CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 25, 2003

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:00 P.M.

Adjourned:  11:25 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION –  Rev. Susan Nachtigal

Trinity Lutheran Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present

 

4.       PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SEVEN HILLS FOUNDATION ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY.

 

HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

 

          5 – Councillor Haller recused on a roll call 10-0 – Hearing held

 

5.       MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for cable and  conduit system on:  BELMONT ST.  (Attachments)

 

          5a -Councillor Haller recused on a roll call 10-0 – Order Adopted

 

5a.     Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for cable and conduit system on:  BELMONT ST.

 

RECESSED ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING – 7:00 P.M.

RECESSED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2003

 

          6 - Hearing reconvened – Committee voted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas (Abraham, Clancy, Gomez, Irish, Lukes, Palmieri, Perotto, Petty, Murray) and 2 Nays (Haller, Patton) to accept the Report of the Planning Board and recommend Petition be approved

 

6.       REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Elaine Baltas on behalf of Luis Santiago requesting zone change at 128 Piedmont St. from one-half RG-5 and one-half BG-3 to BG-3.  (Attachments)

 

TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING – 7:00 P.M.

 

7.       To determine tax rates for residential, commercial, industrial and personal properties for Fiscal 2004.

 

Mayor Murray opened the hearing:

 

          Speakers in favor of the lowest residential tax rate:

 

1.                 Gary Vecchio, 14 Caprera Rd.

2.                 Billy Swartz, 8 Bailin Dr.

3.                 Aldo Riggieri, 15 Winneconnett Rd.

4.                 Brenda Gerow, 2 Homestead Ave.

 

Speakers in favor of a tax rate favorable to businesses:

 

1.                 Edwin Coghlin, Shrewsbury

2.                 Larry Abramoff, 34 Chiltern Hill Dr.

3.                 Paul Kennedy, 30 Westwood Dr.

4.                 Jack Healy, 4 Arrowhead Ave., Auburn

5.                 Howard Katz, 3 Zenith Dr.

6.                 Paul Barber, 24 Brantwood Rd.

7.                 Julie Jacobson, 13 Brigham Rd., Paxton

8.                 Ed Bourgault, 822 Pleasant St.

9.                 Mark Lover, 41 Hancock Hill Dr.

 

Motion of Councillor Clancy to set the Residential tax rate at $14.38 and the Commercial tax rate at $31.07

 

Motion of Councillor Gomez to set the Residential tax rate at $15.50 and the Commercial tax rate at $26.65

 

Motion of Councillor Abraham to set the Residential tax rate at $15.42 and the Commercial tax rate at $26.97

 

Motion of Mayor Murray to set the Residential tax rate at $14.58 and the Commercial tax rate at $30.28

 

Motion of Councillor Irish to set the Residential tax rate at $15.03 and the Commercial tax rate at $28.51

 

Mayor Murray took up the motions in order of the highest tax

rate to the lowest:

 

Gomez – Residential $15.50 – Commercial $26.65

Denied on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 9 Nays

Yes – Gomez, Irish

No – Abraham, Clancy, Haller, Lukes, Palmieri, Patton, Perotto, Petty, Murray

 

Abraham – Residential $15.42 – Commercial $26.97

Denied on a roll call vote of 4 Yeas and 7 Nays

Yes – Abraham, Gomez, Irish, Petty

No – Clancy, Haller, Lukes, Palmieri, Patton, Perotto, Murray

 

Irish – Residential $15.03 – Commercial $28.51

Denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays

Yes – Abraham, Gomez, Irish, Patton, Petty

No – Clancy, Haller, Lukes, Palmieri, Perotto, Murray

 

Murray – Residential $14.58 – Commercial $30.28

Denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays

Yes – Patton, Perotto, Murray

No – Abraham, Clancy, Gomez, Haller, Irish, Lukes, Palmieri, Petty

 

Clancy – Residential $14.38 – Commercial 31.07

Denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays

Yes – Clancy, Haller, Lukes, Palmieri, Patton

No – Abraham, Gomez, Irish, Perotto, Petty, Murray

 

Councillor Gomez then requested a reconsideration vote on the motion made by Councillor Irish to set the Residential tax rate at $15.03 and the Commercial tax rate at $28.51 – Withdrawn

 

Motion Councillor Gomez to set the Residential tax rate at $15.01 and the Commercial tax rate at $28.59 – Denied on a roll call vote of 4 Yeas and 7 Nays

Yes – Abraham, Gomez, Irish, Petty

No – Clancy, Haller, Lukes, Palmieri, Patton, Perotto, Murray

 

Motion of Councillor Petty to set the Residential tax rate at $14.66 and the Commercial tax rate at $29.97 – Denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays

Yes – Patton, Petty, Murray

No – Abraham, Clancy, Gomez, Haller, Irish, Lukes, Palmieri, Perotto

 

