CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:33 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:37 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Edward G. Hyder, who passed away February 6, 2018 at the age of 67. Mr. Hyder was a deeply committed community member in Worcester, who served as the founder and proprietor of Ed Hyder’s Mediterranean Marketplace.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 30, 2018.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
2. Athena Haddon, Worcester resident
3. Jo Hart, Worcester resident

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a solely-owned pole location at: EDWARD ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a solely-owned pole location at: EDWARD ST.

Hearing: LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORK for a conduit location at: ELM ST. Granting permission to LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORK for a conduit location at: ELM ST.

Jacquelyn Giannelli and Rafael Lazo request sidewalk repair in front of 20 Mayfair St. due to tree roots.

Councilor Sean M. Rose request street repair in the vicinity of 18 Cheyenne Rd.

Councilor Sean M. Rose request street resurfacing for Westinghouse Parkway.

Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Sean M. Rose request sidewalk repair in front of 5 Pompano Rd.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Christine Parcher et al request the short section of Brownell St., from June St. heading south towards Lovell St. be made a one way street into Livermore Square.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Christine Parcher et al request the city's Traffic Engineers propose ways to improve the safety of both motorists and pedestrians at the dangerous intersection of Brownell and June Sts. due to oncoming fast-moving traffic and the visibility issues that cars have trying to enter June St. from Brownwell St.

Councilor George J. Russell and State Representative Daniel M. Donahue request installation of "No Parking" or "Passenger Zone" in front of 36 Upsala St. to assist residents who are picked up and dropped off by Van and Shuttle services.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: WALL STREET

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: SHREWSBURY STREET

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Health and Human Services look at the number of overdoses amongst the Latino community, including information concerning the individuals’ ages.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager explore funding that would specifically combat opioid usage within the City’s youth community.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning opioid overdose prevention efforts and events.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager request City Solicitor work with the necessary departments to provide City Council with a draft ordinance modeled around the policy put forth by Central Mass Freedom Coalition (Item #8a on the December 5, 2017 City Council agenda) regarding human trafficking.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager as an employer consider providing training and education regarding human trafficking to city employees.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the structural integrity of the stone wall on Highland St. between Newton Square and Park Ave. (Wally)

Request City Manager consider allowing members of boards and commissions to serve on more than one board or commission, providing there is no conflict of interest and there is a demonstrated positive attendance record. (Lukes)

Request City Manager request the Police Chief consider increasing the police presence at Duffy Field, Newton Ave., Chalmers Rd., Midland St., Franconia St., Howland Terrace neighborhood due to suspicious activity in this area. (Rose, Walley, Rosen)

In an effort to help spark the building of reasonable priced market rate housing and or assist with small business growth, request City Manager and his Economic Development Team to develop a streamlined permitting process for smaller developments. Said process should eliminate where possible duplication of hearings to address similar issues before multiple City Boards or Commissions. (Russell)

Request City Manager work with the Mayor’s office and other key stakeholders to form a targeted plan to invest in our multi-family housing. (Petty)

Request City Manager report to City Council the status of the existing public safety fleet and include in the report age, condition, life expectancy and plans for budgeting for replacement/repair. (Toomey)

Request City Manager consider investing in temporary mobile solar lighting that can be placed on light poles when street lights in an area are expected to be out for an extended period of time. (Toomey)

Request City Manager City Council with an updated report concerning the activity and accomplishments of the recently reinstated Traffic Division. (Toomey)

Request Mayor/administration to submit a copy of a letter signed by the Mayors of Boston, Springfield, Holyoke and Worcester asking FEMA to extend housing benefits for evacuees. (Lukes)

Request City Manager request the Traffic Engineer to consider adding/scheduling sufficient Parking Control Officers for enforcement after 3:00 P.M. weekdays and on weekends. (Bergman)

Transmitting as requested a proposed amended Annual Calendar of City Council Meetings for 2018.

Transmitting request for review and approval to authorize the City Manager to resubmit the attached statements of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority that were approved by the Worcester School Committee at their January 18, 2018 meeting.

Edward M. Augustus, Jr., City Manager, transmitting communication concerning a report of the efforts the city administration is addressing adult chronic homelessness.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to this season's West Nile Virus activity: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the summer and fall 2017 opioid overdose prevention efforts and events: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Philip O'Connell Jr. Attorney on behalf of Somar Investments Properties LLC request City of Worcester abandon and discontinue its use of a portion of Chino Ave. and Boylston St., public ways, as a portion of a building at 8 & 8A Boylston St. owned by Somar Investments Properties LLC, encroaches on said property: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting Comprehensive Annual Financial Report - FY 2017. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 30, 2018 and Petty February 6, 2018)

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting the audited annual financial statements of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 30, 2018 and Petty February 6, 2018)

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting the annual financial statement of the DCU Center for the year ended June 30, 2017 as audited by the outside firm of Clifton Larson Allen, LLP. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 30, 2018 and Petty February 6, 2018)

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting informational communication concerning the risks the City faces on depository balances being uninsured and uncollateralized as it pertains to the WRA and the DCU Center. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty February 6, 2018)

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 and Tabled - Rosen December 19, 2017)

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, Tabled - Petty February 2, 2016 and Tabled - Lukes December 19, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of Mayor Joseph M. Petty forwarding a survey by the Worcester Student Governmental Association (WSGA), which asked current undergraduate and graduate college students in the Worcester consortium about their time as a student living in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Tabled - Petty February 6, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager place on the city website the list of events taking place in Worcester to celebrate Black History Month. – Item #12a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager consider establishing a Black History Month kickoff event every year in City Hall beginning January 2019. – Item #12b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager report to City Council what the administration is currently doing to validate the black experience here in Worcester. – Item #12c CC Order adopted

Motion Petty @ #10g CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a general report on streetlights in the City and the process in place for repairing them, including information as to whether or not there is a backlog of streetlights to be repaired.

Motion Rivera @ #10h CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with information that can be brought to neighborhood meetings concerning the activity and accomplishments of the Traffic Division.

Motion Lukes @ #15d CC – Request City Manager request Worcester Redevelopment Authority adopt a policy to ensure FDIC coverage for any excessive deposit balances.

Motion Lukes @ #15d CC – Request City Manager include on the City’s website the appraised values of all the parcels within the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan.

Motion Lukes @ #15d CC – Request City Manager request Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer, along with SMG, review the daily balances and seek to increase FDIC coverage by opening new accounts at local banks and additionally, open accounts at banks that provided additional insurance above the FDIC limit, such as member banks of the Deposit Insurance Trust.

Motion Toomey @ #15d CC – Request City Manager include samples of the appropriate housing stock in Worcester with any job postings relative to the City Treasurer vacancy.

Motion Toomey @ #15d CC – Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report concerning the stocks held by the City, as well as in the City’s retirement funds.

Motion Lukes @ #15d CC – Request City Auditor provide City Council with a list of the banks that hold deposits for the City’s funds including the DCU Center funds and the Worcester Redevelopment Authority funds.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council does hereby recognize State Representative Jim O’Day and Representative John Mahoney for their work in getting the necessary money to repair the sound barrier at West Boylston Dr.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing the legal status of private marijuana clubs.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager address litter concerns in Sunderland Rd. between Lake Ave. and Atlas St.