CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 19, 2000

7:00 P.M.

 

6:30-7:00 P.M. – RECEPTION FOR LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

                             CANDIDATES – THIRD FLOOR, CITY HALL

 

                                                                Convened:  7:05 P.M.

                                                               Adjourned:  9:35 P.M.

 

 

1.          INVOCATION – Rev. Richard F. Reidy

                                        St. Paul’s Cathedral

 

2.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.          ROLL CALL – All present

 

4.          ELECTION – LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES – John McNamara and Jay Scully were elected to six year terms on the Library Board of Trustees.

 

5.          ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5a.          ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          6 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

6.       Eliot D. Finn, Worcester Lincoln LLC request to relocate a portion of City of Worcester sewer easement on Lincoln Plaza.

 

6a.     Anna Hargrove et al request regrading of Beaver Brook Parkway.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules

 

 

 

          7 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

7.          Heather Wendorf on behalf of Faculty, Parents & Volunteers of Seven Hills Charter School request the following proposal for parking in front of and around 51 Gage St.: Amend the “No Parking Anytime” to 2 hours maximum for school business only and to have the 3 spaces from the intersection of Berkley and Gage Sts. to the front of the cutout for School Business only.

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          7a-j FROM PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE - Adopted –  

                  Suspension of Rules

 

7a.          Request City Manager to develop timelines for demolishing abandoned buildings that are on the present list and those added in the future and include in the response when and under what circumstances they would apply “access denied” status.

 

7b.          Request the Fire Chief report to City Council on methods of boarding up buildings and holding responsible the owners of these abandoned buildings other than those of the State Fire Marshall and the “access denied” methods.

 

7c.          Request City Manager provide City Council with a quarterly report outlining the progress in the implementation of the points included in the Abandoned Buildings Task Force report.

 

7d.          Request City Manager report to City Council whether CDBG monies may be utilized for the boarding up of abandoned buildings.

 

7e.          Request City Manager to consider recommending the use of surplus monies or interest from CDBG funds to be appropriated to the boarding of abandoned buildings.

 

7f.          Request City Manager to draft a standard letter or amend letter currently in use to owners of abandoned buildings to include language explaining the Fire Marshall’s standards and “access denied” method.

 

7g.          Request City Manager to include in the proposed ordinances that will implement the Abandoned Buildings Task Force recommendations, any and all differences with the State Fire Marshall’s recommendation.

 

7h.          Request City Manager to develop a working flow chart regarding the enforcement of ordinances regarding responsibilities for boarding up of city owned and privately owned vacant and abandoned properties.

 

7i.          Request City Manager to recommend to City Council the maximum funding for matching federal Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act funds.

 

7j.          Request City Manager to consider recommending $5,000.00 each to the Worcester Youth Center and the Pleasant St. Network Neighborhood Center from the Community Development Block Grant unexpended balances.

 

ORDERS

 

7k.          Request City Administration contact Oak Hill Community Development Corporation relative to purchasing of buildings at 9-11 Chrome St.  Motion-Perotto @ #8A CM – Adopted

 

7L.          Request Administration to provide City Council with a timetable as to when the Overlay Zone for the Heritage Park Corridor will come forward to the City Council.  Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

7m.          Request City Clerk to send a letter on behalf of the City Council, similar to the letter sent by the Administration, to the Outdoor Advertising Board relative to installation of billboards along the Route 146 Corridor.  Motion-Mariano @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

7n.          Request Land Use Committee to look at rules and regulations limiting outdoor advertising in certain sections of the City.  Motion-Mariano @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

 

 

7o.          Request Administration, through the appropriate department, look at providing City Council with direction as to where the City can limit the number and size of billboards in the City.   Motion-Mariano @ #8B CM – Adopted

 

7p.          Request City Manager forward to City Council the approved list for the use of the $108,000.00 for the purchase of firefighting equipment.  Motion-Petty @ #8BB CM – Adopted

 

7q.          Request Administration to look at the cost of the hook-up at Bell Hill Park for the UMASS medical/dental truck and report back to City Council.  Motion-Perotto @ #8DD CM

 

          Councillor Clancy moved to amend: Further, request Administration to see if there are any monies from Block Grant funds that would pay for a hook-up at Bell Hill Park for the UMASS medical/dental truck and whether or not it is appropriate.

 

          Order adopted, as amended

 

7r.          Request Administration or Public Safety Committee to come up with criteria for the remainder of the year and set a process in place where Crime Watch groups are notified of money available through the Challenge Grant Program with Law Enforcement Block Grant funds.  Motion-Murray @ #8EE CM – Adopted

 

7s.          Request City Manager to place the Crime Watch groups in the City of Worcester on a list for the next mailing for applications for Block Grant monies.  Motion-Petty @ #8EE CM – Adopted

 

7t.          Request City Manager to consider developing a Challenge for Challenge Grant Program and forward to City Council.  Motion-Petty @ #8EE CM – Adopted

 

 

 

 

 

7u.          Request Administration help Crime Watch groups contact the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Scofield, Stoddard and Fletcher Foundation to see if they can leverage some of those private dollars that might be available in local foundations to help increase funds that are available to these organizations.  Motion-Gomez @ #8EE CM – Adopted

 

7v.          Request Administration report if there are other ways to monitor TIF’s so that when job growth is not attained, that the City can take another look at it.  Further, request a response from Administration as to whether the City’s figures are too high on the job growth items.  Motion-Clancy @ 38GG CM – Adopted

 

7w.          Request Administration to carefully track and provide for us any opportunity for recognition that all TIF’s are reporting in a timely fashion.  Motion-Patton @ #8GG CM – Adopted

 

7x.          Request City Manager report why the City cannot include a TIF as a lien that is recorded upon the deed to a property at the Registry of Deeds.  Motion-Lukes @ #8GG CM – Adopted

 

7y.          Request City Manager provide a report outlining the differences between State compliance and Local compliance in TIF agreements as Worcester has experienced.   Motion-Lukes @ #8GG CM – Adopted

 

7z.          Request City Manager to inform City Council as to what he anticipates as his mission statement and legal responsibilities relative to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority.  Further, request response as to what the Auditor’s role will be and his ability to do pre-audits and have access to information.   Motion-Lukes @ #8CCC CM – Adopted

 

7aa.          Request City Manager report if there is a reason why the number of accidental fires has gone up from 23 in 1994 to 131 in the last year.  Motion-Petty @ #13A CM – Adopted

 

 

 

 

7bb.          Request Administration report if developers in the Wildwood Ave. area are going to have a water pressure issue as homes are built, will booster pumps be part of the specs for these homes, does the Planning Board know that there is a water issue in that area, if in fact there is a water issue and will the building of additional homes in that area exacerbate the existing problem?  Further, request Administration immediately notify the Planning Board and all other City agencies relative to the potential negative impact of additional development in the Wildwood Ave. area.  Motion-Petty @ #24A CM – Adopted

 

7cc.          Request City Manager to invite Mr. Groccia to a City Council meeting early in 2001 in order for the City Council to thank him publicly for his efforts.  Further, request Administration consider putting the appropriate commendation into Mr. Groccia’s personnel file.   Motion-Mariano @ #24D CM – Adopted

 

7dd.          Request City Manager to consider using volunteers and the census to locate individuals relative to the Unclaimed Check Fund.  Motion-Mariano @ #26A CM – Adopted

 

7ee.          Request City Manager report on what the potential cost might be relative to accepting Chapter 235 of the Acts of 1994.   Motion-Clancy @ #29B & C CM – Adopted

 

7ff.          Request Administration report relative to any attempts to buy oil by the joint purchase group and has there been any discussion within MORE about regional DPW efforts, such as composting.  Motion-Irish @ #29D CM – Adopted

 

7gg.          Request City Manager to work with other Town Managers and officials involved in MORE to help Worcester convey to the State the importance of commuter rail and working together to sell the Worcester Regional Airport.  Motion-Murray @ #29D CM – Adopted

 

7hh.          Request City Manager report if Neighbor to Neighbor makes any contribution towards the expenditures incurred by the Pleasant St. Network Neighborhood Center.  Motion-Gomez @ Public Safety Committee items

 

7ii.          Request City Administration provide City Council with an estimate on fencing per foot for vacant empty lots after demolition has occurred.  Nadeau, Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

7jj.          Request Rules Committee to review the procedure used by City Council for election of individuals to the Library Board of Trustees.  Abraham – Suspension of Rules – Tabled

 

7kk.          Request City Clerk to send a thank you on behalf of the City Council to the eight applicants to the Library Board of Trustees and to include other Boards and Commissions that have vacancies and urge those individuals to consider membership on those Boards and Commissions.  Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

7LL.          Request City Manager provide a report on improving traffic safety at Ararat St. and the Off and On Ramps of Exit I-290, both north and southbound lanes.    Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

7mm.          Request City Manager report whether the City should be issuing proper identification to the City’s Constables.  Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

REPORTS

 

          7nn-pp ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED ON A ROLL   

                          CALL 11-0 – Suspension of Rules

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend adoption of the accompanying Orders.

 

7nn.          Transmitting communication relative to Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Year V Funding recommendations.

 

7oo.          Transmitting recommendation that Twenty Thousand Nine Hundred Two Dollars and Ninety Five Cents ($20,902.95) be transferred from unexpended funds in the following accounts:

 

 

 

          ACCOUNT           DESCRIPTION                                     AMOUNT

 

          18S147                  Demolition Abandoned Bldgs.            $ 4,642.60

          18S147                  Firesetter Counseling Red Cross                     .03

          18S147                  Employment & Training                         1,670.77

          18S147                  Youth Internship Black FBI                    1,495.28

          18S147                  March Madness                                          548.48

          18S147                  Community Schools                                   133.00

          18S147                  Alert Center                                                898.12

          18S147                  Multimedia Clubhouse                            5,633.74

          18S147                  Interest Income                                        5,880.93

 

                                                                                                      $20,902.95

 

          and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

          ACCOUNT            DESCRIPTION                                     AMOUNT

 

          18S147                   Daybreak Domestic Violence              $20,714.82

          18S147                   Mortgage Program                                      133.80

          18S147                   Crimes Against Children                               52.93

          18S147                   WPD Safety Equipment                                  1.40

 

                                                                                                       $20,902.95

 

          This action will allow LLEBG Round IV funds previously appropriated to the Daybreak Domestic Violence be reallocated to other eligible projects, per the request of Everett R. Shaw, Chief Development Officer and Director of OPCD.

 

7pp.          Transmitting recommendation that Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Fourteen Dollars and Eighty Two Cents ($20,714.82) be transferred from the following account:

 

          ACCOUNT              DESCRIPTION                                    AMOUNT

 

          18S172                     Daybreak Domestic Violence             $20,714.82

 

          and appropriated to:

 

          ACCOUNT              DESCRIPTION                                    AMOUNT

 

          18S172                     Worcester Youth Center                     $10,000.00

          18S172                      Multimedia Clubhouse                          5,633.74

          18S172                     Worcester Fire Department                    5,081.08

 

                                                                                                        $20,714.82

 

          7qq – ACCEPTED & ORDER ADOPTED – Suspension of Rules

 

7qq.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the report from the Abandoned Building Task Force: recommend accept recommendations of the Abandoned Buildings Task Force and adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to implement the recommendations immediately.  Further, request City Manager communicate with all City departments the importance of the goals encompassed in this report.

 

          7rr & 7ss – ACCEPTED – Suspension of Rules

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the following Communications of the City Manager: recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

7rr.          Transmitting communication relative to Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Year V proposed allocation process and funding amounts.

 

7ss.          Transmitting the Abandoned Buildings Task Force Report.  Also announcing the formation of a community wide task force to study the issues.

 

          7tt & 7uu – ACCEPTED & ORDERS ADOPTED – Suspension of

                               Rules

 

7tt.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager requesting adoption of an Order to accept a deed of easement for street purposes from Vincent DiGregorio: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

 

7uu.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of the Order authorizing the acceptance of an easement for street purposes for a new public street, Rustic Drive Extension: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

 

          7vv – ACCEPTED – Suspension of Rules

 

7vv.          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Easement Map – “Papagni Estates”: recommend Communication be placed on file.

 

8.          COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

                Thomas R. Hoover

               City Manager

                City Council Calendar for December 19, 2000

 

                                                APPOINTMENTS

 

 1.          NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.          Notification of the reappointment of Francis X. Sena, to the License Commission. and reappointment of Jordan Levy  to the Chairmanship of the License Commission.

 

Placed on file

 

B.          Notification of the reappointment of John A. Franchi, to the Aaron/Lucretia Bancroft Scholarship.

 

Placed on file

 

C.          Notification of the reappointment of Gregory P. Stockmal to the Historical Commission.

 

Placed on file

 

D.          Notification of the appointment of  Roland E. Dufault, and the reappointment of Alexandria Macintyre, to the Cultural Commission.

 

Placed on file

 

E.          Notification of Constable appointments.

 

Placed on file

 

  2.     CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

          A.          Notification of the appointment of Robert L. Thomas, to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority.

 

          Appointment confirmed on a roll call 11-0

 

          B.          Notification of the  appointment of Sharon Strzalkowski, Charlene M. Guinard and Gayle A. Fierro, to the Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

 

          Appointments confirmed on a roll call 11-0

 

          C.          Notification of the appointment of Joseph M. Capone, to the Civic Center Commission.

 

          Appointment confirmed on a roll call 11-0

 

                         TRANSMITTAL

 

 3.          AIRPORT:

 

 4.          ASSESSORS:

 

A.          Communication relative to New Small Commercial Exemption.

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

B.          Communication relative to FY 2001 Certification of Tax Rates.

 

Placed on file

 

 5.          BUDGET OFFICE:

 

  6.          CIVIC CENTER:

 

 7.          COMMUNICATIONS:

 

 8.          DEVELOPMENT:

         

          A.          Communication relative to 9-11 Chrome Street.

 

          Placed on file

 

B.                Communication relative to Lamar Advertising applications to install billboards in the Rt. 146 corridor.

 

Referred to Land Use Committee

 

C.          SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to the recent acquisition of the pharmaceutical portion of BASF by the Abbott Laboratories.

 

           Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

 

AA.          Communication relative to Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau Statewide Bicycle Helmet Safety Program Grant Award.

 

Placed on file

 

BB.          Request adoption of a resolution to file and accept funds under the Firefighter Safety Equipment Program through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety.

 

Resolution adopted

 

CC.          Request adoption of a resolution to file and accept a FY 2002 Occupational Safety and Health Education Grant with the Department of Industrial Accidents, Office of Safety.

 

Resolution adopted

 

DD.         Communication relative to Bell Hill Park site hook-up for UMASS medical/dental truck.

 

Placed on file

 

EE.           Communication relative to Developing a Challenge Grant Program with Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

FF.           Communication relative to LLEBG to fund traffic control around schools.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

GG.          Communication relative to Certified Project Monitoring Report.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

HH.          Communication relative to an application for an affordable housing fee waiver for the rehabilitation project at 22-24 Northampton Street.

 

Referred to Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

 

II.          Communication relative to the City Hall Elevators.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

JJ.          SUPPLEMENTAL -Communication respectfully requesting adoption of a Resolution Approving the Submittal of a Grant application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Program.

 

Resolution adopted

 

KK.          SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Zoning Ordinance Revision.

 

Tabled

 

 

 

WORCESTER REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:

 

AAA.          Communication relative to Handicap Accessibility at Union Station.

 

Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

BBB.          Request adoption of a Resolution to file and accept two grants from the Massachusetts Highway Department in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) each to initiate and complete engineering design services at Washington Square and to initiate demolition activities along Worcester Center Boulevard to create development parcels.

 

Resolution adopted

 

CCC.          Communication relative to Resolutions Adopted by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority.

