CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 27, 2004

7:00 P.M.

Convened:  7:08 P.M.

Adjourned:  9:38 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION – Rev. Thomas Schade

                                     First Unitarian Church

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present except Councillor Palmieri who arrived at 7:11 P.M.

 

4.       PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION TO BARBARA J. SINNOTT FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE LICENSE COMMISSION.

 

5.       PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION TO EDWARD M. MORIN, D.M.D. FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE ON THE WORCESTER BOARD OF HEALTH.

 

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING – 7:00 P.M.

 

          6 – Hearing held - The Ordinance Committee voted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Irish absent) to recommend the Petitioner be given leave to withdraw without prejudice

 

6.       REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Attorney Samuel DeSimone on behalf of Norman Vokes requesting to restore to the Official Map of the City a portion of Locust Ave. (Attachments)

 

7.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

7a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          8 REFERRED TO PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

8.       Councillor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. on behalf of Dita Hannam request street light in front of 7 Commonwealth Ave.  (Attachments)

 

          9 & 10 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

         

9.       Theresa Spinola request handicap parking in front of 9 Shawmut St.  (Attachments)

 

10.     Sandra Strom request handicap parking at 18 East Worcester St. (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

10a.   Request City Manager to meet with the State delegation within sixty days relative to their recommendations for an access road to the Worcester Regional Airport and report back to City Council.  Motion-Petty @ #3A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

10b.   Request City Manager to provide at the February 3, 2004 City Council meeting clarification of each date mentioned relative to expiration of the contract with Massport and when Massport’s financial commitment expires for the operation of the Worcester Regional Airport.   Motion-Clancy @ #3A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

10c.   Request City Manager report as to what the City is doing to make parking available for the public attending the Development Charrette to be held at Union Station on Friday, February 6, 2004.  Motion-Clancy @ #8B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10d.   Request City Manager to report on other Police Departments of similar size and city demographics as Worcester that require their Police Officers to wear bulletproof vests.  Motion-Murray @ #17A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10e.   Request City Solicitor to provide a legal opinion as to whether Block Grant funding may be utilized for the purpose of assisting individuals displaced by fire to be used as a down payment on an apartment subsequent to the fire.  Further, request a report as to whether Emergency Shelter Grant funds may be utilized for this purpose.   Motion-Gomez @ #17B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

10f.    Request City Manager to consider incorporating in the Housing Trust Fund monies that might be utilized to assist displaced fire victims in securing housing.  Motion-Gomez @ #17B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

10g.   Request City Manager to report on the City’s ability to provide individuals displaced by fire with a payment in order to secure housing and be reimbursed by the property owner’s insurance and to withhold an occupancy permit until such payment is made.  Motion-Murray @ #17B CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10h.   Request City Solicitor to report on what the parameters are and what restrictions or options the City has legally in terms of the sale, privitization and division of services at Hope Cemetery and how the perpetual care trust fund would impact on the sale.  Motion-Lukes @ #18A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10i.    Request City Manager to request the Worcester Regional Research Bureau to look at the issue of privitization of Hope Cemetery and provide a report.   Motion-Lukes @ #18A CM - Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10j.    Request City Manager to consider contacting the business and college community relative to an in-kind contribution for a study of privitization or sale of Hope Cemetery.  Motion-Clancy @ #18A CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10k.   Request City Manager to provide City Council with an update relative to the progress of the comprehensive evaluation of the Police Department.  Motion-Gomez @ #19A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

10L.   Request City Manager to report on whether or not the $2,500.00 requested to be appropriated to the Southeast Asian Coalition meets the specifications under the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant and whether this could be taken from Community Block Grant funds.  Motion-Petty @ #28C CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10m.  Request City Manager to report if the $2,500.00 being paid to the Main South CDC for rent at 875 Main St. for the Southeast Asian Coalition is for the entire year or part of the year.  Motion-Perotto @ #28C CM – Adopted  (Attachments)

 

10n.   Request City Manager to provide an update on the City Manager’s February 10, 2004 calendar on using the gym at Gates Lane School for voting.   Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

