CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 16, 2001

7:00 P.M.

 

                                                                    Convened:  7:08 P.M.

                                                                   Adjourned:  8:00 P.M.

 

 

1.          INVOCATION – Rev. Richard Jakubauskas

                                        St. Casimir Church

 

2.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.          ROLL CALL – All present

 

HEARINGS & ORDERS

 

          4-7 Hearings held

 

4.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  DUNKIRK AVE.

 

5.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC for a pole location on:  WESTBOROUGH ST.

 

6.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  ZOAR ST.

 

7.          CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for conduit locations on:  JUNE ST.

 

          4a-7a ORDERS ADOPTED

 

4a.          Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  DUNKIRK AVE.

 

5a.          Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC for a pole location on:  WESTBOROUGH ST.

 

6a.          Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  ZOAR ST.

                                                           - 2 -                            October 16, 2001

 

7a.          Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for conduit locations on:  JUNE ST.

                                                           

8.          ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

                                                     

8a.          ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          9 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD

 

9.          Attorney Donald O’Neil on behalf of John Zinkevich request to change the zoning map of the City of Worcester from BO-2.0 to RL-7 by extending the RL-7 zone in the vicinity of North Lake Ave. and Teconnett Path.

 

          10-12 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

10.     Lolita Baker request Valley Hill Dr. be repaved.

 

11.          Norma Holbrook request sidewalk that runs along the land at 23 Imperial Rd. be repaired.

 

12.     Debra Billings et al request private street maintenance on the paved private portion of Brigham Rd.

 

          13-18 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

13.          Madeline Martin et al request to prohibit commercial trucks (excluding residents) over 2 ½ tons on Northboro St.

 

14.          Madeline Martin et al request No Parking on either side of Northboro St. adjacent to the Super Cleaners to the first residential home on the right on Northboro St.

 

15.          Barbara Lamonica request additional handicap parking space in front of 137 Providence St.

 

16.          Councillor Stephen Abraham request removal of No Parking sign in front of 31 Claridge Rd. and replacing it with Resident Parking Only.

                                         

 

                                                         - 3 -                            October 16, 2001

 

17.          Councillor Timothy Murray on behalf of Yvonne Ustinovich request handicap parking on Pattison St. (at corner of Vernon St. and Pattison St.)

 

18.          Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Lisa Thomas request Harlem St. be made one-way westerly from Vernon St. to Millbury St.

                                                    

          19-23 HEARINGS SET FOR OCTOBER 23, 2001 – 7:00 P.M.

 

19.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  BURGHARDT ST.

 

20.          MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on:  WESTBOROUGH ST.

                                                   

21.          CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on:  SEYMOUR ST.

 

22.          CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on:  UPSALA ST.

 

23.          CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for conduit locations on:  WALL ST. AND THORNE ST.

 

ORDERS

 

24.          Request Administration to make recommendations to standardize resident-only parking rules and to improve public notification of same so as to facilitate compliance.   (Irish, Mariano)

 

          Adopted

 

25.          Request Administration report on security, including the name of responsible individual, a description of his/her background and experience, the number of security violations, if any, at the Worcester Regional Airport and provide comparative information for the same period of time on a per thousand passenger basis for Logan, Manchester, TF Green and Hartford Airports.   (Irish, Mariano)

 

          Adopted

                                        

 

                                                       - 4 -                            October 16, 2001

 

26.          Request City Council to consider, in Executive Session, the Report of the Municipal Operations Committee relative to an increase in the salary of the City Manager.    (Clancy) 

 

          On a roll call vote of 11-0 Council voted to hold Executive Session at the end of the October 23, 2001 City Council meeting for the purpose as stated in this Order.

 

27.          Request Administration, through the City Solicitor, submit an opinion regarding what the War Powers Act states and what substantive personal rights have been added or taken away or what change in personal and individual legal status has occurred in the country since September 11, 2001, including reference to the issue of citizens being photographed in public places or security being mandated in public places.   (Lukes)

                                                  

          Adopted

                                                    

28.          Request Administration report on whether any additional security measures are being taken in the private biotech companies located in the City by private companies and/or public safety departments and the cost thereof for additional public services.   (Lukes) 

 

          Adopted

 

28a.          Request City Council to instruct the City Manager to have red, white and blue traffic stripes painted on Main St. from Lincoln Square to Chandler St.  Mariano, Irish, Petty, Lukes, Gomez, Murray, Patton, Perotto, Clancy, Nadeau, Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

28b.          Request City Manager to communicate with all building owners on Main St. from Lincoln Sq. to Chandler St. and encourage them, on a personal basis, to put flags up on their buildings.   Mariano -  Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

