CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 2, 2001
7:00 P.M.
1. INVOCATION – Sister Therese Dion, Executive Director
Office of Ecumenism
Diocese of Worcester
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL
Taken up with Item 54
4. Recapitulation from Administration and Auditor on free cash and other spending.
Taken up with City Manager off Calendar report
5. Report of the City Manager 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.
The City Manager gave a 25 minute
presentation
6. PRESENTATION BY THE CITY MANAGER on the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to update on the Worcester Vocational High School and Green Hill Park Projects.
7. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST
7a. ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
8 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD
8. Lawrence Giffee et al request City sewers on Chester St. from 25-44A.
9-12 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
9. William Metterville request replacement of sidewalk on Chandler St. from Mill St. to just before Worcester State College.
10. Samuel DeSimone et al request private street maintenance on Viele Ave. from the intersection of Lorenz St. northerly approximately 250 ft.
11. Samuel DeSimone et al request private street maintenance on the private portion of Lorenz St.
12. John Stolarczyk & Sheila Conroy request replacement of sidewalk from 124 June St. to the intersection of Chandler St.
12a. Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Angelo Vangos request Public Works repair sidewalk in front of 145 Vernon St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12b. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request sidewalk repair on Harrison St. from Blake and Waverly Sts. to Providence St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12c. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request sidewalk repair entire length of Ingalls St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12d. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request sidewalk repair entire length of Columbia St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12e. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request sidewalk repair on Arlington St. from 1-4 to corner of Arlington St. and Pattison St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12f. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request sidewalk repair entire length of Blake St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12g. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request resurfacing of Arlington St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12h. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request resurfacing of Columbia St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
12i. Councillor Juan Gomez on behalf of Union Hill Neighborhood Watch request resurfacing of Ingalls St. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
13-18 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
13. Kevin Johnson request handicap parking in front of 51 May St.
14. Konstantinos Drosidis request handicap parking be moved from 24 St. Elmo Rd. to 783 Pleasant St.
15. Roland Bercume request that the section of Dana Ave. between Hamilton St. and Grafton St. be converted to a one-way street with traffic only allowed in a southerly direction in an effort to control speed.
16. Patricia Matyuf request handicap parking in front of 28 Esther St.
17. Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of Claude & Kunigunde Cigan-Dorman request 3-way Stop sign at intersection of Cedar and Sever Sts.
18. Sophie Allia et al request Traffic & Parking Committee review St. Nicholas Ave. and Clark St. for safety improvements.
19-23 FROM EDUCATION - Adopted
19. Request Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools provide a report to City Council estimating the passenger loads on each of the school bus routes.
20. Request Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools provide a progress report to City Council outlining the efforts made to date to establish a collaborative program between the Worcester Public Library and the school library system.
21. Request Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools communicate with the City Council the status of the natatorium at South High Community School; if optimally operational, when the leak in the pool liner will be repaired and how the maintenance complaints concerning the locker room have been resolved.
22. Request Head Librarian keep City Council informed about the progress of work at the Main Library as the major renovation/expansion nears completion.
23. Request City Manager to explore the possibility of expanding the reach of the architectural internship program.
24-27
FROM HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOOD
24. Request City Manager to invite the Worcester Housing Authority to participate in the MORE group meetings.
25. Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report concerning programs and/or plans to support housing receivership through community housing organizations.
26. Request Administration to provide City Council with the number of new housing permits issued over the course of the last 36 months.
27. Request Administration to provide City Council with a timeline and budget for implementing the City of Worcester’s Housing Policy.
28-30 FROM PUBLIC SAFETY - Adopted
28. Request the Police Chief to provide City Council with an updated report on the Policy and Procedure Manual for the Internal Affairs Division and to provide copies of the Manual upon its completion.
29. Request the Fire Chief and Police Chief to provide City Council with a report relative to the number of vacant personnel positions and personnel in the military reserves.
30. Request Administration to provide City Council with a comprehensive quarterly report on the number of abandoned properties versus vacant properties, including property owned by the City of Worcester and the City Council district in which they are located.
31-41
FROM JOINT PUBLIC WORKS & TRAFFIC &
to
Public Works Committee
31. Request Administration report what it would cost to sign problematic streets relative to the declared winter parking ban.
32. Request Administration report what it would cost to sign streets outlined in Fire Chief Dio’s memo relative to the declared winter parking ban.
33. Request Administration to consider establishing a specific telephone number for winter parking ban information.
34. Request the Purchasing Agent provide a report as to the number of vehicles towed in the last five years on an annual basis under towing contracts.
35. Request Administration report on the program the City of Boston instituted whereby 3,000 abandoned cars were towed; under what statute and how this program was funded.
36. Request Administration report on the current backlog of abandoned vehicles, differentiating unregistered as opposed to registered vehicles.
