CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL - MAY 18, 1999

7:00 P.M.

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:25 P.M.

 

1.       INVOCATION -   Pastor Walter J.E. Weekes, Sr.

Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL - All present except Councillor Cooney who arrived at 7:19 P.M.

 

Mayor Mariano read a Proclamation proclaiming May 15-22, 1999 White Cane and Guide Dog Safety Week in Worcester

 

          HEARING AND ORDER - 7:00 P.M.

 

          Hearing held

 

4.       NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a conduit location and one community service cabinet on: CHAMBERLAIN PARKWAY.

 

          4a ADOPTED

 

4a.     Granting permission to NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY for a conduit location and one community service cabinet on: CHAMBERLAIN PARKWAY.

 

5.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          6 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

6.       Dina Dionne et al request emergency private street maintenance on Whitla Dr.

 

          7 & 8 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

7.       Councillor Stephen T. Patton request "No Parking" on Grove St. in the vicinity of Chadwick St. in front of Education Association of Worcester.

 

8.       Charles Bibaud, Kangaroo Crossing request to abolish taxi stand parking space at 200 Commercial St. next to Family Bank and install 15 minute general parking.

 

8a.     Councillor John Finnegan request removal of parking meters located on either side of resident driveway at 423 Chandler St. which are obstructing visibility of handicapped driver upon exiting from drive onto Chandler St.  Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

8b.     Councillor John Finnegan on behalf of Mark LaPorte request “No Parking” signs on either side of driveway located at 3 Prouty Lane.  Present crowding of parking on street creates hazard to resident entering street without line of sight.  Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee - Suspension of Rules

 

9.       COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

 1.      NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

          A.      Notification of Constable appointment. Philip A. Maio

 

Placed on file

 

          B.      Notification of the appointment of Noberto Soto and Jennifer L. Ginsburg to the Human Rights Commission

 

Placed on file

 

C.      Notification of the appointment of Michael R. Theerman, M.D., Jeanice Sherman and Edmund A. Schofield to the Historical Commission

 

Placed on file

 

          D.      Notification of the appointment of Catherine M. Butler to the G.A.R.  Memorial Hall Board of Trustees.

 

Placed on file

 

 2.      CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

          A.      Notification of the appointments of Michael O'Mara, Roland G. Carlson, and Scott Hayman to the Citizens Advisory Council.

 

Appointments confirmed on a roll call

 

B.      Notification of the appointment of Linda F. Parhan, and the reappointment of Andrew S. Grigorov, to the Community Development Advisory Committee.

 

Appointment and reappointment confirmed on a roll call

 

C.      Notification of the appointments of Lauren E. Adams, Victoria A. Theohorides, and the reappointments of Carol A. Kozlowski and Carolyn L. Haglund to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

 

Appointments and reappointments confirmed on a roll call

 

TRANSMITTALS

 

 3.      AIRPORT:

 

 4.      ASSESSORS:

 

 5.      BUDGET OFFICE:

 

 6.      CIVIC CENTER:

 

 7.      COMMUNICATIONS:

 

 8.      DEVELOPMENT:

 

 9.      ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

10.     ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Lights in Polling Booths.

 

Placed on file

 

11.     EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

12.     EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13.     FIRE:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Status Report Regarding Three Pieces of Equipment.

Placed on file

 

          B.      Communication relative to Efficiencies in Combining/DPW, Fire, Police.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

          C.      Communication relative to Comparison Report - To Recruit & Employ Women Firefighters.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

          D.      Communication relative to review committee to deliberate upon the consultant bids for a fire study.

 

Placed on file

 

14.     HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Residency of DH employees.

 

Placed on file

 

15.     INFORMATION SERVICES:

 

16.     LAW:

 

17.     LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

18.     PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

19.     PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

          A.      Communication relative to April Meeting of the Route 146 CAC.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

B.      Request approval of the Resolution authorizing the filing of Legislation to allow Expansion of the Green Island Neighborhood Center onto existing land located in Crompton Park.

 

Recommitted to the City Manager

 

C.      Request approval of the Resolution authorizing the City of Worcester to apply for an FY99 Historic Landscape Preservation Grant with the Department of Environmental Management.

 

Resolution adopted

 

          D.      Communication relative to FY 1999 D.A.R.E. Summer Day Program Award.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

          E.      Communication relative to Federal Dollars for At-Risk Children.

 

Placed on file

 

          F.      Communication relative to recommendations for the Year 25 Community Development Block Grant Program.

 

Referred to Community Development Committee

 

G.      Communication relative to Appropriation Transfer to provide funds for various Parks, Building Renovations and Housing Programs.

 

Referred to Community Development Committee

 

H.      Request approval of the Resolution to apply for Grant Funds and Section 108 Loan Guarantee approval for the proposed Main South Revitalization Project.

