CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 9, 2001

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:10 P.M.

Adjourned:  9:00 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION – Most Reverend George E. Rueger

Auxiliary Bishop of Worcester

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present

 

FIRST ITEMS OF BUSINESS

 

4.       Request City Manager consider removing those duties not associated with economic development from the responsibilities of the Chief Development Officer.  (Mariano, Clancy, Patton, Gomez, Petty, Nadeau)

 

Placed on file

 

5.       Request the Commerce and Development Committee to establish criteria for measuring economic development progress to include: new jobs created, increased business taxes, new businesses brought into City, expansion of existing businesses and completion of major projects.   (Mariano)

 

Tabled

 

6.       Request City Manager to consider the establishment of a college recruitment committee whose sole focus is the recruitment of colleges and college facilities in the downtown area to include: new colleges, law school,  graduate programs and housing from existing colleges. (Mariano)

 

Referred to the City Manager

 

7.       Request City Manager to consider the establishment of a business recruitment committee whose sole focus is the recruitment of new businesses in the City of Worcester.  Said committee to work directly with the Chief Development Officer and contain working groups that target specific industry segments (i.e. manufacturing, high tech, service).  (Mariano)

 

Referred to the City Manager

 

8.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

8a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

         

          9 & 10  REFERRED TO PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

9.       Councillor Timothy P. Murray & Councillor Stephen G. Abraham request to increase lumens in Lovell St. area from May St. to Park Ave., Englewood, Ferdinand and Maywood Sts. where they intersect with Lovell St.

 

10.     Anthony Vigliotti request street light in front of 25 North Woodford St.

 

          11-13 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

11.     James McKeon et al request private street maintenance on Keach Ave.

 

12.     Anthony Vigliotti request to change the name of Anchor St. to Vig’s Way.

 

13.     Anthony Vigliotti request approval of connection of water and sewer lines from Anchor St. into the water and sewer lines on Lake Ave. and extension of these lines approximately 200’ up Anchor St. to 3 single family house lots.

 

          14-20 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

14.     Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of Steven Erickson request Traffic Engineering to investigate traffic problems on Clover St.

 

15.     Nancy Stassi et al request traffic signal in the vicinity of Northworks Building on Grove St.

 

16.     Councillor Timothy P. Murray & Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request removal of right on red at Heywood St. where it intersects with Massasoit Rd.

 

17.     Raquel Uribe request to change 30 minute parking to 60 minute parking for laundromat customers at 80 West St.

 

18.     Wendy Waegell request No Parking on one side of Wakefield St.

 

19.     Councillor Timothy P. Murray & Councillor Stephen G. Abraham request to change School Zone hours near Columbus Park School from 7:15-8:15 a.m. to 1:30-2:30 p.m.

 

20.     Councillor Timothy P. Murray request 4-way Stop sign at intersection of Moreland Green Dr. and Glenbrook Lane and Ledgewood Lane.

 

20a.   Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of Janice Weekes request Stop sign on Chatham St. at the intersection of Oxford St.   Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee – Suspension of Rules

 

ORDERS

 

20b.   Starting with the first City Council meeting in March and on the first meeting of every month that the City Manager report relative to the status of Union Station development, including but not limited to: 1) Intermodal transportation, 2) Parking garage, 3) Washington Square traffic configuration, 4) Development inside Union Station, 5) Development outside Union Station.  Motion-Mariano @ #4-7CC – Adopted

 

20c.   Request City Manager provide a chart of all economic development personnel job titles that existed within all the other old departments for the current fiscal year and to contrast that with all the current proposed positions and the price tag for that package.  Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20d.   Request City Manager to report as to the funding source for all job titles in the Economic Development Department.  Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20e.   Request City Manager to provide a chart for Information Services positions that are part of the reorganization of the Economic Development Department.  Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20f.    Request City Manager report as to the building where each component of the Economic Development Department is located.  Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20g.   Request City Manager report as to what position would be in charge of planning for the parks and open space.   Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20h.   Request City Manager report as to the number of funded but unfilled positions in the Economic Development Department.  Motion-Irish @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20i.    Request City Manager report describing the relationship of the License Commission, if any, to the Economic Development Department.  Motion-Irish @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20j.    Request City Manager report as to the relationship of the Economic Development Officer with workforce issues.  Motion-Irish @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20k.   Request City Manager report as to how the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Conservation Commission are going to be involved in the reorganization of the Economic Development Office.   Motion-Lukes @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20L.   Request Administration continue to communicate with all of the volunteer Boards with respect to economic development issues.  Motion-Abraham @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

20m.  Request Administration report itemizing each case that has been settled either by agreement or by judgement of the court with the amount of award or settlement and both the plaintiff and defendant’s appraisals relative to eminent domain cases relating to the Medical City project.  Motion-Abraham @ #8C CM – Adopted

 

20n.   Request City Manager to schedule an Executive Session for discussion of the status of each and every piece of litigation involving eminent domain cases.  Motion-Abraham @ #8C CM – Adopted

 

20o.   Request City Manager to consider asking the State delegation to consider going after all the dollars that are needed on the 50% match from the State.  Motion-Perotto @ #8C CM – Adopted

