CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Works Committee Meeting | Wednesday, September 13, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 5:13 P.M. | Adjourned: 6:54 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson George J Russell | | Vice Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson | | Councilor Morris A Bergman |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor George J. Russell
Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Morris A. Bergman | | | | | Also: | Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink
Chief of Public Facilities Julie Lynch
Direction of Engineering Jason Mello
City Solicitor Michael Traynor
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | 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 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.
Public Works Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/98928800472
Public Works Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Works Committee Zoom Access Code: 989 2880 0472 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee on Public Works hereby approves the minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting on July 12, 2023. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted | |
| 3. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 3a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Ballpark Commission’s processing and scheduling of Polar Park Event Days in fiscal year 2023
# 10.32A CM August 22, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Chief of Public Facilities, who provided an overview of the Polar Park Event Days program.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the city contract with Polar Park management, plans concerning streamlining the application process for those seeking to hold events at the park, the number of “revenue days” that have been used and scheduled “community event days,” and the costs to hold events at Polar Park and the DCU Center with the Chief of Public Facilities.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning short- and long-term plans to utilize Revenue Days and Community Event Days at Polar Park.
Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed public access to Polar Park with the Chief of Public Facilities.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning short- and long-term plans to utilize Revenue Days and Community Event Days at Polar Park. | |
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| | | 3b. | Recommend adoption of an amendment to the City’s organizational ordinances that deletes the Worcester Ballpark Commission and places 100 Madison Street (Polar Park) under the care, custody, and control of the Department of Public Facilities.
# 20e CC August 22, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Worcester Ballpark Commission Member, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Director of Public Facilities, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed the creation of the Worcester Ballpark Commission and the placement of the commission under the City Manager’s jurisdiction.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the importance of selecting members for the Worcester Ballpark Commission.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the property deed and care and custody control of Polar Park.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Director of Public Facilities, who discussed the functions of the Civic Center Commission and Worcester Ballpark Commission relative to facilitation of public outreach and discussion concerning respective properties and plans concerning streamlining Event Days process administratively through utilizing different departments.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Worcester Ballpark Commission Member, who discussed issues that have been considered and discussed by the Worcester Ballpark Commission.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed procedural aspects of the item with the City Solicitor.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager facilitate the transfer of the care and custody control of Polar Park to the Department of Public Facilities. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with report documenting said process.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be denied.
Recommend Deny on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager facilitate the transfer of the care and custody control of Polar Park to the Department of Public Facilities. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with report documenting said process. | |
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| | | 4a. | Order of Councilor George J. Russell - Request Standing Committee on Public Works conduct a meeting with representatives from the utility companies servicing the city and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks regarding damages done to city streets that are not repaired in a way to hold up over time.
# 12h CC June 7, 2022
In Committee September 7, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed infrared patches for newly repaved streets process, the process relative to constructions street resurfacing done by utility companies and how sunken trenches are resolved with the Director of Engineering and various representatives of utility companies.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the impact of setting the street resurfacing warranty to five years with various representatives of utility companies.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Director of Engineering, who discussed the required times for utility companies to complete a street patch in a permanent fashion and for the warranty period.
Chairperson Councilor Russell then discussed the personnel capacity relative to DPW inspectors with the Director of Engineering and the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the needs and accountability for the streets to be properly inspected and maintained and the work done and backlog of Utility Company with the Eversource Representative and Director of Engineering.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the needs for more information concerning the contracts between the utility companies and the city and the number of utility work permits.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the city’s contracts with utility companies, including information relative to the policies for street patching and the street patching warranty. Further, request said report include information relative to the staffing level of DPW inspectors and whether the staffing number is sufficient to perform street patching inspections.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the city’s contracts with utility companies, including information relative to the policies for street patching and the street patching warranty. Further, request said report include information relative to the staffing level of DPW inspectors and whether the staffing number is sufficient to perform street patching inspections. | |
| 5. | Sidewalk Repair Petitions | |
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| | | 5a. | Kathleen Huntington request sidewalk repair on the even side of Goldthwaite Rd., where it intersects with Pleasant Valley Dr.
# 8d CC July 18, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Kathleen Huntington, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the even side of the sidewalk on Goldthwaite Rd.at Pleasant Valley Dr. for any necessary immediate repairs.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the even side of the sidewalk on Goldthwaite Rd.at Pleasant Valley Dr. for any necessary immediate repairs. | |
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| | | 5b. | John Yanczewski request sidewalk repair on Richland St. from Vernon St. to the fire hydrant on the even side.
# 8c CC June 20, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. John Yanczewski, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Anthony Portillo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the even side of the sidewalk on Richland St. for any necessary immediate repairs.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the even side of the sidewalk on Richland St. for any necessary immediate repairs. | |
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| | | 5c. | Mark Brennan request sidewalk repair in the vicinity of 17 Barr St.
# 8e CC June 13, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Mark Brennan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the process for trees being replanted after sidewalk repairs with the Director of Engineering.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the procedure for approving sidewalk repair with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks notify property owners through a mailing within the city’s next tax bill of the proper procedure for replanting public shade trees that have been removed.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks notify property owners through a mailing within the city’s next tax bill of the proper procedure for replanting public shade trees that have been removed. | |
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| | | 5d. | Marsela Qafzezi et al. request sidewalk repair in the vicinity of 145 to 157 South Flagg St.
# 8f CC June 13, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Marsela Qafzezi, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed when the next Sidewalk Repair List will be brought to City Council.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the location where sidewalk repair was necessary on South Flagg St. with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, the Director of Engineering and Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed providing petitioners with information concerning contacting 311 for street repairs.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk make efforts to work with petitioners to determine whether items can be done administratively without going to City Council and by providing residents information concerning the city’s 311 program.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Clerk make efforts to work with petitioners to determine whether items can be done administratively without going to City Council and by providing residents information concerning the city’s 311 program. | |
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| | | 5e. | Erika and Eli Rosario request sidewalk repair in front of 19 Ives St.
# 8g CC June 13, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 5f. | Councilor Sean M. Rose on behalf of Maureen McNamara request sidewalk on Bristol St. abutting 497 Burncoat St. be repaved.
# 7d CC May 23, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the Director of Engineering, who discussed the resurfacing schedule for Bristol St.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 5g. | Jose Cabral request the sidewalk in front of 32 Varnum St. be repaired.
# 9d CC May 9, 2023 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Russell read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Jose Cabral, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized the Director of Engineering, who discussed the street condition and any immediate repairs that could be done by DPW.
Chairperson Councilor Russell brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the sidewalk in front of 32 Varnum St. for any necessary immediate repairs.
Chairperson Councilor Russell recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the sidewalk resurfacing process with Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Russell moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the sidewalk in front of 32 Varnum St. for any necessary immediate repairs. | |
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