 

           Two Orders adopted and voted to advertise proposed Salary Ordinance

 

9.          ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

10.          ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

           A.          Communication relative to the Municipal Election Calendar 2001.

 

           Placed on file

 

11.          EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:

 

12.          EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13.            FIRE:

 

A.               Communication relative to Graphics/Outlining Structure Fires in the City for the past 20 years.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

 

 

B.                Communication relative to Deactivated Fire Protection System in Lodging Houses.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

C.          Communication relative to Fire Protection Procedure for Lodging Houses. 

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

14.            HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

15.          HUMAN RIGHTS:

 

16.                 INFORMATION SERVICES:

          

17.          LAW:

 

18.          LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

19.          PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

20.            POLICE:

 

A.          Communication relative to the Belmont Home.

 

Placed on file

 

21.     PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

A.          Communication relative to Community Health Program Monthly Report.

 

Referred to Health Committee

 

B.          SUPPLEMENTAL Communication respectfully requesting adoption of a Resolution to file and accept a Multi-Year Hepatitis C Education, Support, Referral and Case Management Services for Infected Individuals Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

 

Resolution adopted

 

 

.         22.          PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

A.          Request adoption of a Resolution to accept a grant in the amount of $516.00 from the Clarence S. Arms Family Fund of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for the Worcester Public Library.

 

Resolution adopted

 

B.                Request adoption of a Resolution to accept a gift in the amount of $1,000.00 from the Millbury Federal Credit Union for the Frances Perkins Branch Library at Greendale.

 

Resolution adopted

 

C.          Request that City Council adopt a Resolution to accept a grant titled Business-Career Services, in the amount of Nineteen Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($19,400.00) from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to the Worcester Public Library.

 

             Resolution adopted

 

 23.     PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

         

          A.          Communication relative to teachers from Puerto Rico buying back into the Mass. Teachers Pension Fund.

 

          Referred to Education Committee

 

24.            PUBLIC WORKS:

 

A.          Communication relative to Water Pressure on Wildwood Avenue.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

B.          Communication relative to Status Report #12 – Street Resurfacing Projects.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

 

 

C.          Communication relative to Recent Communication with Mass. Highway concerning their Proposed Access Road.

 

Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

D.          Communication relative to the Perkins Street Sanitation Truck Incident.

 

Placed on file

 

E.          Communication relative to Pedestrian Safety Improvement on May Street near Big Y Supermarket.

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

F.          Communication relative to Grime Watch Program – November 2000 Activity.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

G.          Communication relative to Proposed Speed Hump Program.

 

Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee

 

H.          SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to Preparation for Winter Storm – December 19 & 20.

 

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

25.          PURCHASING:

 

26.            TREASURY:

 

A.          Communication relative to Unclaimed Check Fund.

 

Placed on file

 

 

 

 

 

 

27.          VETERANS' SERVICES:

 

A.          Communication relative to the location of DeBois Square  at the intersection of Englewood Ave. and Circuit Ave. North.

 

Placed on file

 

28.          FINANCE:

 

A.          Recommend that Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) be transferred, when and as received, from Account #91C711, Capital Building Rehabilitation, to Account #25C702 Police Department Capital Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the replacement of generator switches.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

B.          Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C713, Water Mains, and appropriated to Account #45C720, Water Mains/Clean & Line, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

C.          Recommend that Fifty-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Sixty One Dollars ($57,261.00) be transferred, when and as received from account #91C780, Capital Equipment and appropriated to account #26C701, Fire Department Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing three (3) Ford Taurus’s, as approved in the Fiscal 2001 Capital Improvement Program.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

D.          Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741, Street Construction, and appropriated to Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion/Betterment, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

 

 

E.          Recommend that Three Hundred Forty-five Thousand Dollars ($345,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741, Street Construction, and appropriated to Account #41C741, Street Resurfacing, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

F.          Recommend that Eighteen Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty Nine Dollars ($18,389.00) be transferred, when and as received, from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, to Account #25C701, Police Department Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purchase of one marked motorcycle.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

G.          Recommend that Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) be transferred from Account #340-92000, Elder Affairs Ordinary Maintenance, to Account #340-91000 Elder Affairs Salary Account, to provide funds for overtime expenses associated with the operation of Worcester’s Senior Center.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

H.          Recommend that Two Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-four Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($2,894.25) be transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for Appropriation Damage Settlement, and appropriated to Account #260-92111, Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance Account, to pay for repairs to a Fire Department Vehicle. This money represents a reimbursement from the Insurance Company for damage to Fire Department equipment.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

I.          Recommend that Seventy-three Thousand Dollars ($73,000.00) be transferred from surplus funds available in the 1997 overlay account and appropriated into account #670-92000, Assessing Department Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds to pay legal expenses and appraisal fees resulting from the Norton Company Appellate tax board case.