 

Referred to Community Development Committee

 

I.       Communication relative to recognition of the outstanding work of the OPCD staff at a symposium to be held in July, 1999 in Kansas City, Missouri.

 

Placed on file

 

          J.       Communication relative to Copies of Sign Offs.

 

Placed on file

 

20.     POLICE:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Review of Current Internal Affairs Process.

 

Recommitted to the City Manager

 

          B.      Communication relative to Police Academy Training Cadre.

 

Recommitted to the City Manager

 

          C.      Communication relative to Selection Process, Training, Officers on Internal Affairs Assignments.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

21.     PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

22.     PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Library Construction Project Update.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

23.     PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Reduction in Shop Hours at the Vocational School.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

          B.      Communication relative to Progress Report on the Worcester Vocational High School.

 

Referred to Joint Education and Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee

 

24.     PUBLIC WORKS:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Information on D.P.W.Open House.

 

Placed on file

 

          B.      Communication relative to Public Compost Site at Ballard Street Yard.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

          C.      Communication relative to Installation of School Zone Signs on Grove Street.

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

          D.      Communication relative to information on Need for Catch Basins across from 181 Lake Avenue.

 

Placed on file

 

          E.      Communication relative to Status Report #1 - Street Resurfacing Projects.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

          F.      Communication relative to Banning of Parking on Chandler Street.

 

Placed on file

 

          G.      Communication relative to Traffic Signal request at/near 425 Pleasant Street.

 

Placed on file

 

25.     PURCHASING:

 

26.     TREASURY:

 

27.     VETERANS' SERVICES:

 

28.     FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that Three Hundred Six Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Two Dollars ($306,882.00) be transferred from the following account:

                   ACCT.        DESCRIPTION              AMOUNT

                   330-01         Pearl Elm Reserves          $191,482.75

                   330-02         Federal Plaza Reserves        80,429.25

                   330-03         Off Street Reserves             24,307.00

                   330-04         Parking Meter Reserves       10,663.00

Total                               $306,882.00

                   and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

                   ACCT.        DESCRIPTION                        AMOUNT

                   46S501        Pearl Elm Ord.Maintenance       $191,482.75

                   46S502        Fed.Plaza Ord.Maintenance          80,429.25

                   46S503        Off St. Ord.Maintenance              24,307.00

                   46S504        Parking Meter Ord.Maint.             10,663.00

                                      Total                                        $306,882.00

 

Order adopted on a roll call

 

B.      Recommend that Eighteen Thousand Sixty Three Dollars Nineteen Cents ($18,063.19) be transferred from Account #14SOM124, OPCD Ordinary Maintenance, and appropriated to the following Accounts:

 

                   ACCT.        DESCRIPTION                       AMOUNT

                   14SSAL24   OPCD Salaries & Fringe           $12,763.19

                   14S47624    So.Worc.Neighborhood Cts.    $ 5,300.00

Total                                        $18,063.19

 

Referred to Community Development Committee

 

C.      Recommend that One Hundred Eight Thousand Two Hundred Forty Seven Dollars ($108,247.00) be transferred, when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #41C703, DPW Department Capital Equipment.

 

Order adopted on a roll call

 

D.      Recommend that One Hundred Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($112,500.00) be transferred, when and as received, from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #44C704, Sewer Department Capital Equipment.

 

Order adopted on a roll call

 

E.      Recommend that Twenty Four Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars Fifty Seven Cents ($24,797.57) be transferred from Account #550-91000, Public Library Personal Services, and appropriated to Account #550-92000, Public Library Ordinary Maintenance.

 

Order adopted on a roll call

         

29.     ORDINANCES/ORDERS:

 

30.     MISCELLANEOUS:

 

          A.      Communication relative to Eviction Policy at the mixed population housing development operated by the WHA.

 

Referred to Housing Committee

 

          B.      Communication relative to Security at the Worcester Housing Authority.

 

Referred to Housing Committee

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

10.     William Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Archives Division, Records Management Unit transmitting communication relative to Electronic Mail.

 

Placed on file

 

11.     Joseph J. Chessey, Jr., Deputy Commissioner, Mass. Department of Revenue transmitting communication relative to Brownfields Tax Agreements.

 

Referred to the City Manager

 

12.     Worcester State College transmitting 1998 Annual Report.

 

Placed on file

 

13.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting communication relative to Mr. Richardson's remarks at the May 11, 1999 City Council meeting that the Retirement Board was in violation of state law.

