CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:37 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:41 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph C. O'Brien

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of November 30, 2010.

Quarterly Economic Development Initiatives Status Report

Quarterly Report of the Economic Development Division's (EDD) Small Business Retention and Recruitment Efforts and Other Coordinated City Activities.

At the request of Councilor Haller, Mayor O'Brien suspended the rules to hear a petition from James Connolly, a Worcester resident. Mr. Connolly requested consideration for setting aside money strictly for sidewalks. Councilor Haller requested that a copy of his request be given to all the members of City Council.

Mayor O'Brien also recognized and invited Paulette Fortier, a Worcester resident, to speak in favor of the need to fix sidewalks and presented pictures of various sidewalks in need of repair.

Carole & Daniel Foley et al request resurfacing of Trinity Ave. from #59 to #69.

John Grosse, Shrewsbury St. Bread & Pizza, LLC request to install a commercial loading zone at 352 Shrewsbury St.

Mayor Joseph O'Brien on behalf of Dino Debartolomeis and the Mass Rehab Commission request to install two additional handicap parking spaces at 359 Main St.

Kelly Feliciano, et al request resident permit parking be extended to the bridge on Endicott St. or appropriate signage to deter non-resident parking.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller request to remove handicap parking space at corner of Walpole St. and 106 Southgate St.

Richard Markowski request to install handicap parking space in front of 73 Paine St.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. to install one jointly owned pole and remove one jointly owned pole location: BRANDON ROAD

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Quarterly Update Report of Economic Development Initiatives.

Transmitting the Economic Development Report Relative to Small Businesses Recruitment and Retention Efforts.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Designate a Priority Development Site (PDS) for the North Main/ Lincoln Square Area.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Additional Requirements and Public Notification for Future Tax Increment Financing Plan Applications.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Proposed Certified Project at 50 Prescott Street.

Recommend City Council Approval for Certain Actions Relative to CSX Corporation.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Cable Television License Renewal Process with Charter Communications.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Donations from the Department of Public Works and Parks Employees.

Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a FFY 2011 Underage Alcohol Enforcement Grant from the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Highway Safety Division.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to City Council's Legal Rights and Limitations in Executive Session Involving Litigation and Personnel Matters.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a $50,000 Grant from The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts for Regionalization of Public Health Services.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude Future Donations from the Friends of Worcester's Senior Center, Inc.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation in the Amount of Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($50.00) from the Greater Worcester Alzheimer's Partnership to the Worcester Senior Center.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the 2010 Eleanor T. Hawley Awards for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Human Rights.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7841I, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70221, Aquatic Demolition, to fund anticipated design expenses.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7800A, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #50C702, Schools Capital Equipment, to fund the purchase of various school equipment.

Recommend that Five Thousand Ten Dollars And No Cents ($5,010.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7110A, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated, when and as received, to Account #41C704, DPW Building Rehabilitation, to allow for the payment of current and anticipated obligations.

Recommend that Three Hundred Eighty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($385,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7450G, Sewer Reconstruction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Seventy One Thousand Six Hundred Forty Dollars And Fifty Cents ($71,640.50) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7311A, Water Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of various equipment.

Recommend that Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($30,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7840B, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70215, Bailey-Prouty, to allow for contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Ninety Six Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars And No Cents ($96,899.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7801A, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated when and as received to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment to allow for the purchase and future payment of these vehicles.

Recommend that Four Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($494,000.00) be transferred from various Loan Accounts and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70201, Aquatic Facilities, to fund contractually obligated payments.

Recommend that Six Thousand Six Hundred Forty Four Dollars And No Cents ($6,644.00) be transferred from Account #47C706, Airport Infrastructure and Twenty Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty Three Dollars and No Cents ($27,383.00) be transferred from Account #47C701, Airport Capital Equipment and be appropriated to Account #11C702, City Messenger Rehabilitation, to fund rehabilitation projects in City Hall.

Recommend that One Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Nine Dollars And Thirty Seven Cents ($163,749.37) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, and be appropriated to Account #660-92000, Treasury Ordinary Maintenance, to fund costs associated with the issue of the Bond Anticipated Notes dated November 1, 2010.

Recommend that Ten Thousand One Hundred Sixty One Dollars And No Cents ($10,161.00) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, and be appropriated to Account #660-92000, Treasury Ordinary Maintenance, to fund costs associated with the issue of the Bond Anticipated Notes dated November 5, 2010.

Recommend that Eight Hundred Sixty Two Dollars And Fifty Cents ($862.50) be reappropriated in Account #410501-92000, DPW Equipment Maintenance, to provide funds to pay prior year invoices.

Recommend Adoption of Attached Order to Authorize Acquisition by Deed of Property Located at 2 Coppage Drive for Purpose of Establishing a Regional Emergency Communications Center.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Tenth Annual Caffrey Memorial Award.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept Funds from the Commonwealth's Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Three Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Identification and Inspection of the City's Vacant Buildings.

Dr. Roberta Schaefer, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting report "Teachers' Compensation Package + Worcester's Finances = Do They Add Up?".

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Mohamed Zawahreh et al request construction of sewers for 2, 8 and 9 Winnipeg St. and 117 Millbury St.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request sewers be installed in Wendover Rd.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request Wendover Rd. be converted to a public street.

Amending Section 2 Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991, relative to a zone change in the Putnam Lane Area.

Amending Section 2 Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991, relative to a zone change in the Atlanta/Plantation Streets Area.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the 2009 Leaf Collection Program. (Tabled - Haller June 1, 2010)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and State Representative Vincent Pedone request to install a trailer truck ban in Mulberry St. between Shrewsbury St. and East Central St.: recommend the passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Petty June 8, 2010)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of State Representative John Fresolo on behalf of Lou Cozzolino request to have stop signs installed on Commonwealth Ave. at the corners of Jennings St. and Enid St: recommend Petition be placed on file. (Tabled Clancy - November 23, 2010)

Councilor Rushton, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, requested the following Report be submitted for consideration:

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommending adoption of the attached resolutions to file an Application to Designate 50 Prescott Street as a Site Specific Economic Opportunity Area and a Certified Project. # 9.4A CM November 30, 2010

Motion Eddy @ #9.4A & 9.4B CM - Request City Manager contact the owners of the Mill Street supermarket property and request their intentions for future re-use of the site.

Motion Lukes @ #9.4A & 9.4B CM - Request City Manager report to City Council the city's entire cost for the rehabilitation of the Hadley building and the total private funds utilized.

Motion Palmieri @ #9.4A & 9.4B CM - Request City Manager report to City Council the assessed values of Wyman Gordon properties and whether or not Propert Review Team thresholds are met.

Mayor O'Brien moved to amend: Further, Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide an opinion as to whether or not there are any mechanisms the city could use to place additional assessments on properties that are vacant or under utilized to generate revenues.

Motion Toomey @ #9.4A & 9.4B CM - Request City Manager report to City Council the number of Worcester residents employed and retained long-term at the Worcester Wal-Mart store.

Motion Toomey @ #9.4A & 9.4B CM - Request City Manager report the number of hotel rooms utilized within and outside the city and report whether or not there is a sufficient number of hotel rooms.

Councilor Germain moved to amend: Further, request the City Manager include in the report as to whether the recent reduction in the number of hotel rooms in the city might negatively impact the city's ability to attract events.

Motion Smith @ #9.4A & 9.4B CM - Request City Manager update City Council relative to Gateway Cities legislation. Further, Request City Manager inform City Council of any additional tools, incentives and legislation that might be made available for existing business and future development incentives.

Motion Clancy @ #12a & 12b CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a written report as to when the Grafton St. driveway at the former Shaw's property will be closed, what materials will be used to close off the driveway, and the proposed uses of the traffic signal.

Motion Clancy @ #12a & 12b CC - Request City Manager report to City Council as to when the roadway will be built to accommodate the manufacturing business in the Norfolk and Suffolk Streets area.

Motion Smith @ #8h CC - Request City Manager contact Verizon and request the report previously requested concerning the lack of cell phone service in the Salisbury St. area of the city.

Councilor Toomey moved to amend: Further, request this report address the dead zones in other areas of the city.

Motion Toomey @ #9.4C CM - Request City Manager consider moving the Salisbury Mansion, the former Red Cross Building and the Erskine building, to the front 40 Highland St. and move the parking lot to the rear. Further, request City Manager contact the Congressman's office to identify grants and historic preservation funds that could be used to fund the moving of these buildings.

Motion Clancy @ #9.4F CM - Request City Manager report to City Council relative to for whom Foch Ave. was named, if anyone.

Motion Petty @ #9.11A CM - Request City Manager report to City Council what has not been completed within the present contract with Charter Communications.

Motion Clancy @ #9.11A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with the recent Consumer Reports article relative to cable television providers.

Motion Petty @ #9.11A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with Charter Communications quarterly service report.

Motion Petty @ #9.11A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a map showing the streets that have conduits with fiber.

RESOLUTION - Mayor O'Brien on behalf the entire City Council presented the following resolution: That the City Council of the City of Worcester goes on official record to hereby extend its sincere gratitude to the Faculty and Students of the Worcester Technical School and the Donors for the their efforts and dedication to make our City sparkle this and future Holiday Seasons.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager and the Superintendent of Schools report to City Council of possible alternatives for securing funding for the future of Doherty Memorial High School.

PETITION - Councilor William J. Eddy on behalf of James Lennon request construction of sidewalks from where they end in Havelock Rd. to the corner of Colonial Rd.