CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Recessed to Executive Session: 7:19 P.M. Adjourned from Executive Session: 7:57 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Eric D. Batista

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Judith Griffin, who passed away February 9, 2023 at the age of 73. Mrs. Griffin was an advocate in the Heard Street neighborhood for several issues.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 31, 2023.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #12c CC and #12f CC 2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9f CC

That the City Council convene in Executive Session at its February 14, 2023 meeting for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to contract negotiations with the following labor unions: N.E.P.B.A. Local 9-1-1 and I.B.P.O. Local 504. (Tabled Under Privilege - Russell February 7, 2023)

Hearing: CROWN CASTLE NG EAST, LLC for a conduit location on: OAK AVE. Granting permission to CROWN CASTLE NG EAST, LLC for a conduit location on: OAK AVE.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: CAMBRIDGE ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: CAMBRIDGE ST.

Councilor George J. Russell request sidewalks be constructed in the vicinity of Roosevelt Street School at no cost to the abutting property owners.

Gianna Carlson request installation of crosswalk signage on both sides of the street in the vicinity of the crosswalk in front of 157 Mountain St. West.

Gianna Carlson request installation of streetlight in the vicinity of the crosswalk in front of 157 Mountain St. West.

Gianna Carlson request installation of flashing crosswalk lights in the vicinity of the crosswalk in front of 157 Mountain St. West.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Gregory Wong request installation of flashing pedestrian crosswalk lights on Sunderland Rd. in the vicinity of Roosevelt Street School.

Bill Coleman request City Council request City Manager hold a public forum to facilitate public discussion and suggestions for a safe Summer Youth Employment Opportunities event.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request Fire Chief provide City Council with an update concerning the Fire Department Strategic Plan.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager work with the Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks along with Urban Forestry Tree Commission to analyze or edit the Urban Forestry Master Plan and offer suggestions before reporting to City Council for full approval.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request City Manager work with Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks and the Urban Forestry Tree Commission to update the city’s tree ordinance to include language for the purposes of replacing a removed tree if conditions allowed, taking into consideration costs, street conditions and infrastructure.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the Emergency Management disaster response and recovery procedure.

Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks install “Spray Park Coming Soon” signage informing residents of the spray park being installed in University Park (aka Crystal Park). (Rivera)

Request City Manager request Director of Emergency Communications and Management work with the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to create a proactive plan as it relates to developing warming and cooling centers that includes the advanced preparation of locations, resources and volunteers, in an effort to not be reactive to dangerous weather conditions. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide Council with a list detailing how many of the approximately 7,000 apartment units under construction and development the city plans to exempt from the proposed Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report reviewing the proposed inclusionary zoning exemption criteria, in an effort to set a more equitable implementation plan. (Rivera)

Request City Manager consider increasing the affordability restriction in the draft Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance from thirty (30) years to ninety-nine (99) years, as has been requested by community residents. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the reasons why potholes have recently taken so long to fix. (Russell)

Request City Manager work with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks to implement an emergency notification system to notify residents and businesses relative to emergency water/sewer work. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager work with the appropriate representative from National Grid to provide City Council with a report relative to the outage on February 1, 2023 that affected the areas of Beaver Brook Park, Mayfield St. and Park Avenue. Said report should include a summary of National Grid protocols for dealing with emergency power outages, their communication plans to residents, businesses and City officials, and how they plan to handle future emergencies. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager install appropriate wayfinding signage in the Lincoln St. neighborhood. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks replace trees in the tree pit along Lincoln St. from 107 Lincoln St. to Brittan Square. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request City Assessor provide City Council with a report detailing any differences as to how houses on private roads are assessed compared to similar properties on public roads. (Mero-Carlson, Bergman)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the amount of monies available in city fund associated with vacant properties, as well as for what purpose said monies can be used. (Mero-Carlson)

Transmitting an informational communication regarding the filling of one (1) vacancy on the Library Board of Directors.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Emergency Management disaster response and recovery procedures: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the installation of TRAINFO Railroad Crossing Sensors: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the recommendations and training relative to the Blue Card system: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning the Fire Department Strategic Plan: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the 110 periodic inspections: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept and expend a direct appropriation in the amount of Fifty One Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($51,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security for the purchase of equipment and the installation of safety equipment: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the responsibilities and enforcement policies around Lake Quinsigamond: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to an overview of the Bureau of Investigative Services: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Report of the Committee on Finance Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to training courses at the Worcester Police Department: recommend Report be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication regarding a final proposal to initiate an Unmanned Aircraft System Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to a report concerning an update regarding ShotSpotter Connect and studies related to ShotSpotter Technology: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to a report on training for body worn cameras: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the Foley Stadium improvements: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the design process to date as well as the future milestones associated with Foley Stadium improvements: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Master Plan for improvements to the new park at the former Becker College Property on Sever Street: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2022 opening of Athletic Fields: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to a report outlining a comprehensive overview of this year’s Summer Recreation and Safety Initiatives: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Communications of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the tree removal associated with street reconstruction: recommend Communication be placed on file.

