CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 15, 2005

7:00 P.M.

Convened 7:04 P.M.

Adjourned 8:50 P.M.

 

 

1.       INVOCATION –  Rev. Richard F. Reidy

St. Paul’s Cathedral

 

2.       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/STAR SPANGLED BANNER

 

3.       ROLL CALL- All present except Councillors Irish and Palmieri. Councillor Palmieri arrived at 7:07 P.M.

 

Mayor Murray read a Proclamation recognizing February as African-American history month. Councillor Perotto presented the Proclamation to Carleton Watson, Director of the Henry Lee Willis Center.

 

4.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

4a.     ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

          5 & 6 REFERRED TO PLANNING BOARD

 

5.       Robert Moylan, Jr., Commissioner of Public Works requests installation of sewers in Windsor St. from McKinley Rd. southerly approximately 151’.    (Attachments)

 

6.       Robert Moylan, Jr., Commissioner of Public Works requests installation of sewers in Shepard St. from end of public sewer northwesterly approximately 195’.   (Attachments)

 

          7 & 8 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

 

7.       Anna Lefner request to change the name of Hadwen Lane Walk to either Gingerbread Rd. or Sugar Plum Rd.  (Attachments)

 

8.       Anthony Popillo request to extend sanitary main on Franklin St. a distance of 278’ at owner’s expense.  (Attachments)

 

          9-11 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING COMMITTEE

 

9.       Polly Harisi request to remove handicap parking sign from in front of 61 June St.  (Attachments)

 

10.     Harry Abrahamian request resident only parking on Elizabeth St. (Attachments)

 

11.     Walter Kennen, Maintenance Manager, Church of Christ request removal of Friedel St. sign from corner of Stevens Rd. and Friedel St. because you can no longer enter Friedel St. from Stevens Rd.  (Attachments)

 

CHAIRMAN’S ORDERS

 

          12-16 FROM MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - ADOPTED

 

12.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with quarterly reports projecting Fiscal Year 2006 residential and commercial property values.  (Attachments)

 

13.     Request City Manager report to City Council concerning recent commercial real estate sales in the City of Worcester and compare those sales amounts to their assessed values.  (Attachments)

 

14.     Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated report concerning the MyMedication Advisor prescription drug program. (Attachments)

 

15.     Request City Auditor to provide City Council with a report itemizing the annual cost of extending pension increases to non-public safety employees under M.G.L. Chapter 32, Section 90.  (Attachments)

 

16.     Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report itemizing any projected surpluses that might be realized at the end of Fiscal Year 2005.   (Attachments)

 

          17-21 FROM PUBLIC SAFETY - ADOPTED

 

17.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with conceptual development plans for the North Main St. district that might include either the siting and construction of a new Worcester Police Department headquarters building, substantive improvements to the existing headquarters that bring it into compliance with current codes or, the creation of a headquarters and precinct decentralized station.  Said report to include land, infrastructure, moving and construction cost estimates, if possible.  Councillor Lukes moved to amend: Further, request a report regarding the feasibility of adding a fourth floor to the Worcester Police Department. Adopted, as amended (Attachments)

 

18.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report detailing the current annual expenses for the operation of the Police Headquarters building.  (Attachments)

 

19.     Request City Manager to provide a fair market appraisal of the Worcester Police Department Headquarters and firing range land in Shrewsbury.  (Attachments)

 

20.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with an update concerning relocation of the Parking Clerk’s function to the City Treasurer’s Office.  (Attachments)

 

21.     Request City Manager to explore with Congressman James McGovern and the members of our local state delegation any and all sources of funding and/or grant monies that could be accessed for the upgrade of the existing Police Headquarters building or the acquisition of a site and construction of a new facility.  (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

22.     Request City Manager to provide City Council with a report concerning the status of  Meals Tax legislation that was introduced for deliberation during the current legislative session.   (Murray) (Attachments) Mayor Murray moved to amend to insert “Hotel/Motel” in front of word “Meals”.  Adopted, as amended

 

23.     Request City Manager to communicate with the Administrator of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority to determine to what extent the fleet of buses they utilize are state-of-the-art environmentally-friendly.  (Petty, Palmieri)  (Attachments) Councillor Palmieri moved to amend: Further, request Worcester Regional Transit Authority report on costs of new buses, feasibility of a new version of a down-sized transportation vehicle and fuel cost savings. Adopted, as amended

 

24.     Request City Manager to communicate with representatives of the Romney Administration to discuss the City of Worcester’s participation in the permitting process of the Governor’s Economic Stimulus Package.    (Petty, Perotto)  (Attachments) Adopted

 

25.     Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the feasibility of assigning parking control officers to enforce the provision of the City ordinances that requires property owners to keep sidewalks clear of snow.   (Murray, Haller)  (Attachments) Councillor Clancy moved to amend: Further, request the Administration to provide City Council with a list of all public sidewalks and request that the area in the vicinity of Union Station be better maintained during the winter months. Adopted, as amended.

