CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:03 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:40 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Morris A. Bergman Tony Economou
Michael T. Gaffney Konstantina B. Lukes
Philip P. Palmieri Sarai Rivera City Clerk
David J. Rushford
Gary Rosen Frederick C. Rushton
George J. Russell Kathleen M. Toomey
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


1.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER - DOHERTY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL MADRIGAL SINGERS

3.

ROLL CALL - All present except for Councilor Lukes and Councilor Rushton with the Mayor as Chair. Councilor Lukes arrived at 7:10 P.M. and Councilor Rushton arrived at 7:18 P.M.

4.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

4a.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council meeting of April 8, 2014.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

5.

ITEMS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

5a.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring May 12, 2014 through May 16, 2014 Mass Bike Week in the City of Worcester. Dr. Wendy Bergman and Jerry Powers received the Proclamation from the City Council.

Attachments

 

5b.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring the month of May, 2014 American Stroke Month in the City of Worcester. Allyson Perron and Rachel Henry received the Proclamation from the City Council.

Attachments

 

5c.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring May 10, 2014 National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive Day in the City of Worcester. Norman LaFlash received the Proclamation from the City Council.

Attachments

 

5d.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers: 1. John Provost, Worcester resident 2. William Feegbeh, Worcester resident

 

6.

ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

7.

PETITIONS

7a.

Zachary Bohlen of Something Simple LLC request sidewalk repair in front of 109 Forest Street.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

7b.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Robert Jarvis request the installation of handicap parking in front of 72 Upsala Street.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

7c.

Arthur Mooradian request City Council adopt a home rule petition for approval by the Commonwealth to establish a property tax relief program, similar to that established in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that provides an automatic period of abatement on any new taxes generated by the investment in and improvement of real property in key commercial corridors in the City of Worcester in support of the stabilization and revitalization of our city's neighborhoods and in accordance with the goals of the City of Worcester Housing Strategy, endorsed by City Council and its Committee on Economic Development in December 2013, and in furtherance of prior discussions by the City Council and its Committee on Economic Development of the so-called Philadelphia Plan, and that said petition be prioritized and considered an emergency petition.

Attachments

Petitioner heard and Referred to Economic Development Committee

 

7d.

Jo Hart request City Manager hold immediate and well publicized public hearing to change the City's current method of handling snow to a new and thoroughly workable method to remove snow from public ways for pedestrian access and passage as well as for vehicles.

Attachments

Petitioner heard and Referred to the City Manager

 

7e.

Jo Hart request City Manager hold immediate and well publicized public hearings on public transportation in Worcester, that he take the role of chair of the WRTA Advisory Board and that he appoint a competent, experienced transportation planner as Administrator of the WRTA to restore and improve Worcester's public city bus service.

Attachments

Petitioner heard and Referred to the City Manager

 

8.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS

8a.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request City Assessor report to City Council the impact to the assessed values of properties if more than 3 unrelated individuals are allowed to inhabit those residential units with more than 3 bedrooms.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9.

ORDERS

9a.

Request City Manager recommend to City Council changes in the traffic signals and/or patterns that will improve the traffic flow at the intersection of Mill and Chandler Streets. (Rosen)

Attachments

Councilor Gaffney moved to amend: Further, request City Manager request Police Chief provide law enforcement against gridlock situations at the intersection of Mill and Chandler Streets. Order adopted as amended

 

9b.

Request City Manager report to City Council any and all problems caused over the years as a result of the annual Fiesta Shows Carnival being permitted at the Greendale Mall. (Rosen)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9c.

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the city's policy for restriping crosswalks in a timely fashion. (Rosen)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9d.

Request City Manager report to the City Council concerning the various procedures available to homeowners if they wish to opt out of having the city plant a tree(s) in front of their property. (Rosen)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9e.

Request City Council suspend its Rules to consider a Report of the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations upon the Order of Mayor Joseph M. Petty forwarding communication from Purchasing Director John Orrell notifying City Council that the city has received three proposals for Consultant Services relative to the Executive Search for City Manager. (Petty)

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton absent) Under Suspension of Rules City Council accepted the Report for consideration. (See Item #14a)

 

9f.

Request City Manager update the City Council concerning the Theater/Arts District projects with input from the Worcester Business Development Corporation. (Palmieri)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9g.

Request the City Manager communicate with the Patrick Administration concerning plans for a 1-hour bullet/express train between Boston and Worcester that will capitalize on the successful, substantial commuter rail service already in place. (Palmieri)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9h.

Request City Manager report on what, if any action, will be recommended to investigate the impact of leaking gas lines on public shade trees. (Lukes)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9i.

Request City Manager report on what options are available to the city to replace injured and/or dying public shade trees caused by leaking gas lines, at no cost to the city. (Lukes)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9j.

