CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 5:22 P.M.

Adjourned:7:17 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the 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 adoption of the accompanying Order that the City of Worcester, having accepted the provisions of Section Ten of Chapter Thirty-Two B of the General Laws on October 25, 1965, hereby accepts the provisions of Section Eighteen of Chapter Thirty-Two B of the General Laws. (Tabled under privilege - Rushton July 17, 2007)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the 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 Report and Communication be placed on file. (Tabled under privilege - Rushton July 17, 2007)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication regarding responses from the Administration to the orders from the City Council Standing Committee on Municipal Operations: recommend Communication be placed on file. (Tabled under privilege - Rushton July 17, 2007)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager be and is hereby requested to recommend to the City Council a plan to soften the burden of health care costs to the Medicaid eligible retirees of the City of Worcester and specifically request the City Manager consider increasing the city's contribution for eligible retirees from the present 75% contribution level to the 80% level so as to put them on par with the premiums paid by active employees. (Tabled under privilege - Rushton July 17, 2007)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager consider blending retiree costs for health insurance to a percent that equalizes percentage payments without increasing costs to the city. (Tabled under privilege - Rushton July 17, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Adoption of Chapter 32B, Section 18, from The Segal Group, Inc. (#8.6A CM - July 17, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting Informational Communication Regarding the Orders Posed at the Municipal Operations meeting of June 27, 2007 along with the Administration Response. (#8.6C CM - July 17, 2007)

Transmitting Informational Communication containing the Administration's Responses to Questions Posed regarding Section 18 at the July 17, 2007 City Council Meeting.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Informational Communication regarding additional responses from the Administration on Questions posed at July 17, 2007 City Council meeting regarding Chapter 32B, Section 18.

Motion of Councilor Clancy - Request to be recused.

Motion of Councilor Rushton - Request to be recused.

Disclosures as participating members of the City Health Insurance - Mayor Lukes and Councilor Toomey - filed with the City Clerk.

Disclosures for family members who participate in the City's Health Insurance - Councilor Irish, Councilor Perotto, and Councilor Palmieri.

Mayor Lukes open the hearing to allow the following Speakers:

1. Joe Casello, Worcester
2. Sam Rosario, Worcester
3. Stephen Quist, Worcester
4. Tony Teixeira, Worcester
5. Judy Roy, Leicester
6. Grace Ross, Worcester
7. Edward Pietriewicz, Worcester
8. Raymond McGrath
9. Baldomar Ferreira, Worcester
10. Ana DeLaCruz, Worcester
11. Tom McCarthy, Worcester
12. Cheryl DelSignore, West Boylston

Motion Perotto - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager make recommendations that would ease the burden of retirees moving from the conventional plan to the Medicaid plan.

Motion Petty - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report on the savings that will be earned from the current employees on the payroll when Chapter 32B, Section 18 is implemented.

Motion Petty -Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager consider that the Health Insurance premium cost for retirees be set at 80%/20% versus 78%/22%.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the cost of fire, police and other city services provided to all non-profits in the city.

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

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Shawn McAvey request to abandon a continuous ten foot strip on the westerly side of McAvey Way beginning at Grafton St. and running to the end of the cul-de-sac.