CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 5:39 P.M.

Recessed into Executive Session: 5:44 P.M.
Reconvened in the Levi Lincoln Chamber for Joint Meeting: 7:15 P.M.
Recessed from Joint meeting: 8:52 P.M.
Reconvened to Regular Meeting Session in the Levi Lincoln Chamber: 8:59 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:45 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph C. O'Brien

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby recesses from open session into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining strategies.

PRESENTATION by Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager - "Preparation of the FY 2012 Budget"

PRESENTATION by Dr. Melinda Boone, Superintendant of Worcester Public Schools - "Preparation of the FY 2012 School Budget"

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of March 22, 2011.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting Amendments to the Draft Tobacco Ordinance for City Council's Review, Deliberation and Approval. (Tabled - Germain March 29, 2011)

PRESENTATION by Joel J. Fontane, Director of Planning & Regulatory Services - " Brief Presentation of Proposed Changes to the Sign Ordinances" (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Sign Ordinance Policy. (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Sign Ordinance as Amended by the Economic Development Committee. (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting a petition of the Planning Board regarding the Sign Overlay District: recommend passage of the accompanying Proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Report of the Economic Development Committee Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending City Council's review, deliberation and adoption of the Proposed Sign Ordinance Amendment: recommend passage of the accompanying Proposed Ordinance, as amended. (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council consider amending the proposed zoning signage ordinance to include a prohibition on the future construction/conversion of free standing non accessory digital and non digital billboard signs in the Blackstone Parkway area and along numbered highways 290 and 190 and primary roadways: recommend Order be given leave to withdraw (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Chairman's Order from Public Health & Human Services Committee - Request the Standing Committee on Economic Development consider adding language to the proposed zoning ordinance signage amendment concerning certain language that would regulate exterior signs that advertise the retail sale of tobacco products: recommend Chairman's Order be given leave to withdraw (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Chairman's Order from the Public Health & Human Services Committee - Request the Standing Committee on Economic Development consider adding language to the proposed zoning ordinance signage amendment concerning certain language that would include tobacco sale prohibitions in exterior signage along the Blackstone River Parkway corridor: recommend Chairman's Order be given leave to withdraw (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Proposed Sign Ordinance: recommend Communication be given leave to withdraw (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to responses to Chairman's Orders from the Standing Committee on Economic Development Concerning the Proposed Sign Ordinance: recommend Communication be given leave to withdraw. (Tabled - Palmieri March 29, 2011)

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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Sign Ordinance Amendments Relative to Billboards. (Tabled - Rushton March 15, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Sign Ordinance Presentation that was made to the City Council's Sub-Committee on Economic Development. (Tabled - Rushton March 15, 2011)

PETITION of NATIONAL GRID for conduit location on: HARLEM ST. and WARD ST. (Tabled - Haller March 22, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to changes in the Fiscal Year 2012 Health Insurance Plan Designs.

Motion Toomey @ #5b CC - Request the Superintendent of Public Schools keep City Council informed of plans to ensure the teachers are getting all the support that they need in the class rooms.

Motion Toomey @ #5b CC - Request the Superintendent of Public Schools provide to City Council with a report of the breakdown of how the funds that resulted in the saving of 20 positions and other appropriations as stated in the presentation were spent.

Motion Lukes @ #9b CC - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning signs for home businesses, especially with references to the size of the signs, located in residential zones.

Motion Palmieri - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager consider civil or criminal action against those persons responsible for defacing light poles along Shrewsbury St.