 

20p.   Request Administration report verifying the commitment with the State not only as to the amount but whether the commitment is still alive regarding the garage proposal that was supposed to co-exist with the Union Station project.  Motion-Clancy @ #8AAA CM – Adopted

 

20q.   Request Administration further look into shuttle service to the Worcester Regional Airport before looking at an access road.  Motion-Nadeau @ #8AAA CM – Adopted

 

20r.    Request Administration forward to City Council a report for the timeline for implementation of the tree farm, when it will occur and when the City can expect, not only partial implementation but the full implementation of the tree farm.  Further, request a report as to whether or not the City Manager has had further communications with the Town of Shrewsbury regarding the potential relocation of leaf mulching from Hope Cemetery to the Town of Shrewsbury.  Motion-Clancy @ #19A CM – Adopted

 

20s.   Request City Manager report on installation of benches and rubbish containers on Lincoln St.  Motion-Perotto @ #19A CM – Adopted

 

20t.    Request Administration report relative to the selection process for specific institutions for investment.  Motion-Irish @ #26D CM – Adopted

 

20u.   Request City Manager report on what was originally budgeted, what was paid out and what the current balance is in the City Manager’s Contingency Account.  Motion-Lukes @ #28B CM – Adopted

 

20v.   Request Administration provide City Council with a recommendation relative to its position on the Community Preservation Act.  Motion-Irish @ #28B CM – Adopted

 

20w.  Request City Manager report what kind of time will be added to the run time between Union Station and South Station with the addition of stops in Southborough, Westborough and Ashland.  Motion-Clancy @ #29A CM – Adopted

 

20x.   Request Administration report as to whether funding for the Neighborhood Cabinet will be only for Community Block Grant eligible neighborhoods, if we don’t do Community Block Grant neighborhoods, what other source of income would the City use to do this type of project.  Further, request report as to how the Neighborhood Cabinet might fit into a development process, how it might fit into a zoning change process.  Further, request report from Administration that identifies each and every neighborhood.   Motion-Clancy @ #29C CM – Adopted

 

20y.   Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of all members who attended the January 9, 2001 Neighborhood Cabinet meeting and also identifying the neighborhoods that the Cabinet represents.  Motion-Clancy @ #29C CM – Adopted

 

20z.   Request City Solicitor to provide City Council with an opinion as to the nature of the Neighborhood Cabinet, its relationship and authority, if any, that the City Council may have over this advisory cabinet to the City Manager.   Motion-Irish @ #29C CM – Adopted

 

20aa.  Request City Manager to include the Henry Lee Willis Center, Centro Las Americas and the Business Inclusion Council among the organizations that are going to be involved in the separate development councils throughout the different neighborhoods in our City.  Motion-Gomez @ #29C CM – Adopted

 

20bb. Request City Manager to make available the process in place for membership on the Neighborhood Cabinet so that people who are interested in every neighborhood across the City of Worcester could be involved.  Motion-Perotto @ #29C CM – Adopted

 

20cc. Request City Manager to work with Mike Procopio to help him plan and carry out a successful prep school basketball tournament in the City of Worcester.   Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

20dd. Request Traffic Engineer report on the feasibility of a pedestrian patrol signal at the corner of Laurier and James Sts. near the Ty Cobb field.  Abraham – Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

21.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

                Thomas R. Hoover

               City Manager

                City Council Calendar for January 9, 2001

 

                                                APPOINTMENTS

 

 1.      NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.      Notification of Constable appointments.

 

Placed on file

 

  2.     CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

                         TRANSMITTAL

 

 3.      AIRPORT:

         

 4.      ASSESSORS:

 

 5.      BUDGET OFFICE:

 

  6.     CIVIC CENTER:

 

 7.      COMMUNICATIONS:

 

8.              DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.        Communication relative to the appointment of Mr. Philip Niddrie, as the new

          Chief Development Officer.

 

Placed on file

 

B.         Communication from the City Manager recommending the adoption of a

          further comprehensive reorganization plan involving the various city agencies

           responsible for economic development and neighborhood services.

 

           Referred to Community Development Committee and Commerce &

           Development Committee

 

C.        Communication from the City Manager relative to the securing of $780,000 in

Medical City Project Funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

           Placed on file

 

PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

WORCESTER REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:

 

AAA. Communication relative to WRTA bus access between Union Station and 

                     Worcester Regional Airport.

 

Placed on file

 

BBB. Request acceptance of a gift from the Woman’s Transportation Seminar for

                     Cynthia Blondin to attend a leadership seminar on Management Policies.

 

Order adopted with gratitude

 

 9.      ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

10.     ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11.     EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

12.     EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13.            FIRE:   

 

A.      Communication relative to State Fire Safety Program.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

14.            HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

15.     HUMAN RIGHTS:

 

16.                 INFORMATION SERVICES:

          

17.     LAW:

 

18.     LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

19.     PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.               Communication relative to Grant Award – Urban Forest Planning and Education Grant.