11.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

THOMAS R. HOOVER

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 27, 2004

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

1. NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

          A.      Notification of Constable Appointments. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

2. CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

TRANSMITTAL

 

3. AIRPORT:

 

A.      Communication relative to several requests regarding the access  road to the Worcester Regional Airport. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Service & Transportation Committee

 

4. ASSESSORS:

         

A.      Communication relative to Indian Hill School and Park

Properties. (Attachments)

         

          Referred to Youth, Parks &  Recreation Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to PILOT Program in New England. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to joint Municipal Operations and Education & College/

          University Relations Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Tax Exempt Organizations. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to joint Municipal Operations and Education & College/

          University Relations Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to Fiscal 2004 Top Taxpayers. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to joint Municipal Operations and Education & College/

          University Relations Committee

 

5. BUDGET OFFICE:

 

6. CODE ENFORCEMENT:

 

7. COMMUNICATIONS:

 

8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.      Request adoption of a resolution relative to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration Public Works Program Grant. (Attachments)

 

Resolution adopted

 

B.      Communication relative to Upcoming Development Charrette. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

9. ELDER AFFAIRS:

 

10. ELECTION COMMISSION:

 

11. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

 

12. EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING:

 

13. FIRE:

 

A.      Request City Council accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of $50.00 to the Worcester Fire Department Equipment Fund from Susan Osborne. (Attachments)

 

          Order adopted with gratitude

 

14. HUMAN RESOURCES:

 

15. LAW:

 

16. LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

17. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES:

 

A.      Request adoption of the Executive Summary and Resolution to file and accept a Bullet Proof Vest Partnership Grant with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Programs and the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety. (Attachments)

 

Resolution adopted and referred to Public Safety Committee for informational purposes

 

B.      Communication relative to the Wall Street fire and displaced individuals. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Community Development Committee

 

C.      Communication relative to Worcester’s Weed and Seed Initiative. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

18. PARKS, RECREATION & CEMETERY:

 

A.      Communication relative to Privatization/Lease of Hope Cemetery  Part II. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Youth, Parks & Recreation Committee

 

19. POLICE:

 

A.      Communication relative to Funded and Unfunded Positions in the Police Department. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Request City Council accept with gratitude a donation of $50.00 to the Worcester Police K-9 from the Marie Anna Center on Lincoln Street. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted with gratitude

 

C.      Communication relative to Crime Statistics Reports for the Piedmont St./Pleasant St. Area and Crime Statistics Profile for Neighborhoods. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

D.      Communication relative to Increased  Police Presence in the Wildwood Avenue area. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

20. PUBLIC HEALTH:

 

A.      Communication relative to Massachusetts Medical Society-Press Release. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

21. PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

A.      Request that the City Council adopt the resolution to accept a grant in the amount of $1,000.00 from the People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos. (Attachments)

 

          Resolution adopted with gratitude

 

22. PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

A.      Communication relative to School Department Programs and Initiatives regarding Oral Health. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Health Committee

 

23. PUBLIC WORKS:

 

24. PURCHASING:

 

25. TECHNICAL SERVICES:

         

A.      Communication relative to Number of hits made against City Department’s web pages. (Attachments)

 

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Hit’s made to Treasurer’s web page relative to foreclosed property. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

26. TREASURY:

 

A.      Communication relative to PILOT contributions made to the City. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to joint Municipal Operations and Education & College/

          University Relations Committee

 

B.      Communication relative to Outstanding Taxes. (Attachments)

 

          Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

27. VETERANS SERVICES:

 

28. FINANCE:

 

A.      Recommend that Fifty Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Thirteen Dollars ($57,713.00) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation – Premium on Loans, and appropriated to Account #660-92000, Treasury Department Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the cost associated with the Bond Anticipation Notes (BAN) issuance for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

B.      Recommend that Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C737, Water Meters, and appropriated to Account #45C794, Water Meters, to allow for the payment of current and future water meter improvement project obligations, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

C.      Request that Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) from Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Round VII Interest be appropriated for use as follows:

 

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

18S248

Interest

$2,500.00

 

                   and appropriated to:

         

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

18S248

Southeast Asian Coalition

$2,500.00

                   (Attachments)

