CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 2, 2003

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:00 P.M.

Adjourned:  9:28 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION –  Rev. Ara Jizmejian

Armenian Church of the Martyrs

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present

 

4.       PRESENTATION – FIRST NIGHT 2004

 

5.       PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 2003 NOTRE DAME ACADEMY FIELD HOCKEY TEAM ON WINNING THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

6.       ELECTION OF TWO MEMBERS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.- Susan Harrington and John Donohue were elected to the Library Board of Directors for six year terms

 

          7 – Taken up with Item 25

 

7.       Monthly status reports consistent with Standing Committees on the following economic development initiatives:  Union Station garage and tenancy, Massport’s partnership efforts at the Airport, downtown housing development, Mass. Highway road project schedules, Gateway Park grants and tenancy, Gardner-Kilby-Hammond project, SWIP project, brownfield initiatives, Coes Dam rehab, replacement and relocation of Central Garage, Visitor’s Center rehab, telecommunications contract, Wyman Gordon property reuse, Worcester Center tenancy and the Arts District.

 

8.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

8a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          9 REFERRED TO THE PLANNING BOARD

 

9.       Wesley Cotter et al request Quaker Rd. be accepted as a public street. (Attachments)

 

          10 - 11c REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

10.     Joseph Gulino request abatement of Sewer Assessment #30916 in the amount of $3,600.88 on Sunderland Rd.   (Attachments)

 

11.     Mayor Timothy Murray on behalf of George Coblentz request resurfacing on Knowles Rd.  (Attachments)

 

11a.   Councillor Philip Palmieri request resurfacing of Frothingham Rd.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules

          (Attachments)

 

11b.   Councillor Philip Palmieri request resurfacing of Lakeview St.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules (Attachments)

 

11c.   Councillor Philip Palmieri request resurfacing of Orne St.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules (Attachments)

 

          12-14 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

12.     Robert Comeau, Sr. request handicap parking at 55 Houghton St. (Attachments)

 

13.     Jane Ferris request handicap parking at 23 Canton St. (Attachments)

 

14.     Mayor Timothy Murray on behalf of State Representative James Leary request dotted lines to divide lanes and left and right turn lane arrows be painted on Bourne St. where Barber Ave. turns onto Bourne St. at the intersection of Bourne St. and West Boylston St. (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

15.     Request Administration to repair fence along the wall in the area of 663 Southbridge St.   (Haller)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

16.     Request Administration report on the structural soundness of the handball court at the South Worcester playfields.  (Haller) (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

17.     Request Administration report on how property assessment percent increases/decreases are determined and if they differ by geographical location in the city.  (Haller)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

18.     Request City Manager report to City Council concerning plans to decorate Main St. for the holiday season.  (Abraham) (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

19.     Request City Manager provide City Council with an itemization of the various Boards and Commissions whose membership is required to be partisan and how that composition is determined; either by Home Rule Charter, statute, by-laws or ordinance.  (Abraham)

          (Attachments)

 

          Adopted – Request response for December 9, 2003 City Council meeting

 

20.     Request City Manager provide a report concerning the rehabilitation of the football field at Beaver Brook Park utilized by the Worcester Vikings.  (Perotto, Abraham)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

20a.   Request City Manager to consider revisiting the issue of funding for the Franklin St. Fire Station to include private funding sources.  Motion-Palmieri @ #27CC – Adopted (Attachments)

 

20b.   Request Administration to provide documentation as to conversations with property owners in the area of the South Worcester Industrial Park relative to working with the City on brownfields remediation.  Motion-Perotto @ #25CC – Adopted    (Attachments)

 

20c.   Request City Manager to provide an itemized listing relative to use of the $200,000.00 in direct financial assistance and the $100,000.00 for programmatic costs under the brownfields revolving loan fund.  Motion-Perotto @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

                  

20d.   Request City Manager to report on the status of hiring a consultant for the redevelopment of the downtown area.  Motion-Irish @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20e.   Request City Manager to request MassPort to provide a report concerning the access road to the Airport.  Motion-Irish @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20f.    Request City Manager to report on damage to Southgate St. road surface.   Motion-Haller @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20g.   Request City Manager to discuss possible asbestos abatement strategies with our legislators.  Motion-Haller @ #25CC – Adopted (Attachments)