 

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

 

 

J.          Recommend that Forty Nine Thousand Ninety Nine Dollars and seventy three cents ($49,099.73) be transferred from Account #900-92000, City Manager’s Contingency, and appropriated to Account #1101-92000, City Messenger Telephone, to provide funds to pay prior years telephone service invoices in order to bring the city’s telephone account to current status.  Furthermore, I respectfully recommend that Council authorize these funds to be used to pay prior year invoices as requested.

         

Order adopted on a roll call 11-0

 

29.          MISCELLANEOUS:

 

            A.          Communication relative to correspondence from Nicole Valentine and Peter Wells of the American Red Cross relative to a CD that has been produced by a group of school children honoring our fallen heroes.

 

          Placed on file

 

           B.          Communication relative to Chapter 235 of the Acts of 1994 Legality.

 

           Recommitted to the City Manager

 

          C.          Communication relative to Chapter 235 of the Acts of 1994 Communities Adoption

                     of this Provision.

 

Recommitted to the City Manager

 

D.          Communication relative to Regionalism Work through MORE-Municipalities Organized for Regional Effectiveness.

 

Referred to Regional Affairs Committee

 

E.          Communication relative to accomplishments to date in implementing the recommendations of the Abandoned Building Task Force.

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

 

 

 

 

F.          SUPPLEMENTAL – Communication relative to conducting a hearing in the City of Worcester with regards to the MBTA 2001-2006 Capital Improvement Plan.

 

Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

9.       Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting communication relative to standards for school buses maintained and operated to transport public school students in Mass. and if all students need to be seated.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

10.     Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting communication relative to staffing of health services in the Worcester Public Schools.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

11.     Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting communication relative to measures being taken on all vacant City and School Department owned buildings to prevent people from entering and what percentage of those individual vacant buildings are being used.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

12.     Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting communication relative to the annual October First Student Enrollment report.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

 

 

 

 

13.     Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent, Clerk of the School Committee transmitting communication relative to outlining all after-school programs offered by school site, including timeframes.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

14.     Helen A. Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting communication relative to other standardized testing done in schools in addition to MCAS and including any specialized testing done at the Vocational High School.

 

Referred to Education Committee

 

15.          Joseph E. Connarton, Acting Executive Director, Mass. Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission transmitting the amount to be appropriated to the City’s retirement system for Fiscal Year 2002.

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

16.          RECESS TO FINANCE & ORDINANCE:  No Items Pending

                                           

TABLED ITEMS – No Action Taken

 

17.          REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Order of Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. requesting approval of the attached ordinance amending the Worcester Zoning Ordinance adopted April 2, 1991 relative to Non-Accessory Signs.  (Tabled May 30, 2000)

 

18.          Resolution – That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby supports an amendment to M.G.L. Chapter 32, Section 3(4) proposed by Mrs. Mary Genaske, a Worcester Public School teacher to allow teachers from Puerto Rico to buy back into the Mass. Teachers Pension Fund at the same level as other teachers coming from other states in the union.   (Gomez)  (Tabled October 17, 2000)

 

    

                                                       ____________________________

 

                                                      

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

DECEMBER 18, 2000         PUBLIC SAFETY       COUNCIL CHAMBER

        4:00 P.M.

 

 

DECEMBER 18, 2000     TRAFFIC & PARKING   COUNCIL CHAMBER

        6:00 P.M.

 

 

JANUARY 24, 2001       ETHNIC & MINORITY    COUNCIL CHAMBER

        6:30 P.M.                             AFFAIRS

                 Re: Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance Report

Please note change in date of meeting from January 17, 2001 to

January 24, 2001

 

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT MEET ON DECEMBER 26, 2000