CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 19, 1999

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:08 P.M.

Adjourned:  8:35 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION – Rev. Dr. Walter Tilleman

Pleasant St. Baptist Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present except Councillors Patton and Petty.  Councillor Patton arrived at 7:25 P.M.

 

Mayor Mariano recognized students from Professor Elaine Dow’s English as a Second Language Class at Quinsigamond Community College.  Students were from Vietnam, Poland, Albania, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Venezuela, India and Guatemala.

 

Mayor Mariano read a Proclamation proclaiming October 19, 1999 to be Robert H. Goddard Anniversary Day in Worcester.

 

HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

 

4.       CHENOT ASSOCIATES, INC. for two conduit locations on: CEDAR ST.

 

4a ADOPTED

 

4a.     Granting permission to CHENOT ASSOCIATES, INC. for two conduit locations on: CEDAR ST.

 

FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

5.       Communication of the City Manager relative to the gun range on Grafton St.

 

Held to be First Item of Business October 26, 1999

 

SECOND ITEM OF BUSINESS

 

6.       REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councillor Lukes requesting City Council to vote to establish a Standing Committee on College/Community Relationships: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that the City Council hereby establishes a Standing Committee on College/Community Relationships.

 

Recommitted to Rules & Regulations Committee

 

7.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

7a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          8 REFERRED TO THE PLANNING BOARD

 

8.       Attorney Samuel R. DeSimone on behalf of Joseph Nozzolillo, Sara D. & John-Paul Moradian & Janet Tivnan requesting to change the Zoning Map of the City of Worcester from RS-7 to BL-1 by extending the BL-1 zone on the northerly side of West Mountain St. beginning at a point 220 +/- ft. from West Boylston St. on the northerly side of West Mountain St., northerly along West Mountain St. a distance of approximately 1300 ft. to the intersection of West Mountain St. and Brooks St., by the southerly side of Brooks St. a distance of 150.00 ft., southeasterly by a line parallel to West Mountain St. to Malden St. Connector, approximately 150 ft. southwest to the point of beginning.

 

          9-13 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

9.       Meredith Barnes request new sidewalk and regrading of driveway at 113 Barnard Rd.

 

10.     Pramila Thapliyal et al request emergency repair of Pineview Ave. (private end).

 

11.     Michael W. O’Neil request to install a 2” sanitary force main on Weldon Ave. northerly for a distance of 265’ under a prior agreement and at Petitioner’s expense.

 

12.     Rudolph J. Forge request sidewalk at 130 Barnard Rd. be resurfaced.

 

13.     Rita Giusto et al request street be replaced in same condition after sewerage goes down street – Giusto St.

 

          14 & 15 HEARINGS SET FOR OCTOBER 26, 1999 – 7:00 P.M.

 

14.     MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a pole location on: COBURN AVE.

 

15.     LEVANGIE ELECTRIC CO., INC. for a conduit location in the public right of way at BOYLSTON ST. and under the street at GREAT BROOK VALLEY AVE. AND BROOKVIEW DR.

 

          16 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

16.     Thomas McGrail et al request to be placed on the City Council agenda to discuss the present location and the future placement of the “Yard Waste Drop Off Site” located on North Lake Ave.  We do not think that this is the best site for this type of operation. Thomas McGrail spoke

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          17 & 18 FROM LAND USE - Adopted

 

17.     Request Administration provide City Council with an update on the Historic Resources Inventory Project.

 

18.     Request Administration to establish a procedure for formal notification of the Historical Commission for any properties that are in the range of the Mass. Cultural Resource Inventory System List.

 

ORDERS

 

19.     Request Administration to report on the feasibility of charging telecommunications, electric and other applicable utility companies an environmental impact fee for installing underground and overhead facilities.   (Luster)

 

Adopted

 

20.     Request Administration to report on the feasibility of establishing an environmental enterprise account to receive environmental impact fees from utility companies and disburse funds to the Forestry Division of the Parks Department to subsidize the costs of maintaining neighborhood trees.   (Luster)

 

Adopted

 

21.     Request the City investigate as to who is responsible for making the parking lot at King and Bluff Sts. safe.  Further, to enforce the parking lot regulations.   (Nadeau)

 

Adopted

 

22.     Request City Administration consider funding a handicap access to 2 Lafayette St. from Block Grant funds.  (Nadeau, Clancy)

 

Adopted

 

23.     Request Administration to develop a marketing plan that addresses the presence, needs and resources of the over 30,000 college students in Worcester and the institutions of higher education in Worcester. (Lukes)

 

Tabled

 

24.     Request Administration to communicate with the Consortium of Higher Education and the colleges and universities located in Worcester for the purpose of developing an Entreprenurial Incentive Program and/or Curriculum in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and WBDC in order to encourage students and graduates to stay in Worcester and work for and/or start their own local businesses in the area.   (Lukes)

 

Tabled

 

25.     Request Administration to communicate with area colleges and universities in order to develop a minimum curriculum standard for their students which includes a community service component so that college students become directly involved in community life.  (Lukes)

 

Tabled

 