 

Referred to Legislative Affairs Committee

 

ORDERS

 

13a.   Request Administration to set a policy for the use of Electronic Mail in the City of Worcester.  Motion-Murray @ #10CC - Adopted

 

13b.   Request City Manager to consider including the School Department and Parks Department in consolidation of garage services.  Motion-Patton @ #13B CM - Adopted

 

13c.   That the City Council go on record requesting the Municipal Research Bureau consider consolidation of garage services for future study.  Motion-Clancy @ #13B CM - Adopted

 

13d.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with a private analysis of what, if any of the garage services could be farmed out to local taxpaying companies that might be able to provide part or all of certain services.  Motion-Cooney @ #13B CM - Adopted

 

13e.   Request City Manager and Purchasing Department to do an analysis to see if there is anything within the Public Works, Fire, Police, School and Parks Departments that can be done by outside vendors.  Motion-Cooney @ #13B CM - Adopted

 

13f.    Request City Manager obtain information from other cities and towns relative to a central garage.  Motion-Petty @ #13B CM -  Adopted

 

13g.   Request Administration to look at developing a central garage scenario, perhaps over a four or five year period where all municipal and School Department vehicles are repaired under one roof and have  mechanics cross-trained.  Motion-Murray @ #13B CM - Adopted

 

13h.   Request City Manager to inform City Council upon the anniversary date of any Department Head and whether or not they have moved into the City.  Motion-Mariano @ #14A CM - Adopted

 

13I.    Request City Administration to review all the mechanisms to date to determine if the City needs a high level administrative person coordinate the City side of the Route 146 project.  Motion-Clancy @ #19A CM - Adopted

 

13j.    Request City Manager report under what circumstances and criteria the City dedicates money under the Block Grant funds for State owned or private buildings.  Motion-Lukes @ #19G CM - Adopted

 

13k.   Request City Manager report on where the money that was transferred out of accounts dedicated to Police Uses in Item 19G of the City Manager’s Calendar of May 18, 1999 and appropriated to other accounts originally was designated to go into the Police accounts and why we are not using it.  Motion-Lukes @ #19G CM - Adopted

 

13L.   Request City Manager to report on WHIP funds in Item 19G of the City Manager’s Calendar of May 18, 1999 as to why these funds were not utilized.  Motion-Nadeau @ #19G CM - Adopted

 

13m.  Request City Manager report on how many complaints are received by Internal Affairs Division of the Police Department per month and year, what types of allegations, what are the dispositions, what are the corrective actions and how many of our current Police Officers would qualify for early intervention system that is described when an Officer has three complaints in eighteen consecutive months.  Motion-Luster @ #20A CM - Adopted

 

13n.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with examples of any other municipalities where they have the Early Intervention System for their Police Departments.  Motion-Murray @ #20B CM - Adopted

 

13o.   Request City Manager report whether or not the Police Academy curriculum has room to increase emphasis on conflict resolutions and human and civil rights.  Motion-Luster @ #20B CM - Adopted

 

13p.   Request City Manager to consider permanent Police Officer academy assignments that better reflect Worcester’s population.  Motion-Luster @ #20B CM - Adopted

 

13q.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with a written report on furnishings that are not a part of the library construction project out of the base bid.  Motion-Perotto @ #22A CM - Adopted

 

13r.    That the issue of keeping Shop Hours at the Vocational School the same be referred to the School Committee for its careful consideration.  Motion-Patton @ #23A CM - Adopted

 

13s.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with a summary of recent changes that have taken place over the last few years and the trade-offs relative to construction of the new Vocational High School.  Motion-Cooney @ #23B CM - Adopted

 

13t.    Request City Manager and the Department of Public Works report to City Council on specifically what the plan is over the next year or two for the closure of the Ballard St. Landfill as to how it will be used.  Motion-Clancy @ #24B CM - Adopted

 

13u.   Request City Manager provide City Council, prior to budget discussion, with a list of previously approved locations for traffic signals, prioritized by heavily traveled areas, areas in the vicinity of schools and elderly complexes.  Motion-Clancy @ #24G CM - Adopted

 

13v.   Request City Manager to consider the limited use of brightly colored barrels in the vicinity of elderly housing to allow elderly pedestrians to get across the street.  Motion-Mariano @ #24G CM - Adopted

 

13w.  Request Administration report on the future use of the Wyman Gordon property in the Kelly Sq. area and the impact on the neighborhood.  Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

13x.   That the issue of Tag solicitations be the First Item of Business at the June 15, 1999 City Council meeting.  Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

13y.   Request Administration to aggressively enforce Tag Day rules.  Lukes-Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

13z.   Request City Manager to report on what reconstruction work had to be done at the Fire Headquarters on 141 Grove St. to fit ladder into the building.  Report to include cost and how this happened.  Cooney - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

13aa.  Request City Manager to provide City Council, prior to budget session, with a comparison of salaries of Department Head employees with those of other cities and towns in Massachusetts of comparable size.  Petty - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

13bb. Request Administration request the Upland Gardens recap advisor, Keith King to provide the income profile of their tenants.  Further, to request the most recent capital needs assessment for Upland Gardens.  Nadeau, Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

13cc. Request City Council Housing Sub-committee and the City Administration hold a hearing with the Upland Gardens tenants and management on their prepaying plan to develop a plan for long-term affordable housing.  Clancy, Nadeau - Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

14.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:

 

FINANCE

 

a)       #39CC  May 12, 1998

          Order - Request Administration report on the policy of the Worcester Convention Center/Centrum Centre in seeking out, catering and servicing small group events and what impact this type of competition has had amongst the local restaurants and hotels. (Lukes)

 

b)      #6CC  October 20, 1998

          Communication of James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting communication relative to tax levy impact regarding funding of a staff person to the Mayor's Office from the School Department budget if the salary for the position does not qualify under the school reform financing formula and explaining the significance of the School Department's October report to the Department of Education with respect to current year's Net School Spending requirements.

 

c)       #4CC  December 15, 1998

Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the current five-year fiscal projection for the fiscal years 1999 through 2003.

 

d)      #5CC  December 15, 1998

          Order - Request City Manager to construct the Fiscal Year 2000 budget that only anticipates new growth and does not  include an increase of 2 1/2% allowed under Proposition 2 1/2.  (Petty, Patton, Mariano, Finnegan, Murray, Cooney, Lukes, Perotto)

         

e)       #6CC  December 15, 1998

          Order - Request City Manager to consider proposing a hiring freeze of City employees except for public safety employees. (Petty)

 

f)       #4B CM  December 15, 1998

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to calculations, 10 Year Period to a Single Tax Rate.

 

g)       #5A CM  December 15, 1998

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Fiscal 2000 Projections.

 

h)       #5B CM  December 15, 1998

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting reports from Janice Borg Silverman, Director, Human Resources and John Pranckevicius, Budget Director.

 

i)        #33h CC  December 15, 1998

          Motion - That the City Council develop a schedule of Finance meetings at least once a month, starting in January. (Lukes)

 

j)        #5A CM  February 9, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Motions made by Councillors from the December 15, 1998 Council Finance Committee meeting.

 

k)       #5B CM  February 9, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Fiscal 2000 Budget.

 

l)        #5A CM  February 23, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Municipal Research Bureau Presentation.

 

m)      #4C CM  March 16, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Proposition 2 1/2 ceiling.

 

n)       #59CC  April 6, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the FY 2000 budget.

 

o)      #5A CM May 4, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of the fiscal 2000 operating budget in the amount of Three Hundred Forty Two Million Four Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Two Dollars and 28/100 ($342,463,832.28) be appropriated in the accounts listed hereunder.

 

          Also requesting Council approval to proceed with the implementation of the City of Worcester's fiscal 2000 capital budget in the amount of Thirty Seven Million Nine Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($37,940,000.00) which is contained within the budget document.

 

p)      #5B CM  May 4, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager requesting adoption of the attached Salary Ordinance amendments that will implement my recommendation in the FY 2000 Budget.

 

q)      #5D CM  May 4, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager relative to Salary Ordinance amendment for the first Salary Ordinance in Item #5B.

 

r)       #14A CM  May 4, 1999

          Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Management and Mid-Management Employees' Residency.

 

s)       #55CC  May 11, 1999

          James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting computation of the legal debt margin for the City of Worcester as of April 30, 1999.

 

REPORT

 

          15 REFERRED TO ORDINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A HEARING

 

15.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Robert E. Longden, Jr. on behalf of The Valkyrie Co., Inc. requesting to discontinue and close to public use a portion of New York St. and to amend the Official Map of the City of Worcester by removing such portion therefrom.

 

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          16 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE OF 10 YEAS AND 1 NAY (Cooney)

 

16.     Amending the Salary Ordinance relative to the salary of the City Manager.

 

TABLED ITEMS

 

17.     Communication of the City Manager recommending that Twelve Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars and Fifty Cents ($12,688.50) be transferred from Account 331-46, Belmont Home Retained Earnings and appropriated to Account 045S505, Belmont Home Advertising, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for advertising costs for proposed sale of the Belmont Home.  

 

18.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to an RFP for the sale of the Belmont Home.

 

19.     Chairman's Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee - Request Administration to consider using the current site of the Vocational School, on the side of the Boys Club, as park land after discontinuance of use as a Vocational School.

 

20.     Chairman's Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee - Request Administration to consider eliminating the softball field on the Belmont St. side of the Vocational School site plan.

 

21.     Chairman's Order from Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee - Request Administration to reconsider keeping educationally sound, the size of the parking area for the new Vocational School.

 

22.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Jonathan Finkelstein, Esquire on behalf of Smallwood Village Associates, Inc. requesting City of Worcester  make Travis St. public.

 

23.     Order - Request City Council go on record in support of a Charter Commission regarding the issue of Charter reform. (Lukes, Nadeau,

          Cooney).  Taken off the Table and placed on file