CITY OF WORCESTER
CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 15, 2002
6:00 P.M. – Pursuant to a vote of the City Council on January 8, 2002 Executive Session to be held in the Mayor’s Office for the purpose of discussing Worcester Redevelopment Authority litigation.
7:00 P.M. – Regular meeting of the City Council
Convened in City Council: 6:05
P.M.
Recessed to go into Executive Session
Convened in Executive Session:
6:07 P.M.
Recessed from Executive Session: 6:43 P.M.
Reconvened in Open Session:
7:05 P.M.
1. INVOCATION – Rev. Dr. Barbara Merritt
First Unitarian Church
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL – All present
4 Fire Chief Dio spoke and Frank Raffa made
the presentation of a plaque
4. PRESENTATION TO MICHAEL KEATING, KEATING ENTERPRISES FOR HIS DONATION OF TIME AND MATERIALS TO THE WORCESTER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE AT FIRE HEADQUARTERS.
5 Order adopted on a roll call 10-1 (Palmieri) – Reconsideration denied on a roll call 0-11
5. Petition of Leonard S. Gabrila requesting acceptance of the provisions of Chapter 32, Section 28-K, second paragraph. This section was added by an outside section of the budget, Chapter 159, Section 94 of the Acts of 2000. Acceptance of this statute will accomplish the intent of the home rule petition voted by the Council in February 2001. Said petition became HB-4034 in the legislature.
6 Taken up with Items 7E and 28M of the City Manager’s Calendar
6. Report of the City Manager relative to the status of Union Station development, including but not limited to: 1) Intermodal transportation; 2) Parking garage; 3) Washington Square traffic configuration; 4) Development inside Union Station; 5) Development outside Union Station.
7 Placed on file – See Item 7E of the City Manager’s Calendar
7. Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to Union Station Master Plan.
8 Adopted
8. Order – Request Administration report on the status of the unfinished portion of Union Station, the square footage, the required renovations which are necessary in order to attract tenants, the process for hiring a contractor, the proposed time frame for completion and the reasons for the delay in renovations of Union Station. (Lukes)
9. ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST
9a. ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST
10 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD
10. Hoogas Hoogasian request to make public the private portion of Brookline St.
11-13 REFERRED TO PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
11. Ann Goddard request a larger light bulb on the light pole at the bottom of Seattle St. at the corner of Chino Ave. and Seattle St.
12. Garry Salo et al request City Council to investigate the high rates that are being charged on the new bills from Charter Communications.
13. Mayor Timothy P. Murray and Councillor Barbara G. Haller on behalf of Nick Zwirblia request bus shelter be replaced in front of 1050 Main St.
14-16 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
14. John Jolin & Mark Ruffo request to extend surface and sanitary sewer 420’ from existing mains in Milton St. at our own expense.
15. Anthony Bianco request Public Works Committee allow the installation of a 2” PVC force main sewer line from an existing sewer line to two residential building lots located at the corner of Hyannis Place and Trahan Ave.
16. Alexander J. & Majella J. Tauras request abatement of Street Betterment Assessment #24353 in the amount of $2,054.40 on Valley View Lane.
16a. Councillor Stephen Patton on behalf of Don Melville request City consider the feasibility of installing a sidewalk on Salisbury St. from Salisbury Lane to Valley Hill Dr. or Pine Tree Dr. Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules
17-20 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE
17. Alissa Brosnan request handicap parking in front of 12 Loring St.
18. Nechy Corriveau request handicap parking in front of 34 Plantation St.
19. Councillor Philip P. Palmieri on behalf of Sean Archadi request relocation of the newly installed traffic signal in front of 618 Lincoln St. so that it does not obstruct the sidewalk.
20. John F. Sullivan request No Parking signs in front of my driveway and garages at 75 Ward St.
20a. David Dunn et al protesting student boarding house at 274 Salisbury St. because of apparent zoning, code and public safety violations. Request Police and Code Departments take the necessary action to abate the illegal conditions. Referred to the City Manager – Suspension of Rules
CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS
20b-L
FROM PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – Adopted – Suspension of rules
20b. Request WRTA provide a comprehensive report detailing changes in WRTA service and why changes were needed.
20c. Request WRTA to provide a report relative to exact ridership of routes affected by changes.
20d. Request Administration to contact the state and federal delegations to consider increasing WRTA funding.
20e. Request WRTA to provide a report as to possible future changes in service in Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003.