Motion of Mayor Murray to set the Residential tax rate at $14.75 and the Commercial tax rate at $29.60 – Approved on a roll call vote of 7 Yeas and 4 Nays

Yes – Abraham, Gomez, Irish, Patton, Perotto, Petty, Murray

No – Clancy, Haller, Lukes, Palmieri

 

Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays

Yes – Clancy, Lukes, Palmieri

No – Abraham, Gomez, Haller, Irish, Patton, Perotto, Petty, Murray

 

8.       Communication of the City Manager relative to Fiscal Year 2004 tax rate options.  (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

9.       Communication of the City Manager relative to possible additional Fiscal Year 2004 tax rate options.  (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

10.     Communication of the City Manager relative to valuation increases – Residential vs. CIP.  (Attachments)

         

          Placed on file

 

11.     ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

11a.   ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          12 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD

 

12.     Joseph Boynton & Members of the Planning Board having considered the rezoning of the former St. Vincent’s Hospital area, the Worcester Planning Board requests the following two zone changes;  1) Applying an Adaptive Reuse Overlay District to the Liberty owned property.  2) Changing the zone district designation of parcels in the current IN-H zone and existing BL-1 zone as depicted on map submitted.  (Attachments)

 

          13 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

13.     Sharon Poirier request to connect garage located in Millbury to Worcester sewer system.  House is located at 116 Westborough St., Worcester, garage is located in Millbury.  (Attachments)

 

          14 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

14.     Jennifer Shea, Co-owner/Manager, Shea’s Diner request one hour parking in front of 301 Grove St. between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

          (Attachments)

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          14a-c FROM COMMERCE & DEVELOPMENT–SUSPENSION OF RULES - ADOPTED

 

14a.   Request City Manager work with businesses in and around Pearl St. to open up the street to two-way traffic.  (Attachments)

 

14b.   Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the financing for the Parcel Post Building.  (Attachments)

 

14c.   Request City Manager provide a report to City Council that details the costs involved in advertising Requests for Proposals in various newspapers and periodicals, including at a minimum, the Telegram and Gazette, the Boston Globe and the New York Times.  (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

14d.   Request Administration to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding a fixed line business zone that may result in split zoning of a lot versus having a zone line match the boundaries of the lot.  Motion-Haller @ #6CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

14e.   Request City Manager to add to that portion of the monthly economic development report relative to the reuse of the mall as it relates to CIGNA to include all timelines and status reports as relates to the mall and the master plan for downtown.  Motion-Patton @ #8B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

14f.    Request City Manager report to City Council on alternatives for funding the $230,000.00 necessary for replacement windows at City Hall.   Motion-Perotto @ #18D CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14g.   Request City Manager to give a letter of commendation to Public Works Commissioner Robert L. Moylan, Jr. for his leadership on the Abandoned Vehicle Program.  Motion-Clancy @ #23A CM-Adopted  (Attachments)

 

14h.   Request Commissioner of Public Works to notify auto repair shops and gas stations that the City will not tolerate vehicles being abandoned in the City of Worcester.  Motion-Murray @ #23A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

14i.    Request City Manager, Treasurer and the Director of Economic Development be and are hereby requested to meet relative to funding for brownfields remediation of  property at 722 Plantation St. and further, that the City Manager then consider contacting DEP.  Motion-Perotto @ #26A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

14j.    Request City Manager to report on how the City will advertise the Holiday Parking Program.  Motion-Lukes @ #23D CM – Adopted

          (Attachments)

 

14k.   Request Administration to report on the possibility and probability of the PIP Shelter and PIP Foundation, Inc. transferring its assets and programs to another non-profit entity, namely SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council).  Further, request that the report include details of the SMOC organization: mission, size, types of programs, locations and reputation, especially for quality of programs and neighborhood accountability.  Haller – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

14L.   Request Administration to meet with the PIP Board and strategize options for the PIP remaining a local organization with a local Board of Directors.   Haller – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

          (Attachments)

 

14m.  Request City Manager to provide City Council with a copy of the grant that was filed for hiring of the 50 new Police Officers.  Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

15.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

THOMAS R. HOOVER

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 25, 2003

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3. AIRPORT:

 

4. ASSESSORS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Twenty-five Highest Personal Property Taxpayers and Fifty Highest Real Estate Taxpayers. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

B.      Communication relative to House Bill 1980 – An Act to Further Regulate Property Tax Classification in Cities and Towns. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

C.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication  relative to Tax Bill History – Fiscal 1996 through Fiscal 2003.  (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

5. BUDGET OFFICE:

 

A.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Capital Equipment Transfer (Finance Items 28P and 28T) for the Department of Code Enforcement and the Department of Public Works that were held under personal privilege.  (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

6. CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

          A.      Communication relative to 128 Piedmont Street. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

7. COMMUNICATIONS:

 