 

20h.   Request Administration to pay particular attention to the area of the South Worcester Industrial Park relative to illegal dumping.  Motion-Haller @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20i.    Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report an update on corporate jet service at the Airport.  Motion-Petty @ #25CC – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

20j.    Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report the membership of the steering committee for the Telecommunications Master Plan.  Motion-Petty @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20k.   Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report whether or not it is viable to include air rights over the Union Station Garage in the design plan for the garage.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20L.   Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report how many parking spaces are expected in the temporary parking lot for Union Station and how will the lot be managed.   Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20m.  Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report the ramp lots adjacent to the bus ports as to how many spaces will be provided on Worcester Center Blvd. and will there be access from those lots to Union Station and what kind of management will be at those lots.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20n.   Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report on the SWIP project, the status of Standard Foundry.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20o.   Request City Manager to report if the City has a clearinghouse for RFP’s and why it takes so long for an RFP.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

20p.   Request City Manager to request the Worcester Regional  Research Bureau to do a comparison of cable rates in cities in Massachusetts along with comparisons to other major cities in New England.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20q.   Request City Manager to report on the award for Hurley Square work.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20r.    Request City Manager report as to whether the City of Worcester made a formal response to Mass. Highway regarding the design of Washington Square, and if so, to provide City Council with a copy of that response.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted (Attachments)

 

20s.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with the plan that the State came forward with relative to the reconfiguration of Washington Square for discussion in committee.  Motion-Clancy @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20t.    Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report if there are any steps available to the City, within the law, to pursue recovering some of the costs relative to clean-up of the Institutional Linen site.  Motion-Gomez @ #25CC – Adopted (Attachments)

 

20u.   Request City Manager be and is hereby requested to include in next month’s economic development report the clean-up of the Coes property and the status of the plan that had been identified for the site.  Motion-Gomez @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20v.   Request City Manager to include in next month’s economic development report how the City will deal with Franklin St. and parking issues in the area of  Union Station.  Motion-Murray @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20w.  Request City Manager to report at the next City Council meeting as to what his plans are for the Airport.  Motion-Murray @ #25CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20x.   Request Administration to put in writing within the next two weeks, their intention to abate the abutters of West Chester St. for their portion of the cost of construction of the street.  Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

20y.   Request Police Department to look into the issue of resident only parking on Chrome St. on Sundays and ticket appropriately. Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

20z.   Request City Manager to consider distributing hand sets to the Operations Division of the Police Department.  Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20aa.  Request Administration to report on the status of achieving 15 goals outlined in the October 28th report to the Council on improving services and accountability of the PIP Shelter as well as relocating this shelter.  Further, request that details of implementation of each item be included.  Haller – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

20bb. Request Administration to rigorously enforce the sidewalk snow removal ordinance, especially in the Pleasant St. area.  Haller – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20cc. Request Administration to report on the status and timeline for a traffic study of Webster Square.  Haller – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

20dd. Request Administration to report as to the status of the leaf pick-up program.   Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

          21-24 ADOPTED

 

21.     SEWER ASSESSMENT:  SALISBURY ST.  (Attachments)

 

22.     SEWER ASSESSMENT:  MOSS ST.  (Attachments)

 

23.     SEWER ASSESSMENT:  CRESTON ST.  (Attachments)

 

24.     SEWER ASSESSMENT:  LAKE AVE. NORTH  (Attachments)

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

25.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting monthly economic development report.  (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Commerce & Development Committee, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, Public Service & Transportation Committee and Public Works Committee

 

26.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to removal of a portion of Fox St. from the Official Map. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

27.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to acquisition of 254 Franklin St. (Attachments)

 

          Councillor Perotto recused on a roll call 10-0

          Placed on file

 

28.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to the anniversary of the December 3, 1999 fire. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

29.     That the City of Worcester congratulates the 2003 Notre Dame Academy Field Hockey Team on winning the State Championship. (Murray)  (Attachments)

          Adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

30.     That the City Council recognizes Suzanne M. Buglione as the 2003 recipient of the Richard Smith Award given by the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations.  (Patton) (Attachments)

 

          Adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

30a.   The City Council of the City of Worcester hereby congratulates the Worcester Vikings Pee-Wee Football Team on winning the Massachusetts State Championship.  Motion-Perotto @ #20CC – Adopted on a roll call 11-0  (Attachments)