28c.          Request Worcester City Council vote to support a letter sent our federal delegation, Speaker of the House Hastert, Senator Thomas Daschle and President Bush requesting that housing be included in the Economic Stimulus Package.  Nadeau, Irish, Patton – Suspension of Rules – Resolution Adopted

 

                                                           - 5 -                           October 16, 2001

 

28d.   That the traffic study on Barry Rd. requested prior to the Public Works Committee meeting of October 22, 2001 be sent directly to the Committee for discussion at that meeting.   Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

28e.          Request Parks Department to install appropriate signage at Columbus Park, specifically listing prohibition of things that are not allowed in the park, including the use of ATV’s.  Abraham, Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

28f.          Request Administration report on the cost to the City of increasing the double elderly abatement from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 and increasing the current income and asset levels by $5,000.00 pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41c.  Petty, Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

28g.          Request City Solicitor report on whether Home Rule legislation is required to increase the elderly abatement amount and the income and asset levels.    Petty, Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

28h.          Request Administration report if there is a problem in terms of coordination with regards to the Police Department and the Communications Department.   Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

28i.          Request City Manager to report as to whether in the future he could target the Marketing budget to pay for marketing of the IceCats.  Motion-Clancy @ #31CC - Adopted

 

          29 & 30 ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

29.          SEWER ASSESSMENT:  WENDOVER RD.

                                                                                                         

30.          SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION ORDER AND BETTERMENT:  316 MASSASOIT RD.

 

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         - 6 -                              October 16, 2001

 

COMMUNICATION

 

31.          Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to information requested by City Council regarding the agreement entered into by the St. Louis Blues, SMG and the City of Worcester.

 

          Placed on file

 

RESOLUTION

 

32.     That the City Council supports producer take back of cathode ray tubes, electronics and household hazardous products.    (Patton)

 

          Adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

33.          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.

 

REPORTS

 

          34 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

34.             REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Craig Kinney requesting City sewerage to go to Martha Ave. down from Burncoat St. or up from Thornton Rd.

                                              

          35 REFERRED TO ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FOR

               A HEARING

 

35.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Heather Nejaimey requesting property designated as Lot 2 on Tracy Place currently zoned MG-2 be changed to RL-7 so as to conform with the rest of the neighborhood.

 

 

                                                      - 7 -                              October 16, 2001

 

          36 VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

36.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Donna Desrosiers requesting handicap parking in front of 39 Everard St.:  recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

 

          37 ACCEPTED & ORDER ADOPTED

 

37.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Final Draft of Benchmarking Worcester’s Future:  A Strategic Plan for the Third Millennium: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that the City Council accepts the Final Draft of Benchmarking Worcester’s Future:  A Strategic Plan for the Third Millennium.

 

STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR

CAPITAL PROJECTSNo Acton Taken

 

38.          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.                                          

                                                

39.          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.

 

                                                    - 8 -                            October 16, 2001

 

40.          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.

          

41.          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. 

                                               

42.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Chairman’s Order from 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 funding for five intersections as follows:  1)  May St. at Woodland St., full signalization ($135,000.00);  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).

 

 

 

                                                        - 9 -                          October 16, 2001

                                                       

43.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Chairman’s Order from 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 $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.

          

TABLED ITEMSNo Action Taken

 

44.     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)

 

45.          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to city employees serving on Boards and Commissions.  (Tabled April 3, 2001)

                                                                  

46.          Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of an Order authorizing the City Manager to use $50,000.00 in Centrum Lease Revenues for the purpose of providing marketing funds to the Worcester Ice Cats Hockey Club and to enter into a lease granting the Worcester Ice Cats the right to occupy space in the Centrum facility.  (Tabled October 9, 2001)

                              

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                                                         - 10 -                           October 16, 2001

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

OCTOBER 15, 2001          MUNICIPAL                COUNCIL CHAMBER

        4:30 P.M.                   OPERATIONS

                          Re:  Salary of the City Manager

 

 

OCTOBER 15, 2001      PUBLIC SERVICE &      COUNCIL CHAMBER

        5:15 P.M.                TRANSPORTATION

 

 

OCTOBER 16, 2001          COMMUNITY             COUNCIL CHAMBER

        5:00 P.M.                   DEVELOPMENT

 

 

OCTOBER 16, 2001             MILITARY                COUNCIL CHAMBER

        6:15 P.M.                       AFFAIRS

 

 

OCTOBER 22, 2001         PUBLIC WORKS          COUNCIL CHAMBER

        6:00 P.M.