CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:34 P.M.

Recessed to Executive Session: 8:44 P.M. Reconvened to Open Session from Executive Session to Adjourn: 9:26 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 Miguel Almestica, who was a teacher in the Worcester Public Schools system, a leader in the Latino community and a strong advocate for youth development. The moment of silence was led by Councilor Sarai Rivera.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring the week of May 6th to May 12th as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the City of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Meri Viano, Rachel LaBrie, Matt Anderson, Francis Deranamie and Lily Perez.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 10, 2018.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. John Reed, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9a CC
2. Brian Brousseau, Leicester resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
3. George Yancey, Holden resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
4. Jose Encarnacion, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
5. Maritza Cruz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
6. Edward Vasquez, no residence given, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
7. Mariana Islam, no residence given, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
8. Aliyah (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
9. Watantra (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
10. Xristian De’Jesus, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #13a CC
11. Karen King, Holden resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
12. David Minasian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
13. John Provost, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC and #13a CC
14. Terri Kelly, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC
15. Barbara Haller, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC
16. Ted Conna, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC
17. Sarah (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11b CC and #11c CC
18. Oriana Smith, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC
19. Kathy Hiragian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC
20. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC

Hearing: LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location at: 72 SALISBURY ST. Granting permission to LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location at: 72 SALISBURY ST.

Hearing: LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location at: 60 SALISBURY ST. Granting permission to LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location at: 60 SALISBURY ST.

That the City Council will hereby convene in Executive Session prior to the close of the meeting on May 1, 2018 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, having been advised by the City Manager that a public discussion will have a detrimental effect on the City’s negotiation position.

John Stewart et al request recognizing Daniel Dick and suggest Coes Reservoir Dam and Bridge be named "Dan Dick Bridge and Dam".

Lori Baker request sidewalk repair in front of 149 King Philip Rd.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: FOREST ST.

Jo Hart request a meeting to discuss all possible reuses for Notre Dame Church. (see attachment)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS - Request City Manager request the Director of Veterans’ Services generate a comprehensive list of all the veteran names of color that were omitted since the Citizens of Color Honor Roll was first erected and further, inquire with Worcester Vocational High School as to the ability to add the additional names to this monument once the names have been ascertained.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS - Request City Manager consider holding all the events relating to Veterans Day on November 11, 2018 at Green Hill Park in conjunction with the rededication of the Memorial Grove in remembrance of World War I.

Request City Manager engage Massport, the MA DOT, the Central MA Regional Planning Commission, and any other relevant parties to discuss the need for an updated study to determine how best to plan for any future increase in traffic volume projected from Worcester Regional Airport growth. (Wally)

Request City Manager consider strengthening our current wage theft ordinance, where appropriate, to include the issuance and maintenance of building permits and stipulations that can be placed on them; in particular addressing the issue of wage theft, industrial accident and health insurance, proper classification of employees and appropriate payment of taxes, unemployment, social security and income tax withholdings. (Petty, Mero-Carlson, Rivera, Toomey, Russell, Wally, King, Rose, Rosen, Bergman)

Request City Manager include funding in his upcoming budget for an economic and racial disparities study to look at inequalities in hiring on Worcester public construction projects to include race, gender, residency and veterans. (Rivera, Petty, King, Russell, Mero-Carlson, Rose, Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning developing a process for conducting exit interviews with companies leaving the City. (Petty)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning city employee turnover for all city departments. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report highlighting efforts made by the administration, the Superintendent of Public Schools and the private sector concerning the pilot youth basketball program for middle school and elementary school students. Further, request City Manager to continue with the Superintendent consider expanding this program as requested in my order from May 30, 2017 to include additional sports for elementary and middle schools youth. (King)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS Upon the Petition of Gordon Ward et al request City Council consider community requests to remove the Citizens of Color Honor Roll from its present location in Lincoln Square to available space at 40 Belmont St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning whether substantial taxpayer savings would be realized if the over $8 million plan to expand and renovate the main branch of the Worcester Public Library is put on hold. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rosen April 24, 2018)

ORDER OF Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Manager provide City Council with the policy concerning locating marijuana facilities, including information as to whether district councilors and elected officials will be consulted in advance of siting. (Tabled Under Privilege - Russell April 24, 20118)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager provide a report on the feasibility of amending the zoning ordinance so as to make apartment houses subject to a special permit in RG-5, Business, Manufacturing, Office and Institutional zones where they are currently allowed and to include a provision allowing by Special Permit the number of unrelated occupants in those apartment houses to more than 3 unrelated persons. (Tabled Under Privilege Russell - April 24, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose - Request City Manager consider exploring a one mile, bi-directional trolley or street car system in partnership with the WRTA to connect colleges and neighborhoods to downtown and private businesses. (Table Under Privilege - Rose April 24, 2018)

ORDER of Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the numbers of TIFs and any other tax reducing incentives provided and/or extended to commercial taxpayers and the recipients who have received those incentives. (Table Under Privilege - Lukes April 24, 2018)

ORDER of Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on how the city has provided the public with information and out reach regarding available business tax reducing strategies. (Table Under Privilege - Lukes April 24, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the Boston real property tax rates over the past 10 years. (Table Under Privilege - Lukes April 24, 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)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Bruce LaBoffa request zone change for the property at 452 Southwest Cutoff from Residential to ML-0.5.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson April 3, 2018)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed report concerning what the Community Preservation Act is, as well as information regarding which communities have already passed the act, as well as how those communities passed the act. – Item #25a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager engage the Governmental Affairs staff person to assist in the process concerning helping to keep the Burncoat Family Center open, as appropriate. – Item #25b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what follow up is done to determine if fire alarms installed in Worcester through the Sound the Alarm Program are working properly. – Item #25c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what the process is for determining where in the City smoke detectors are installed for the Sound the Alarm Program. – Item #25d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager request Board of Health provide City Council with a report concerning what external causes, legislatively or administratively, may be causing an escalation of the distribution of miniature alcohol or, “nip,” bottles. – Item #25e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request the City Council convene in Executive Session prior to the close of the meeting on May 1, 2018 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, having been advised by the City Manager that a public discussion will have a detrimental effect of the City’s negotiation position. – Item #25f CC Order adopted

Motion Lukes @ #11b CC – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion as to what jurisdictions are in place that deal with Wage Theft, as well as what requirements and rights are in place for employers and employees.