20f. Request WRTA to provide comparison of finances for the last five years, including any federal grants available and applied for.
20g. Request WRTA to provide a report of all capital expenditures in Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002.
20h. Request WRTA to review the process of how both inbound and outbound bus routes are determined.
20i. Request WRTA to report as to membership and function of the Advisory Board.
20j. Request WRTA to report relative to ADA mandates and expenditures to date by WRTA to comply with said mandates.
20k. Request WRTA to consider holding off on route service cuts until report requested is received by City Council.
20L. Request WRTA to consider setting up workshops for public input.
ORDERS
20m. Request Administration to look into the availability of Block Grant funds for the Coes Pond Dam project. Further, request City Manager to consider doing this project this year. Motion-Perotto @ #7D CM – Adopted
20n. Request Administration to make copies of the Union Station/Washington Square Development Plan available to the public. Motion-Patton @ #7E CM – Adopted
20o. Request City Manager provide a report as to the ownership and members of the New Worcester Associates and what part they play in the Union Station/Washington Square development. Motion-Patton @ #7E CM – Adopted
20p. Request City Manager report as to why he did not recommend a loan authorization for $159,000.00 for design and engineering of the internal build-out of Union Station. Further, request City Manager report when he might know when the City can renegotiate the tax credits. Motion-Clancy @ #7E CM – Adopted
20q. Request Administration to provide clarification as to how much snow is necessary before the Ordinance relative to clearing snow from sidewalks can be enforced. Motion-Abraham @ #16A CM – Adopted
20r. Request Administration report as to the number of citations issued in the most recent period relative to clearing snow from sidewalks. Motion-Irish @ #16A CM – Adopted
20s. Request Administration report as to whether the City enforced the Ordinance relative to operating all terrain vehicles on private or public streets last year, where did infractions occur and how many tickets were issued. Motion-Lukes @ #16B CM – Adopted
20t. Request City Manager to request Charter Communications to provide quarterly updates as to the status of the build-out and deployment of digital cable and internet service. Motion-Petty @ #16E CM - Adopted
20u. Request City Manager to request Charter Communications to provide a list of streets in the City that have not been connected to digital cable. Motion-Petty @ #16E CM – Adopted
20v. Request City Manager to request Charter Communications to advise City Council as to their future plans relative to eliminating the present cable service and forcing cable customers to the digital service. Motion-Petty @ #16E CM – Adopted
20w. Request City Manager report if the City was notified of rate increases by Charter Communications. Motion-Petty @ #16E CM – Adopted
20x. Request Administration to consider in the future placing all conduits relative to cable in the sidewalk and report back to City Council within 30 days. Motion-Murray @ #16E CM – Adopted
20y. Request City Solicitor to initiate a review of the cable contract because of the non-compliance of the digital installation in the City. Further, request City Solicitor report as to what the City’s options are in terms of non-compliance and at what point the City can define non-compliance is occurring. Motion-Lukes @ #16E CM – Adopted
20z. Request City Manager to provide City Council with the schedule from five years ago relative to implementation of digital cable service. Motion-Petty @ #16E CM – Adopted
20aa. Request Administration to explore the ability of the City to post information collected under the State’s Sex Offender Registry on the City’s web site and at Police Headquarters. Motion-Abraham @ #20B CM – Adopted
20bb. Request City Manager to report if the leaf mulch is removed from Hope Cemetery what timeframe it would take to do the tree farm and the cost. Motion-Clancy @ #24C CM – Adopted
20cc. Request City Manager to request a report from Congressman McGovern’s office as to the feasibility of a VA hospital in the City of Worcester. Motion-Petty @ #27B CM – Adopted
20dd. Request City Manager to provide City Council with a description of furniture and fixtures for the Webster Square Fire Station. Motion-Lukes @ #28I CM – Adopted
20ee. Request City Manager to consider demolition of abandoned building on Blithewood Ave. that has been approved for demolition under Chapter 139. Clancy - Suspension of Rules – Adopted
20ff. Request City Manager to consider a $200.00 fine for anyone who violates the declared winter parking ban. Clancy – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
20gg. Request Administration report on the number of tows and tickets issued this year for violation of the declared winter parking ban. Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
20hh. Request Administration to verify the memorial located in Washington Square and to address the proper relocation of said monument when considering the reconfiguration of Washington Square. Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
20ii. Request City Manager to provide City Council with an update as to when the lighting will be turned on for I-290. Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted
20jj. Request City Manager report on the financial status of EMS service in the City of Worcester. Petty – Suspension of Rules - Adopted
21. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
THOMAS R. HOOVER
CITY MANAGER
CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR
FOR JANUARY 15, 2002
1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
A. Notification of the reappointment of Marcus Allen McCorison to the Cultural Commission.
Placed on file
B. Notification of the appointment of Barbara J. Sinnott as Chair of the License Commission.
Placed on file
C. Notification of Constable Appointments.
Breeds, Daniel P.