 

26.     Request City Manager review and clarify the City Ordinance concerning plowing of City streets and recommend adjustments to any sections that adversely impact foot traffic, bus stops and handicapped accessibility.  (Palmieri)  (Attachments) Councillor Rushton moved to amend: Further, request the Administration to recommend a process for clearing sidewalks at intersections. Adopted, as amended

 

27.     Request City Manager to review and report to City Council concerning the legal criteria that is used for both the renewal and revocation of entertainment licenses issued by the City of Worcester. (Palmieri)  (Attachments) Adopted

 

27a.   Request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding the City’s capacity to pay the non-public safety employee pension increases and estimate the cost associated with the pension increases. (Attachments)  Motion-Gomez @ #15CC – Adopted

 

27b.   Request the City Auditor provide the City Council with the meeting minutes of the Retirement Board Meeting, which was held in January 1998 to exclude personal data on retirees. (Attachments)  Motion-Gomez @ #15CC – Adopted

 

27c.   Request the City Auditor provide the City Council with a report on how the Retirement System assets are valuated and how it deviates if at all, from any new accounting industry standards. (Attachments) Motion-Gomez @ #15CC – Adopted

 

27d. Request the City Auditor provide the City Council with a report regarding collection rate of tax titles and the values associated with tax title properties that are sold. (Attachments) Motion – Haller @ #41CC – Adopted

 

27e.   Request the City Manager provide a recommendation on consolidating the permitting process by which committees such as the Zoning Board, Planning Board and Conservation Commission meet as one group. Luke – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

27f.    Request the City Manager as part of the Police Chief’s re-building efforts, engage the services of a consultant for an audit of policies and procedures. Gomez – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

27g.   Request the City Manager consider the development of a parking overlay district in the Harding Street section of the canal district bounded by Green St., Franklin St., Grafton St., and Water St.  Clancy, Palmieri and Rushton - Suspension of Rules Councillor Petty recused on roll call (9-0). Councillor Perotto recused on roll call (8-0). Adopted (Attachments)

 

27h.   Request Police Chief enforce reduction of speeding on Gardner St. from Main St to Hollis St., especially in the afternoon and evenings. Haller – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

27i.    Request Police Chief locate the advisory speeding trailer and implement a speeding surveillance detail on a regular basis in the vicinity of both intersections of Chandler and May Streets in the interest of pedestrian safety. (Attachments) Petty – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

 

27j.    Request the City Manager provide the City Council with a report as to whether the city can incorporate alternative fuel such as bio-diesel and its purchasing system. (Attachments) Murray – Suspension of Rules - Adopted

 

          28-37 ADOPTED ON ROLL CALL 10-0

 

28.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  AZALEA DR.  (Attachments)

 

29.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  HIBISCUS DR. (Attachments)

 

30.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  JASMINE DR. (Attachments)

 

31.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  NIZAM DR. (Attachments)

 

32.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  ORIENTAL ST. (Attachments)

 

33.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  RAINBOW DR. (Attachments)

 

34.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  RUSSELL CALVIN DR. (Attachments)

 

35.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  SAFFRON DR. (Attachments)

 

36.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  SNOWY OWL LANE (Attachments)

 

37.     DECREE TO MAKE PUBLIC:  TAJ DR.  (Attachments)

 

38.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE:  No Items Pending

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

39.     Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager transmitting communication regarding “Operation Round Up” in the area of Pleasant St. Weed and Seed Designation. Attachments) Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

40.     Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager requesting authorization to file an application for a Community Development Action Grant (CDAG) in support of the CitySquare project. (Attachments) Resolution adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Irish absent). Reconsideration denied on roll call 0-10 (Irish absent). Referred to joint Public Works and Commerce & Development Committee for further review.

