CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:11 P.M.

Adjourned:10:45 PM

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Mayor Lukes recognized several speakers relative to Health Insurance.

1. Darya Karuna, Worcester resident
2. Frank Raffa, Worcester, resident
3. Peter O'Rourke, retired Worcester police

John & Kelly Pough request abatement of street assessment #24547 in the amount of $8,343.69 for Gaylord St.

John & Kelly Pough request abatement of street assessment #24555 in the amount of $4,933.13 for Diana St.

Roger Lyon request to remove handicap parking space in front of 208 Pilgrim Ave.

Andrew Cariglia request to change the Winter Parking Ban in Regent St. from both sides to even side only.

Roger Lyon et al request to install handicap parking space in front of 54 Shelby St.

Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Leonard Bonardi request to amend the time when Resident Sticker Parking is in effect in Dayton St between Sever St and Fruit St to 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Lynne Garafalo et al request to speak before City Council concerning the violation of rights of the hard of hearing students of the city come the next academic year.

Henry Rouba request to speak before City Council regarding the protection of Shade Trees.

Request City Council Approval of Salary Ordinance Amendments in Accordance with the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget.

Request City Council Approval of Salary Ordinance Amendments in Accordance with the Summer 2007 Jobs Program.

Informational Communication regarding M.G.L. Chapter 32B, Section 18.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a $60,000 Grant Award to the Cultural Coalition by the Jerome Wheelock Trust to Support the City's Wayfinding Initiative.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Public Street Decree for the Armory Street Cul-de-Sac located within the South Worcester Industrial Park Project Area.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Informational Communication Regarding the Eligibility of the Washington Square Project for CDBG Funding.

Request City Council Adoption of an Order to Accept a Conservation Restriction at Cook's (Smith) Pond.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Informational Communication Regarding Union Station Parking Garage.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the FY'08 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program.

Recommend City Council Adoption of the Attached Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a donation of a Children's Monument at Hope Cemetery from the Friends of Hope Cemetery, the Rock of Ages, the Wheeler Trust and the Greener Side.

Recommend City Council's Adoption of an Order of Taking and an Order of Conservation Restriction for Property Located at 374 Pleasant Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Number and Types of Pedestrian and Vehicular Accidents along Chandler St. between Park Ave. and Main St. for the Past Five Years.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Legality of an Auto Detailing Business Operating at 1226 Pleasant Street.

Request Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude the Donation of a Popcorn Making Stand for the Worcester Senior Center.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Worcester Public Health Department's Response to the Spencer Water Emergency.

Informational Communication Regarding the Responses of the Administration to the Questions Posed at the May 29, 2007 Finance Committee Meeting.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C714, Water Pumping Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C726, Water Pumping Station Rehabilitation to allow for the payment of current and anticipated obligations.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C764, Sewer Pumping to allow for payment of current and anticipated obligations for the Sewer Pumping Station Capital Program.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Reconstruction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion/Betterments to provide funds for the payment of current obligations and future expenditures.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and appropriated to DPW Account #41C732, Street Construction, Main Street Engineering to allow for the payment of anticipated project obligations.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C784, Parks Improvements, and appropriated to Account # 72C702, Park Site Improvements, to fund the land acquisition of Open Space, as approved in the FY 2007 Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($75,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C744, Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated Account #46C704, Federal Plaza Rehabilitation to allow for payment of current and anticipated obligations for Federal Plaza Garage rehabilitation projects.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C741, Street Resurfacing to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #50C704, School Building Rehabilitation, to provide engineering funds for various school rehabilitation projects.

Recommend that Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($9,500.00) be transferred from Account #91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated when and as received to Account #65C701, Auditing Department Capital Equipment, for the purchase of a scanner and high speed printer.

Recommend that Sixty Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Dollars And One Cent ($60,360.01) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation Premium on Loans, and be appropriated to Account #660-92000, Treasurer's Ordinary Maintenance, to pay for costs related to the May 10, 2007 General Obligation Bond Sale of $4,750,000.00 for Major Taylor Boulevard Garage.

Informational Communication Regarding the Resignation of the Executive Director of the Election Commission Office.

David J. Rushford, City Clerk, transmitting communication requesting appointment of Michael J. Monfredo as Assistant City Clerk.

James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative to schedules showing estimated savings that would accrue to the City if certain changes were made to employee and retiree health plans by adopting MGL Chapter 32B Section 18 and by decreasing the City's share of premiums from 80% to 75% for various groups not affected by Section 18.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Kenneth Genatossio request the City of Worcester to acquire, improve, layout and decree a public way along and within the bounds of the existing 30 foot wide common driveway that serves certain residential properties along Plantation St. and Wigwam Hill Dr. known as Patriot's Landing Roadway.

