CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 10, 2003

7:00 P.M.

Executive Session:  6:27 P.M.

Recessed:  7:00 P.M.

City Council Convened:  7:25 P.M.

Adjourned:  8:21 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION –   Rev. Dr. Walter Tilleman

Pleasant St. Baptist Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present except Councillors Lukes and Perotto.  Councillor Lukes arrived at 7:29 P.M.

 

4.       ELECTION – LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS – ONE VACANCY – Christopher J. Tully elected to fill the unexpired term on the first ballot with 7 votes

 

5.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          6-8 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD

 

6.       John Sposato request to extend main sewer in Trent Rd. from its current terminus approximately 150’ closer towards Ancona Rd. (Attachments)

 

7.       Karen Ripsz request BL-1 zoning to extend from Lachapelle St. to Arcadia St.   (Attachments)

 

8.       Attorney Samuel DeSimone request to amend City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance to allow construction of high rise multi-family dwellings in a IN-H, institutional, medical zoning district by substituting the word Yes for the word No in line 8 of the column designated IN-H in Table 4.1, Permitted Uses by Zoning Districts,  Residential Use.  (Attachments)

 

          9-11 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

9.       Attorney Richard Rafferty, Jr. request to extend 8” sanitary sewer for a distance of 146’, 15” surface drain a distance of 144’ and 8” water main a distance of 160’ along Hatfield St., southerly from the intersection of Heywood St. and Hatfield St.  To be done at Petitioner’s expense.   (Attachments)

 

10.     Francis Ferraro request to extend 2” forced sewer main on Hazel St. approximately 180’ to service three lots on Hazel St.  To be done at Petitioner’s expense.    (Attachments)

 

11.     Attorney Peter Keenan, Jr. on behalf of John Torbay request to install new 15” reinforced concrete pipe on westerly side of Millbury St. from existing culvert in Millbury St. to 1151 Millbury St. for a distance of approximately 70’.  To be done at Petitioner’s expense.

          (Attachments)

 

11a.   Councillor Stephen Abraham request sidewalk repair at 34 Berkmans St.   Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules

          (Attachments)

 

11b.   Councillor Juan Gomez request sidewalk repair at 19 Lenox St.  Referred to Public Works Committee – Suspension of Rules (Attachments)

 

          12-16 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

12.     William & Theresa Grazenas request handicap parking in front of 31 Washburn St.   (Attachments)

         

13.     Carla Bartulis et al request repainting of crosswalk at Webster Sq. (Attachments)

 

14.     Carla Bartulis et al request crosswalk at 24 Mill St. (Attachments)

 

15.     Councillor Barbara Haller request resident only parking at 40-42 Camp St.   (Attachments)

 

16.     George Bogoian request resident parking on Florence St. from #48 to Downing St.   (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

17.     Request Administration consider a $10,000.00 O.T. account be established for sanitary inspectors and the police department for illegal dumping stings.   (Murray)

 

Councillor Patton moved to amend:  Further, request coordination effort of the Abandoned Car Task Force to report illegal dumping

 

Adopted, as amended    (Attachments)

 

18.     Request Administration report as to the Worcester County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau grant-writing activities. Report to include: 1) Name(s) of grant writer; 2) Number, purpose and amount of grant applications in the past 12 months or year-to-date; 3) Corresponding number, purpose and amount of grants received in the same period; 4) Population or geographic-based proportion of available State and Federal grants in dollars issued to WCCVB compared to other regional tourism councils, convention authorities or similar bodies in the Commonwealth.   (Irish, Murray)   (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

19.     Request Administration to investigate the establishment of the “Baby Safe Haven” as a local ordinance.   (Murray)  (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

20.     Request City Auditor to review the franchise agreement between the City and Charter Communications and confirm whether the City of Worcester is receiving the proper compensation under the agreement. (Petty)

 

Councillor Petty moved to amend:  Further, request Auditor include in report how this money can be used.

 

Adopted, as amended  (Attachments)

 

21.     Request Administration furnish an incident/complaint report for the past 12 months for Club Bravo aka Bravo Café and Pizzeria, 57 Highland St.   (Irish)   (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

22.     Request Administration explore partnership with colleges concerning the implementation of a Sports Council.  Recommendation relative to establishing Worcester as a center for amateur sporting events for economic development purposes.   (Murray, Irish)   (Attachments)

 

          Adopted

 

22a.   Request Administration to report as to what the affect would be if the Zoning Ordinance were changed to allow construction of high rise multi-family dwellings in a IN-H, institutional, medical zoning district. Further, request report include the history of IN-H zoning.  Motion-Petty @ #8CC – Adopted

(Attachments)

 

