CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:15 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:41 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the resignation of the Executive Director of the Election Commission Office.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding Union Station Parking Garage. (Tabled under privilege - Lukes)

Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report - June 2007.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities.

Nick Grande and Hossein Haghanizadeh request to extend 8" PVC sewer main in Mohican Rd. approximately 182.88'. All work to be done at the Petitioner's expense and subject to a prior agreement and DPW specifications.

Mary Moran request sidewalk repair in front of 2 Paradox Dr

David & Kathleen Papagni request abatement of street assessment #24559 in the amount of $8,612.05 for Diana St.

Chris Pinto request sidewalk repair in front of 4 Watson Ave.

Stanley Kusy request street resurfacing in Summerhill Ave.

Stanley Kusy request street resurfacing in Kendrick Ave.

Stanley Kusy request street resurfacing in Leeds St.

Stanley Kusy request sidewalk repair in front of 42 Summerhill Ave.

Mirick & Bridget Perkins request abatement of street assessment #24544 in the amount of $5,525.10 for Gaylord St.

Edward Rivera request the Office of Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission be moved to City Hall or in the vicinity of City Hall.

Request City Manager recommend to City Council a public education campaign that would comprehensively inform drivers of the public safety concerns of vehicles blocking intersections, including an enforcement plan to prevent same. (Smith)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report by year for a number of years where comparable data is readily available, including 2007 year-to-date of the following: 1.) homicides: total number of homicides, number of homicides by firearm, number of cases where the perpetrator has been arrested, sources of the firearms used (where the perpetrator got the gun from); 2.) non-fatal shootings: total number of non-fatal shootings, number of non-fatal victims, number of cases where perpetrator has been arrested, sources of the firearms used (where the perpetrator got the gun from; 3.) weapons seized (exclusive of crime gun used in homicides and non-fatal shootings): number of cases where illegal firearms were seized, number of firearms seized, sources of the firearms seized (where the illegal firearms came from). (Haller)

Request City Manager consider outsourcing the management of Worker’s Compensation issues similar to the program used by the City of Springfield, where the overall Worker’s Compensation costs were reduced by 47%, and in the City of Methuen where a savings of more than $4 million was realized. (Rushton)

Request City Manager report to City Council revealing at what point the City of Fall River revoked the Project Labor Agreement on it’s municipal project, and, if that occurred after construction commenced, at what stage in project development was that action taken. Further, request the City Manager inform the City Council at what stage of construction is the City at with the Union Station Garage construction, and, if the City terminated the existing Project Labor Agreement, what might we expect for additional costs, impacts and delays to the construction of the garage and the revitalization of the Green Island/Canal District. (Rushton, Clancy)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the wayfinding route to the B'nai B’rith Cemetery and recommendations for improvement. (Irish)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update on the status of Newton Hill master plan. (Irish)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding City of Worcester’s authority to require retailers of cleaning products to prominently post a description of nitrate and phosphate content by product. (Irish)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update regarding the implementation of the Climate Action Plan.(Irish)

Motion Haller to amend: Further, request an overall review of the energy contract aspect of the Climate Action Plan relative to the reduction of energy to municipal buildings.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a previously requested comparative parks and recreation data report within 30 days. (Irish)

Request City Manager report on the process and time frame for real estate property values to be determined and the tax classification vote to be scheduled and specifically, what needs to be accomplished for the tax classification vote to be voted by the City Council prior to November 6, 2007. (Lukes)

Motion-Lukes to amend: Further, request said report for the next City Council meeting.

Request the City Manager to coordinate a broad-based effort to improve the system of mass-transit in greater Worcester that involves, among others, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce, the Worcester Consortium of Colleges and the Worcester Public Schools.

Said efforts would involve a campaign to incite the public to utilize bus transportation at levels experienced in other major American cities, attract federal transit funds for fleet and infrastructure improvements, seek to expand service frequencies, improve the reliability of scheduled service using the latest technologies, evaluate the central business district drop-off and pick-up nodes and review the member community funding for appropriateness. (Rosen)

Motion-Haller to amend: to include the Central Massachusetts State Delegation as well as the Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray.

Motion-Palimeri to amend: Further, request the Worcester Regional Transit Authority review its fleet of buses as to reducing the size and fuel efficiencies of the buses.

REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Samuel Gyan request to make public Woodward St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Streets Scheduled for 2008 Resurfacing: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of the Worcester Housing Authority request the City of Worcester approve certain changes to the streets within the Worcester Housing Authority property known as the Curtis Apartments located at Tacoma St. and Great Brook Valley Avenue in Worcester: recommend adoption of accompanying Orders.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request street resurfacing for Lepanto St. from Glezen St. to Jennings St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Michael Revelli, President and Treasurer of M.R. Real Estate, Inc., request to extend 8" sewer main and 12" storm drain 80' in New York Street as approved by the DEP on May 12, 2006: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Gateway Park Public Street Decree: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Dr. George Maloney request to repair/replace sidewalk from 334 to 338 Highland St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Attorney Joe Boynton on behalf of Cardinal's Ridge Realty, LLC request that the City extend the sanitary sewer main from the existing line in Kendig St. 400' more or less in a southerly direction in Attleboro St., subject to a prior agreement and at the expense of the petitioner: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. and Mayor Timothy P. Murray request that Central St. from Summer St. to Main St. be renamed MLK, Jr. Boulevard, and, that Front St. from Main St. to Washington Sq. be renamed JFK Boulevard: recommend adoption of the accompanying two Orders.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr., Councilor Barbara G. Haller, Councilor Frederick C. Rushton, Councilor Michael C. Perotto, Councilor Dennis L. Irish, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Joseph M. Petty, Councilor Joffrey A. Smith, Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and Councilor Gary Rosen request to designate the proposed Gardner St. Extension in the South Worcester Industrial Park as Janice Nadeau Way: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Rachel & Brian Keyo et al request that safety repairs be carried out to restore, resurface and reconstruct Euclid Ave.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Lee Buckley request Everett St. be removed off the city map at Linden St. and William St. intersection: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

Amend Chapter Five Section Twenty-Six of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 relative to Sewer User Charge.

Amend Chapter Seven Section Sixteen of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 relative to Water Rates Use Charges.

Amend the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to Wind Energy Conversion Facilities.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Handicap Parking in front of 9 Stockholm St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Handicap Parking in front of 15 Sterling St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Handicap Parking in front of 86 Vernon St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Handicap Parking in front of 176 Vernon St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to increase the Time Limit on the Parking Meters on Pearl St. from 30 minutes to one hour.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind Handicap Parking in front of 71 Hollis St.

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind Handicap Parking in front of 21 Sterling St..

Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind No Parking Anytime on the east side of Great Brook Valley Ave. from Brook View Dr. to the southerly terminus. Amend Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to make Great Brook Valley Ave. from Tacoma St. to Tacoma St. Two-Way.

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 M.G.L. in the amount of $1.1 million. (Tabled - Clancy March 6, 2007)

COMMUNICATION - City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding questions posed at the June 5, 2007 Finance Committee Meeting.

COMMUNICATION - City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Union Station Garage Memo that was submitted to the City Council and approved on December 5, 2006.

Motion-Perotto @#10j CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report within 30 days relative to relocating the Human Rights and Disability Offices to City Hall or in the downtown area.

Motion-Lukes @#6a CC - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor submit to City Council a legal opinion as to whether a waiver is required consistent with Executive Orders 13208 and 13202.

Motion-Rosen @#7a CC - Request City Manager consider inviting Barbara Smith Bacon, Project Manger for Berkley Investment, to discuss the future of the CitySquare development.

Motion- Petty @#11k CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the City's Master Plan for the WRTA and provide a comprehensive report that would include an update of the plans for transportation within the City as discussed by the Administration, Department of Public Works and Central Mass Regional Planning as well as any Common Pathways plans.

PETITION - Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. et al request private street maintenance in Joppa Rd.

Motion-Clancy - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby cancels the August 7, 2007 City Council meeting.

Motion-Clancy and Toomey - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby rescinds its previous vote to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement to supply sewer service to 130 Westborough St. in Millbury, MA.

Motion-Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request City Solicitor and Commissioner of Public Works & Parks provide an impact statement relative to rescinding the Order authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement to supply sewer service to 130 Westborough St. in Millbury, MA.

Motion-Clancy - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby request the City Manager and no city official issue any permit for construction to service 130 Westborough St. in Millbury, MA.

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith request sidewalk repair in front of 315 Burncoat St.

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith request sidewalk repair in front of 317 Burncoat St.

Motion-Irish - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as soon as possible concerning the City's authority, regulations and enforcement mechanisms to watercraft on lakes within the city as a result of recent accidents. (Irish)