CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:13 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:12 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 Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication providing an update of the Economic Development initiatives - October 2007.

Communication of Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to the Economic Development Division's (EDD) small business retention and recruitment efforts and other coordinated City activities.

Donald Kelley et al request to make Dayton Place a public street.

Michael Miller request to make public Chequesset Rd. from Lake Ave. North to Ansonia Rd.

Michael Miller request to install sewers in Chequesset Rd. from Lake Ave. North to Ansonia Rd.

Samuel DeSimone, Attorney for Continuing Care Management, LLC request to be allowed to enter into a prior agreement for installation of utilities, sewers, water and storm drains in a private street known as West Chester St.

Norma Rivera-LaComfora request Blind Driveway sign at 196 Wildwood Ave.

Rita Remillard et al request appropriate Children signage in Boyd St., Hastings Ave. and Huntington Ave.

Mark Douglas request that the Caroline St. westerly be made a one way street.

Sally Lyon request handicap parking at 20 Sigel St.

Thomas McLear et al request No Parking Zone be established from 24 Park Ave. to 36 Park Ave.

Fred & Gay Koury, Union Station Farms request signs limiting parking to 15-30 minutes in the north side of Temple St., beginning in front of St. John's Church to Green St.

Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request crosswalks be repainted in Belmont St. at the following locations: 1) UMass Memorial Campus 2) Bell Pond and 3) Belmont St. Community School.

Robert Largess request that Millbury St. be made a two-way street from Kelley Sq. to Brosnihan Sq.

Robert Largess request that No Parking be installed on the even numbered side of Millbury St. from Kelley Sq. to Brosnihan Sq.

Robert Largess request that No Left Turn be allowed from Vernon St. into Millbury St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning 103 Holden Street subsequent to the hearing in Housing Court on October 10, 2007.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing actions taken to date to publicize to the general public that a permit and associated fee are due concerning placements of dumpsters.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning severe weather preparedness.

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Parks and Recreation Commission solicit corporate partners to plan and execute a beautification plan for the city-owned land at the intersection of Malden St extension, West Boylston Street and Mountain Street West. (Smith)

Request City Manager collaborate with the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium to pursue the concept of establishing adult retirement communities in close proximity to our existing college campuses using as a model those that are being developed in areas surrounding Cornell, Duke and Stanford Universities and the University of Michigan and Penn State. (Toomey)

Request City Manager consider developing a Request-for-Proposals to attract the attention of developers who would be interested in establishing a downtown retirement community. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing his efforts during the past few years to institute a voluntary PILOT program. Such a report should provide the Manager's recommendation on whether he feels continuing the pursuit of a PILOT program through financial contributions or services that are currently paid for out of tax levy funds is warranted. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning what steps might be taken by the city, in terms of education and traffic enforcement, to discourage drivers from operating their vehicles at dangerously high speeds on city streets. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning what steps might be taken by the city to encourage colleges to set up satellite programs and a centralized book store in downtown Worcester. (Rosen)

Request City Manager update City Council concerning progress being made to encourage and assist owners of downtown property, to rehabilitate the facades of their structures, especially those along Main Street, from the WCCA Channel 13 building to the new Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts at Federal Square. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning what additional steps the city and the Worcester Public Schools can take to have their staff more closely resemble the diversity of Worcester's many races, cultures, and socio-economic groups. (Rosen)

Request City Manager explore the feasibility of siting additional State office space in CitySquare as one means of reaching the 275,000 square foot commercial threshold. (Irish)

Request City Auditor and the Worcester Retirement System to divest the retirement system of any investment in the Sudan. (Perotto, Smith, Palmieri, Rushton)

Request City Manager report on the frequency and number of vehicles which park overnight and daily on Midland Street at the intersection of Elmwood Street causing obstruction to traffic and public safety issues. (Lukes)

Request City Manager provide statistical data as to the following information: the number of parolees/ex offenders who have reentered Worcester from the Worcester County House of Correction since January, 2007 to the present time and the number of monthly reentry; the address by census tract of those parolees/ex offenders; the number of adults currently reporting to Worcester County Parole Board who reside in the City of Worcester; the types of offenses for which the parolees/ex offenders were convicted of; the employment status of the parolees/ex offenders. (Lukes)

