CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:03 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 Professor Thomas Doughton, who passed away on February 3, 2024 at the age of 75. Thomas Doughton was a professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester and worked to create the Worcester Black History Trail.

Mayor Petty presented a Key to the City to Eamonn Dennis, a Special Teamer and Wide Receiver for the University of Michigan Wolverines, where he won the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship on January 8, 2024 in a 34 to 13 victory against the University of Washington Huskies.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 23, 2024.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Charles Luster, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the Key to the City presentation 2. Ambrose Toekulah, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the Key to the City presentation 3. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 4. Frank Callahan, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the Moment of Silence for Thomas Doughton and in favor of item #9.4A CM 5. Pam Barnes, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 6. Janine Loescher, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 7. Serenity Jones, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 8. Maria Montano, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10e CC, #10a CC and #10g CC and in opposition to item #8h CC 9. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8h CC and #10g CC, as well as in opposition to item #9.39A CM 10. Allen Dillaire, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 11. Samantha Olney, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8h CC 12. Joan Davenport, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 13. Michael Lagoy, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #7a CC 14. Mark Dufresne, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8h CC 15. John Rodgers, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 16. Donald Gove, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 17. Ed Dziewietin, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC 18. Marcel Blais, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #8h CC

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: MILTON ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: MILTON ST.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Susan Perkins request Passway One be made public.

Valeria Claret request installation of sidewalks on Moreland St.

Emilie Halaby Brisseault request removal of handicap parking space in front of 7 Stoneland Rd.

Ashley Seymour request removal of handicap parking space in front of 45 Waverly St.

Matthew Morse et al. request traffic exiting Chandler Magnet Elementary School (525 Chandler St.) be made right-turn only between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. for all vehicles with the exception of school buses.

Kwaku Obeng-Mensah request removal of handicap parking space in front of 9 Tower St.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: PLEASANT ST.

Samantha Olney request the usage of tents in city parks and public property for temporary shelter as a temporary solution to the growing homeless population be allowed.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the appointment of Constables for Civil Process.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Housing Development Certified Project Application/Tax Increment Exemption Plan for One Chestnut Place at 22 Elm Street.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Whispering Wall at Lincoln Square Renovation.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing Treatments.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Drug Trafficking Statistics.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Information on Gun Violence and Firearms Seized by the Worcester Police Department.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the certification of DCU Special District Improvement Fund.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Equity Workforce Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure Grant program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept a donation in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($200.00) from Our Lady of Vilna Parish, to support the Worcester Police Department.

Recommend adoption of the attached resolution to apply for, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of One Million Two Hundred Forty Nine Thousand Forty Three Dollars And Eighty Nine Cents ($1,249,043.89) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, 2024 Senator Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative grant program.

Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($15,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #CC1007-600100, Public Facilities Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #CC1007-601100, Public Facilities Overtime, to cover continued overtime costs.

Recommend that Six thousand Sixty Nine Dollars And Ninety Three Cents ($6,069.93) be transferred from Cost Center #CC1021-610100, MassHire Workforce Board Division Ordinary Maintenance and be appropriated to Cost Center #CC1021-600100, MassHire Workforce Board Division Salaries, to cover the costs of staff salaries working on this program for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Recommend that Six Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($600,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #CC1026-600100, Water Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #1026-610100, Water Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) be transferred from Cost Center #CC1001-600101, City Council Salaries, and be appropriated to Cost Center #CC1001-610100, City Council Ordinary Maintenance, to cover operating expenses through the end of FY2024.

Recommend an amendment to Fiscal Year 2024 Table of Organization for Sustainability & Resilience.

Recommend One Thousand Two Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars And No Cents ($1,299.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1049, Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Youth Opportunities Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that Two Hundred Ninety Four Dollars And Thirty Eight Cents ($294.38) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1049, Health & Human Services - Division of Youth Opportunities Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that Two Hundred Twelve Dollars And Thirty Five Cents ($212.35) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Public Works & Parks Cost Centers for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that Six Hundred Thirty Five Dollars ($635.00) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1031, Department of Innovation and Technology Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of a prior year invoice.

Recommend that Sixty Four Dollars And Thirty Eight Cents ($64.38) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Public Works & Parks Cost Centers for the payment of prior year invoices.

Recommend that Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred Forty Four Dollars and Forty Cents ($13,944.40) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2024 Cost Center #CC1012, Human Resources Administration, to allow for the payment prior year invoices.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Quality of Life Team.

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)

ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager work with appropriate departments and stakeholders to establish an Office of Housing Stability in an effort to prevent the involuntary displacement of city residents who are in the process of being evicted or at the risk of losing their housing, as well as to enact policies to combat displacement, homelessness and enhance tenants’ rights. (Tabled Under Privilege - Haxhiaj July 18, 2023 and Tabled - Haxhiaj August 22, 2023)

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: APRICOT ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned pole location on: APRICOT ST. (Tabled Under Privilege - Haxhiaj October 17, 2023 and October 24, 2023 and Tabled - Petty November 14, 2023)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing analytics around responsiveness via the city’s “311” application, including information as to how the city is tracking response to requesters and how said responses are being measured. – Item #19a CC Order adopted

Motion Haxhiaj @ #8h CC – Request City Manager invite Samantha Olney and other representatives from the homeless community when holding discussions relative to finding respectful, dignified solutions for housing concerns brought forward by community neighbors, public safety officials and the homeless population.

Motion King @ #8h CC – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing legal proceedings and decisions relative to allowing homeless individuals to sleep in public parks.

Motion Bergman @ #8h CC – Request City Manager hold conversations with the city’s State Delegation to determine ways the city’s surrounding towns can help share responsibilities associated with caring for the homeless community, either through creating housing or through funding, due to a number of residents from other cities and towns relocating to Worcester for services.

Motion King @ #8h CC – Request City Manager ensure that currently or recently unsheltered individuals are included as members of the Homelessness Task Force.

Motion King @ #8h CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the city is engaging with the State to ensure funding for housing solutions for the city’s homeless population.

Motion Toomey @ #9.13B CM – Request City Manager request Interim Police Chief provide City Council with a five-year comparison relative to gun violence and firearms seized by the Worcester Police Department (WPD).