CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:01 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:16 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE for Eleanor Hawley, who passed away October 16, 2016 at the age of 95. Eleanor Hawley served over 22 years as the Executive Director for the Human Rights Commission in the City of Worcester.

Mayor Petty recognized former Mayor Raymond Mariano and his class from Clark University, who were attending the City Council meeting as part of their program.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 4, 2016.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
2. Thomas Lecuyer, Worcester resident
3. John Almeida, Worcester resident
4. Marielle Rueben, Worcester resident
5. Manuela Sousa, Worcester resident

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for conduit location at: HOUGHTON ST Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for conduit location at: HOUGHTON ST

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: SALISBURY ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: SALISBURY ST.

Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Ninonzka Garcia request the private portion of Welcome St. be made public.

Evan Corrigan request the City of Worcester establish a higher standard for quality control regarding Public Works projects completed by contractors or city employees.

Evan Corrigan request the City of Worcester establish a protocol that coordinates replacing trees with repaving streets.

Ebelyn Espejo request installation of two (2) handicap parking spaces in front of 258 Millbury St.

Stacey Martin request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage at the crosswalk in front of 292 Lincoln St.

Ernest Brackett request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 64 Wall St.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 12 Schussler Rd.

NATIONAL GRID AND VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a joint pole location at: BROOKS ST.

Jo Hart request City of Worcester immediately cease its current practice of allowing item to be brought up under suspension at City Council meetings, with the exception of truly emergency situations, in fairness to the public and in the spirit of having a truly open meeting.

Jo Hart request City of Worcester change its current practice of hiring consultants and creating master plans before having any concept of what the public wants, and instead creates a new reverse order as follows: Hold a public meeting with no agenda except the topic the meeting is about, let the public speak freely, then hire experts to group ideas into the most important, practicable and possible financially, then hold another public meeting to present this list of pragmatic choices.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning additional payment plan options with lower rates for private street conversions

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install a “No Dumping” sign in the vicinity of 39 Ideal Rd.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager bring to City Council a presentation regarding municipal aggregation in advance of the budget sessions next year and before any commitments are made for the purpose of demonstrating to everyone how all aspects of this program works.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with a chart comparing what municipal aggregation can offer with other electric supply company providers.

Request City Manager install cameras in the corner of Townsend St. and Hudson St. as a means to deal with illegal dumping. (Rivera)

Request City Manager meet with residents of the Elm Park Prep Neighborhood Watch to work out a strategy that addresses the long term problem of illegal dumping in their residential neighborhood. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide traffic enforcement in Southgate St. and Cambridge St. during the morning and afternoon hours that children come into and exit Canterbury Elementary School. (Rivera)

Request City Manager, with input from the Traffic Division and the Worcester Police Department, review the traffic and parking situation on Hadwen Rd. from Chandler St. to Havelock Rd. to determine what steps, if any, need to be taken to make sure that the many cars parked on both sides of that street are not an obstruction and safety hazard to motorists driving through in both directions. (Rosen)

Request City Manager look at "best practice(s)" in providing up to date security in our City's public buildings. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a plan for immediate remediation of flooding on Franklin St. in the vicinity of Jack Barry Field. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks create a long term solution to the flooding that includes estimated costs and plans for funding be completed within the next few months, which will be presented at a neighborhood meeting for input before finalizing and sending to City Council’s Standing Committee on Public Works. (Mero-Carlson, Toomey)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks use best practices in implementing dog park locations. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion as to the process of drafting a change in the granting of handicap parking spaces by administration with an appeal process available to a petitioner to the appropriate City Council Standing Committee. (Lukes, Rivera)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Gregory Lano, Managing Partner Chandler 128 Associates, LLC request to extend BG 3.0 zone to include all of 128 Chandler St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to a proposed land swap between Saint Vincent Hospital and the Worcester Redevelopment Authority: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Economic Development quarterly update: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Energy Progress Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of Planning Board Upon the Petition of Todd Rodman, Attorney on behalf of 150 Blackstone River Road LLC request abandonment and discontinuance of a portion of Blackstone River Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of Stephen Rolle, Assistant Chief Development Officer, transmitting a Communication relative to the vote of the Planning Board at their meeting of July 15, 2009 to recommend Newburn Rd. be made public with a "Priority 1" designation: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to make public Newburn Rd.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Roy Moore, III request West St. be repaved from Pleasant St. to Highland St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Mayor Joseph M. Petty request the entire length of South Edlin St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request Barclay St. be resurfaced from Grafton St. to Harrison St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request Burncoat St. Ext. be resurfaced.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Kristen Phelps request resurfacing of Clark St., from Harley Drive to East Mountain St. intersection: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Candace Pino Dagnello request street repair in front of 8 Graystone Circle in the vicinity of the catch basin: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Diane Laplant request to repave the section of Otsego Rd., between Forest St. and Monadnock Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Coleman Horsley request Wachusett St. be repaved.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Lynne Tonna request Woodhaven Lane be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request Minthorne St. be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Tanya Tamba request street repair in front of 19A Sigourney St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Todd Rodman, Esq. on behalf of Liberty Walnut Street, LLC request Sudbury St. from its intersection with Harvard St. to its intersection with Eden St. be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Elvira Dalip request sidewalk repair in front of 41 and 46 Barnes Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen request sidewalk resurfacing on the odd numbered side of Walworth St. with more immediate repair of the dangerous, uplifted sidewalks in front of 31 and 32 Walworth St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Vladmir Edmond request sidewalk repair in front of 16 Florence St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Richard Carrico, Jr. et al request sidewalk repair in front of 14 Kenilworth Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Daniel and Cindy Phan request sidewalk repair in front of 208 Pleasant St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Delia Perez request a handicap ramp be installed in the sidewalk at the bus stop at the entrance to Washington Heights in Williamsberg Dr.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of the residents of Paradox Dr. request street resurfacing in Paradox Dr.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Dolores Penny et al request Kendall St. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Francis Riley request Scenic Drive be repaved: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Bernadette Chabot on behalf of Sister Mary Thomas Senkowski request repaving of Richland St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Ana Freeman request street resurfacing for Radmore St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Sandra Case request public portion of Outlook Dr. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Sandra Case request Williamsberg Dr. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Barbara Petrozzi request Bauer St. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Rita Coffey et al request Brandon Rd. be repaved: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Mary Dionne request the public portion of Elliot St. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Carley Harrington request repaving of Dewey St. from West Oberlin St. to Charlotte St.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

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

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the announcement of a Water Supply Stage 3 Drought: 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 the City-Wide Line Painting Program: 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 LED technology status and streetlight demonstration: 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 a Department of Environmental Protection Public Water System Award: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Dalila Ringland request removal of the guardrail in the vicinity of 39 Ideal Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend approval of a public solicitation bid for a six (6) year maintenance contract for the Green Hill Municipal Golf Course. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman October 18, 2016)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning implementing the City’s first two official dog parks, which would begin operations by Memorial Day in May of 2017. The first dog park would be located at Beaver Brook Park, which would be broken up into two sections based on dog size and the second dog park would be located at either the Tacoma Street Playground or Roberto Clemente Field. Further, request City Manager recommend to City Council locations and construction time lines for three more dog parks with openings in 2018 or 2019. (Tabled Under Privilege - Russell October 18, 2016)

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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Brittan Square Parking Lot. (Tabled - Palmieri January 7, 2015 and January 13, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager provide information from the City Solicitor as to what steps are available to enforce breaches of the Services Agreement with Laz Parking Limited, LLC in regards to City owned parking garages, specifically the Federal Plaza Parking Garage. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Tony Economou and Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Manager provide information from the City Assessor, Chief Financial Officer and City Solicitor as to the assessed real property values of all City owned parking garages, the amount of debt, if any, the anticipated repairs and/or capital improvements costs for fiscal year(s) 2015/2016 and the existing lease commitments/terms for spaces in these garages. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the 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: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled - Gaffney June 16, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor Philip P. Palmieri - Request City Manager inform City Council as to whether he and other representatives from the city intend to meet with the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox to see if they have any interest in relocating to Worcester. (Tabled - Gaffney September 29, 2015)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on a quarterly update relative to the City of Worcester’s plan to implement improved strategies and policies that better serve and represent our diverse community. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 26, 2016 and Tabled - Petty February 2, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request removal of granite borders placed by the City onto private properties on Plantation St., and placed instead in a City park. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request removal of large planters clumped together on Plantation St. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request the targeted second "makeover" of Shrewsbury St. be placed on hold until other city streets have had their first "makeover". (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a list of the non-profit agencies who keep their properties on the tax rolls. (Tabled - Gaffney May 24, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report listing properties that have been converted from commercial or industrial to residential. (Tabled - Gaffney May 24, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting communication responding to City Council inquiry requesting City Manager submit an estimated assessor's recap comparing the proposed FY 17 tax levy with the current real estate assessments and the FY 16 assessed values. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 14, 2016 and June 21, 2016 and Tabled - Lukes July 19, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to legislation to regulate and restrict non-profit organizations in residentially zoned districts. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman September 20, 2016 and September 27, 2016 and Tabled - Bergman October 4, 2016)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the location of National Grid’s conduit work on Houghton St. is on public or private property and if the private property owner was paid for the work done by National Grid on their land. – Item #18a Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of last year’s maintenance contract for the Green Hill Municipal Golf Course. – Item #18b Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager identify major green space and median locations where people enter the City that have lost maintenance sponsorships and further, request City Manager plan out ways to better maintain those areas moving forward, including budgeting and bringing in third parties. - #18c Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning implementing the City’s first two official dog parks, which would begin operations by Memorial Day in May of 2017. The first dog park would be located at Beaver Brook Park, which would be broken up into two sections based on dog size and the second dog park would be located at either the Tacoma Street Playground or Roberto Clemente Field. Further, request City Manager recommend to City Council locations and construction time lines for three more dog parks with openings in 2018 or 2019. – Item #18d Tabled Under Privilege

RESOLUTION of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – That the City Council does hereby recognize Robin Currie for her efforts to provide information and raise awareness concerning human trafficking during a 500 mile walk from Portland, ME to Washington, DC. – Item #18e Resolution adopted

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager reclassify the school area of Tacoma St. as a School Zone with appropriate signage. – Item #18f Order adopted

RESOLUTION of Councilor Tony Economou – That the City Council does hereby recognize the Quality of Life Task Force for the work they do concerning the homeless population in the City. – Item #18g Resolution adopted

Motion Toomey @ #9g CC – Request City Manager create a plan for a community group to raise funds that will help support the preparation and maintenance of dog parks.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide traffic enforcement of the “No Parking Anytime” restrictions in Beacon St. in the vicinity of Jackson St. and Hermon St.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Francis Carroll request sidewalk repair in front of 11 Hancock Hill Dr.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide any possible emergency sidewalk repairs in front of 11 Hancock Hill Dr.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide street sweeping in Pullman St.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager forward the sediment analysis results for Indian Lake to the Indian Lake Watershed Association for future planning, as soon as possible.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide the City Council with a plan for immediate remediation of flooding in the area of 31-69 Barry Rd. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks create a long term solution to said flooding.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager coordinate with residents along Route 20 so as to provide proper support during the Route 20 Sewer Project.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning a solution to providing enough water along Route 20 during fire emergencies.