Gately, Deniel B.
Kruszewski, Thomasz
Riordan, Thomas J.
Troy, Joseph J
Placed on file
2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:
3. AIRPORT:
4. ASSESSORS:
5. BUDGET OFFICE:
6. COMMUNICATIONS:
7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
A. Communication relative to Blackstone Canal Feasibility Study.
Referred to Commerce & Development Committee
B. Communication relative to Certified Project Application – Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.
Referred to Commerce & Development Committee
C. Communication relative to New England Real Estate Journal.
Placed on file
D. Communication relative to Funding for Coes Pond Dam Project.
Referred to Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee
E. Communication relative to Union Station/Washington Square Development Plan.
Referred to Commerce & Development Committee
8. ELDER AFFAIRS:
9. ELECTION COMMISSION:
A. Communication relative to Bilingual Poll Workers in Voting Location of Spanish Speaking Voters.
Referred to Ethnic & Minority Affairs Committee
10. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
11. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:
12. FIRE:
A. Request that a donation in the amount of $1,000.00 from Deborah Cyr, to be used toward the purchase of firefighting equipment be accepted with gratitude.
Order adopted with gratitude
13. HUMAN RESOURCES:
14. HUMAN RIGHTS:
15. INFORMATION SERVICES:
16. LAW:
A. Communication regarding the Ordinance Relative to Clearing Snow.
Placed on file
B. Communication relative to Operating All Terrain Vehicles on Private Streets.
Referred to Public Safety Committee
C. Request adoption of an order relative to 5,503 square feet of land abutting property on Brantwood Road.
Referred to Land Use Committee
D. Request adoption of an order executing a deed for property abutting property at 141 Ballard Street.
Order adopted
E. Communication relative to a map from Charter Communications indicating the status of the build-out and Deployment of Charter’s digital cable and internet Service.
Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee
17. LICENSE COMMISSION:
18. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:
A. Communication relative to FY 2002 Department of Industrial Accident (DIA) Occupational Safety and Health Education and Training Program award of $18,901.80 to the City of Worcester.
Placed on file
B. Communication relative to the progress being done by the PIP Center Task Force.
Referred to Health Committee
19. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:
20. POLICE:
A. Communication relative to ATV Activity in the area of Paris Avenue, Wescott Street and Wildwood Avenue.
Placed on file
B. Communication relative to Information Collected under the State’s Sex Offender Registry.
Referred to Public Safety Committee
C. Communication relative to Additional Security in the Private Biotech Companies in the City.
Referred to Public Safety Committee
21. PUBLIC HEALTH & CODE ENFORCEMENT:
A. Communication relative to Forest Grove School – Update of Schedule and Summary of Costs Incurred by City for Student Location.
Recommitted to the City Manager
B. Communication relative to Spraying against Mosquito Deposits in the City of Worcester during 2002.
Referred to Health Committee
22. PUBLIC LIBRARY:
23. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
24. PUBLIC WORKS:
A. Request adoption of an order accepting with gratitude the gift of an easement for street purposes from the American Antiquarian Society.
Order adopted
B. Communication relative to Construction Progress Report.
Referred to Public Works Committee
C. Communication relative to Feasibility of Relocating the Leaf Mulch Site.
Referred to Public Works Committee
25. PURCHASING:
26. TREASURY:
27. VETERAN’S SERVICES:
A. Communication relative to Veterans Living in the Central Mass Area.
Referred to Military Affairs Committee
B. Communication relative to Expanding Out-Patient Clinic in Worcester to a full fledged medical facility.
Referred to Military Affairs Committee
28. FINANCE:
A. Recommend that Fifteen Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($15,200.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #11C702, City Messenger Building Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations associated with the lighting improvements, painting and refurbishing of the Auditing Department, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
B. Recommend that Three Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Four Dollars Sixty Eight Cents ($336,864.68) be transferred from the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
330-01 Pearl Elm Reserves $186,104.93
330-02 Federal Plaza Reserves 84,644.00
330-03 Off Street Reserves 54,080.00
330-04 Parking Meter Reserves 12,035.75
and appropriated to the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
46S501 Pearl Elm Ord. Maint. $186,104.93
46S502 Federal Plaza Ord. Maint. 84,644.00
46S503 Off Street Ord. Maint. 54,080.00
46S504 Parking Meter Ord. Maint.