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: MAYFIELD STREET from Chandler St. southerly 230'

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Palmieri absent)

 

9k.

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: MCRAE COURT

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Palmieri absent)

 

9l.

DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC: STARK ROAD

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Palmieri absent)

 

10.

COMMUNICATION

10a.

Edward M. Augustus, Jr., City Manager, requesting the opportunity to make a PowerPoint presentation as an informational overview of the Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Budget.

Attachments

Referred to Finance Committee

 

11.

REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING

11a.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Marc L'Heureux request installation of handicap parking space in front of 149 Providence St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11b.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Hue Luong request removal of handicap parking space in front of 31 Shattuck St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11c.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kelly McNulty request installation of handicap parking space in front of 3 Allen St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11d.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Joseph Gallati request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 17-19 Shelby St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11e.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Shirley Wright request installation of Resident Permit Parking on both sides of Biltmore Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide Resident Permit Parking for Biltmore Road on both sides from 5pm to 7am.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11f.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen request resident permit parking in front of 1 to 4 Buckley Rd. be rescinded: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11g.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Ronny Terry request resident permit parking be installed in Oak St. between Cedar St. and Elm St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide for resident permit parking in front of 2 Oak Street.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11h.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Grigorios Psarras request the two Resident Permit Parking spots on Duxbury Road at Lincoln Street be removed and two 30 minute parking spots be put in its place: recommend passage of the accompanying two (2) proposed Ordinances to remove resident permit parking on Duxbury Road adjacent to 273 Lincoln Street and to provide 30-minute parking on Duxbury Road adjacent to 273 Lincoln Street.

Attachments

Voted to advertise two (2) proposed ordinances

 

11i.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Chief Robert Hart of the Department of Public Safety at College of the Holy Cross request installation of "No Parking" signs for the twenty feet adjacent to all the driveway entrances of the Holy Cross campus on College St. to accommodate safe ingress and egress: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install Tow Away Zones 20' on both sides of all Holy Cross Entrances on College Street.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11j.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Vanessa Ramirez, et al request "No Parking" sign in front of 35 Windham St. be removed" recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to rescind No Parking Anytime in front of 36 Windham Street.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11k.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Donna Needham request installation of a stop sign on the corner of Nutmeg Dr. and Parson Hill Dr.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11l.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Patrick Donahue request installation of a stop sign on Batavia St. as it intersects with Crowningshield Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11m.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the Pulsifer family request a Stop Signs be installed at Mohave Rd. and Navajo Rd. as well as Navajo Rd. and Cheyenne Rd. in the vicinity of Marconi Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying three (3) proposed Ordinances.

Attachments

Voted to advertise three (3) proposed ordinances

 

11n.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of James Arakelian request to install a stop sign at the intersection of Deepdale Rd. and Dixfield Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11o.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Edward Russo request installation of a Stop Sign in Dolly Drive where it intersects with Miscoe Road: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11p.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy request installation of a Stop or Yield sign at the intersection of Scarsdale St. and Wildwood Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install stop sign on Scarsdale Street at Wildwood Avenue for westbound traffic.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance

 

11q.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request installation of a “No Parking” zone on both sides of Pond St. from Water St. to Harding St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

Attachments

Accepted

 

12.

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

12a.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the recommended FY 2015 Water and Sewer Rate: recommend passage of the accompanying two proposed Ordinances. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes April 29, 2014)

Attachments

Councilor Lukes moved to table this item and take it up at the May 20, 2014 City Council meeting. Tabled - Lukes

 

13.

TABLED ITEMS

13a.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13b.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13c.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13d.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13e.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14.

NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES

14a.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of Mayor Joseph M. Petty forwarding communication from Purchasing Director John Orrell notifying City Council that the city has received three proposals for Consultant Services relative to the Executive Search for City Manager: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order authorizing and requesting the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract with the firm of Randi Frank Consulting, LLC of Wallingford, Connecticut relative to the search for a City Manager. (See Item #9e).

Attachments

Councilor Lukes moved to table the item under privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes

 

14b.

Motion Economou @ #14a CC – Request and authorize the Mayor to create a preliminary screening committee to review the applicants for the City Manager position.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14c.

Motion Lukes @ #14a CC – Request City Clerk provide City Council with the proposals from the recommended search firm, Randi Frank Consulting LLC, once the document is made public.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14d.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Dennis O’Connor request crosswalk across Richmond Avenue at Audubon Road be repainted.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

14e.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou request installation of crosswalk across Ararat Street at Brattle Street, as well as across Brattle Street at Ararat Street.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

14f.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request appropriate staff in the Economic Development Department survey business owners for business losses as a result of the bus route changes.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14g.

PETITION – Councilor Philip P. Palmieri on behalf of Alberto Rivera request commercial loading zone in front of 781 Main St. be changed to 15 minute parking.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee