CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 11, 2000

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:03 P.M.

Adjourned:  9:25 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION – Rev. Louis G. Bond

Covenant United Methodist Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present except Councillor Clancy

 

HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

 

          HEARING HELD

 

4.       E. B. ROTONDI & SONS, INC. for a conduit location on: CHANDLER ST.

 

          4a  ORDER ADOPTED

 

4a.     Granting permission to E. B. ROTONDI & SONS, INC. for a conduit location on: CHANDLER ST.

 

5.       MARKETING PRESENTATION – Susan Black, Marketing Director distributed packets of marketing material and made a half hour presentation

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

6.       In accordance with Rule 41 of the Rules of the City Council, Councillors Perotto, Petty, Lukes, Murray, Nadeau, Irish, Luster, Patton and Abraham request reconsideration of the vote of the City Council taken on January 4, 2000 relating to Item #28A of the City Manager’s Calendar recommending that $166,575.00 be transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for Appropriation Damage Settlement and appropriated to Account #75S503, Centrum Centre Revolving Account to provide funds to make repairs to the Centrum Centre airwall damaged during a concert.

 

On a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays Council voted to reconsider

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays

 

7.       In accordance with Rule 41 of the Rules of the City Council, Councillors Perotto, Petty, Lukes, Murray, Nadeau, Irish, Luster, Patton and Abraham request reconsideration of the vote of the City Council taken on January 4, 2000 relating to Item #28B of the City Manager’s Calendar recommending that $900,000.00 be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation and appropriated to Account #50C704, Worcester Public School Building Rehabilitation to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to various building rehabilitation projects for the Worcester Public Schools.

 

On a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays Council voted to reconsider

 

Held under personal privilege at the request of Councillor Clancy

 

To be First Item of Business January 18, 2000 at the request of Councillor Lukes

 

8.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

8a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

 

PETITIONS

 

          9 & 10 REFERREDTO THE PLANNING BOARD

 

9.       Gloria Venincasa, President & Treasurer, Monogram Properties, Inc. request Fourth St. (Extension) be accepted as a public street.

 

10.     Gloria Venincasa, President & Treasurer, Monogram Properties,  Inc. request Admiral Ave. be accepted as a public street.

 

          11 & 12 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

11.     Linda Lavoie request guard rail in front of 36 Scenic Dr.

 

12.     John Foley request sidewalk repair at 188 Fairmont Ave.

 

12a.   Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of Phil Gigliotti request DPW repair sidewalk at 238 Millbury St.  Further, request that metal box that is sticking up be taken care of immediately.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules

 

12b.   Councillor Janice L. Nadeau request Public Works clean sewer at 90 Ward St. at intersection of Wade St.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules

 

          13-16 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

13.     Catalin Teodorescu request removal of parking meters on both sides of Chatham St. between Irving and Oxford Sts. and install resident parking in its place.

 

14.     David Dick, Jr. et al request City Council consider implementing speed bumps on Thorndyke Rd. either immediately before and after the school or at the two fire hydrants located on the road.

 

15.     Councillor Janice L. Nadeau on behalf of Primedica Corp. request crosswalk be painted on School St. at intersection of Union St.

 

16.     Ronald Macon et al request to designate the entire length of Congress St. as resident only parking.

 

          18 REFERRED TO RULES & REGULATIONS COMMITTEE

 

17.     Ronal C. Madnick, Executive Director, Worcester County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts request to speak at the January 11, 2000 City Council meeting relative to amending Rules 51 and 52 of the City Council by adding in Rule 51 after the words “All petitions filed, by a citizen, with the City Council, shall automatically be referred without debate to the proper committee, board, commission, department of the City Manager for investigation, recommendation or disposition except for questions of clarification, amendment or opposition by members of the City Council” the words that “after the primary petitioner is allowed the opportunity to address the City Council.  The presentation shall not exceed five (5) minutes.”  In Rule 52 the first paragraph would be deleted if the changes to Rule 51 are approved.   Petitioner spoke

 

ORDERS

 

17a.   Request Administration report as to what the minimum requirements are and how neighborhood groups can work with the City relative to tree planting and maintenance programs.  Motion-Patton @ #18A & B CM – Adopted

 

17b.   Request City Solicitor to review the original genesis of the commuter rail service as to why it was initiated in the first place in order to find some basis in fact that would allow the City to take some additional action to require the MBTA to move more expeditiously on commuter rail service to Union Station.  Motion-Irish @ #30A CM – Adopted

 

17c.   Request Administration investigate the EPA order requiring the MBTA to reduce their emission through transportation initiatives and whether in fact, a reduction in automobiles generated through the City’s additional train service would help the MBTA reach their goal.  Motion-Patton @ #30A CM - Adopted 

 

17d.   Request City Manager to investigate and report to City Council as to the financial capacity of the MBTA to purchase new trains and whether that is an issue relative to the extension of MBTA commuter rail service to Union Station.  Motion-Lukes @ #30A CM – Adopted

 

17e.   Request Administration review the ADA complaint relative to the raised platform at Union Station and report back to City Council.  Motion-Irish @ #30A CM – Adopted

 

17f.    Request City Manager to contact Senators Kerry and Kennedy and Congressman McGovern relative to extension of MBTA commuter rail service to Union Station.  Motion-Murray @ #30A CM – Adopted

 

17g.   Request Visitors and Convention Bureau report as to what they believe the $175,000.00 reduction in their budget will do to them.  Motion-Mariano @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17h.   Request Executive Director of the Mass. State Tourist Council, Mary Jane McKenna, the Centrum Centre, the Chairperson of the Civic Center Commission and the head of the Worcester Business Development Corp. report on what they believe the impact will be of the $175,000.00 reduction in the Visitors and Convention Bureau budget.  Motion-Mariano @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17i.    Request City Manager report on the viability and status of the suggestion to take 30-50 of the best executives in this community and request they provide the marketing staff with ten leads to follow.  Motion-Mariano @ #5CC -  Adopted

 

17j.    Request Administration report on the marketing website.  Motion-Mariano @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17k.   Request Administration provide City Council with timelines as they relate to the marketing presentation made to City Council January 11, 2000.  Motion-Patton @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17L.   Request Administration report how many new conventions have come to the Convention Center since a year from its opening.  Motion-Perotto @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17m.  Request Administration to get some feedback from the Marketing Corporation on funding issues relative to the City’s marketing efforts.  Motion-Murray @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17n.   Request Administration provide City Council with a quarterly benchmarking report relative to the City’s marketing efforts.  Motion-Lukes @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17o.   Request Administration report on new conventions at the Convention Center as to how many involved overnight visitors, what was the impact on local businesses and what is the impact of any success the Centrum Centre has had on the need for a new hotel.  Motion-Lukes @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17p.   Request Marketing Director report in writing the fact that items presented at the January 11, 2000 marketing presentation are part of the $175,000.00 and other items would be part of other monies that may be funded at a later date.  Motion-Abraham @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17q.   Request the Visitor and Convention Bureau to report any benchmarking that has been done to show the return on the investments the City of Worcester has received from funds budgeted to the Visitor and Convention Bureau.  Motion-Petty @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17r.    Request Administration to combine the quarterly reports on the City’s marketing efforts with the Economic Development report in order to get a complete picture of the Economic Development Office and what they are doing.  Motion-Petty @ #5CC – Adopted

 

17s.   Request City Manager provide City Council with more detailed information on Item 28B of the City Manager’s Calendar of January 4, 2000.  Motion-Mariano @ #7CC – Adopted

 

17t.    Request City Council to authorize the City Manager to file legislation which would dramatically reduce the time required for the City to take control and ownership of abandoned property.   Mariano – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

17u.   Request City Manager consider extending retirement bonus to the four City of Worcester retirees who had applied for retirement prior to July 1, 1994 but whose actual retirement was not approved by the state until after July 1.  Mariano – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

17v.   Request City Manager provide a report on Chapter 90 funds with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

17w.  Request Administration review the report of the City Auditor relative to sources and uses of funds for school construction and that the City Manager and City Auditor report back to City Council relative to some of the expenses that are inconsistent within some of the schools.  Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

17x.   Request City Manager report to City Council on the employment situation at St. Vincent Hospital in regards to TIF requirements.  Report to include a chronology of employment over the last several years and previous communications.  Petty -–Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

17y.   Request City Manager report to City Council on replacement of bullet proof vest in the Police Department.  Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

17z.   That the City Council hereby recognize and congratulate the Worcester Forum Theater and the Worcester Youth Center for their collaboration of the Theatre Works production of “Every Picture Tells A Story”.  Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted on a roll call 10-0

 

17aa.  That the City Council recognize Gordon Hargrove for being chosen man of the year by the Grafton Hillers Association.  Murray, Clancy – Suspension of Rules – Adopted on a roll call 10-0

 

18.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

APPOINTMENTS

 1.      NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

 2.      CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3.       AIRPORT:

 

A.      Communication relative to American Eagle Airlines Service at Worcester.

 

Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

                  

 4.      ASSESSORS:

 

 5.      BUDGET OFFICE:

 

  6.     CIVIC CENTER:

 

A.      Communication relative to the damaged airwall at the Centrum Centre.

 

Placed on file

 

 7.      COMMUNICATIONS:

 

 8.      DEVELOPMENT:

 

 9.      ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

A.      Request adoption of resolutions relative to the office of Elder Affairs annual applications for various grants.

 

Four Resolutions adopted

 

Also referred to Elder Affairs Committee for informational purposes

 

10.     ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11.     EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

12.     EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13.     FIRE:

 

14.     HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

15.     INFORMATION SERVICES:

 

16.     LAW:

 

17.     LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

18.     PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Request adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of Fifty Shade Trees (Trees, Planting Labor, and Equipment) from the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust, in collaboration with the Elm Park Prep and the M.A.P.L.E. neighborhood initiatives.

 

Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

James Connelly, Chairman, Elm Park Prep spoke

 

B.      Request adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude the donation of over $40,000.00 of Certified Arborist and professional Tree Care Services (Labor, Materials, Equipment and Supplies) to prune and care for Elm Parks Trees and Plant materials from the Massachusetts Arborists Association.

 

Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

Brian Gilbert, Mass. Arborists Association spoke

 

C.      Request adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of a Score Board from the Big Y Corporation to benefit the Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Department’s Beaver Brook Park.

 

Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

D.      Request adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of $500.00 from American Legion Post 204 to benefit the Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Department’s (Tivnan Field) Lake Park.

 

Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

E.      Request adoption of a resolution to accept a Department of Veterans Services Grant of $1,400,000.00 to implement the Statewide Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Green Hill Park.

 

Resolution adopted

 

19.     PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

20.     POLICE:

 

21.     PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

A.      Communication relative to Pediatric Psychiatric Care available in the City of Worcester.

 

Referred to Health Committee

 

22.     PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

23.     PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

24.     PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.      Communication relative to Commuter Rail Shuttle Service.

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

25.     PURCHASING:

 

26.     TREASURY:

 

27.     VETERANS' SERVICES:

 

28.     FINANCE:

 

A.      I respectfully request that One Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand Thirteen Dollars ($187,013.00) be transferred from Account #33040  Reserve for Appropriation, 1% Federal Reimbursement and appropriated to the following accounts:

                   DEPT. NAME     ACCT. NUMBER         AMOUNT

         

                   PERSONAL SERVICES

         

Purchasing

600-91099

    47,545.00

Auditing

650-91099

    49,070.50

Human Resources

170-91099

      1,275.00

Information Services

680-91099

    26,022.50

City Manager

040-91099

    27,380.00

Treasury

660-91099

    33,095.00

Sub-total

 

