CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
CALENDAR OF THE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 27, 2001
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6:00-7:00 P.M. – RECEPTION FOR CANDIDATES TO THE LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND CITY COUNCIL - THIRD
FLOOR, CITY HALL
7:00 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Convened:
7:00 P.M.
Adjourned: 9:30 P.M.
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1. INVOCATION – Rev. Mark Frykholm
Salem Covenant Church
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL – All present except Councillor Petty
HEARING AND ORDER – 7:00 P.M.
4 Hearing held
4. VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a manhole and conduit location on: BELMONT ST. AT PLANTATION ST.
4a ORDER ADOPTED
4a. Granting permission to VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a manhole and conduit location on: BELMONT ST. AT PLANTATION ON.
TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING – 7:00 P.M.
5. To determine tax rates for residential, commercial, industrial and personal properties for Fiscal 2002.
Motion
- Councillor Nadeau – That the City Council vote the lowest residential tax
rate - $15.92 for residential and $37.22 for commercial – Denied on a roll call
vote of 4 Yeas and 6 Nays:
Yes: Clancy, Lukes, Nadeau, Mariano
No: Abraham, Gomez, Irish, Murray, Patton,
Perotto
Motion
– Councillor Lukes – That the City Council adopt a residential tax rate of
$17.42 and a commercial tax rate of $32.74 – Denied on a roll call vote of 2
Yeas and 8 Nays:
Yes: Lukes, Mariano
No: Abraham, Clancy, Gomez, Irish, Murray,
Nadeau, Patton,
Perotto
Motion
- Councillor Gomez – That the City Council adopt a residential tax rate of
$18.06 and a commercial tax rate of $30.83 – Declared moot by Mayor Mariano
Motion
– Councillor Abraham – That the City Council adopt a residential tax rate of
$17.85 and a commercial tax rate of $31.46 – Adopted on a roll call vote of 7
Yeas and 3 Nays:
Yes: Abraham, Gomez, Irish, Murray, Patton,
Perotto, Mariano
6. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Fiscal Year 2002 Tax Rate Options.
7. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Cost of Increasing Elderly Exemption.
8. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Percentage Increase to the Assessments of Residential and Commercial Properties.
9. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the Impact of the Small Commercial (Business) Exemption.
10. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Total Tax Dollars Shifted from Fiscal 2000 to 2001.
11. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Top 25 Commercial Taxpayers.
12. Recapitulation from Administration and Auditor on free cash and other spending.
13. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST
13a. ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
14-17 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
14. Wayne Kalio request handicap parking at 11 Moen St.
15. Janina Goclowski request handicap parking in front of 16 Jefferson St.
16. Walter Parzych et al request handicap parking in front of 31 Euclid Ave.
17. Councillor Konstantina B. Lukes on behalf of Albert Belmonte request a report regarding illegal parking in a handicap space at 264 Shrewsbury St.
17a. Carla M. Clark request handicap parking in front of 11 Shepard St. Suspension of Rules – Referred to Traffic & Parking Committee
18 REFERRED TO CITY MANAGER
18. Mary Keefe et al request the City of Worcester adopt the City of Springfield’s ordinance on overgrowth on parcels of land.
19 & 20 HEARINGS SET FOR DECEMBER 4,
2001 – 7:00 P.M.
19. NSTAR ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION for a gas main location on: ENID AVE.
20. ON TARGET UTILITY SERVICES for conduit location on: PLANTATION ST.
21. Given the threat to Department of Public Works employees, public safety officials and the public at large that results from the inappropriate disposal of used needles, request the Administration to consider the use of municipal facilities as drop-off points for the disposal of used needles into secured containers and make a recommendation within thirty days. (Irish)
consider adoption of an Ordinance, if
appropriate and if legal, that
would require institutions dispensing or
selling needles to accept them
back for disposition
Adopted, as amended on a roll call vote of
7 Yeas and 3 Nays
Yes:
Abraham, Irish, Lukes, Murray, Nadeau, Patton, Mariano
No:
Clancy, Gomez, Perotto
22. Request Administration report on whether the City’s contract with Charter Communications provides for any remedy or recourse available to the City regarding the elimination of direct services for local news coverage and reporting and whether the contract can be renegotiated. (Lukes, Mariano, Irish, Nadeau, Petty, Perotto, Murray)
Mayor Mariano moved to amend: Further, request documentation that spells out the details from Charter Communications relative to the length of their contract with New England Cable News and under what circumstances that whole service can be cancelled
Councillor Patton moved to amend to request he be added as an author
Councillor Abraham moved to amend:
Further, request Administration request Charter Communications to
provide City Council with the reasons why they made this change and to add his
name as an author
22a. Request Administration provide a report at the December 4, 2001 City Council meeting as to when retroactive checks will be issued to those City employees who have settled their contracts. Murray – suspension of Rules – Adopted
22b. Request City Manager contact the Worcester Regional Transit Authority to consider not eliminating Route 18, Hamilton bus service on Sundays. Perotto – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
22c. Request Administration remove the two rusty barrels belonging to the City from in front of the home of Richard Strohman, 11 Lulea St. Further, request enforcement of violations of four wheel drive vehicles driving in the mud flats in Indian Lake. Patton – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