37. Request Administration report on the cost of advertising and education of the public relative to the declared winter parking ban.
38. Request Administration report on what type of evaluation takes place by inspectors and internally by Public Works relative to supervision of plowing contractors.
39. Request Administration to consider deploying one plowing inspector per truck instead of two. Recommitted to Public Works Committee
40. Request City Solicitor or the Purchasing Agent report outlining the two towing contracts, distinctions between contracts and what the City is doing to hold contractors accountable.
41. Request Administration to provide recommendations to improve implementation of the declared winter parking ban.
42. Request City Manager investigate the possibility that our local cable company, Charter Communications, is considering the option of moving all or part of its operation out of Worcester. (Mariano)
43. Request City Manager to inform the Administration of the Worcester Public Schools of the public safety hazard that exists on property at Chandler Magnet School between the rear parking lot and the playing fields and to take corrective action to improve the safety of pedestrians utilizing their property. (Abraham)
44. Request Administration to update City Council on the work to be conducted on Wayne and Baker Sts. to alleviate the periodic flooding of these public ways. (Abraham)
streets in the Elm Park area
45. Request Administration to provide City Council with traffic counts for Clover and Edlin Sts. and Royal Rd. for the period of time that Heard St. School is in session. (Abraham)
with Police surveillance for the purpose of
safety reasons
46. Request Administration to install flashing school zone lights on both approaches to Heard St. School on Heard St. and further, request the interim installation of orange construction safety barrels in this area to assist in warning motorists of the many students crossing during weekday early mornings and mid-afternoons. (Abraham)
47. Request City Manager ask the Law Department to look into an ordinance that prohibits the parking of boats on a public street on a licensed trailer. (Nadeau)
48. Request City Manager review Springfield’s sidewalk obstruction ordinance to see if the City can implement it to address our overgrown lots with brush growing into and obstructing sidewalks. (Nadeau)
provide City Council with any ordinances
that are currently available to
assist the City in controlling weeds and
growth on private parcels
49. Request Administration to provide City Council with a report detailing how much information collected under the State’s Sex Offender Registry statute is available for public disclosure and what process is implemented for the public to gain access to any and/or all of such data. (Abraham, Clancy, Gomez, Irish, Lukes, Murray, Patton, Perotto, Petty, Mariano)
50. Request Administration provide City Council with a copy of the policies and procedures utilized by the Parks and Recreation Department in establishing fees and prioritizing the usage of youth and adult recreation programs. (Murray)
Councillor Irish moved to amend: Further, request policies and procedures that may exist within the School Department for fields that they control
50a. Request City Manager report to City Council on exactly what the total costs of collective bargaining packages might be and what the impact might be on the current fiscal budget based on the free cash we heard about at the end of June and that the Administration meet with the City Auditor to review those figures. Motion-Clancy @ #4CC – Adopted
50b. Request City Auditor report to City Council his views on the costs of collective bargaining packages and the impact on the current fiscal budget as he perceives the preliminary figures. Motion-Clancy @ #4CC – Adopted
50c. Request City Auditor provide City Council with some indication, given what has happened in the financial markets, whether the City might not be able to meet the City’s pension liabilities in the coming year. Motion-Irish @ #4CC – Adopted
50d. Request Administration to include in the next report on Union Station development information regarding potential use of shuttle service and whether there can be some inquiries through MassPort for shuttle service at different locations. Motion-Abraham @ #5CC – Adopted
50e. Request Administration report as to what overtures may have been made by any party to AMTRAK relative to additional service to and from Worcester. Motion-Irish @ #5CC – Adopted
50f. Request Administration attach the WBDC timeline to the monthly report on Union Station development. Motion-Petty @ #5CC – Adopted
50g. Request Administration provide City Council with a copy of the response to the MBTA consultant relative to the scope of services. Motion-Murray @ #5CC – Adopted
50h. Request Administration to look at what kind of criteria the City will need to start a shuttle service from Union Station to the Worcester Regional Airport. Motion-Nadeau @ #5CC – Adopted
50i. Request City Manager to consider
changing the footprint of the building as a means of resolving some of the
issues relative to siting of the proposed Vocational School. Motion-Lukes
@ #6CC
Mayor
Mariano moved to amend to add as long as the reconfiguration is educationally
and fiscally sound
50j. Request City Manager report concerning any legislative processes where the State Legislature took action exempting municipalities from having to go through the DEP process. Motion-Murray @ #6CC – Adopted
50k. Request Administration to consider sending a Police car to monitor traffic, traffic count and speed on Moreland St. past the initial hill, just before the entrance to Moreland Green Lane. Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
50L. Request Administration repaint crosswalk across from Mill Swan School. Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
50m. Request Administration to consider the possibility of painting a rotary at the intersection coming up Moreland St. from Salisbury St. where it intersects with Brigham Rd. Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
50n. Request Administration provide City Council with an update on security measures being implemented at the Worcester Regional Airport and at the City’s reservoirs. Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
50o. Request Mayor to work with the City Manager in scheduling an Executive Session to update City Council as to what is taking place with regard to Police Officers and Police Officials contracts. Murray – Suspension of Rules
50p. Request Administration report on what recommendations that the Department of Public Works and Health & Code Department are making with regard to construction of new homes on Dixon Ave. and Wakefield St. and the water flow and control problems that have created flooding conditions on Wallace St. and at the bottom of Dixon Ave. and Wakefield St. Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
50q. Request Administration place a speed monitor on Beverly Rd. in the vicinity of Allmerica. Murray – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
51-53 ADOPTED
51. SEWER ASSESSMENT: DIGHTON ST.
52. SEWER ASSESSMENT: DUNBAR ST.
53. SEWER ASSESSMENT: ROCKWELL ST.
54. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting status report relative to free cash recommendations.
55. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to construction at the Forest Grove School.
56 FROM HEALTH
56. That the Health Committee requests the City Council to endorse the vote of the Board of Health to adjust upwards the level of fluoride in the water supply of the City of Worcester and further, urge voters to vote Yes on November 6, 2001.
57. That the City Council go on record naming the pedestrian bridge overpass on Route 146 and be signed by Mass. Highway as the Hurley Square Pedestrian Bridge and that the overpass near the reconfigured Millbury/Ballard Sts. be signed Kane Square. (Clancy, Nadeau)
57a. That the City Council restates their support for the current location of the proposed Vocational School site. Motion-Mariano @ #6CC – Adopted on a roll call 11-0
57b. Request City Manager to take every stop possible to negotiate a reasonable conclusion with all parties involved, including opponents as well as the State relative to siting of the proposed Vocational School. Motion-Mariano @ #6CC – Adopted on a roll call 11-0
58. RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE: No Action Taken
FINANCE
a) #4B CM June 19, 2001
Communication of the City Manager relative to Breakdown of New Growth Figures over the past 10 years.
59-103 ACCEPTED
59. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Petition of John Cronin et al requesting the Subcommittee on Education consider recommending to the City Manager an appropriation of $250,000.00 from “free cash” reserves to fund accessibility for persons with disabilities at schools and especially locations that serve as polls for elections: recommend Petition be placed on file.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on file.
60. Transmitting communication relative to the conditions at South High School swimming pool.
61. Transmitting communication relative to School Projects Report First Quarter 2001.
62. Transmitting communication relative to Library Task Force.
63. Transmitting communication relative to Siting Branch Libraries in Main South, Grafton Hill/Sunderland Rd. and Tatnuck Sq. areas of the City.
64. Transmitting communication relative to status of construction on the Forest Grove Middle School.
65. Transmitting communication relative to Main Library closed during Autumn “Big Move”.
66. Transmitting communication relative to report of the Accreditation Review Committee based on the October 2, 2000 site visit to the Wheaton Sq. campus.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the following Communications of Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee: recommend Communications be placed on file.
67. Transmitting communication relative to other standardized testing done in the schools in addition to MCAS, including any specialized testing done at the Vocational High School.
68. Transmitting communication relative to other standardized testing done in schools in addition to MCAS, including any specialized testing done at the Vocational High School.
69. Transmitting communication relative to the annual October First Student Enrollment Report.
70. Transmitting communication relative to establishing a working group to explore expanding collaborative program between the Worcester Public Library and our school libraries.
71. Transmitting communication relative to what is done in the City’s public schools relative to fire prevention as to what grades participate and how often students attend these programs.
72. Transmitting communication relative to standards for school buses maintained and operated to transport public school students in Mass. and if all students need to be seated.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on file.
73. Transmitting communication relative to crime statistics in the Green Island/Vernon Hill Crime Watch Area.
74. Transmitting communication relative to enforcing laws on prostitutes from Webster Sq. to Madison St.
75. Transmitting communication relative to a comprehensive report on prostitution.
76. Transmitting communication relative to the posting of johns and prostitutes pictures.
77. Transmitting communication relative to New England Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force (NEOMGTF).
78. Transmitting communication relative to number of assigned personnel on sick leave, I.O.D., Military or other leave during the past year – Police Department.
79. Transmitting communication relative to brochures of “The Human Rights Commission” and “Your Rights if Stopped by the Police”.
80. Transmitting communication relative to assaults involving handguns and knives over the past five years in the City of Worcester.
81. Transmitting communication relative to FY00 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.
82. Transmitting communication relative to a report on abandoned/vacant properties.
83. Transmitting communication relative to the City’s award of $60,136.00 for the continuation of the FY2001 Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant (JAIBG).
84. Transmitting communication relative to City’s award of $13,000.00 for the FY 2001 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program.
85. Transmitting communication relative to Community Development Block Grant Funds, Evaluation Process of CDBG and LLEBG Funds and Goals and Objectives of Organizations receiving Community Development Block Grant Funds.
86. Transmitting communication relative to the award of $787,000.00 in FY 2001 Community Policing funds from the Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety.
87. Transmitting communication relative to developing a Challenge Grant Program with Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds.
88. Transmitting communication relative to LLEBG to fund traffic control around schools.
89. Transmitting communication relative to FY01 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Round VI award and process timeline.
90. Transmitting communication relative to Landlord Training/CMHA.
91. Transmitting communication relative to “Park & Walk” frequency.
92. Transmitting communication relative to implementing a Park & Walk Program.
93. Transmitting communication relative to a new Police class in February of 2001.
94. Transmitting communication relative to staffing level in the Police Department.
95. Transmitting communication relative to ideal period for manning a Police class and the cost.
96. Transmitting communication relative to number of uniformed Police Officers versus plain clothes Police Officers over the past year.
97. Transmitting communication relative to hiring additional officers for Traffic Division.
98. Transmitting communication relative to insurance requirements of the abandoned building ordinance.
99. Transmitting communication relative to the implementation status of the recommendations made by the Community Task Force on vacant and abandoned buildings.
100. Transmitting communication relative to estimate of overtime budget (Police Department).
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the following Orders: recommend Orders be placed on file.
101. Councillor Luster – That when the policy and procedure manual for the Internal Affairs Division of the Worcester Police Department comes back, after consideration by the Administration to delete from and including the fourth paragraph, second sentence up to and including the seventh paragraph, first sentence of the section “Who may complain and how” that the Administration also consider incorporating the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission.
102. Councillor Luster – If the deletion of the fourth paragraph, second sentence up to and including the seventh paragraph, first sentence of the section “Who may complain and how” of the Policy and Procedure Manual for the Internal Affairs Division of the Worcester Police Department and inclusion of the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission are not incorporated in the final recommended policy, that the City Council receive a report from Administration explaining why they chose not to take those recommendations.
103. Councillor Murray – Request Administration or Public Safety Committee to come up with criteria for the remainder of the year and set a process in place where Crime Watch groups are notified of money available through the Challenge Grant Program with Law Enforcement Bock Grant funds.
Held to October 16, 2001 City Council meeting
104. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting that the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that $150,000.00 be recommended to be expended towards the creation of a branch library at Webster Square and that $100,000.00 be recommended to be expended to make school buildings accessible to the handicap community.
105. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend to City Council that $250,000.00 be allocated to the Housing Trust Fund.
106. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend to City Council $250,000.00 for a Fire Department Training Center. Further, that if additional monies are available, recommend $135,000.00 for Police Department capital equipment purchases as recommended by the Police Chief in the attached September 17, 2001 communication.
107. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend to City Council $200,000.00 for petitioned sidewalk repair and $50,000.00 for petitioned private street maintenance, and that if any additional money is recommended that as much monies be allocated towards petitioned sidewalk repairs. (Tabled September 18, 2001)
107a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Chairman’s Order from Finance Committee that the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council, in increments of $100,000.00 not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend to City Council funding for five intersections as follows: 1) May St. at Woodland St., full signalization ($135,000); 2) Mill St. at Mill Swan School, flashing School Zone ($30,000.00); 3) Belmont St. near Belmont St. School, flashing beacons ($25,000.00); 4) Lake Ave. at Sunderland Rd., add pedestrian phase ($25,000.00); 5) Highland St. at Lancaster St., add pedestrian phase ($25,000.00). Suspension of Rules – Held to October 16, 2001 City Council meeting
107b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Chairman’s Order from Finance Committee that the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council, in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend to City Council $100,000.00 as matching funds for renovations to the Worcester Common, $100,000.00 towards the urban shade tree program and $50,000.00 for swimming pool and playground equipment upgrades. Suspension of Rules – Held to October 16, 2001 City Council meeting
TABLED ITEMS – No Action Taken
108. 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)
109. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to city employees serving on Boards and Commissions. (Tabled April 3, 2001)
OCTOBER 1, 2001 STRATEGIC COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:00 P.M. PLANNING
OCTOBER 2, 2001 YOUTH, PARKS & COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:15 P.M. RECREATION
OCTOBER 2, 2001 TRAFFIC & PARKING ROOM 310
6:30-7:00 P.M. CITY HALL
OCTOBER 22, 2001 PUBLIC WORKS COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 P.M.