 

41.     James DelSignore, City Auditor transmitting report relative to tax titles as of and for the seven months ending January 31, 2005. (Attachments) Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

RESOLUTION

 

42.     The City Council of the City of Worcester hereby protests the cuts proposed in the Fiscal Year 2006 federal budget concerning Community Development Block Grant funding. (Murray) (Attachments) Resolution adopted on a roll call 10-0 (Irish absent).

 

REPORTS

 

          43-67 ACCEPTED

 

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

 

43.     Relative to assessed value increases in FY05.  (Attachments)

 

44.     Transmitting several reports regarding FY 2005 real estate valuations. (Attachments)

 

45.     Relative to methodology in valuing properties over or under $25,000. (Attachments)

 

46.     Relative to advertising and disposing of Tax Title (foreclosed) Property.  (Attachments)

 

47.     Relative to state statutes for tax lien sales, the City’s involvement in assisting with development of the statutes and an estimate of the potential balance of tax liens that could be sold.  (Attachments)

 

48.     Relative to general legislation regarding automobile excise tax bills. (Attachments)

 

49.     Relative to equitable method of assessing automobile excise tax. (Attachments)

 

50.     Relative to MyMedication Advisor prescription drug program. (Attachments)

 

51.     Relative to MyMedication Advisor.  (Attachments)

 

52.     Relative to various PILOT and State Aid questions. (Attachments)

 

53.     Relative to DPW Electronic Permitting System. (Attachments)

 

54.     Relative to appointments to Boards and Commissions – Partisanship Requirements.  (Attachments)

 

55.     Relative to Departmental Cash Receipts and City’s Policies and Procedures – Cash Receipts.  (Attachments)

 

56.     Relative to bond rating.  (Attachments)

 

57.     Relative to providing $2 million in immediate tax relief using supplemental State Aid funds.  (Attachments)

 

58.     Relative to Worcester Redevelopment Authority’s Audit Report entitled “Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for Years ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 and Independent Auditor’s Report.  (Attachments)

 

          REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the following Communications of James DelSignore, City Auditor:  recommend Communications be placed on file.

 

59.     Transmitting report relative to increasing pensions for retired public safety employees under MGL Chapter 32, Sections 90A and C and demographic information related to those who would receive this benefit increase.  (Attachments)

 

60.     Transmitting additional information regarding potential MGL Chapter 32, Section 90A and C pension increases specific to former public safety employees.  (Attachments)

 

61.     Transmitting Worcester Retirement System’s Actuarial Valuation and Review as of January 1, 2004.  (Attachments)

 

62.     Transmitting July 2004 Auditor’s Report.  (Attachments)

 

63.     Transmitting August 2004 Auditor’s Report.  (Attachments)

 

64.     Transmitting September 2004 Auditor’s Report.  (Attachments)

 

65.     Transmitting October 2004 Auditor’s Report. (Attachments)

 

66.     Transmitting November 2004 Auditor’s Report. (Attachments)

 

67.     REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Chairman’s Order from Elder Affairs requesting the Municipal Operations Committee forward to Elder Affairs Committee the Elder Affairs and Senior Center section of the Quarterly Report from the City Manager:  recommend Chairman’s Order be placed on file.  (Attachments)

 

TABLED

 

68.     Order – Request City Council to vote its opposition to any raises for City Council for the 2006 term.  (Lukes)  (Tabled January 18, 2005) (Attachments) No Action Taken

 

69.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Joe Boynton, Chairman, Worcester Planning Board requesting to amend Article IV, Table 4.2 of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance relative to Permitted Dimensions by District. (Tabled February 8, 2005) (Attachments) No Action Taken

 

70.     REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Joe Boynton, Chairman, Worcester Planning Board requesting to amend Table 4.2 of the Zoning Ordinance by adding a note to Permitted Dimensions by District and renumbering all existing Table 4.2 notes appropriately.  (Tabled February 8, 2005)  (Attachments) No Action Taken

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

FEBRUARY 15, 2005

        5:30 P.M.

 

 

PUBLIC WORKS

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

 

FEBRUARY 16, 2005

        6:00 P.M.

 

COMMERCE &

DEVELOPMENT

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

 

FEBRUARY 28, 2005

        6:00 P.M.

 

LAND USE

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

 

MARCH 1, 2005

        5:30 P.M.

 

MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

 

MARCH 8, 2005

        5:30 P.M.

 

PUBLIC WORKS

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

 

PLEASE NOTE:  THE CITY COUNCIL WILL  NOT MEET ON FEBRUARY 22, 2005