 

          Recommitted to the City Manager

 

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/Betterments, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations for various citywide street conversion/betterment projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

E.      Request authorization to pay Five Thousand Three Hundred Thirty Four Dollars and Forty Cents ($5,334.40) for a prior year invoice from Account #440-92000, Sewer Department Ordinary Maintenance. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

F.      Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and appropriated to Account #44C732, Sewer Systems Control Plan, for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations related to the combined sewer system overflow project in compliance with the Consent Order agreed upon in Year 2000 with Federal and State regulators, and approved in the Capital Improvement Program. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

G.      Recommend that One Million Three Hundred Forty Four Thousand Dollars ($1,344,000.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and appropriated to Account #44C761, Sewer Construction, for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations related to the Southbridge Street Sewer Separation project, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

H.      Recommend that Three Hundred Twenty Eight Thousand One Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars and Seventy Six Cents ($328,158.76) be transferred from the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

    AMOUNT

330-01

Pearl Elm Reserves

$192,912.05

330-02

Federal Plaza Reserves

94,130.96

330-03

Off Street Reserves

29,080.00

330-04

Parking Meter Reserves

      2,035.75

 

Total

$328,158.76

 

          and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

     AMOUNT

46S501

Pearl Elm Ord. Maint.

$192,912.05

46S502

Fed. Plaza Ord.Maint.

94,130.96

46S503

Off St. Ord. Maint.

29,080.00

46S504

Parking Meter Ord. Maint.

    12,035.75

 

Total

$328,158.76

 

          This appropriation provides sufficient operating funds for the Off Street Parking Program for the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2004. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

I.       Recommend that Seventeen Thousand Dollars ($17,000.00) be transferred, when and as received, from Account #91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #26C701, Fire Department Capital Equipment, to purchase scuba dry suits, water rescue immersion suits, and oxygen system for the Fire Department. (Attachments)

 

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton, White absent)

 

29. MISCELLANEOUS:

 

A.      Request approval of a Resolution relative to service on Boards and Commissions. (Attachments)

 

          Resolution adopted (Robert Bonin)

 

B.      Communication relative to the Caffrey Memorial Flag Fund Award. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

C.      Communication relative to Tax Increment Financing Agreement between the City of Worcester and Polar Corporation. (Attachments)

 

Placed on file

 

D.      Communication relative to thanking all City employees for all their efforts during our recent cold spells. (Attachments)

 

          Placed on file

 

TABLED UNDER PRIVILEGE

 

12.     Order – Request City Administration prepare an economic development cost benefit analysis of designating Cambridge St. as the preferred route to the airport and how state mitigation money might be linked to neighborhood projects such as housing rehab and construction, the South Worcester Industrial Park clean-up and re-use and other objectives as outlined in the soon to be introduced neighborhood plan. (Murray, Rushton, Petty, Clancy, Perotto, White, Irish, Gomez, Palmieri)   (Attachments)

 

          Councillor Lukes requested to Table the item – Denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas (Gomez, Haller, Lukes) and 8 Nays (Clancy, Irish, Palmieri, Perotto, Petty, Rushton, White, Murray)

 

          Order taken off the Table and adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas (Clancy, Gomez, Irish, Palmieri, Perotto, Petty, Rushton, White, Murray) and 2 Nays (Haller, Lukes)

 

13.     Order – Request Administration to identify those arterial access routes, that if improved would improve access to the Airport, and to provide preliminary estimates of what it would cost to make all of those streets more accessible throughout the City.  (Haller)

(Attachments)

 

          Taken off the Table and adopted

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

JANUARY 27, 2004            MUNICIPAL                COUNCIL CHAMBER

       5:15 P.M.                     OPERATIONS

 

JANUARY 29, 2004             LAND USE                  COUNCIL CHAMBER

       6:00 P.M.

 

FEBRUARY 3, 2004           MUNICIPAL                 COUNCIL CHAMBER

       5:30 P.M.                    OPERATIONS

 

FEBRUARY 10, 2004      PUBLIC WORKS            COUNCIL CHAMBER

       5:30 P.M.