 

Placed on file

 

20.           POLICE:

 

21.           PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT

 

22.           PUBLIC LIBRARY

 

  23.     PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

24.            PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Request adoption of a Resolution honoring Department of Public Works sanitation worker Gerald M. Groccia.

 

Resolution adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

25.     PURCHASING:

 

26.            TREASURY:

 

A.      Request City Council accept with gratitude an anonymous cash donation in the amount of one hundred dollars.

 

Order adopted with gratitude

 

B.      Request adoption of an order relative to Transfer and Disposition of property  located at 9 Gardner Street.

 

Order adopted

 

C.      Request adoption of an order relative to Transfer and Disposition of  three parcels of land in the area boarded by Chandler Street, Queen Street, Austin Street and Piedmont Street.

 

Order adopted

 

D.      Communication relative to Revisions to City’s Investment Policy.

           

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

27.     VETERANS' SERVICES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28.     FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that Three Hundred Sixty Eight Thousand One Hundred Forty Five Dollars ($368,145.00) be transferred from the following accounts:

          ACCOUNT                   DESCRIPTION                     AMOUNT

          330-01                   Pearl Elm Reserves                              $196,135.25

          330-02                   Federal Plaza Reserves                  84,644.00

          330-03                   Off Street Reserves                                  75,330.00

                                                            330-04                Parking Meter Reserves                 12,035.75

                                                                                      Total                      $368,145.00

                                                           and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

                                                           ACCOUNT                 DESCRIPTION                     AMOUNT

                                                            46S501               Pearl Elm Ordinary Maint.         $196,135.25

                                 46S502             Fed. Plaza Ordinary Maint.            84,644.00

                                 46S503             Off Street Ordinary Maint.             75,330.00

                                 46S504             Parking Meter Ordinary Maint.   $  12,035.75

                                                                                      Total                     $368,145.00

                                      This appropriation provides sufficient operating funds for the Off        Street

                                Parking Program for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2001.

         

                   Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

                                     B.        Recommend that Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($18,500.00) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager’s Contingency, and appropriated to Account #660-92000, Treasury Department Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purpose of funding the additional statewide surcharges imposed by the Community Preservation Act (“CPA”), associated with the filing of the November tax lien documents.

 

                   Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

                   Also referred to Land Use Committee for informational purposes only

                                     

                   C.      Recommend that One Hundred One Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Dollars and Fifty Six Cents ($101,370.56) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #40C704, Traffic Signal Installation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for traffic signal equipment, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

                    Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

                                      D.       Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and appropriated to Account #44C764, Sewer Pumping, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations related to various sewer pumping projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

 

                    Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

                    E.      Recommend that Thirty Four Thousand Three Hundred and Forty Dollars ($34,340.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with the replacement of the existing heating system with a high efficiency HVAC units similar to the installations completed in the basement retro-fit, at the Memorial Auditorium.

 

                    Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

                                      F.       Recommend that Two Thousand Seven Hundred Thirteen Dollars and Ninety One Cents ($2,713.91) be transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for Appropriation Damage Settlement, and appropriated to Account #550-92000, Public Library, Ordinary Maintenance, to purchase books and audio visual materials. This fund represents reimbursements from individuals for damage and lost library materials.

 

                    Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

29.     MISCELLANEOUS:

 

           A.     Communication relative to the Capital Investment Program report received from the MBTA.

 

             Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

                               B.    Communication relative to FY 1999 International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) Comparative Performance Measurement Program.

 

Referred to Strategic Planning Committee

 

 

 

C.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Neighborhood Cabinet.

 

Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

22.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE: No Items Pending

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          23 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

23.     Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 relative to Occupational Group O – Engineering and Allied – Project Engineer.

 

 

TABLED – No Action Taken

 

24.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Order of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. requesting approval of the attached Ordinance amending the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to Non-Accessory Signs.  (Tabled May 30, 2000)

 

25.     Resolution – That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby supports an amendment to MGL Chapter 32, Section 3(4) proposed by Mrs. Mary Genaske, a Worcester Public School teacher to allow teachers from Puerto Rico to buy back into the Mass. Teachers Pension Fund at the same level as other teachers coming from other states in the union.  (Gomez)  (Tabled October 17, 2000)

 

26.     Order – Request Rules Committee to review the procedure used by City Council for election of individuals to the Library Board of Trustees.   (Abraham)   (Tabled December 19, 2000)

 

27.     Order - Request Administration develop an internet-based Citizen Service Request Form which would encourage citizens to directly petition local government for service and receive response interactively.  This might be accomplished by duplicating the service already offered by the City of Washington, District of Columbia to it’s residents.   (Patton)  (Tabled January 2, 2001)

 

28.     Order – Request Administration survey Worcester’s largest employers as to whether or not they offer any type of benefits to their employees and their domestic partners.    (Patton)   (Tabled January 2, 2001)

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

JANUARY 8, 2001        TRAFFIC & PARKING     COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:00 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 17, 2001               LAND USE                COUNCIL CHAMBER

   6:00 – 7:30 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 17, 2001    LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS   COUNCIL CHAMBER

      7:30 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 24, 2001                ETHNIC &                COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:30 P.M.                  MINORITY AFFAIRS

                      Re: Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance Report