CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:02 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:53 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of March 11, 2014.

Mayor Petty presented a “Key to the City” to Ian Williamson, who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout for his project to repair Pleasant St. Baptist Church, which was damaged due to flooding.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. William S. Coleman, III, Worcester resident
2. Grace Ross, Worcester resident
3. Colin Novick, Worcester resident
4. Gail Owens, Worcester resident
5. William Feegbeh, Worcester resident
6. Jo Hart, Worcester resident
7. Scott Ricker, Worcester resident
8. Jacqueline Norton, Worcester resident

Sean Quinlivan request to resurface the public portion of Steele St.

Wayne Boucher request sidewalk repair in front of 43 Baystate Road.

Stewart Seltzer request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 47 Windsor Street.

David Natal request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 607 Millbury Street.

Christina Blake request installation of resident permit parking on Lawnfair Street.

Christina Blake request installation of resident permit parking on Mann Street.

Eileen Ballard request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 1 & 3 Cottage Street.

Juliana Queiroz request removal of handicap parking space in front of 8 Alpine Street.

Jessica Linga et al request installation of resident permit parking on Benefit Terrace.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Reappointment of Harry Danso, Julie Feeney and Jeremy Fontain to the Human Rights Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the List of 2013 Salaries of All City and School Employees.

Transmitting Communication Relative to the Implementation Process of the Foreclosure Mediation Ordinance.Refer to CCM Item 8.29A

Recommend Acceptance of Massachusetts Department of Career Services Offer to Pay All Expenses for a City of Worcester Employee to Attend the 2014 Business Summit and Training Conference in Denver, Colorado.

Transmitting Communication Relative to the Economic Plan for the South Worcester Industrial Park (SWIP).

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Creation of a Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP).

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Recommended FY 2015 Water and Sewer Rate.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Green Hill Junior Golf Program Registration.

Recommend Approval of the Open Space and Recreation Plan Approved by the City of Worcester Parks & Recreation Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update Burncoat Park/Holland Rink

Recommend Approval of the Master Plan Initiative for Improvements to Indian Lake Park Facilities.

Recommend Approval of the Master Plan Initiative for Improvements to Grant Square.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the 2014 Arbor Day Celebration.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Availability and the Use of Fields and Facilities for Various Activities and Events.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Apply for, Accept and Expend a Grant from the 2014 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to National Public Health Week.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the announcement of the 2nd Annual Worcester Fair Housing Conference.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Impact of Smart Grid Meters and Towers to Property Values. Refer to CCM Item 8.32A

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7244, Traffic Signal Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #40C704, Traffic Signals to allow for the purchase and payment of anticipated new equipment per the cash flow procedure.

Recommend that Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($20,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7843G, Park Improvements Northampton Street, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70233, Northampton Street to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Program, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7843B, Park Improvements - Beaver Brook, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70208, Beaver Brook to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Program, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works & Parks .

Recommend that Forty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($45,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7843K, Park Improvements - Shore Park, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70203, Shore Park to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Program, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7843I, Park Improvements - Holland Rink, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70238, Holland Rink to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Program, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Recommend that Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($80,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7111F, Building Rehab Lake Park, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70211, Lake Park to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Program, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Recommend that Six Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($6,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7843H, Park Improvements - Great Brook Valley, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70234, Great Brook Valley to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Program, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7844, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70217, Greenwood Park to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Plan, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7843M, Park Improvements - University Park, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70230, University Park to allow for current and anticipated payments for contractual obligations, as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Plan, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.

Recommend that One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($120,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7113C, MSBA School Repair Nelson Place, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C780, Nelson Place School to allow for the payment of on going contractual obligations as approved in the Fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Program, as detailed in the attached request from Paul J. Moosey, Commissioner of Public Works & Parks.

Respectfully recommend that Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00), be transferred from City Managers Contingency Account #900-92000, and be appropriated to Economic Development to fund additional salaries for and ordinary maintenance cost for a Foreclosure Mediation Program for the remainder of FY2014.Refer to CCM Item 8.4A

Recommend that Eighty Five Dollars And Fifteen Cents ($85.15) be transferred from Account #150-91000, Elections Salaries, and be appropriated to Account #150-97000, Elections Overtime to provide funding for overtime expenses incurred during the November 13 elections, per the request of David J. Rushford, City Clerk.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to National Grids Responses to Various Requests. Refer to CCM Item 8.23A

Amend Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 - Occupational Group X - Youth Opportunity Office Coordinator for Public Health Department.

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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to parking meters at Rockwood Field. (Tabled Under Privilege - Eddy December 10, 2013 and Tabled December 17, 2013)

Motion Lukes @ #8.3A CM – Request City Manager request from the various retirement boards a list of City of Worcester and Worcester Public School retired employees and the amount of their pensions. Councilor Rushton moved to amend the motion to request the list of pension amounts be grouped in $5,000 increments only. Mayor Petty moved for a roll call to amend the motion – Order adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 1 Nay (Yeas – Bergman, Economou, Gaffney, Palmieri, Rivera, Rosen, Rushton, Russell, Toomey, Petty) (Nay – Lukes). The motion will read as follows: Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of the City of Worcester and Worcester Public School retirement pensions that are grouped in pension ranges shown in $5,000 increments and the number of pensions represented in each range.

Motion Toomey @ #8.4D CM – Request City Manager report how the Housing Development Incentive Program will be rolled out and request the owners of 2-4 family housing be notified of the program and further, request the administration find other programs that can assist single family owners in the HDIP designated areas.

Motion Palmieri @ #8.4D CM – Request City Manager report whether or not areas in the east side of the city would qualify for the HDIP designated areas.

Motion Rosen @ #8.4D CM – Request City Manager report whether or not the HDIP program can be expanded citywide.

Motion Rosen @ #8.4A CM – Request City Manager provide the foreclosure figures for Worcester over the past several years.

Motion Economou @ #8.4A CM – Request City Manager report the number of foreclosure complaints that have been filed and the number of those complaints that have resulted in foreclosure.

Motion Russell @ #8.4A CM – Request City Manager report why the RFP for finding a mediation company cannot include the duties for handling the foreclosure mediation process with help from only one part-time staff person employed by the city so that this program would be self-supporting or with minimal funding by the city.

Motion Russell @ #8.4A CM – Request City Manager explain why the registration fee for foreclosure mediation is set at $100.00 only since it should be set so it can assist in making the program self-supporting.

Motion Lukes @ #8.4A CM – Request the Standing Committee on Economic Development consider looking at requiring a monetary obligation from the homeowner by paying a nominal registration fee for the foreclosure mediation process.

Motion Petty @ #8.4A CM – Request City Manager provide to City Council a quarterly report or when he sees fit of the foreclosure mediation program.

Motion Russell @ #8.5A CM – Request City Manager report what would be the ramifications if City Council did not approve the recommended water and sewer rate increases.

Motion Gaffney @ #8.8B CM – Request City Manager provide to City Council the appendices referred to in the communication relative to the Open Space and Recreation Plan Approved by the City of Worcester Parks & Recreation Committee.

Motion Toomey @ #8.5A CM – Request City Manager provide a report regarding a local town’s challenge of the city’s out-of-town water and sewer rates.

Motion Toomey @ #8.23A & 8.32A CM – Request City Manager provide a list of streets on which Smart Grid meters are installed.

Motion Lukes @ #8.23A & 8.32A CM – Request City Manager request the City Solicitor report whether or not the Zoning Board of Appeals will lose their jurisdiction relative to Smart Grid Towers since National Grid will be using existing operating facilities.