CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:37 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:29 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 April 27, 2021.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Franco Girardi, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #7b CC 2. Andrew Ahern, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC 3. Maureen Uryasz, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to item #7b CC 4. Erin Brien, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC 5. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC 6. Jenny Pacillo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC 7. Jeuji Diamondstone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC 8. Marie Brouliette, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC 9. Paul Popinchalk, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10a CC

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MAIN ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: MAIN ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: GRAFTON ST. AND PILGRIM AVE. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: GRAFTON ST. AND PILGRIM AVE.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: FREELAND ST. AND LOWELL ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: FREELAND ST. AND LOWELL ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: TAINTER ST. AT GARDNER ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: TAINTER ST. AT GARDNER ST.

Hearing: EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: CHESTER ST. Granting permission to EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: CHESTER ST.

Hearing: EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: GRAND ST. NEAR HOLLIS ST. Permission to EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: GRAND ST. NEAR HOLLIS ST.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the damaged trees on Melrose St. be replaced.

Michael and Janice Ruggieri request abatement of sewer assessment #31287, in the amount of $13,831.00 for Southwest Cutoff.

Michael and Janice Ruggieri request abatement of sewer assessment #31288, in the amount of $9,300.00 for Southwest Cutoff.

Christian Weber request the yard waste drop-off site at Foley Stadium accept small, loose brush and branches consistent with the Millbury St. Drop-off Center.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request sidewalk repair on the odd side of Hadwen Rd. from 67 Hadwen Rd. to 11 Hadwen Rd.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request sidewalk repair on the even side of Hadwen Rd. from 4 Hadwen Rd. to 62 Hadwen Rd.

George Auden request installation of signage indicating fine for act of littering in the vicinity of 86 Ingleside Avenue.

Kelvin Quaye request "No Parking Anytime" signage in front of 69 East Central Street be removed.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a blinking yellow traffic signal at the intersection of Hamilton St. and Coburn Ave.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: CHATHAM ST.

EVERSOURCE for a conduit location on: DIXFIELD ST.

William S. Coleman, III, request City Council request City Manager place a "Thank You" banner in front of City Hall thanking the residents of the city for their spring cleaning efforts.

William S. Coleman, III, request Mayor announce the subcommittee and Chairperson of said subcommittee whenever a petition is referred from City Council.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Connor McCormack to the Planning Board with a term to expire on May 31, 2026.

Recommend the reappointment of Michael Angelini to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority with a term to expire on April 15, 2026.

Transmitting informational communication Relative to the FY22 water and sewer rate recommendation.

Recommend adoption of an Order relative to an On-Site Materials Testing Contract for the Doherty Memorial High School Building Project.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2021 Comprehensive Clean City Plan.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Spring 2021 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 9AM to 12PM by appointment only.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the department’s efforts to expand the diversity of applicants to the Fire Department.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report outlining the costs associated with the process of becoming an accredited fire department, including information relative to registration fees.

Transmitting informational communication relative to Smart911, a lifesaving service employed by the 9-1-1 Regional Emergency Communications Center.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the recipients of the 2021 Arts Council Grants.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude donations in the amount of Twelve Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($12,000.00) from the Fidelity Bank, UniBank, and Worcester Business Development Corporation, for the COVID-19 Outdoor Dining Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) from the Friends of Worcester's Senior Center for Worcester Senior Center support in FY22.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Ninety Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($95,000.00) from the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General through the Local Consumer Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend grant funding in an amount up to Four Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($400,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs for FY2022 through the Council On Aging Formula and Service Incentive Grant.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Fifteen Million Dollars And No Cents ($15,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7383A, Reservoir Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Pine Hill Dam.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Eight Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($815,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C715, Dam Improvements, to pay for costs associated with dam improvements.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741F, Guardrails, to pay for costs associated with guardrails.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Eight Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($820,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7161A, Union Station Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with improvements at Union Station.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C780E, Worcester Public Schools Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with the purchase of equipment for the Worcester Public Schools.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711E, Public Schools Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with the rehabilitation of Public Schools.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($550,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7242B, Street Light Improvements, to provide funding for costs associated with street light improvements.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C724B, Traffic Signal Improvements, to pay for costs associated with traffic signal improvements.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741C, Private Street Conversion, to pay for costs associated with private street conversions.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($610,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7443A, Off Street Parking Equipment, to pay for costs associated with the purchase of Off Street Parking Equipment.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Eight Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($8,200,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744B, Off Street Parking Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Off Street Parking rehabilitation projects.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,700,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C784, Parks Improvements, to pay for costs associated with parks improvements.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Two Million Three Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,340,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, for fund costs associated with equipment purchases.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Two Million Two Hundred Fifty Five Thousand Five Hundred Seventy Six Dollars And No Cents ($2,255,576.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with various building rehabilitation projects.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Nine Million Two Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($9,220,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C745B, Sewer Construction, to pay for costs associated with sewer construction projects.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($900,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C734A, Sewer Equipment, to pay for costs associated with the purchase of sewer equipment.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Thirteen Million Three Hundred Sixty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($13,365,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7413A, Streets & Sidewalks, to pay for costs associated with street and sidewalk construction.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Million Two Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,210,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment, to pay for costs associated with the purchase of equipment for Water operations.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($125,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C732, Water Building Rehabilitation, to pay for costs associated with Water Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Operating Budget for City Council review and consideration.