 

31.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Items Pending

 

REPORTS

 

          32 & 33 ACCEPTED AND VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCES

 

32.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Attorney Robert Longden on behalf of Beacon St., LLC requesting a zone change for land at 64-79 Beacon St. from MG-2.0 to BG-6.0: recommend Petition for zone change be denied and passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to create an Adaptive Reuse Overlay District  in lieu of the zone change to BG-6.0.  (Attachments)

 

33.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Attorney Elaine Baltas on behalf of Luis Santiago requesting a zone change at 128 Piedmont St. from one-half RG-3 and one-half BG-3 to BG-3: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.  (Attachments)

 

          34 DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE

 

34.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Attorney Donald O’Neil on behalf of Ariana Kadiu requesting to remove a portion of Fox St. from the Official Map: recommend adoption of the accompany Order.  (Attachments)

 

          35 & 36 ACCEPTED

 

35.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Steve & Karen Ripsz et al requesting extension of BL-1 zone to include properties located directly on Grafton St. and reside between Arcadia St. and Progressive St.: recommend Petition be denied.  (Attachments)

 

36.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to 64-79 Beacon St. rezoning:  recommend Communication be placed on file. (Attachments)

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          37-51 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

37.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the north side of Cambridge St. from Haynes St. westerly for a distance of 250’.  (Attachments)

 

          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the north side of Cambridge St. from Haynes St. to a point 250’ east of Haynes St.  (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to reserve the left lane for northbound traffic on Waller Ave. at Cambridge St. to turn left onto Cambridge St.  (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to reserve the left lane for southbound traffic on Haynes St. at Cambridge St. to turn left onto Cambridge St.  (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to reserve the left lane for westbound traffic on Cambridge St. at Waller Ave. to turn left onto Waller Ave.  (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to reserve the right lane for northbound traffic on Waller Ave. at Cambridge St. to turn right onto Cambridge St.  (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 71 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to reserve the right lane for eastbound traffic on Cambridge St. at Waller Ave. to turn right onto Waller Ave.  (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 70 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit left turns on Cambridge St. eastbound into Haynes St. (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 30 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for flashing red signals for southbound traffic on Haynes St. at Cambridge St. and for northbound traffic on Waller Ave. at Cambridge St.  (Attachments)

 

38.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide handicap parking in front of 17 Ellsmere St. (Attachments)

 

39.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking across from 10 Whittier St. Attachments)

 

40.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 27 Perry Ave. Attachments)

 

41.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 17 Clarkson St. Attachments)

 

42.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 19 Elizabeth St. (Attachments)

 

43.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking opposite 2 Lodi St. (Attachments)

 

44.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 125 Plantation St. (Attachments)

 

45.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 21 Preston St. (Attachments)

 

46.     Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for Stop signs on Moreland Green Dr. at Greenside Lane and Greenview Lane facing eastbound and westbound traffic on Moreland Green Dr.  (Attachments)

 

47.     Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 providing for Stop sign on Cornhill St. at Stockholm St. facing eastbound traffic on Cornhill St.  (Attachments)

 

48.     Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Resident Permit Parking on the north side of Spurr St. opposite 2-4 Spurr St.  (Attachments)

 

49.     Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Resident Permit Parking on the west side of Florence St. between Charlotte St. and Downing St.   (Attachments)

 

50.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind handicap parking in front of 105 Sterling St. (Attachments)

 

          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking across from 41 Kingsbury St. (Attachments)

 

51.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the west side of Harrington Way in the area of North High School.  (Attachments)

 

          Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to prohibit parking on the east side of Harrington Way in the area of North High School.  (Attachments)

         

TABLED ITEMS

 

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

(Attachments)  No Action Taken

 

53.     Communication of the City Manager relative to the rezoning alternative for the Vernon Hill Institutional Hospital Zone.  (Tabled November 25, 2003)  (Attachments)   No Action Taken

 

54.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting City of Worcester Police Salary Account Projection for Year ending June 30, 2004.  (Tabled November 25, 2003)  (Attachments)  Taken off the Table and referred to Public Safety Committee

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON DECEMBER 23, 2003 AND DECEMBER 30, 2003