 $184,388.00

                  

ORDINARY MAINTENANCE

         

City Manager

040-92099

         125.00

Information Services

680-92099

      2,500.00

Sub-total

 

       2,625.00

TOTAL

 

 $187,013.00

 

to provide funds for the purpose of providing indirect services related to certain Federal and State Grants.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 10-0

 

B.      Respectfully recommend that Three Hundred Thirty Two Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Eight Dollars and Twenty Five Cents ($332,538.25) be transferred from the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT           DESCRIPTION                AMOUNT

330-01                   Pearl Elm Reserves          $194,639.00

330-02                   Fed.Plaza Reserves             85,429.25

330-03                   Off Street Reserves             41,807.00

330-04                   Parking Meter Reserves       10,663.00

                                                Total            $332,538.25

 

and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT           DESCRIPTION              AMOUNT

46S501                  Pearl Elm Ord. Maint.      $194,639.00

46S502                  Fed.Plaza Ord. Maint.        85,429.25

46S503                  Off Street Ord. Maint.        41,807.00

46S504                  Parking Meter Ord. Maint.  10,663.00

                                                Total            $332,538.25

 

This appropriation provides sufficient operating funds for the Off Street Parking Program for the third quarter of fiscal 2000.

                  

Order adopted on a roll call 10-0

 

29.     ORDINANCES/ORDERS:

 

30.     MISCELLANEOUS:

 

A.      Communication relative to the extension of MBTA Commuter Rail Service to our Union Station.

 

Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

19.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Action Taken

 

FINANCE

 

a)       #40CC   June 22, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Council to schedule Finance sessions beginning the first week in January 2000 in order to commence discussions regarding budget issues.   (Lukes)

 

b)      #41CC   June 22, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Manager to present a budget for the next fiscal year with a rate of growth that is either at the rate of inflation or excludes new growth, whichever sum is lower.   (Lukes)

 

c)       #63CC  September 21, 1999

 

          Order – Request City Council pledge to maintain the existing tax rate for the next three fiscal years.  Further, request City Council instruct the City Manager to prepare the next three budgets using only “New growth”, state and federal funds and existing tax revenues. (Mariano)           

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

20.     Amending Chapter 8 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 regulating the hours of construction.  Recommitted to Land Use Committee

 

21.     Amending Part II, Article 7, Section 9 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 relative to Fees of the City Clerk’s Office. Ordained on a roll call 10-0

 

TABLED ITEMS – No Action Taken

 

22.     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.

 

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

 

24.     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.

 

25.     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.

 

26.     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.

 

27.     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.

 

28.     Tabled In Part – Order – Request Administration report on whether the Worcester Redevelopment Authority intends to sell the tax credits of the Union Station Project, the value of the tax credits, the intended use of the proceeds of the sale and further, request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.   (Lukes)

          Tabled – request City Manager to request the Worcester Redevelopment Authority to forbear from the sale.

         

29.        Chairman’s Order from Traffic & Parking Committee – Request Director of Traffic Engineering to install “Children” and “Intersection Ahead” signs on Ardmore Rd. in advance of Hancock Hill Dr.

 

30.     Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Shooting Range Ordinance.

 

31.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. requesting Traffic Engineer to consider a turning lane indicating “Right Turn Only” for northbound traffic on Grafton St. at the intersection of Sunderland Rd.: recommend Petition be denied.

 

32.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to “Right Turn Only” lane for northbound traffic on Grafton St. at the intersection of Sunderland Rd.: recommend Communication be denied.

 

SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

 

JANUARY 13, 2000         PUBLIC WORKS            COUNCIL CHAMBER

    7:00 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 19, 2000     TRAFFIC & PARKING      COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 24, 2000         PUBLIC SAFETY           COUNCIL CHAMBER

    6:00 P.M.