Recommend approval of the Fiscal Year 2022 proposed Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Worcester.

RESOLUTION of Councilor Sarai Rivera - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby call for the Massachusetts State Legislature, Department of Public Utilities, and Board of Building Regulations and Standards to commit to swift, just building decarbonization in the Commonwealth by acting at the state-level and allowing rapid municipal action, including the establishment of a net zero energy stretch code in 18 months or less as required by law. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio May 4, 2021)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – That the City Council go on record in favor of supporting the Worcester Bravehearts as they plan for the future. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes August 21, 2018 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty September 12, 2018 and Tabled - Lukes September 25, 2018)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a legal opinion as to the jurisdiction of office space and facilities within City Hall. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson March 12, 2019; Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 19, 2019 and Tabled - Petty March 26, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the process of instituting a residential rent control program and the resulting impact of implementing such a program. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019 and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request restoration and relocation of the Sullivan Memorial located in Melrose St. to a location approximately 50 feet north of its current location: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson April 21, 2020 and April 28, 2020 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson May 5, 2020)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - That the Worcester City Council urges our State Delegation and others to pursue the naming in 2020 of the Worcester District Courthouse the “Sarah E. Wall Courthouse”. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman June 2, 2020 and June 9, 2020 - Petty and Tabled - Russell June 16, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Donna M. Colorio, Councilor Gary Rosen and Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager support the (re)opening of the City’s licensed cigar and hookah lounges and for the state to amend the classification of these establishments. These establishments can, and should, fit under the guise and parameters set forth as restaurants as they have or will have a common ViC license. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rivera September 8, 2020 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson September 15, 2020 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson September 22, 2020)

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting a draft of social media policies and procedures for City Council, in the event that a Facebook page for the City Council is created, including information relative to best practices used in other communities. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 26, 2021, Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson February 2, 2021 and Tabled - Petty February 9, 2021)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support Representative Rebecca Rauch and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz’s SD 699 HD 1283, An Act effectuating equity in COVID-19 Vaccination Bill. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February 23, 2021)

PETITION of Meighan Sharry request City Council request City Manager effectively stop efforts to develop athletic fields at Duffy Field/Wetherall Park. (Tabled - Petty March 30, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report detailing the best practices used by other communities when taking and releasing the minutes of City Council Executive Sessions. – Item #15a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the divisions of the Police Department that are most likely to engage in use of force were part of the city’s body camera pilot program. – Item #15b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased speed enforcement on Hamilton St. at Coburn Ave. – Item #15c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager convene a meeting with the city’s State Delegation to address concerns related to SMOC, including issues with their administration and the participants’ quality of life. – Item #15d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager meet with leadership of the Pleasant Street Neighborhood Center and the city’s State Delegation to discuss future funding options. – Item #15e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Colorio @ #10a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of Worcester deaths that have occurred over the last five (5) years associated with pollution.

Motion Russell @ #9.39A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with information in the city’s budget relative to the monies each department was allocated in the previous fiscal year and how much was spent.

Motion Wally @ #9.39A CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with the full copy of the city’s Financial Integrity Plan.

Motion Colorio @ #9.5C – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the specifications of the proposed new recycling bins, including their size and how thick they are, as compared to the specifications of the current recycling bins.