any responses and communications between the city and Madison Properties pertinent to their termination of their Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement for the Left Field Building at 50 Washington St.

Motion King @ #9.30A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with the minutes of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) over the last four (4) years.

Motion King @ #9.30A CM – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support any and all legal remedies around anything determined to be a breach of contract or breaking of a covenant as it relates to municipal disposition law by Madison Properties.

Motion Russell @ #9.30A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed report relative to the slab of concrete adjacent to the Left Field Building at 50 Washington St., including who built slab, who owns the slab, who owns the ground underneath the slab, and any agreements associated with the slab.

Motion Haxhiaj @ #10c CC – Request City Manager include information on the city’s website relative to the list of properties purchased by colleges and universities from 2019 to present.

Motion Haxhiaj @ #10c CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a yearly report that monitors the purchases of properties by colleges and universities and details quantifiable data around the impact said purchases and expansion have on neighborhood residents.

Motion King @ #10d CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report identifying and describing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) relative to allowing city departments to utilize an assessment center.

Motion King @ #10d CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing Personnel Administration Rule 10 (PAR 10).

Motion King @ #10d CC – Request City Manager use Personnel Administration Rule 10 (PAR 10) or any other means to increase a more diverse employment of larger rank and file individuals in the Worcester Police Department (WPD).

Motion Toomey @ #10d CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning efforts being made within the Worcester Police Department (WPD) to recruit more minority officers.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with the assessed value of the concrete slab adjacent to the Left Field Building at 50 Washington St. Said report should also include the last time the City Assessor reviewed the property.