CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:03 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:44 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

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 February 26, 2013.

Mayor Petty recognized the following persons whom spoke: 1. Randolph Bloom, Worcester resident 2. Elizabeth Mullaney, Worcester resident 3. Judy Finkel, Worcester resident 4. Nicole Apostola, Worcester resident

Mayor Petty recognized the presence of a delegation of women entrepreneurs from Russia who are sponsored by the Open World Leadership organization in Washington, D.C.; their Worcester program, organized by International Center of Worcester, focused on social responsibility and business support for non-profit organization.

Gary Anger request to make public Ideal Terrace.

Jo Hart request City Council have an immediate televised public hearing at 5:30 pm at City Hall about the devastating changes the WRTA is making, so ordinary working people can attend. Further, request the City Manager request the WRTA provide tangible information about these changes including maps for all their planned new routes.

Mary Moule request the City Council investigate and negotiate a discount cable television service rate or rate cap for seniors in the current contract renewal negotiations between the City of Worcester and Charter Communications.

Brian Merlin request installation of handicap parking space in front of 15 Lovell St. (Lakeside Apartments)

Demetra Edwards of the Carroll Center for the Blind request audible pedestrian signals at the intersections of Main and Crystal Sts. and Main and Maywood Sts.

Joseph Marrone and Hamid Mahaghegh request City consider how more on-street parking can be provided for local businesses in the Grove, Prescott and Lancaster Sts. area.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Constables for Civil and Criminal Business.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Joseph Charpentier to the Conservation Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Reappointment of Cara Berg Powers and Kathleen Gervais to the Human Rights Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Reappointment of Eric Goldstein to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Robin Currie to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointment of Morris Crump to the Affirmative Action Advisory Council.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Reappointments of Christopher Condon and Pedro Figueroa to the Citizens Advisory Council.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Reappointment of Stephen Stolberg to the Commission on Disability.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City Hall Employee of the Month for March 2013.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the List of 2012 Salaries of All City and School Employees.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Report on City Employee Demographics.

Recommend Review and Approval of Attached Salary Ordinance Amendment to Increase the Salary Rate of Several Seasonal Recreation Titles.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Small Business Recruitment and Retention Efforts.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Theatre District Master Plan.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Economic Development Quarterly Report.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Smart Grid Deployment Update.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Potential Impact of the Recently Enacted Federal Budget Sequestration.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Program Year (FY13) Community Development Block Grant Update.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Request for Proposals for the Property Located at 5 May Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Crown Hill Presentation to Economic Development Committee.

Recommend Adoption of the Resolution to Allow the City, Through the Workforce Central Career Center, to Accept Funding from Advocates, Inc. to Provide Re-Entry Employment Services.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Information About the Soccer Fields as requested by the Youth, Parks & Recreation SubCommittee.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Linear Park.

Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept an Office of Violence Against Women FY 2013 Grants to Encourage Arrest Polices and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program Application.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept Funding from Hebrew SeniorLife.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Authorize the Application and Acceptance of Funding from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Recommend That the Sum of $175,000 (One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Dollars) be Transferred When and as Received from Account #91C7803A, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be Appropriated to Account #68C701, Technical Services Capital Equipment.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be Transferred from Loan Account #91C7412J, Street Construction, and be Appropriated to Account #41C765, Canal District/Shrewsbury St/Grafton St Improvements, to Allow for the Payment of Current and Future Obligations.

Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) be Transferred from Loan Account #91C7412H, Street Construction - CBD, and Appropriated to DPW Account #41C762, Central Business District - Street Construction, to Allow for the Payment of Anticipated Project Obligations per the Cash Flow Procedure.

Recommend that Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($60,000.00) be Transferred from Loan Account #91C7111E, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, and be Appropriated to DPW Account #41C704, Building Rehabilitation, to Allow for the Payment of Current and Anticipated Obligations per the Cash Flow Procedure.

Recommend that One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($190,000.00) be Transferred from Account #91C7803A, Citywide Capital Equipment, When and as Received , and be Appropriated to Account #50C702, Worcester School Capital Equipment, as Approved in the Fiscal 2013, Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be Transferred from Account #75C504, DCU Center Special District Financing, and be Appropriated to Account #75C704, DCU Center Special District Financing, to Pay Contractual Obligations Related to Design and Other Associated Costs, as Approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Seventy Five Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Eight Dollars And No Cents ($175,378.00) be Transferred from Account #91C7802A, Capital Equipment, and be Appropriated When and as Received to 55C701, Library Capital Equipment, to Complete the Purchase of the 3M Library Self Check system, as Approved in the Capital Improvement Program.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($150,000.00) be Transferred from the Following Account #330-08, Premium on Loans, $117,257.00 and from Account# 330-09, Real Estate Sales, $32,743.00, and be Appropriated to DPW & Parks Account #72C70211 to Allow for Design Costs Associated with this Artificial Turf Field Project to be Paid.

Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($15,000.00) be Transferred from Account #900-92000, City Mangers Contingency and be Appropriated to DPW Account #4101-92120, Administration O.M., to Allow for the Payment of Anticipated Obligations Associated with Clearing of Sidewalks at Various Locations Throughout the City.

Recommend that Eighteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($18,000.00) be Transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, and Appropriated to Account #6801-97000, Technical Services Overtime.

Recommend that Eight Hundred Thirty One Thousand One Hundred Ninety Two Dollars And Twenty Five Cents ($831,192.25) be Transferred as Follows so as to Provide Sufficient Funding for the Off-Street Parking Program for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2013

Recommend that Sixty Three Thousand Three Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars And Thirty Nine Cents ($63,399.39) be Transferred From Sewer Account #440-91000, Salaries, and Appropriated to Sewer Account #440-97201, Overtime, to Allow Overtime Costs to be Paid During the Remaining Period of Fiscal Year 2013.