James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative to a letter from the Director of Accounts for the Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services that certifies the City's "free cash" as being $529,815 as of July 1, 2007.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting informational communication regarding the Worcester Police Departments (WPD) Fiscal Year 2008 Summer Statistics as well as the 2006 WPD Annual Report.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending Adoption of the Attached Resolution to Approve an Amendment to the Gateway Park Master Plan: recommend adoption of the accompanying Resolution.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report for July, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report - June 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an update of the Economic Development Initiatives - May 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting an update of Economic Development initiatives relative to development activity since the last monthly report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an update of the Economic Development Initiatives- March 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report - February 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the Economic Development Report for January 2, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the Monthly Economic Development Report for December 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the Economic Development Report for the Month of November 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.) for the Special District Financing Zone: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding integration of resources for Impact Area VI: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding a Status Report of Impact Area VI: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the City's Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSA): recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the status of 103 Holden Street: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the City's problem properties: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to severe weather preparedness: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding the Governor's reduction to State funding appropriated for Worcester: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign for Tax Year 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the Economic Development Report for the Month of November 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the Monthly Economic Development Report for December 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting the Economic Development Report for January 2, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report - February 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an update of the Economic Development Initiatives - March 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting an update of Economic Development Initiatives relative to development activity since the last monthly report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an update of the Economic Development Initiatives - May 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report - June 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Economic Development Initiatives Monthly Status Report for July, 2007: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Communication of Roberta R. Schaefer, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Municipal and Neighborhood Services in Worcester: 2006: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING BOARD Upon the the Petition of James Stark request to make public Tyson Road from West Boylston St. to Burncoat St.

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)

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 - July 26, 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 - July 26, 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 - July 26, 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 - Rushton July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Adoption of Chapter 32B, Section 18, from The Segal Group, Inc. (Tabled - July 26, 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. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication containing the Administration's responses to questions posed regarding Section 18 at the July 17, 2007 City Council Meeting. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication regarding additional responses from the Administration on Questions posed at July 17, 2007 City Council meeting regarding Chapter 32B, Section 18. (Tabled - July 26, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager recommending the Adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C778, Providence Street Tot Lot, for the purpose of funding the construction of the planned playground at Providence Street. (Tabled - Lukes July 17, 2007)

Grant permission to NATIONAL GRID for conduit system in KANSAS ST. (Tabled - September 18, 2007)

Communication of the City Manager recommending a change to the City's Parking Ordinance to accommodate the parking needs of the Regional Justice Center. (Tabled - Rushton September 18, 2007)

Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller and Councilor Michael C. Perotto - Request City Manager halt all plans to launch “Operation Yellow Box” in Worcester until such time that the full City Council publicly votes to support the project. (Tabled - Haller September 18, 2007)

Motion Haller @ #11b CC - Request City Manager send a copy of Council Calendar item #11b to all the Neighborhood and Business Associations and the CDC's throughout the City of Worcester.

Motion Haller @ #5a CC - Request City Manager contact the owner of the Junction Shops and request that the overgrowth on the property be removed.

PETITION - Councilor Michael C. Perotto on behalf of Christine Astley request sidewalk repair at 16 Chalmers Rd.

PETITION - Councilor Dennis L. Irish request sidewalk repair at 83 Mayfield St.

PETITION - Councilor Dennis L. Irish request sidewalk repair at 124 Amherst St.

Motion Irish - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager address the overgrowth in the center island in Franklin St. across from the Library.

Motion Haller - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager report on the number of police, code and fire incidents above and beyond any annual inspections and expected services to 5 Sycamore St., a city licensed lodging house.

Motion Haller - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager report on the number of allegations of police misconduct and the number of sustained complaints as trended for the past five (5) years.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH - Request City Manager arrange for a bus tour of syringe disposal sites in Boston and the State of Rhode Island.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH - Request City Manager request the Police Chief communicate with the Boston and Haverhill Police Chiefs concerning their experiences with syringe disposal sites.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH - Request City Manager request the City of Haverhill to inform the City Council how their local CVS retail store was convinced to participate in their local syringe disposal effort.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH - Request City Manager provide the City Council with a legal opinion whether or not retailers who sell syringes may be legally mandated to accept them for proper disposal.

Motion Smith - Suspension of Rules - Request that the City Council prepare a resolution to honor Jose Antonio Rivera as to his accomplishments as a boxer and his involvement with children in the community and invite him to an upcoming City Council meeting for presentation of this resolution and a key to the City of Worcester.