CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:10 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:05 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for conduit location: WEST BOYLSTON ST. & MILLBROOK ST.

Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for conduit
location: WEST BOYLSTON ST. & MILLBROOK ST.

Virginia Ryan et al request the City of Worcester change it's two-tier system of health insurance plans to four-tier plans.

Luigi Digioia request that the City accept sanitary main between 29-31A Belcourt Rd.

Kristy DeLeon request abatement of Street Betterment Assessment #24664 in the amount of $8,419.00 on Chino Ave.

Lillian Muniz requesting a handicap parking space at 30 Cohasset St.

Don Trudell, Director of OFM for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue request a pedestrian crossing light be installed at 67 Millbrook St.

Timothy Daley request a crosswalk light be installed on Belmont St. adjacent to Memorial Hospital.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Constable Appointments for the Calendar Year January through December 2009.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Sean Fowler and Lisa Labossiere to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City of Worcester's Health Insurance Dependent Audit Report.

Request City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept $1,000,000 in Supplemental Funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on the Census 2010 Initiative.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Charter Communication's Switched Digital Network Transition that is Scheduled to begin on February 11, 2009.

Recommend City Council's Adoption of a Resolution to Accept a FY'09 Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant for up to Three Hundred Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($312,500.00) from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the use of Receivership to Stabilize Tenancy and Preserve Neighborhoods.

Recommend that City Council Accept with Gratitude, a Donation of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) from the Melvin S. Cutler Charitable Foundation on Behalf of the William F. Lynch Company in Support of Programming at the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend City Council's Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Grant of up to Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) from the Fallon/OrNda Community Health Fund.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Grant in the Amount of Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($450.00) from the Worcester Cultural Commission.

Recommend City Council's Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Six Thousand Dollar ($6,000.00) Grant to the Worcester Public Library from Libraries of the Future, through Funds Provided by the Cox Charitable Trust and the Langeloth Foundation.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Budget

Recommend that Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($450,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C737, Water Meters, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C794, Water Meters, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C714, Water Pumping Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C726, Water Pumping Stations, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Citizens Advisory Council Notice of Boards and Commissions Vacancies.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Mr. John Odell as Program Manager for Energy Efficiency and Conservation.

Transmitting Informational Communication Regarding the City's Budget.

That the sum of One Million Dollars And No Cents ($1,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744, Offstreet Parking Building Rehabilitation, to fund improvements at Pearl Elm Garage.

That the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744, Off Street Parking Building Rehabilitation, to fund improvements to Federal Plaza Garage.

That the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744, Offstreet Parking Building Rehabilitation, to fund improvements to the Open Air Parking Lots.

Resolution of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby supports the City Manager in seeking 0% increases in the FY2010 collective bargaining contracts; and be it further resolved that the City Council supports the City Manager in seeking the previously detailed 75/25 contribution rate and the co-pay changes.(Tabled - Haller January 27, 2009)

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)

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)

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)

Order of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to report to City Council what basis the City is using to delay the public records request by the Worcester Telegram in light of the Globe Newspaper Company v. Commissioner of Education, 439 Mass. 124 (2003) ruling whereby the Supreme Judicial Court ruled public records must be released for inspection and copying without unreasonable delay, that is, within ten days of the receipt of a request for them. (Tabled - Haller November 25, 2008)

Motion Smith @ #8.42A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of vacancies on boards and commissions identifying those that need to be filled by district and those that may filled regardless of district residency. (Smith)

Motion Lukes @ #8.42A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with an ethnic and racial breakdown of current composition of boards and commissions.

Motion Germain @ #8.34A CM - Request City Manager lobby our legislative delegation to effect legislation that will impose the hotel motel tax on the dormitory rooms in the city of Worcester.

Motion Clancy to amend: Further, Request City Manager provide a report as to the legality of such legislation; whether it is legal to tax dormitory rooms.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request Police Chief investigate after hour parties that are serving alcohol illegally.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager reach out to Boston Power located in Westborough and the possible expansion into Worcester.

Motion Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager recommend a higher fine against private snow plow operators who push snow into the public streets and sidewalks.