CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:03 P.M.

Recessed to Executive Session: 7:41 P.M. Reconvened to Open Session from Executive Session to Adjourn: 8:35 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring Saturday, November 26, 2017 as Small Business Saturday in the City of Worcester.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 31, 2017.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speaker:
1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident

The City Council does hereby convene to Executive Session of the City Council prior to the close of the meeting on November 21, 2017 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation in the matter of Fargo Management LLC v. City of Worcester.

Jonathan Finkelstein, Attorney on behalf of Edward Hyder request to amend the zoning map to include 4 Winslow St. in the BG-3 zoning district.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 34 Richards St., 40 Richards St. and 41 Richards St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair at the corner of Kilby St. and Main St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 897 Main St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 912 Main St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair in front of 973 Main St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera request street light repair at the corner of Richards St. and Illinois St.

Jonathan Belkin request to install and extend sewer main from Progressive St. on to the sewer easement located on 181 and 183 Sunderland Rd. at the owners expense.

Mary Hubble request sidewalk repair in front of 66 Fruit St.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Eric Cruze request to install a crosswalk in Pleasant St. at West St.

Richard Sadusky request installation of handicap parking space in front of 45 Cohasset St.

Anthony Quarta request that the resident permit parking on the east side of Natick St. include 6 Natick St.

Bob Keidan request installation of resident permit parking in front of 301 May St., due to student parking.

Bob Keidan request a crosswalk be installed from corner of May and Chandler St. across the street toWorcester State University.

Ryan Mancini request installation of a Dead End sign for Eastham St. to prevent vehicles from entering the driveway on the private portion at the end of the street. Further, request a sign be installed on Hamilton St. directing vehicles to Orner St. located at North High School.

Linda Glazebrook request installation of children advisory signage on Clearview Ave.

Sandra and Maria Mena request installation of a pedestrian light at the crosswalk on Mill St. and Park Ave.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of parents of the Goddard School of Science and Technology request Richards St. be made a one way St.

Michael Sweeney, Owner Mint Green Planet Inc. request City of Worcester to help provide cameras to allow for proper surveillance of multiple clothing and shoe donation bins throughout the city.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks ensure the proper number of handicap parking signs are installed in the vicinity of 77 Fox St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide the necessary curb cut to install a crosswalk across West Boylston St. in the vicinity of 715 West Boylston St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request Police Chief provide speed enforcement in Fairfax Rd. from West Upsala St. to 56 Fairfax Rd.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request Police Chief provide traffic enforcement in the vicinity of Saxon Rd.

Request City Manager report on requiring installation of permeable paving on residential driveways, sidewalks, and in downtown streetscape construction. (Lukes)

Request City Manager conduct a traffic Study for Cambridge St. to find traffic solutions for assisting vehicles to safely enter into Cambridge St. from Freeland St., Canterbury St. and Richards St. (Rivera)

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the feasibility of creating public art on city bus shelters. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with the status concerning a previously requested report requesting a traffic study regarding accidents at the corner of Chandler St. and Murray Ave. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request the Police Chief provide a police presence in the Ripley St. and Claremont St. area. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request the Police Chief provide traffic enforcement during arrival and dismissal for Woodland Academy and Goddard School of Science and Technology. (Rivera)

Request City Manager find a solution to improve pedestrian lighting by illuminating the sidewalks. (Rivera)

Request City Manager take steps to get many more bicycle riders, especially those renting the Ofo bikes, to abide by Massachusetts law that requires any person 16 years old or younger to wear a helmet. (Rosen)

Request City Manager establish an advisory committee on sports and entertainment. (Lukes)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks consider extending access to DPW yard waste drop off an extra week or two due to the vast amount of leaves still remaining on trees. (Toomey)

#10e CC July 18, 2017 ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager and City Council reduce the FY18 taxes at the tax recap for 1) 20% of any certified free cash; 2) any amounts determined to be in excess in the Health Insurance Trust and; 3) any new growth in excess of what is currently budgeted.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Robin Read request 3 St. Marks Rd. to 7 St. Marks Rd. be made public.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kerri Sullivan request installation of children advisory signage in the vicinity of 25 Ladybank Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request installation of a crosswalk across West Boylston St, from Roycroft Rd. to 715 West Boylston St., in the interest of public safety: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gloria Ortega request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 15 South Buffum St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anthony Belcher request the winter parking ban in Willow St. be a standard ban, when declared: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Feasibility of Making Coes Street one way from Mill Street to Park Avenue: recommend Communication be placed on file.

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager, while creating a master plan for Lake Quinsigamond, consider the feasibility of building a community rowing center which can include space for both Worcester Fire and Worcester Police Departments boats. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 14, 2017)

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)

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 relative to the Brittan Square Parking Lot. (Tabled - Palmieri January 7, 2015 and January 13, 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)

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)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - That the Worcester City Council does hereby support the initiation of negotiations by the WRA with MassPort or other entities regarding the feasibility of transferring Union Station as an intermodal transportation center to MassPort. The transfer concept is based upon the transfer of the Worcester Airport to MassPort and is necessitated by similar transportation and financial concerns that resulted in the conveyance of Worcester Airport to MassPort. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty February 28, 2017- and Tabled - Lukes March 7, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a City Solicitor's report concerning the wording of the ordinance voted by the Town of Westborough on March 7, 2017, which banned any recreational marijuana stores, farms or other related businesses in that Town and what, if any, would be the impact of the ordinance on medical marijuana businesses, personal consumption and limited home grown plants and further what is the process for the city to implement a such a ban on commercial, non-medical marijuana business. (Tabled - Lukes May 9. 2017)

HEARING & ORDER to grant permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint or identical pole location at: ST. PAUL DRIVE (Tabled - Bergman May 23, 2017)

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney - Request City Council, in Accordance with City Council Rule 52, to discharge from the Standing Committee on Public Safety the item referred to said committee on September 6, 2016 relative to a Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication regarding a draft ordinance relative to the smoking or consumption of marijuana or other drug in public, similar to the City Ordinance concerning drinking in public. (Tabled - Bergman May 23, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the legality of changes in this year’s tax classification from residential to commercial of several assisted living facilities. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman June 20, 2017 and Tabled June 27, 2017 - Bergman)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Council to vote on an amount of dollars for tax relief for taxpayers prior to the election. (Tabled Under Privilege - Economou October 24, 2017, Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey October 31, 2017 and Tabled - Petty November 14, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager request that the City Council convene to Executive Session prior to the close of the meeting on November 21, 2017 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation in the matter of Fargo Management LLC v. City of Worcester. - Item #15a Order adopted

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks trim the street tree in the vicinity of 16 Westbrook Circle. - Item #15b Order adopted

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager respectfully submits following information communication relative to the updated FY18 Tax Classification package.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request Police Chief provide speed enforcement in the vicinity of 137 Quinapoxet Lane.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning ordinances not allowing people to leave the area after hitting an animal.

PETITION – Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Joan Goodlight request tree removal in the vicinity of 193 Delmont Ave.