CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Service and Transportation Committee Meeting | Monday, November 9, 2020 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:02 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:59 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Gary Rosen | | Vice Chairperson Donna M Colorio | | Councilor Sarai Rivera |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Gary Rosen
Vice Chairperson Councilor Donna M Colorio
Councilor Sarai Rivera | | | | | Also: | Councilor George J Russell
Chief of Staff Jacob Sanders
Director of Energy and Asset Management John Odell
Worcester Police Department Sergeant James T Foley
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A J Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 1a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Service and Transportation hereby approves the minutes of the Public Service and Transportation Committee on June 1, 2020. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays. | |
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| | | 2a. | In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Levi Lincoln Chamber - 415-655-0001 (Access Code: 173 817 5173) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3.
https://cowevents.webex.com/cowevents/onstage/g.php?MTID=ef01690beedc9ad20cc29148d098ea218 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the public call-in number and access code for the livestream viewers, as well as he call in process for the participants. | |
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| | | 3a. | Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning what the per trip charge from CSX is, how it is calculated, whether it can be reviewed and/or changed and what authority City Council has to involve itself on the agreement between the City and CSX.
# 9.13C CM August 21, 2018 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved to take the item up with #3b.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the Chief of Staff, who provided additional information relative to use of funds associated with per trip charge from CSX.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Russell, who provided historical context for the various funding allocations relative to CSX monies to the Standing Committee and an interest in determining if any additional funds were available to the city and community groups affected by the CSX area.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the Chief of Staff, who discussed the role of the City Auditor in the CSX deal, the current unexpended funds, and input from the advisory group for the plan.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed some of the traffic issues persisting in the CSX area.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed addressing the needs of the community concerning the issues in the CSX area.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen put forth the following Chairman's Orders: 1) request City Manager provide report concerning how the CSX funds were expended, the current available funds, and what to expect in the future and; 2) request the City Auditor provide report concerning the amount of money coming from the CSX deal over the years and the current funds balance.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the procedural motion for the Chairman’s Order.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend Item #3a be held, and Item #3b be filed.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the CSX funds were expended, the current available funds, and what to expect in the future. | | | | Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report concerning the amount of monies associated with the city's account associated with CSX, including information relative to the current balance in the account. | |
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| | | 3b. | Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Status of the CSX Neighborhood Improvement Fund.
# 9.4E CM August 21, 2018 | Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (see Item #3a) | |
| 4. | Gas Rates and Leaks Items | |
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| | | 4a. | Order of Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation hold a public hearing on Eversource’s proposed increase in gas distribution rates.
# 10b CC February 25, 2020 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and discussed email details from Councilor Wally.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4b. | Petition of Patricia Kirkpatrick et al request a subcommittee hearing to address current gas leaks within 50 feet of Worcester Public School zones, due to the health risks they post to children. Furthermore, request City Council send a letter to Governor Baker endorsing the F.U.T.U.R.E. Act Bill.
# 8k CC May 7, 2019 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the following speakers:
1. Etel Haxhiaj, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Gaylen Moore, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the timeline of the item and the support letter for the F.U.T.U.R.E Act Bill.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Speaker #2, who discussed the F.U.T.U.R.E Act Bill.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the information available relative to actions taken by Eversource Gas to fix the gas leaks issue.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen put forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning actions taken by Eversource Gas to fix the gas leaks issue.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning actions taken by Eversource Gas relative fixing gas leaks within 50 feet of Worcester Public School Zones. | |
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| | | 4c. | Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to gas leak detection at proposed new tree planting sites within the right-of-way.
# 16c CC September 25, 2018 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
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| 5. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 5a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the installation of lights at Grant Square.
# 9.8B CM February 27, 2018
In Committee November 1, 2018 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and recognized Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the appropriate Standing Committee for the item.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be referred to Public Works Committee.
Recommend Refer to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 5b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's green accomplishments.
# 9.27A CM May 7, 2019 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and recognized the Director of Energy and Asset Management, who discussed the Green Worcester plan being made accessible on the City website, whether the City can monitor how many people are reviewing the website document, the response from the public on the plan, and the committee for the plan with the Chief of Staff.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays
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| | | 5c. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Police Department’s efforts to address truck traffic in the City.
# 9.10A CM August 21, 2018 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and recognized the WPD Sergeant, who discussed the importance of signage for truck traffic with weight restrictions, particularly leading into Massasoit Rd. and Heard St.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Colorio, who discussed problems associated with street width and how GPS applications from Google and Waze will inadvertently direct trucks to roads that are inappropriate for them be on, and collaborative efforts with Google to update information for truck drivers within Google Maps with the WPD Sergeant and Chief of Staff.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the importance of increasing walkability and pedestrian safety associated with truck traffic, as well as working with traffic application manufacturers to ensure the correct roads are taken.
Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be filed.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 6a. | Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation conduct a public hearing concerning 5G technology in Worcester.
# 11i CC December 17, 2019 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend item be referred to Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee.
Recommend Refer to Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment Committee on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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