23 ADOPTED
23. SEWER BETTERMENT ASSESSMENT: LANESBORO RD.
24. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication regarding the employee count for various businesses in the City.
25. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to qualifying small businesses for small commercial exemptions.
26. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to the number of new businesses locating in the City.
27. Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to final FY 2002 budget adjustments.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 1 Nay (Lukes) that $1,105,217.00 be raised by taxation bringing the total to be raised to $141,496,017.00 and appropriated into Account 900-92000, City Manager’s Contingency Account to fund $1,105,217.00 of the estimated $3.1 million required to completely finance collective bargaining agreements.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays to apply
provisions of Section 4 of Chapter 73 of the Acts of 1986 for FY 2002 and
determines that such additional exemption shall be uniform for all exemptions
and shall equal 100% of the original exemptions for which the taxpayer is
qualified and further, that the City of Worcester elects to apply the
provisions of Chapter 232 of the Acts of 1987 allowing the additional abatement
in FY 2002 of 100% of the amount provided by acceptance of the provisions of
Section 4 of Chapter 73 of the Acts of 1986 even if this results in an eligible
taxpayer paying less than the taxes paid in the preceding fiscal year.
28. James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting reports covering Worcester’s Centrum Centre Fund, the Arena Component and the Convention Center Component, including the financial statements with supplemental schedules for the years ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 plus the independent auditors report.
29. Roberta R. Schaefer, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting communication relative to Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester.
30. RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE: No Action Taken
FINANCE
a) #4B CM June 19, 2001
Communication of the City Manager relative to Breakdown of New Growth Figures over the past 10 years.
31 VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE
31. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Heather Nejaimey requesting property designated as Lot 2 on Tracy Place currently zoned MG-2 be changed to RL-7 so as to conform with the rest of the neighborhood: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.
32 TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE (Mariano)
32. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to current status of the local option statute establishing an age limit of 32 for entry to the positions of Firefighter and Police Officer: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
33 ACCEPTED AND ORDER ADOPTED
33. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the List of Candidate Petitioned Streets for FY 2003 Resurfacing Program: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
34
ACCEPTED AND ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED TO
34. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Fiscal Year 2002 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
35. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting that the
Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks
& Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety
bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed
$250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order that $150,000.00 be
recommended to be expended towards the creation of a branch library at Webster
Square and that $100,000.00 be recommended to be expended to make school
buildings accessible to the handicap community.
36. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend to City Council that $250,000.00 be allocated to the Housing Trust Fund.
37. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting
the City Manager to recommend to City Council $250,000.00 for a Fire Department Training Center. Further, that if additional monies
are available, recommend $135,000.00 for Police Department capital equipment purchases as recommended by the Police Chief in the attached September 17, 2001 communication.
38. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC
WORKS Upon the Chairman’s Order from the Finance Committee requesting the
Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks
& Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety
bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed
$250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City
Manager to recommend to City Council $200,000.00 for petitioned sidewalk repair
and $50,000.00 for petitioned private street maintenance, and that if any
additional money is recommended that as much monies be allocated towards
petitioned sidewalk repairs.
39. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Chairman’s Order from Finance Committee requesting the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend funding for five intersections as follows: 1) May St. at Woodland St., full signalization ($135,000.00); 2) Mill St. at Mill Swan School, flashing School Zone ($30,000.00); 3) Belmont St. near Belmont St. School, flashing beacons ($25,000.00); 4) Lake Ave. at Sunderland Rd., add
pedestrian phase ($25,000.00); 5) Highland St. at Lancaster St., add pedestrian phase ($25,000.00).
40. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Chairman’s Order from Finance Committee requesting the Committees on Public Works, Traffic & Parking, Education, Youth, Parks & Recreation, Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization and Public Safety bring back to City Council in increments of $100,000.00, not to exceed $250,000.00, recommendations for capital projects: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order requesting the City Manager to recommend $100,000.00 as matching funds for renovations to the Worcester Common, $100,000.00 towards the urban shade tree program and $50,000.00 for swimming pool and playground equipment upgrades.
