CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:15 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 August 19, 2014.

Mayor Petty and the entire City Council congratulated Councilor Gary Rosen and his wife, Maria, on becoming grandparents.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. John Provost, Worcester resident
2. William Breault, Worcester resident
3. Ron Scott, Worcester resident

Dr. Patricia Hayes et al request Navasota Ave. be made public.

Michael Seed, Imperial Distributors, Inc., request sidewalk repair in front of 60 Webster Pl.

Hector and Odette Castro request sidewalk repair in front of 2 Flagg St.

Kristan Oliver et al request to install two Stop Signs in Stark Rd. one at Windemere Rd. and the other at Fernside Rd.

Erin McCabe request additional "No Parking" signage be installed in front of 13 Sudbury St.

Christos Pantos request crosswalk be installed in the vicinity of 58 West Boylston St. (across from the Global Gas Station).

Christos Pantos request crosswalk be installed in West Boylston St. at the corner of Millbrook and West Boylston St.

Doreen Beauchene request installation of handicap parking space across from 23 Newbury St.

William S. Coleman III request City Council look into the building of a new Worcester Police Station.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks add the sidewalks in Francis St. to the Sidewalk Repair List.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager post to the city’s website basic facts concerning the proposed water management regulations and a link to the June 17, 2014 communication and other relevant reports.

Request City Manager request the Chief Financial Officer report directly to City Council, at its next meeting, the status of a 2006 agreement with Joseph Tortorelli regarding real estate taxes/interest. (Bergman)

Request City Manager/Mayor allow a portrait of former Worcester City Councilor Charles Scott (1917-1938) be hung on the second floor of City Hall. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks clean up hazardous waste left from geese in City parks, with specific concentration on cleaning up Elm Park and University Park (formerly known as Crystal Park). (Rivera)

Request City Manager install a camera in the empty lot located on corner of Hudson St. and Townsend St. as a way to curb the illegal dumping taking place there. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update on a previously submitted request made in regards to installing “Pick Up After Your Dog” and “No Littering” signage in all City parks, which would include fines for such offenses. (Rivera)

Request City Manager, working with community leaders, develop/implement a city wide strategy addressing the recent youth violence. (Petty, Rivera)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning what efforts are being made by the city and partnering agencies to encourage retailers to open stores in downtown Worcester. (Rosen)

Request the City Clerk and Election Commission consider relocating the voting location for Ward 5 Precinct 2 from the Ecotarium to a location that would be easier for voters to access. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update as to when signage warning trucks of the low bridge on Cambridge St. will be installed. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks reinstall “No Parking Here to Corner” on the Bigelow St. side of 27 Sigel St. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks look into complications presented by the yellow blinking lights across Elm Park Towers on Pleasant St., which continue to go into disorder following repairs. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to the exact date of when cameras will be installed at University Park. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to the exact timeframe of when the new yellow blinking solar lights will be installed at 1050/1060 Main St. (Rivera)

Request City Manager develop and recommend a city wide urban forest policy that establishes criteria for, but not limited to, location of tree plantings, type of trees, replacements and new plantings, handicapped access issues, public monument locations, pedestrian, bike and motor vehicle traffic, aesthetic, water run-off and underground infrastructure and citizen input. (Lukes)

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney - Request City Manager consider amending the Five Point Financial Plan to require that any increases in local aid received from the Commonwealth be assigned to the Other Post Employment Benefit Trust Fund.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Kenneth Jones of Precision Capital LLC request abatement of street assessment #25207, in the amount of $4,139.07 for Dayton Place: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to abate in full.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Vincent Gencarelli request abatement of street assessment #25305 in the amount of $20,571.46 for Corrine St.: recommend adoption of accompanying Order for partial abatement resulting in a new assessment of $14,125.96.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Wright Russell request abatement of street betterment assessment #25204 in the amount of $5,379.30 for Dayton Place: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order for partial abatement resulting in a new assessment of $1,434.48.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Deirdre Dundon request abatement of street assessment #25209, in the amount of $11, 712.50 for Arline St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order for a partial abatement resulting in a new assessment of $6,793.25.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mahmoud Soheili and Aliveza Avshadi request street name change for Olean Circle to Soheili Circle: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Matthew & Angela Tivnan request to make public Candlewood St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request the resurfacing of sidewalks in Oakwood Lane: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Taylor Bearden request sidewalk in front of 3 Florence St. be repaired: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request resurfacing of the sidewalks on the even side of Robin Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request resurfacing of the sidewalks on the odd side of Robin Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Mark Nesvet request to resurface sidewalks in Fairlawn Drive.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Larry Ngo request sidewalk repair from the corner of Queen and King Sts. to #34 King St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Erin Garvin request to resurface sidewalks in Sagamore Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the parishioners at Our Lady of the Rosary Church request to resurface sidewalks in Emerson Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Jerry and Gerasimos Vandoros request sidewalk repair in front of 2-4 Chesterfield Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Wade Tenney request St. John's Road be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Susan Fleming request Eastern Avenue be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Robert Sullivan request Francis St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Michael and Larissa Capurso request Castine Street be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of July 2014: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) for the Month of June 2014: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Proposed Water Management Regulations: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Scott Ricker request that the cross slope of bituminous walkway on the south side of Sunderland Road be repaired; that three (3) sections of curbing recently installed be replaced with curb access at the corners of side streets in Sunderland Road, and that consideration be given to the installation of sidewalks in the area of Sunderland Road where new curbing has been installed: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Leonard Troio request Bristol St. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Susan Fleming request Merrifield Street be repaved from Elliot Street to East Shelby St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Norman Guertin et al request Fay St. be repaved: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Camille Nasrah request street repair in the vicinity of 285-335 Plantation St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request Bauer St. West be repaved: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request curb repair in front of 14-16 Mercury Dr.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Katrina & Kevin McNamara et al request to make public the private section of Elmwood St.: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Lynn White request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 18 Lafayette St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Christal McCollim request installation of handicap parking space in front of 65 Prospect St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Oscar Garcia request installation of handicap parking space in front of 19 Garland St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of James and Sharon Wilson request installation of two (2) handicap parking spaces in front of 3 Arbor Vitae St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide for one large handicap parking area.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mary Kersten request installation of handicap parking space in front of 19 Willard Avenue: recommend approval of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Audunn Valdimarsson of 17 Main Street Realty, LLC request removal of handicap parking space in front of 4 Lund Street: recommend approval of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Ann Albano request handicap parking space be installed in front of 622 Pleasant Street: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Christopher Foshay request installation of handicap parking space in front of 54 Rodney St.: recommend passage of the accompanying Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Andrea Healy on behalf of Cutler Associates, Inc. request installation of two handicap parking spaces in front of 43 Harvard St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install two (2) handicap parking spaces and remove existing parking meters.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Eugene Thomas request installation of handicap parking space in front of 12 Ashton St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install one space across from 12 Ashton St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Elaine Fisher request handicap parking space in front of 7 Richmond Avenue be moved to in front of 11 Richmond Avenue: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Magda Roman request a second handicap parking space in front of 21 Preston St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian Major request the handicap parking space in front of 1 Westminster St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of David Natal request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 607 Millbury Street, on the Maxwell Street side: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Peter Milecki request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 9 View St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Proposed Changes to Parking Restrictions in Union Hill: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance as amended relative to parking on Providence St., Harrison St., and Dorchester St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of John Sullivan request installation of a “Trucks Exclusion” sign on Mount Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to rescind "No Parking Anytime" on Garland Street.

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 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)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Manager request the School Department share in the cost for providing police services during the presidential visit. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 17, 2014 and Tabled July 22, 2014)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the number of properties in areas surrounding Holy Cross, Clark University, Becker College and WPI that are listed as having true four-bedroom units. (Tabled - Bergman August 19, 2014)

PETITION of Frank Kartheiser et al on behalf of the Worcester Community-Labor Coalition request City Council hold public hearings starting in October on charter change and that at the conclusion of the hearings the Council takes a vote on holding an election to let the voters decide Worcester's future form of government. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes August 19, 2014 and Tabled - Lukes September 16, 2014)

Motion Petty – Suspension of Rules – Request City Council amend the time of the Tuesday, September 30, 2014 City Council meeting to 6:00 P.M. for the purpose of allowing a presentation from Urban Land Institute's (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Program, and further, recess into Executive Session to negotiate a long-term renewal of City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr.'s contract.

Motion Lukes @ #9i CC – Request City Manager, when looking into building a new Worcester Police Station, consider the following: including the possibility of making it a Public Safety Center that includes Fire, Police, FBI and Homeland Security, high tech amenities integrated with the community and the possibility of appointing a Public Safety Commissioner.

Motion Bergman @ #9i CC – Request City Manager, when looking into building a new Worcester Police Station, consider locating it in a central downtown location as a means to increase safety and bolster commerce in the area.

Motion Palmieri @ #9i CC – Request City Manager consider holding conversations with the Police Chief and Police Unions prior to making any commitments in regards to building a new Worcester Police Station.

Motion Toomey @ #9i CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a five and ten year plan of all possible City infrastructure improvements in order to prioritize renovations in the City.

Motion Rosen @ #9i CC – Request City Manager, when looking into building a new Worcester Police Station, consider the feasibility of rehabbing and remodeling the current Worcester Police Station.

Motion Bergman @ #11g CC – Request City Manager consider meeting with current downtown business owners as a way to brainstorm more substantive means to make the area a more vibrant and successful place to do business.

Motion Gaffney @ #11g CC – Request City Manager look into the feasibility of a Commercial Development Incentive Program (CDIP) for the City’s downtown commercial corridors.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Suzanne Burke request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 9-11 Saxon Rd.

PETITION – Councilor Gary Rosen request lane striping in June St. from May St. to Mill St.

Motion Rosen – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Police Chief enforce sidewalk parking regulations in June St.

PETITION – Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Joan McGuirk request installation of a stop sign in Beaconsfield Rd. at Paradox Dr.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider a means to clean up weeds and debris found in and around various traffic islands around the City.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update on when construction in Cambridge St. is set to begin. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with an update as to whether or not a neighborhood meeting with business owners directly impacted by this construction has been scheduled.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks repair the pothole located in the vicinity of 61 Havelock Rd.

Motion Bergman – Suspension of Rules – Request Mayor request City Clerk find an opportunity to appropriately recognize the North High School Junior ROTC for their role in the Worcester Revolution 1774 Committee’s activities on September 7, 2014.