22b.   Request City Manager respond to the numerous items that have been filed by members of the City Council over the last six months as to what the plan is going to be over the summer relative to illegal dumping.  Motion-Murray @ #17CC – Adopted (Attachments)

 

22c.   Request City Manager to send the cover letter in Item 23 of the City Council Calendar of June 10, 2003 to the state delegation to inform them of the actions of the State Public Health officials as it relates to the City’s HIV/AIDS program funding.  Motion-Murray @ #23CC – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

22d.   Request City Manager to provide copies of Item 23 of the City Council Calendar of June 10, 2003 to the three Health Department employees who lost their employment by reason of the loss of HIV/AIDS testing and counseling funding.  Motion-Irish @ #23CC – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

22e.   Request City Manager to reduce the three reports in Item 24 of the City Council Calendar of June 10, 2003 to a summary level report, year by year describing the funding that was appropriated by the City, funds expended by the Marketing Corp. and the use of those funds. Motion-Irish @ #24CC – Adopted    (Attachments)

 

22f.    Request Administration to look into noise and other issues that are occurring at 50 East Mountain St.  Patton – Suspension of Rules – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

22g.   Request Administration to contact Charter Communications relative to an explanation of their policy regarding collection of analog cable boxes.  Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

22h.   Request Administration to report on what enforcement has taken place as relates to jet skis and surf jets on Indian Lake pursuant to Chapter 90B, Section 9A as relates to speed and use of jet skis and surf jets within 150 ft. of swimmers.   Murray – Suspension of Rules – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

22i.    Request Administration to report relative to whether or not necessary documentation is being submitted  for the Steps for Healthier US grant funds.  Irish – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 (Attachments)

 

22j.    Request Administration to check on light pole in front of 38 Chamberlain Parkway as there is exposed wiring.  Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

22k.   Request Parks Department to trim the tree in front of 24 Intervale Rd.  Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted   (Attachments)

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

23.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to the debriefing meeting for the HIV/AIDS Program.

          (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Health Committee

 

24.     Thomas R. Hoover, City Manager transmitting communication relative to Marketing Corp. funding.  (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Commerce & Development Committee

 

25.     David J. Rushford, City Clerk transmitting statement of revenues that includes Passport processing.  (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee.  Also referred to Finance

 

RESOLUTION

 

26.     That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby recognizes and congratulates Dr John P. Gusha as a 2003 recipient of the Community Health Leadership Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (Irish) (Attachments)

 

          Adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Perotto absent)

 

27.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Action Taken

 

          FINANCE

 

a)                 #7 CC  January 14, 2003

Communication of the City Manager relative to Preliminary Budget Analysis for Fiscal 2004. (Attachments)

 

          b)      #5C CM  January 28, 2003

Communication of the City Manager relative to framework for a Local and State Fiscal Recovery. (Attachments)

 

c)       #27 CC  February 4, 2003

Communication of the City Manager relative to Governor’s State budget cuts to the City of Worcester. (Attachments)

 

d)                #26 CC  February 4, 2003

James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting City of Worcester’s 2002 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. (Attachments)

 

          e)       #10 CC  February 11, 2003

                   James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting schedule of revenues for the first six months of Fiscal 2003 compared to the same period in Fiscal 2002 and indicates revenues to be received for the entire year and revenues received for all of Fiscal 2002. (Attachments)

 

f)       #4C CM  February 11, 2003

                   Communication of the City Manager relative to using $11,000,000.00 of the unused tax levy. (Attachments)

 

g)                 #4A CM  March 4, 2003

Communication of the City Manager relative to the impact of $9,000,000 increase to the tax levy and the lowest residential rate scenario. (Attachments)

 

h)                 #5A CM  March 4, 2003

Communication of the City Manager analyzing Governor Romney's FY04 budget. (Attachments)

 

i)                   #5A CM  March 18, 2003

Communication of the City Manager relative to decision solving the 2004 budget.  (Attachments)

 

j)                   #13CC  March 18, 2003

James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting computation of the legal debt margin for the City of Worcester as of February 28, 2003.   (Attachments)

 

 

k)                 #5B CM  April 15, 2003

Communication of the City Manager relative to proposals prepared and issued by the Metropolitan Mayor’s Coalition. (Attachments)

 

l)                   #5A CM  May 20, 2003

Communication of the City Manager relative to the FY 2004 Municipal Budget.  (Attachments)

 

REPORTS

 

          28-30 ACCEPTED

 

28.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION & COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Upon the Order of Councillor Clancy requesting the Education & College/University Relations Committee invite the neighborhood to a meeting to discuss the design of the new North High School: recommend Order be placed on file.   (Attachments)

 