Amending the Salary Ordinance Relative to the Salary of the City Auditor.

Amending the Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991, Relative to Multi-Family and Mixed-Used Development in the Commercial Corridors Overlay District (CCOD).

Amending Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991, Relative to Extension of the Residence General (RG-5) Zoning District in the Vicinity of 55 & 57 Cedar Street; 91, 93, 95, & 97 Elm Street; 101-103 & 105 Merrick Street; and 25, 27, & 29 Sever Street.

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting an informational communication relative to the Chief of Council position, the City Clerk's Office position that supports the Chief of Council position and a comparison of City Council support staffs of similar sized cities in the Commonwealth. (Tabled Under Privilege - Russell February 7, 2023)

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)

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)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager consider prioritizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for REC Worcester’s capital project involving the development of the new REC Worcester headquarters and Center for Food Justice and Urban Agriculture (for Worcester and Central Massachusetts), in an effort to support community food security, as well as youth development and employment. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Council work to ensure City Council and School Committee districts are parallel, so as to ensure public clarity. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson May 24, 2022 and June 7, 2022 and Tabled - Petty June 14, 2022)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public discussion with the WRTA Administrator relative to the removal of a bus route that passes the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way: recommend Communication be placed on file. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation meet with the WRTA Administrator to provide City Council with a report concerning the WRTA’s winter weather plan, especially including information as to how snow will be removed at each of the bus stops: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of two (2) salary ordinance amendments related to the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that the Fiscal Year 2023 Table of Organization for the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion be amended by increasing the total number of authorized positions from two (2) to nine (9). (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

Recommend that the Fiscal Year 2023 Table of Organization for the Executive Office of Health & Human Services, Human Rights Division, be amended by eliminating one (1) Executive Director of Human Rights Commission position, Pay Grade 42EM, and one (1) Staff Assistant I position, Pay Grade 32. (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that the Fiscal Year 2023 Table of Organization for the Department of Human Resources be amended by eliminating one (1) Lead Investigator position, Pay Grade 45M, and one (1) Coordinator of Training, Development, and Wellness Programs position, Pay Grade 44M. (Tabled - King February 7, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed report concerning how the city is addressing issues relative to tree replanting. Further, request City Manager include in said report a list of all areas where trees have been removed and not replaced, especially locations impacted by the Asian Long Horned Beetle. – Item #14a 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 detailing the feedback provided to the city by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as it relates to the Worcester Police Department (WPD) Body Worn Camera policy. – Item #14b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Police Chief consider consistently not allowing Worcester Police Department (WPD) officers access to body worn camera footage until their initial reports are filed. – Item #14c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Thu Nguyen – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the narrative that the queer community is against the use of body worn cameras by police officers. – Item #14d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report following the implementation of the body worn cameras program to understand whether any variances or adjustments to the city’s policy are required. – Item #14e 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 detailing the workload of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Human Rights Commission. –Item #14f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager request Director of Human Resources provide City Council with a report concerning how similar municipalities evaluate their City Auditor and City Clerk. – Item #14g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council convene in Executive Session at its February 14, 2023 meeting for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to contract negotiations with the following labor unions: N.E.P.B.A. Local 9-1-1 and I.B.P.O. Local 504. – Item #14h CC Tabled Under Privilege as amended

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the infrastructure associated with the city’s overnight warming center, the lessons learned from opening the warming center and how many individuals were served at the location. – Item #14i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Toomey @ #12f CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the potential for using a new form of pothole fill, which may hold up better than what is currently used.

Motion Bergman @ #12f CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider the feasibility of filling nearby, unreported potholes when a reported pothole at the same location is reported.

Motion Russell @ #12i CC – Request City Manager review locations throughout the city where wayfinding signage should be installed.

Motion Russell @ #12i CC – Request City Manager review locations throughout the city where trees should be planted in tree pits along roadways.

Motion Petty @ #12k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the effect any state laws may have creating a priority for fixing private roads that are impassable for emergency vehicles.

Motion Toomey @ #12k CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing any recently passed state legislation relative to the cost of maintaining private roads.

Motion Rose – Suspension of Rules – That the City Council of the City of Worcester convene in Executive Session at its February 28, 2023 meeting immediately following the conclusion of the City Council agenda for the purpose of conducting salary negotiations with City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli. The City Council will reconvene in Open Session at the end of the Executive Session.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning the appointment of the second Assistant City Clerk, including information as to why the appointment did not come before City Council.