26.     Request Administration to communicate with Worcester colleges in order to develop a minimum consistent standard of discipline for all the college students regarding off campus student behavior and keg parties.   (Lukes)

 

Tabled

 

27.     Request City Manager take the appropriate steps to remove the words “The Aud” from the marquee in front of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium.   (Finnegan, Murray)

 

Adopted

 

28.     Request Commissioner of Public Works to adjust the timing of the pedestrian light in front of 1060 Main St. to allow more time for seniors to cross Main St.   (Luster)

 

Adopted

 

29.     Request Commissioner of Public Works to examine the traffic patterns at the intersection of Main St. and Cambridge St. to determine if the timing of the signals should be altered.   (Luster)

 

Adopted

 

30.     Request City Manager report to City Council on the dates when the State Division of Human Resources established the certified list and the respective date when physical exams and physical ability tests were completed for all fire academies in Worcester over the past ten years.   (Luster)

 

Adopted

 

31.     Request Administration develop a plan to provide convenient transportation to senior highrises to the Grand Opening of the Senior Center in January 2000.   (Luster)

 

Councillor Luster moved to amend: and for the grand opening of Union Station this Fall.

 

Order adopted, as amended

 

32.     Request City Manager report to the City Council on the maximum occupancy of the Senior Center.    (Luster)

 

Adopted

 

33.     Request City Administration and the Worcester Housing Authority look into grants that HUD and President Clinton have allocated for gun buyback from people living in public housing.   (Nadeau)

 

Adopted

 

34.     Request Administration to communicate with the owners of the Worcester Common Outlets regarding any and all design changes or physical modifications either recently being publicized or any design changes considered by the owners regarding the Mall and request Administration to report back to the Council.   (Lukes)

 

Councillor Murray moved to amend: Request previous reports relative to modifications to Worcester Common Outlets and the cost

 

Councillor Patton moved to amend: Request any plans for Washington Sq. be included in report

 

Order adopted, as amended

 

34a.   Request City Administration to look into what surrounding towns may be interested or negotiating a possible contract relative to their municipal police forces using the gun range on Grafton St.  Motion-Murray @ #5CC – Adopted

 

34b.   Request City Manager to continue to communicate with DCAM relative to the site for the new Court House in Worcester.  Motion-Lukes @ #27CC – Adopted

 

34c.   Request City Manager to contact Fleet Bank relative to sponsoring an Ice Skating Rink Worcester.  Motion-Luster @ #39CC – Adopted

 

34d.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with an update on holiday lighting in downtown.  Motion-Luster @ #39CC – Adopted

 

34e.   Request City Manager report to City Council on efforts to approach Girls, Inc. and Worcester Academy for use of said facilities by Senior Center participants.  Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34f.    Request City Manager respond to Council’s request for an open house at Union Station prior to any private events.  Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34g.   Request City Manager to consider November 21, 1999 as a date for public tours and the opening of Union Station.   Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34h.   Request City Manager to consider New Year’s weekend for the opening of Union Station.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34i.    Request City Manager to consider utilizing the Preservation Worcester set up at Union Station for the grand opening of Union Station.  Mariano – Suspension of Rules -  Adopted

 

34j.    Request City Manager to include in his report a projection of who will pay for events at the grand opening of Union Station.  Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34k.   Request City Manager forward the results of the Airport Citizens Advisory Committee upon completion to the Worcester City Council.  Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34l.    Request City Administration to provide an update relating to public safety services to be provided at Worcester Municipal Airport under the MassPort operating agreement.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34m.  Request City Manager provide tree trimming on Pine Tree Rd.  Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34n.   Request Administration to revise the current City residency requirement for Z level employees and above to have it include those existing employees who accept new positions within the City administration.  Luster – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34o.   Request Administration report on the total number of emergency treatment and assessment rooms in Worcester before and after the merger of U Mass Memorial and the total anticipated after the opening of Worcester Medical Center.  Luster – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

34p.   Request City Council to establish as a goal for Library Board membership 50% representation of female and minority members and begin to achieve that goal with the next set of vacancies to be voted in December 1999.  Lukes, Patton, Finnegan, Luster, Murray, Perotto, Nadeau, Mariano – Suspension of Rules

 

          Councillor Clancy moved to amend: and no less than one representative per district

 

          Adopted, as amended

 

34q.   Request Administration to report as to what process the City Council might follow to achieve 50% female and minority membership on the Library Board of Trustees.  Clancy – Suspension of Rules - Adopted 

 

          35-37 ADOPTED

 

35.     PRIVATE STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT – BEAUMONT RD.

 

36.     PRIVATE STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT – DEEPDALE RD.

 

37.     PRIVATE STREET BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT – KIRKLAND ST.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

38.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting the following schedules requested on a quarterly basis:  Schedule of Bonds Payable, Schedule of Bonds Authorized and Unissued, Computation of Legal Debt Margin and Summary of Principal and Interest Due.