29.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION & COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE Upon the Order of Councillor Clancy requesting the Education & College/University Relations Committee to hold an additional neighborhood hearing relative to the design of the new North High School:  recommend Order be placed on file.   (Attachments)

 

30.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION & COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager relative to money spent to date and project timeline to date for North High School:  recommend Communication be placed on file.   (Attachments)

 

            31 ACCEPTED  - ORDER ADOPTED & VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

31.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a supplement to the Comprehensive Reorganization Plan involving various Boards and Commissions of the City which was transmitted to Council on February 25, 2003:  recommend adoption of the accompanying Order and passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.   (Attachments)

 

          32 & 33 ACCEPTED & VOTED TO ADVERTISE PROPOSED ORDINANCES

 

32.     REPORT OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Joseph Capone requesting 15 Putnam Lane known as Worcester Driving Range & Learning Center be changed from zone MG-2 to RL-7:  recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.   (Attachments)

 

33.     REPORT OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Attorneys Todd Rodman & Philip Coppinger on behalf of Jarmax Realty Trust requesting the City of Worcester Zoning Map be amended by changing approximately 18,000 sq. ft. of land on Northboro St. from MG-1 to RL-7:  recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Attachments)

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          34-45 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 10-0 (Perotto absent)

 

34.     Amending Chapter 9, Section 1 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 relative to Disorderly Behavior.   (Attachments)

 

35.     Reorganizing various Boards and Commissions of the City of Worcester.   (Attachments)

 

36.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 42 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for two handicap spaces in front of 20 Cedar St.  (Attachments)

 

37.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 42 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking on Fern St. adjacent to 488 Park Ave. (Attachments)

 

38.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 42 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for handicap parking in front of 4 Harlow St.  (Attachments)

 

39.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 43 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to revise the winter parking ban on Harding St. from Harrison St. to Kelley Sq. from permanent to declared.  (Attachments)

 

40.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 51 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to rescind Taxi Stand at 1008 Main St. near Marble St. (Attachments)

 

41.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 42 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for diagonal parking on the south side of Chandler St. along frontage of the Jesse Burkett Little League Field, 540 Chandler St.  (Attachments)

 

42.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 68 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to make Pearl St. two way from Main St. to Chestnut St. (Attachments)

 

43.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 42 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for two 30 minute parking meters in front of 96-96A Water St.  (Attachments)

 

44.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 68 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to make Plum St. one way southbound from Shrewsbury St. to a point 250’ south of Shrewsbury St.   (Attachments)

 

          Amending Chapter 13, Section 37q of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Tow Away Zone No Parking Anytime opposite 16-18 Plum St.  (Attachments)

 

45.     Amending Chapter 13, Section 40 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for Resident Permit Parking on the east side of Harding St. from Harrison St. to Kelley Sq.  (Attachments)

 

          Amending Chapter 13, Section 42 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to provide for one hour parking meters on the east side of Harding St. from Kelley Sq. to Lamartine St.  (Attachments)

 

TABLED ITEMSNo Action Taken

 

46.     Communication of the City Manager relative to CIGNA – Letter – Worcester Common Outlets.  (Tabled December 17, 2002) (Attachments)

 

47.     Motion Lukes as amended by Abraham – Request Administration to contact CIGNA relative to the feasibility of linking up Front St. with Washington Sq. and Shrewsbury St. and explore financial incentives that might facilitate that.  (Tabled December 17, 2002)  (Attachments)

 

At the end of the City Council meeting, Council voted to rescind their vote of May 6, 2003 to advertise a proposed Ordinance on the recommendation of the Land Use Committee relative to the Petition of Paul & Susan Lenkarski to extend the RL-7 zone to include property at 35 State Rd. (aka 1200 West Boylston St. or 35 Electric Ct.) and refer the Petition to the Ordinance Committee for a hearing

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

JUNE 18, 2003      STRATEGIC PLANNING        COUNCIL CHAMBER

     6:00 P.M.

 

 

JUNE 25, 2003                 HEALTH                        COUNCIL CHAMBER

     6:00 P.M. - CANCELLED

 

SUMMER SCHEDULE

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

 

JULY 1, 2003 – 4:00 P.M.

7:00 P.M. – ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

AUGUST 12, 2003 – 4:00 P.M.

 

FISCAL 2004

BUDGET HEARINGS

 

 

EDUCATION & PUBLIC WORKS                    PUBLIC SAFETY

     TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2003                     TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2003

                    4:00 P.M.                                                  4:00 P.M.

 

Public Schools                                                Police                                                     

Library                                                            Fire                              

Regional Library                                              Emergency Management                            

Public Works                                                  Communications                        

Parks                                                               Health & Code                    

Messenger                                                                                       

Auditorium

Golf

Centrum Centre

Union Station