CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:11 P.M.

Recessed to Finance: 8:13 P.M.
Reconvened to Open Session: 9:25 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:35 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph C. O'Brien

 

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Paul P. Clancy Jr. William J. Eddy
Michael J. Germain Barbara G. Haller
Konstantina B. Lukes Philip P. Palmieri City Clerk
David J. Rushford
Joseph M. Petty Frederick C. Rushton
Joffrey A. Smith Kathleen M. Toomey
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


1.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER - ALL SAINTS CHURCH CHOIR

3.

ROLL CALL - All present except Councilor Germain with Mayor in the chair

4.

ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

4a.

Mayor O'Brien introduced 10 medical professionals from the Far East of Russia. They are physicians, government health officials, and non-profit leaders participating in a 3-week professional exchange program funded by USAID in Washington DC, and organized by the International Center of Worcester.

 

4b.

Mayor O'Brien introduced Robert Green, the new Head Pro of the Worcester Tennis Club

 

5.

ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

6.

RECESS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE - (see agenda for Finance Committee)

7.

COMMUNICATION

7a.

Elizabeth Early, Executive Secretary for the Worcester Retirement Board, transmitting notification that the Worcester Retirement Board will consider granting Cost of Living increases to all eligible retirees at a Board meeting on June 17, 2010.

Attachments

Referred to City Manager

 

8.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS

8a.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to water and sewer rate increases for Fiscal Year 2011: recommend passage of the accompanying two proposed Ordinances

Attachments

Voted to advertise on a roll call vote of 6 Yeas and 3 Nays (Yeas - Clancy , Eddy, Haller, Petty, Rushton, O'Brien) (Nays - Lukes, Palmieri, Smith) (Germain, Toomey absent)

 

9.

TABLED ITEMS

9a.

Order Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a pole location in: KENILWORTH RD (Tabled - Eddy October 20, 2009)

Attachments

No action taken

 

9b.

Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, Compliance and Federal Awards Programs prepared by Sullivan, Rogers & Company, LLC for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. (Tabled - Haller March 23, 2010)

Attachments

Councilor Haller moved to take the item off table - Approved Taken Off Table and Placed on file

 

9c.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Jonathan Koop, President of S & K Valet, in the interest of public safety, request the installation of passenger zones for drop-off and pick-up of passengers at the following business locations from 5pm-2am: in Commercial St. in front of One Exchange Place, in front of 166 Shrewsbury St., in front of 82 Winter St., and in front of 50 Front St. and the recommendation to adopt the accompanying four (4) Orders. (Tabled - Petty April 27, 2010)

Attachments

No action taken

 

10.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

10a.

COMMUNICATION - Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the transfer of the Worcester Regional Airport.

Attachments

Councilor Petty moved to table and request it be the First Item of Business June 1, 2010 - Approved First Item of Business June 1, 2010

 

10b.

COMMUNICATION - Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to City Council Questions regarding the Fiscal Year 2011 recommended Budget.

Attachments

Referred to Finance Committee

 

10c.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request the Finance Committee meetings be scheduled for June 1st at 7:00 PM to consider Sections 1 through 9 and June 8th at 7:00 PM to consider Sections 10-16 of the FY2011 Budget (Lukes)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10d.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report the amount of funds required in the FY 2011 budget to restore the Public Library to the FY 2010 service levels. (Smith)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10e.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager continue the efforts to obtain PILOT funds from Clark University and Holy Cross College for Worcester Public Library services. (Clancy)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10f.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request report what the line in the budget for the library would look like without the $250,000 PILOT funds. (Haller)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10g.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works and Parks to provide City Council with the amount that is needed to clear up the backlog of ADA related needs (O'Brien)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10h.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report where the $1million appropriation from last year for the Emergency Stabilization fund has been dispersed in this years' budget; listing by a dollar amount and position, further report on the funding of the Economic Development Department two new employees (Rushton)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10i.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report to City Council the post-retirement unfunded liability (Lukes)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10j.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report the $1.5 million reduction in trust funds. (Rushton)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10k.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report the effectiveness and cost savings of the third party vendor used for Workers Compensation. (Rushton)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10l.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager report the highest recycling rate that the city has realized over time (Haller)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10m.

PETITION - Councilor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of Bob Bartlett request sidewalk repair in front of 19, 21, 25 and 27 Franconia St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10n.

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request Sachem Ave. be repaved

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee