CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:03 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:58 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

LIGHT TOWER FIBER, LLC for a conduit location in: PROVIDENCE ST.

Granting permission to LIGHT TOWER FIBER , LLC for a conduit location in: PROVIDENCE ST.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: ELM ST.

Granting permission to FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: ELM ST.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: 67 MILLBROOK ST.

Granting permission to FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: 67 MILLBROOK ST.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: PARK AVE.

Granting permission to FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: PARK AVE.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: 55 UNION ST.

Granting permission to FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: 55 UNION ST.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: PLEASANT ST. AT WILLARD AVE.

Granting permission to FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: PLEASANT ST. AT WILLARD AVE.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: WILLARD AVE.

Granting permission to FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: WILLARD AVE.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC request for conduit location in: PLEASANT ST.

Granting permission to FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: PLEASANT ST.

PROCLAMATION - Mayor Lukes read a proclamation proclaiming November 20, 2008 to be named the Great American Smoke Out day. Councilor Rosen presented the proclamation to Veronica Yanes Perez, a representative of Hope Coalition who spoke to City Council about their tobacco project.

Donald J. O'Neil, Attorney request to amend the Zoning Map by changing the zoning classification of the portion of the parcel located at 1 Summer Hill Ave. from RG-5 to BL-1.0

Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Andrew Kelleher and Coney Island Hotdog request sidewalk repair at 156 Southbridge St.

Howard & Doris Egenlauf request abatement of sewer assessment #31064 in the amount of $7,726.20 for Perkins St.

Robert Mitchell & Linda Filewicz request handicap parking space on the Cameron St. side of 694 Franklin St.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Family and Medical Leave Act

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a History of the City's Health Insurance Plan and Contribution Rates

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to MGL Chapter 32B Section 19

Transmitting Communication Relative to City's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept Funds from the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Community Based Job Training Grant.

Recommend City Council's Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a 2008-2009 Traffic Enforcement and Equipment Grant through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Highway Safety Division.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Activities of the Worcester Regional Tobacco Collaborative Including the Great American Smoke Out, Compliance Checks, and the Annual Tobacco Calendar Contest.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Calculations to be Used for the November 25, 2008 Tax Classification Hearing.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Utilizing Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filings for Personal Property Assessments

Recommend that Seventy Seven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($77,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment , and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #27C701, Communications Capital Equipment, for the purchase of 26 portable radios, 7 mobile radios and associated accessories.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Festival of Lights Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5th.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Francis H. Dewey Charity Trust.

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)

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)

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report to City Council whether a claims process exists which is available to commercial users who experience electric power outages and surges caused by National Grid. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the number and location of National Grid equipment stations located on public property, whether the City receives any revenue from the use of public land, and if not, whether the city can charge for said use. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report to City Council regarding National Grid services in the city based on data filed with the Department of Telecommunications and Energy specifically addressing the number of outages, the locations of the outages, causes of the outages and the fines, if any, paid by National Grid in 2007. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Petition of NATIONAL GRID for cable and conduit system in: PLANTATION ST., CLARENDON ST. & ALMONT AVE. (Tabled - Palmieri March 18, 2008)

Proposed Ordinance amending the Montvale Historic District by the adoption of a new map enlarging the District. (Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri March 25, 2008)

Order of Councilor Michael J. Germain - Request City Manager consult with the Worcester Sharks regarding the possible management and redevelopment of the Charles Buffone Arena Ice Skating Rink on Lake Ave. (Tabled - Palmieri October 1, 2008)

Order of Councilor Michael J. Germain - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby accept and adopt Section 19 of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32B, allowing for coalition bargaining for health benefits in the City of Worcester. (Tabled - Lukes October 21, 2008)

Motion Rushton @ #8.4A, B & C CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with copies of the correspondence from the responding communities relative to Section 19.

Motion Clancy @ #8.4A, B & C CM - Request City Manager forward a copy of City Manager's item #8.4A to the EAW for their comments.

Motion Rosen - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Police Chief increase traffic and speed enforcement in Burncoat St. in the vicinity of Quinsigamond Community College.

PETITION - Councilor William J. Eddy request to install a Stop Sign for Pineview Ave. for traffic traveling southbound as it intersects with Clover St.

PETITION - Councilor William J. Eddy request a traffic study with a focus for a possible Stop Sign in Bailey St. at the airport rotary.

Motion Haller - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning M-tek and their methods for disposal of its electronic waste collected from the city.

Motion Petty - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council's Standing Committee on Public Service & Transportation meeting scheduled for November 24, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. will discuss with National Grid the electric outages that occurred in the area of Tatnuck Sq. this past weekend and further, as Chairman of this committee, request that all concerned residents and business owners are hereby invited to attend this meeting.

Motion Eddy - Suspension of Rules - Request City Clerk distribute flyers to notify Tatnuck Sq. businesses of the upcoming City Council's Standing Committee on Public Service & Transportation meeting to discuss with National Grid the electric outages that occurred in the area of Tatnuck Sq.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager report on the previously voted order, item #9f of the November 13, 2007 City Council calendar, concerning the feasibility of returning to a single real estate tax rate.