Order of Mayor Timothy P. Murray - That the ordinance relative to the Police Department License Board as it relates to taxi regulations be rescinded. (Tabled - Murray April 25, 2006)

Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller and Councilor Gary Rosen - Request the City Manager take all steps to have the WRTA #11 bus rerouted to serve the Island part of Harding Street (south of Kelley Square) to take residents, especially the elderly, to and from the Route 20 Fair Shopping Plaza. Further request that this service be provided several times in the mornings and again in the afternoons, both outbound and inbound. This service was formerly provided by the old #4 Millbury City Line and eliminated on January 28th, 2006 creating a serious hardship and reduction in the quality of life for residents in the Green Island neighborhood. (Tabled - Haller August 29, 2006)

Chairman's Order from the Committee on Military Affairs - Request City Manager consider communicating to City Council a recommendation for funding section 2 of Chapter 157 of MGL in the amount of $1.1 million. (Tabled - Clancy March 6, 2007)

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of John O'Toole request the erection of an appropriate plaque to commemorate the significant contributions in the financial arena of Mr. Ed Jones who was born in the City of Worcester.

Motion - Petty - Suspension of Rules - That the $74,250 raised from the cut of the City Council salary account be applied to the Parks Department Ordinary Maintenance account #720-9100 in the amount of $37,500 for public swimming pools and the remaining balance be applied to the Worcester Public School salary bottom line account for the sole purpose of improving the teacher/student ratio.

RESOLUTION - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby request our State Legislative Delegation to do everything within their power to ensure a second hearing be held on the telecommunications loophole act which can aid in balancing the budget for the City. Further, request this resolution be sent to our state legislative delegation as well as the Executive Offices at the State House. (Clancy)

Motion Irish to amend: Request that the hearing be held in Worcester.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending City Council's approval of the attached Fiscal Year 2008 Budget: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding M.G.L. Chapter 32B, Section 18: recommend Communication be referred to Municipal Operations Committee.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative to the schedules showing estimated savings that would accrue to the City if certain changes were made to employee and retiree health plans by adopting MGL Chapter 32B Section 18 and by decreasing the City's share of premiums from 80% to 75% for various groups not affected by Section 18: recommend Communication be referred to Municipal Operations Committee.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to responses from the Administration to the questions asked at the City Council Finance Committee of May 22, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to responses to the questions posed at the Finance Committee Meetings of May 1, 2007, May 8, 2007 and May 15, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding questions posed at the May 1, 2007 Finance Committee Meeting: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager, transmitting information communication relative to results of the Hiring Freeze instituted in March 2007 and the subsequent vacant positions: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the legality and process for the sale of the Green Hill Municipal Golf Course: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Status of the City's Bond Rating: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager respectfully requesting City Council's approval to Present FY 2008 Solutions to Achieve Structural Balance and Fiscal Stability: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding an update on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager regarding a presentation on the status of the Fiscal Year 2007 budget at the Finance Committee meetings on January 23, 2007 and February 27, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager informational communication regarding the Five-Year Financial Plan for the Worcester Public Schools: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the responses of the Administration to the questions posed at the May 29, 2007 Finance Committee meeting: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to a financial analysis of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds as of April 30, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the April 2007 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to a financial analysis of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds as of March 31, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to March 2007 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to a financial analysis of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds as of February 28, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to February 2007 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to a financial analysis of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds as of January 31, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the schedule of the City's authorized and unissued bonds gross and net of bond anticipation notes as of January 31, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to January 2007 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the December 2006 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting a financial analysis of the City's General Fund and Enterprise Funds as of December 31, 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the Reports on Federal Award Programs - the City's Single Audit - for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to November 2006 Auditor's Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the City's fiscal 2006 Management Recommendation Letter: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of the City Auditor transmitting communication relative to the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Communication of Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Municipal Finance in Worcester: Factors Affecting the City's Bond Rating: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Motion-Haller @#8.17A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to the feasibility of declaring the corridor of Chandler St. from Main St. to Park Ave. as a pilot program for crosswalk maintenance and enforcement.

RESOLUTION - That the City Council of the City of Worcester sends their best wishes to Frank Carroll for a speedy recovery from his recent surgery. (Rushton)

Motion-Haller - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to recent fire at 14 Benefit Terrace as to the crime.

Motion - Haller - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning where the crime gun(s) used in the recent shootings and homicide at 59 & 59 1/2 Benefit St. came from.