8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.      Communication relative to the Parcel Post Building. (Attachments)

 

          Recommitted to the City Manager

 

B.      Communication relative to Planning a Development Convention. (Attachments)

 

          Recommitted to the City Manager

 

9. ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

10. ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

 

12. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13. FIRE:

 

14. HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

15. LAW:

 

16. LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

17. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:

 

A.      Communication relative to the proposed Year 30 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocation Process Timetable. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Community Development Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to rezoning alternative for the Vernon Hill Institutional Hospital Zone. (Attachments)

 

Tabled

 

C.      Communication relative to the requested zone change at 128 Piedmont Street. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

18. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Respectfully request City Council accept with gratitude a Donation for the Maintenance and Up-keep of the “Mario V. Zona” Administration Building and the Common Facility “Garabed Hovhanesian Hall” at Hope Cemetery. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted with gratitude

 

B.      Respectfully request adoption of a resolution to file and accept a Grant for the Heritage Tree Care Grant Program to care for a Heritage Tree at Historic Hope Cemetery. (Attachments)

 

Resolution adopted

 

C.      Communication relative to Year 2003 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

D.      Communication relative to Replacement Windows at City Hall. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Works Committee

 

19. POLICE:

 

A.      I respectfully recommend that the table of organization for the Worcester Police Department be amended by adding the title of Deputy Police Chief – paygrade 50Z, and deleting the position of Captain pay grade 97 for the Worcester Police Department. (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Abraham absent)

 

20. PUBLIC HEALTH:

 

21. PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

22. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

A.      Communication relative to School Nutrition Program. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

23. PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Abandoned Vehicle Status Report. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Clean-up Efforts in the areas of Franklin Street, Plantation Street, Lake Avenue, Millbrook Street, Putnam Lane and Hamilton Street. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Winter Parking Ban – Public Outreach. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

D.      SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Downtown Holiday Parking Program.  (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

24. PURCHASING:

 

25. TECHNICAL SERVICES:

 

26. TREASURY:

 

          A.      Communication relative to 722 Plantation Street. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

27. VETERANS SERVICES:

 

28. FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that $293.68 from FY 2002 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Round VII program income be appropriated for use as follows.

 

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

   AMOUNT

18S248

LLEBG VII Program Income

$293.68

 

The purpose of this appropriation is to use funds to support Worcester Police Department overtime detail expenses for the People in Peril Shelter. (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Abraham absent)

 

29. MISCELLANEOUS:

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

16.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting a schedule presenting multiple-year tax levy information as requested.  (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

17.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting projection of the actual versus budget expenditures of the Worcester Police Department Salary Account for fiscal 2004.  (Attachments)

 

          Tabled

 

REPORTS

 

          17a – ACCEPTED AND ORDER ADOPTED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0 – SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

17a.   REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to property sale and redevelopment of the G.A.R. Memorial Hall:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Order authorizing the City Manager to execute a deed and such other documents on behalf of the City for the sale of 55 Pearl St. in accordance with the City’s Request for Proposals and Tiano’s, Inc.’s response.

          (Attachments)

 

          17b-d – ACCEPTED – SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the following Communications of the City Manager:  recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

17b.   Relative to RFP Title/Property Sale and Redevelopment of G.A.R. Memorial Hall.  (Attachments)

 

17c.   Relative to October Monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report.  (Attachments)

 

17d.   Relative to September Monthly Economic Development Initiatives Report.  (Attachments)

 

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

 

18.     Communication of the City Manager recommending $40,048.00 be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment and appropriated to Account #28C701, Code Enforcement Department Capital Equipment for the purpose of purchasing the following pieces of equipment:

 

                   (1) 2004 Ford Taurus Sedan               $14,203.00

                   (1) Photocopier                                  $ 8,570.00

                   (10) Portable Radios                           $15,475.00

                   (1) Snow Blower                                $ 1,800.00

 

                   Total                                                  $40,048.00

 

          for Code Enforcement, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.  (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and Order adopted on a roll call 10-0

          (Abraham absent)

 

19.     Communication of the City Manager recommending $67,010.00 be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment and appropriated to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment for the purpose of purchasing:

 

                   (2) ½ Ton Trucks (Engineering)          $32,786.00

                   (1) 4WD Crew Cab (Streets Division) $34,224.00

 

                   Total                                                  $67,010.00

 

          for the Department of Public Works, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.  (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and Order adopted on a roll call 10-0

          (Abraham absent)

 

TABLED ITEMS

 

20.     Communication of the City Manager relative to rezoning alternatives for the Vernon Hill Institutional Hospital Zone.  (Tabled November 18, 2003)  (Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and placed on file

 

21.     Communication of the City Manager relative to a Zoning Ordinance Amendment for St. Francis Home.  (Tabled November 18, 2003)

          (Attachments)

 

          No Action Taken