Recommend that Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($40,000.00) be Transferred from Account # 900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, and be Appropriated to Account #150-91000, Election Salaries, to Fund Projected Deficit in the Election Salary Account.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Current List of Vacancies for Boards, Commissions, and Advisory Committees.

Presentation of the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Overview.

Edward Farley, Director of MassDOT Office of Outdoor Advertising, transmitting informational communication relative to an upcoming meeting regarding proposed electronic billboard(s) in Millbury St.

Amending Section 19 of Article Three, Part II of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 Creating the Crown Hill Historic District.

RESOLUTION of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of the Administration’s efforts to negotiate the maximum hiring of local residents in Tax Increment Financing agreements and other tools used to attract business and to expand our tax base. (Tabled - O'Brien September 13, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting communication expanding upon the newspaper article regarding the human error factor which occurred in the city's recount. (Tabled - Lukes February 7, 2012)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council support more diverse new housing development with an emphasis on market-rate housing with a maximum of 10% affordable units if there are going to any units available for development in the downtown Worcester area: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled - Lukes May 1, 2012)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Out of State Residents Working on Local Projects and Not Meeting the State's Health Care Mandates. (Tabled Under Privilege - O'Brien August 14, 2012) (Tabled - Lukes September 4, 2012)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report whether medical marijuana dispensing sites can be restricted by local zoning ordinances or state regulatory means to established pharmacies. (Tabled - Lukes January 8, 2013 and January 15, 2013)

ORDER of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Auditor work with the Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools to conduct a review of School Transportation expenses/contracts and make a formal presentation to the Education Joint Committee composed of the City Council Education Committee and the School's Finance and Operations Committee. (Tabled - O'Brien February 12, 2013)

ORDER of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Auditor review the appropriateness of the following: administrative fees charged to the Worcester Public Schools by the city for city personnel and services; administrative fees charged for grants management; and Medicare fees received by the City for services done by School Department personnel. This report should also include how these fees compare to other gateway cities. (Tabled - O'Brien February 12, 2013)

ORDER of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - Request City Auditor work with the Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools to review School Department administrative expenses and provide a report to the City Council as to how these fees compare on a percentage of budget basis with other gateway cities. (Tabled - O'Brien February 12, 2013)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council and the City Manager pursuant to powers granted under Section 7-2 of the Worcester's Home Rule Charter eliminate the preliminary election scheduled for September 17, 2013. (Tabled - Eddy March 5, 2013)

ORDER of Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien and Councilor Frederick C. Rushton - Request Board of Election Commissioners and City Clerk implement six days of Early Voting on the second floor of City Hall October 30, 2013 through November 4, 2013 to encourage Worcester voters to participate in the upcoming municipal election. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes February 12, 2013 & Tabled Under Privilege O'Brien February 26, 2013 and Tabled O'Brien March 5, 2013)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton and Councilor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in favor of the initiative to enhance participation in elections being put forth by President Obama that will require all states to provide online voter registration and at least 15 days of early voting. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes February 12, 2013 & Tabled Under Privilege O'Brien February 26, 2013 and Tabled O'Brien March 5, 2013)

Motion Economou @ #8b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with reports regarding changes taking place at the WRTA and a list of public hearings that took place regarding these changes.

Motion Rushton @ #9.4B CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the minutes, including the public comments, from the public meeting regarding the Theatre District Master Plan.

Motion O’Brien @#32.B CM – Request City Manager request the Superintendent of Public Schools provide the following information: a report relative to the rise in Chapter 70 funding and compare this with the rising costs for Charter Schools and report how these costs effect Chapter 70 funding; a report regarding the rise in costs of Special Education; and report on the increase of student enrollment over the past several years.

Motion O’Brien @#32.B CM – Request City Manager request the Superintendent of Public Schools provide a report regarding a list of investments made by the city in technology and school infrastructure over the past several years.

Motion Economou @#32.B CM – Request City Manager consider creating a formula that would accrue savings that would help alleviate the deficit.

Motion Rushton @ #9.32B CM – Request City Manager provide a report showing city department budgets from 2003 to 2008 and whether or not they have increased or decreased during this time period.

Motion Rushton @ #9.29A CM – Request City Manager add 2 Cardinal Rd to the list of clearing of snow from sidewalks funded by item #9.29A CM of March 12, 2013.

PETITION - Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of residents of Plumley Village request a study and proposal to address the following concerns regarding the impending impact of construction on the Belmont St. Bridge: 1) repaint crosswalks; 2) request additional signage for safety at the crossing for residents, pedestrians and children; 3) investigate the possibility of a raised crosswalk with flashing lights on Laurel St. given the volume of traffic already existing; and 4) request a traffic light be installed at the bottom of Laurel St. where it intersects Summer St. to help with the overflow of traffic that backs up coming down from Eastern Ave. and Edward St. especially during peak hours especially with the large number of school buses every day.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager move forward with PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) regarding crosswalk safety for pedestrians and drivers as soon as possible.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of John Carey and Jack Toney et al request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 266 Burncoat St.

Motion Eddy – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager include on the city’s website information regarding the Official State Monument for Veterans of the Persian Gulf War that is located on the Common.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request the Mayor invite the Main South Lady Cougars basketball team to a City Council meeting to congratulate them on the historic winning season as District Champions.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request the appropriated department enforce the sidewalk snow clearing ordinance at the following locations: 1) both corners at the intersection of Main and Richards Sts.; 2) the corner of Lowell and Freeland Sts.; 3) both corners of at the intersection of Main and Oberlin Sts.; 4) the corner of Claremont and Silver Sts.; and 5) 31 May St. at the corner of Woodland St.