41. Order – Request Rules Committee to review the procedure used by City Council for election of individuals to the Library Board of Trustees. (Abraham) (Tabled December 19, 2000) No Action Taken
42. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to city employees serving on Boards and Commissions. (Tabled April 3, 2001) No Action Taken
43. Order – Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on: BURGHARDT ST. (Tabled October 23, 2001) No Action Taken
44. Order – Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location on: WESTBOROUGH ST. (Tabled October 23, 2001) No Action Taken
45. Order – Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for conduit and cable location on: SEYMOUR ST. (Tabled October 23, 2001) No Action Taken
46. Order – Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for conduit and cable location on: UPSALA ST. (Tabled October 23, 2001) No Action Taken
47. Order – Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for conduit and cable locations on: WALL & THORNE STS. (Tabled October 23, 2001) No Action Taken
48. Communication of the City Manager
requesting adoption of an Ordinance amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20,
1996 relative to Occupational Group P – Foreman and Supervisor. (Tabled November 20, 2001) Councillor
Gomez moved to take item off the Table.
Councillor Lukes moved to hold – Denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yea
(Lukes) and 9 Nays. On a roll call vote
of 9 Yeas and 1 Nay (Lukes) Council voted to advertise the proposed Ordinance.
49. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Salary Ordinance amendments necessary to implement the merit pay awarded for the DH group based on evaluation of their performance during the prior fiscal year. (Tabled November 20, 2001) No Action Taken
50. Communication of the City Manager recommending that Thirty One Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Four Dollars ($31,744.00) be transferred from Account #750-91000, Civic Centre Personal Services and appropriated into Account #720-91000, Parks Department Personal Services to provide funds necessary to pay for the new position of Director of Physical Plant. I further recommend Council approve the enclosed Salary Ordinance necessary to create the position of Director of Physical Plant. (Tabled November 20, 2001)
Councillor
Gomez moved to take item off the Table.
Councillor Lukes moved to hold – Denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yea
(Lukes) and 9 Nays. On a roll call vote
of 9 Yeas and 1 Nay (Lukes) Council voted to adopt the Order and advertise the
proposed Ordinance.
51. Communication of the City Manager recommending that One Hundred Five Thousand Four Hundred Thirty Six Dollars ($105,436.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment and appropriated to Account #33C701, Health Department Capital Equipment to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing the following pieces of equipment:
(2) Ford Taurus, SE $34,214.00
(2) Rangers $27,728.00
(1) Ford Cargo Van $21,249.00
(1) Ford FI 150 4x4 $22,245.00
for the Health & Code Department,
as approved in the Capital Improvement Program. (Tabled November 20, 2001)
Councillor Gomez moved to take
item off the Table. Councillor Lukes moved
to hold – Denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yea (Lukes) and 9 Nays. Order adopted
on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 2 Nays (Lukes, Mariano)
52. Communication of the City Manager
recommending that the position of Chief Clerk of the Works, Pay Grade 50M in
the Department of Health & Code, currently budgeted at an annual salary of
$66,206.40 be increased to $76,948.80.
Funding for this increase will be paid out of Project Funds. (Tabled November 20, 2001) Councillor
Gomez moved to take item off the Table.
Councillor Lukes moved to hold – Denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yea
(Lukes) and 9 Nays. Order adopted on a
roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 1 Nay (Lukes)
53. Communication of the City Manager recommending that One Hundred Fifty Thousand One Hundred Forty Eight Dollars and Ninety Seven Cents ($150,148.97) be transferred to various accounts listed to fund the Merit Pay for department heads and their assistants for fiscal 2002 for all tax levy departments and recommend that Twenty Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty One Dollars and Sixty Eight Cents ($23,751.68) in funds available within the accounts identified be appropriated for the purpose of implementing Merit Pay for all non-tax levy department heads and their assistants for fiscal 2002. (Tabled November 20, 2001) No Action Taken
54. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Merit Pay Increases and other items held at the meeting of November 13, 2001. (Tabled November 20, 2001) No Action Taken
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NOVEMBER 28, 2001 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER
5:00 – 6:00 P.M. AFFAIRS
NOVEMBER 28, 2001 LAND USE COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00-7:00 P.M.
NOVEMBER 28, 2001 COMMERCE & COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:00-8:00 P.M. DEVELOPMENT
NOVEMBER 28, 2001 HOUSING & COUNCIL CHAMBER
8:00 P.M. NEIGHBORHOOD
REVITALIZATION
DECEMBER 13, 2001 PUBLIC WORKS COUNCIL CHAMBER
6:00 P.M.
DECEMBER 4, 2001 7:00 P.M.
ELECTION OF TWO MEMBERS TO THE
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES