CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:31 P.M.

Recessed: 8:28 P.M. Reconvened: 8:36 P.M. Recessed to Executive Session: 9:37 P.M. Adjourned from Executive Session: 10:02 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 Edom Blight and David Hall, two individuals who were unhoused and tragically found deceased in the city on June 26, 2023.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of June 13, 2023.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #10d CC and in favor of items #11a CC and #6a CC 2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #6a CC and #10a CC 3. Nahati Muse, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18m CC 4. Jim Leary, no residence given, spoke in favor of item #11a CC 5. Chris Horton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #16c CC and #16d CC 6. Nikita (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11a CC 7. David (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11a CC 8. Helen Malone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11a CC 9. Jim Dander, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11a CC 10. Jose Rivera, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #6a CC 11. Grace Ross, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #16c CC and #16e CC

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to my self-evaluation of the work and accomplishments of my Administration for Fiscal Year 2023.

That the City Council convene in Executive Session at its June 27, 2023 meeting for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to contract negotiations with the following labor union: N.E.P.B.A. Local 9-1-1. The City Council will not reconvene in Open Session.

Rachel Keyo request installation of an additional streetlight across from 2 Beeching St.

Ben Naim and Zac Couture request extension of sewer and drain line from Ingleside Ave. to Plantation St. for the purposes of servicing two proposed duplexes at 2 Lapierre St. and part of 149 Plantation St.

Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request installation of sidewalks along the length of Heard St., and for a continuation of sidewalks from Pine View Ave. to Clover St., with a cost estimate for said installations.

Councilor Etel Haxhiaj request installation of a crosswalk in the vicinity of the stop signs on Clover St. between Heard St. and Pine View Ave.

Dolores Anderson request removal of handicap parking space in front of 563 Grafton St.

Councilor Khrystian E. King request two (2) crosswalk signals in Kelley Square near the peanut be repaired.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: GROVE ST.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility consider installation of solar-powered speed feedback sign on Lovell St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility work with the District Councilor to consider the installation of speed humps on Lovell St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility enhance lane markings at the intersection of Beaver Brook Pkwy and Maywood St., including the installation of painted stop bars.

Request City Manager require all applicants and recipients associated with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees to follow the qualifications, requirements, and oversight of the Worcester Tax Increment Financing (TIF) policy and wage theft ordinance. (Haxhiaj, Russell, Rose, Nguyen, King, Rivera)

Request City Manager create a mechanism that tracks and monitors compliance with income guidelines, tenant protections, code and health safety standards and housing court history for all recipients of Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees monies. (Haxhiaj, Russell, Rose, Nguyen, King, Rivera)

Request City Manager request Director of Emergency Communications and Management maintain a list of volunteers who offered their services during the warming center set-up at the Worcester Senior Center this past winter. Further, request City Manager request Director of Emergency Communications and Management reach out to those on said list when warming and cooling centers are set-up. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the dates of all homeless encampment sweeps, as well as body-worn camera footage, from all responses to encampments in public spaces between March of 2023 to date, since body-worn cameras have been implemented. (Nguyen)

Request City Manager amend the Affordable Housing Trust Fund-General Application Process Part Two-Section IA – Developer Requirements to add the following language: “Developer must have no prior history of any ownership interest in any entity owning real estate in Worcester having any significant and/or repetitive code violations.” (Mero-Carlson, Bergman)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does herby go on record urging UMass Memorial Health - Community Healthlink (CHL) to reopen services as soon as possible, and release a public plan concerning the reopening of its services; and that the City Council of the City of Worcester does herby go on record urging UMass Memorial Health - Community Healthlink (CHL) work closely and meaningfully with the frontline workers at the substance use continuum to develop said reopening plan and ensure the highest level of care when services are restarted. (Rivera, Petty, Russell, Nguyen, Haxhiaj, King, Mero-Carlson, Toomey)

Eric D. Batista, City Manager, request review and approval of the attached amendments to the City’s organizational ordinances, including reorganizing the Cultural Development Division, the Arts Council and License Commission.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a copy of the National Park Service’s FY2022 report relative to the federal historic tax credit program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to update on the administration of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Architectural Heritage Foundation, Inc. regarding the Auditorium: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report regarding licensing by the Worcester License Commission: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to housing and neighborhood activities: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Economic Development Initiatives: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of Paul Matthews, Executive Director of the Worcester Research Bureau, transmitting, "Static Income, Rising Costs: Renting in the Heart of the Commonwealth.": recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Lila Pope request May St. be studied to determine the feasibility of putting a solar panel speed limit sign at a suitable location on the street: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Joanne Papagni request installation of a restriction for through traffic of trucks on Ernest Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Christine Parcher request installation of No Trucks Over 2 Tons signage on Lovell St. at the intersection of Chandler St. and Lovell St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Christine Parcher request installation of No Trucks Over 2 Tons signage on Hadwen St. at the intersection of June St. and Hadwen St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Joann Coran request installation of a weight restriction for tractor trailer trucks on Bauer St., with signage being installed indicating such at the street’s entrance from Farmington St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Michael Grandone request installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Sunderland Rd. and Massasoit Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Michael Grandone request installation of electric traffic light at the intersection of Sunderland Rd. and Massasoit Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Justice Real request installation of traffic lights at the intersection of West St. and Pleasant St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Laurie Ghiz request installation of left turn signal on Mountain St. West at the intersection of Mountain St. West, Mountain St. East and West Boylston St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Stephen Najemy request installation of "right turn on red" signage on Water St. at the intersection of Water St. and Grafton St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Joseph Zwirblia request traffic study for Fourth St. be conducted: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Michael Letendre request street markings be painted from northwest side of Austin St. into the intersection with Irving St., through the intersection and onto the two lanes of Irving St. for traffic guidance purposes: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Judith Shocik request installation of street markings on Stafford St. to separate the cars going straight and the cars turning down James St., including an "only arrow" on Stafford St. turning onto James St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking On A Portion Of Ives Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking On Dartmouth Street Adjacent To #100 Plantation Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Remove Handicap Parking In Front Of #4 Doane Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of #1 Berkmans Street.

Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide Handicap Parking in the Vicinity of #24 New Vista Lane.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking On A Portion Of Adams Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking On A Portion Of Armory Street To The Rear Of #7 Camp Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking On A Portion Of Papineau Avenue.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking On A Portion Of Fairfield Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of #49 Abbott Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of #15 King Phillip Road.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking On Leon Street Opposite #18 Plantation Street.

Amending Section 37(Q) Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Establish A Tow Away Zone On A Portion Of Sever Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking On A Portion Of Lanesboro Road.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Establish Two-Hour Parking On A Portion Of Shrewsbury Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Establish Fifteen Minute Parking On A Portion Of Chandler Street.

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For A Stop Sign On Millbury Street At Seymour Street.

Amending Section 70 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Prohibiting Left Turns From Nancy Johnson Way Onto Burncoat Street.

Amending Sections 42 And 45 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Establish 15-Minute Parking On A Portion Of Water Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking In Front Of #59 Spofford Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of #6 Clover Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Prohibit Parking On A Portion Of Institute Road.

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For A Stop Sign On Ancona Road And Lord Street At Plantation Street.

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For A Stop Sign On Westland Street At Institute Road.

Amending Section 29 Of Chapter 13 Of The Revised Ordinances Of 2008 Providing For A Stop Sign On Barrett Avenue At West Chester Street.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: MILL ST. and CHANDLER ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: MILL ST. and CHANDLER ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Haxhiaj June 20, 2023)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services host a public hearing relative to the closure of the Community Healthlink detox facility, including information as to how the workers and community can engage in a process to reopen the facility. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty June 20, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Thu Nguyen and Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations review the attached legal opinion acquired by the statewide coalition, the Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending, solicited on behalf of the Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team (WAFT) in relation to the city’s recent legal opinion concerning court appointed special process servers and constables not licensed in the city evicting residents. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio June 20, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Thu Nguyen and Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations meet jointly with the Standing Committee on Public Safety to review the attached letter from retired federal prosecutor, Sarah McKee, concerning the violence of a constable not licensed in the city physically assaulting city residents. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio June 20, 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)

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a pole location on: APRICOT ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a pole location on: APRICOT ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Colorio June 6, 2023 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty June 13, 2023 and Tabled - Petty June 20, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning actions the city has taken relative to warming and cooling centers. – Item #17a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager reach out to WPI to explore creating a study or plan for providing residents with solar powered air conditioners through grant monies or donations from companies, such as National Grid. – Item #17b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the efforts that have been made to apply for grant funding to support warming and cooling centers, as well as any grants under future consideration. – Item #17c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a report concerning the challenges on streets where cars park on the curbs illegally, such as Canterbury St. – Item #17d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does herby amend its meeting schedule to make June 27, 2023 a joint City Manager Evaluation and City Council agenda. - Item #17e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the amount of money generated from city trash bags that deducts the cost of the trash bags themselves. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning the revenues generated from disposing large, bulk items. - Item #17f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of expanding the hours of the Department of Public Works and Parks’ Residential Drop-Off Centers. - Item #17g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how short-term rentals such as Airbnb will be handled in the city’s rental registry program. - Item #17h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees screens and monitors for irresponsible developers, especially those that have a history of code, health and tenant rights violations. - Item #17i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does herby go on record in opposition to 2 Gage Worcester LLC’s application presentation to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees relative to 2 Gage Street. - Item #17j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing options the city has relative to creating an ordinance that would disallow property owners with outstanding, major code and safety violations from applying for monies through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees and other similar programs. - Item #17k CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) ordinance. - Item #17l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager ensure the immediate establishment of a working group of experts in the housing field, the city’s administration and the Mayor’s Office for the purposes of scheduling meetings to discuss the possibility of a moratorium on homeless encampment sweeps. – Item #17m CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion King @ #11a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning timeline for UMass Memorial Health - Community Healthlink (CHL) to reopen and begin services.

Motion King @ #16c CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any impediments the city may be faced with relative to providing elected officials with access to body-worn camera footage through a different process than individuals filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for similar footage.

Motion King @ #6a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the status of creating policies for implementing alternative deployment initiatives to allow for public health and public safety officials to be deployed during emergency responses.

Motion King @ #6a CC – Request City Manager consider conducting staffing analyses in appropriate city departments, including but not limited to the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Department of Public Works and Parks, Department of Inspectional Services, etc., in an effort to identify budgetary priorities relative to the recommendations provided in the city’s Equity Audit and Department of Justice inquiry.

Motion Haxhiaj – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of unhoused deaths that have occurred in the city’s homeless encampments over the past three (3) years.