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

39.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting press release relative to the purchase of the Bancroft Building at 50 Franklin St. by MCR Property Management, Inc.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

40.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE: No Action Taken

 

FINANCE

 

a)       #40CC   June 22, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Council to schedule Finance sessions beginning the first week in January 2000 in order to commence discussions regarding budget issues.   (Lukes)

 

b)      #41CC   June 22, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Manager to present a budget for the next fiscal year with a rate of growth that is either at the rate of inflation or excludes new growth, whichever sum is lower.   (Lukes)

 

c)                 #63CC  September 21, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Council pledge to maintain the existing tax rate for the next three fiscal years.  Further, request City Council instruct the City Manager to prepare the next three budgets using only “New growth”, state and federal funds and existing tax revenues. (Mariano)

 

REPORTS

 

40a REPORT ACCEPTED & ORDER ADOPTED – Suspension   of Rules

 

40a.   REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Certified Project Application for Protocol Realty, Inc./Protocol Communications, Inc.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Resolution.

 

          41 & 42 REPORTS ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED

 

41.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the disposition of City owned property located at 133 Chandler St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

 

42.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the 1998 Update on Worcester’s Open Space: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that the City Council accepts the “What’s Left:  A 1998 Update of Worcester’s Open Space” Booklet for use.

 

          43-45 ACCEPTED

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

43.     Transmitting communication relative to Historic Resources Inventory Project Update.

 

44.     Transmitting communication relative to City Owned Property.

 

45.     Transmitting communication relative to Disposition of City Owned Property.

 

                                       

          46 VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

46.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Order of Mayor Mariano, Councillors Luster, Nadeau, Finnegan, Cooney, Patton, Clancy, Petty and Murray that the City Council approve the establishment of an Overlay Arts District located on Main St. from Madison St. to Hammond St. and further, request the City Manager to work with local and private organizations to aggressively promote said district: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

 

          47 & 48 ACCEPTED

 

47.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councillor Lukes that a College Community Relations Committee be added to the City Council Sub-Committees: recommend Order be placed on file.

 

48.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND REGULATIONS Upon the Order of Councillor Lukes that the City Council, through it’s Rules Committee to consider either creating a new Standing Committee or amending the jurisdiction of a current Standing Committee such as the Committee on Community Development, to include the category of University/ College/ Neighborhood/City Relationships: recommend Order be placed on file.

                                                  

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          49-57 ORDAINED R.C. 9-0

 

49.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 45 Waverly St.

 

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 37 Providence St.

 

 

 

50.     Amending Section 43 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the north side of Kendall St. from Auburn St. to westerly dead end from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., December 1 to April 1.

 

          Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for residential permit parking on the south side of Kendall St. near Converse St.

 

51.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking across from 42 Tainter St.

 

52.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking near 33 Lanark St.

 

53.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 56 Esther St.

 

54.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 73 Ernest Ave.

 

55.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for one-hour parking on the south side of Temple St. near Grafton St.

 

56.     Amending Section 43 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for one-hour parking on the north side of Shrewsbury St. at Prentice St.

 

57.     Amending Section 2, Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to a zone change in the Abbott St. area.

 

TABLED ITEMS – No Action Taken

 

58.     Communication of the City Manager recommending that Twelve Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars and Fifty Cents ($12,688.50) be transferred from Account 331-46, Belmont Home Retained Earnings and appropriated to Account 045S505, Belmont Home Advertising, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for advertising costs for proposed sale of the Belmont Home.

 

59.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an RFP for the sale of the Belmont Home.

 

60.     Chairman’s Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee – Request Administration to consider using the current site of the Vocational School, on the side of the Boys Club, as park land after discontinuance of use as a Vocational School.

 

61.     Chairman’s Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee – Request Administration to consider eliminating the softball field on the Belmont St. side of the Vocational School site plan.

 

62.     Chairman’s Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee – Request Administration to reconsider keeping educationally sound, the size of the parking area for the new Vocational School.

 

63.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein, Esquire on behalf of Smallwood Village Associates, Inc. requesting City of Worcester make Travis St. public.

 

64.     Tabled In Part – Order – Request Administration report on whether the Worcester Redevelopment Authority intends to sell the tax credits of the Union Station Project, the value of the tax credits, the intended use of the proceeds of the sale and further, request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.   (Lukes)

          Tabled – request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.

 

65.     Order – Request City Council invite the Chair of the Civic Center Commission, head of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City’s Chief Development Officer to a meeting to discuss the marketing and efforts to attract conventions to Worcester. (Mariano)

 

66.     Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a joint pole location on: PROUTY LANE.

 

67.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Joint Pole Location – Prouty Lane.

 

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

OCTOBER 26, 1999         PUBLIC SERVICE          OUR LADY OF THE

  4:00 P.M.                     & TRANSPORTATION      ANGELS SCHOOL

                                                                                     AUDITORIUM

                                                                                     1220 MAIN ST.

 

OCTOBER 28, 1999           PUBLIC WORKS          COUNCIL CHAMBER

   6:00 P.M.

 

NOVEMBER 4, 1999           COMMERCE &            ROOM 409

   6:00 P.M.                            DEVELOPMENT         CITY HALL

 

NOVEMBER 8, 1999    TRAFFIC & PARKING      COUNCIL CHAMBER

   6:00 P.M.