12,035.75
This appropriation provides sufficient operating funds for the Off Street Parking Program for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2002.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
C. Recommend that Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) be transferred from and to the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
14S40821 Green Island CDC $ 1.31
14S42122 Green Isl./Vernon Hill Youth 31.81
14S41423 Operation Clean City 1,255.54
14S41424 Operation Clean City 4,242.39
14S43624 C. MA. Housing Alliance 1.00
14S48524 Code Enforcement 2,263.00
14S42025 Black FBI 704.95
and be appropriated to the following accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
14S45721 Friendly House Gym Repairs $ 1.31
14S45722 Friendly House Gym Repairs 31.81
14S45723 Friendly House Gym Repairs 1,255.54
14S45724 Friendly House Gym Repairs 6,506.39
14S45725 Friendly House Gym Repairs
704.95
In order to provide funds for the rehabilitation of the Friendly House Youth Basketball gymnasium facility.
Order adopted on a roll all 11-0
D. Recommend that Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) be transferred from Account #120-91000, Law Department Personnel Services, and appropriated to Account 121-92000, Court Judgments Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purpose of paying court judgments against the City.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
E. Recommend that One Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($140,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and appropriated to Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for contractual obligations related to various sewer reconstruction projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
F. Recommend that Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00), be transferred from Account #91C784, Parks Improvements, and appropriated to Account #72C702, Parks Site Improvements, to provide funds for the purpose of contractual obligations related to the environmental cleanup and the reconstruction of the Ty Cobb Baseball Field Complex.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
G. Recommend that One Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Dollars ($1,930.00) be transferred from Account #330-07, Reserve for Appropriation Damage Settlement, and appropriated to Account #720-92000 Parks Department Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funds for the purpose of payment for repair of a monument at Hope Cemetery from automobile damage. The funds represent reimbursements received from the Insurance Company for the damage.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
H. Recommend that Nine Hundred Fourteen Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty Three Dollars and Five Cents ($914,733.05), be transferred from Account #91C790, School Construction and appropriated to Account #33C718, Forest Grove Middle School, to provide funds for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations related to the construction of Forest Grove Middle School.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
I. Recommend that Three Hundred One Thousand One Hundred Twelve Dollars and Thirty Seven Cents ($301,112.37) be transferred from Account #91C762, Webster Square Fire Station, and appropriated to Account #14C703, Public Safety, to provide funds for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations associated with the rehabilitation and construction of Webster Square Fire Station, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
J. Recommend that Three Hundred Sixty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Ten Dollars and Thirteen Cents ($369,510.13) be transferred from the following Accounts:
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
91C709 Worcester Common Rehab. $340,000.00
91C711 Citywide Building Rehab. 29,510.13
Total $369,510.13
and appropriated to Account #14C714, Worcester Common Rehabilitation, to provide funds for the payment of contractual obligations related to the rehabilitation of City Hall parking garage and rear plaza, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
K. Recommend that One Hundred Forty Five Thousand Dollars ($145,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C784, Parks Improvements, and appropriated to Account #72C702, Parks Site Improvements, to provide funds for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations related to the construction of the Green Hill Park Multi Purpose Athletic Field, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
L. Recommend that Thirteen Thousand One Hundred Seventy Six Dollars ($13,176.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C780, Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #44C704, Sewer Department Capital Equipment, to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing a security system for the Customer Service Center/Garage buildings, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program.
Order adopted on a roll call 11-0
M. Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Two Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($2,850,000.00) to be appropriated to Account #91C716 for the purpose of funding the rehabilitation of Union Station, in accordance with item #7 E.
Voted to advertise proposed Loan Order on a roll call 11-0
29. MISCELLANEOUS:
22. Roberta Schaefer, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau transmitting Worcester Regional Transit Authority: Problems and Options.
Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee
23. Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director, Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission transmitting amount to be appropriated for the retirement system for Fiscal Year 2003 which commences July 1, 2002.
Referred to Municipal Operations Committee
24. 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.
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JANUARY 14, 2002 PUBLIC SERVICE & COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:00 P.M. TRANSPORTATION