CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 31, 2006

7:00 P.M.

Convened: 7:09 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:45 P.M.

 

 

1.                 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

2.                 STAR SPANGLED BANNER-ALEXANDRA MILLS

 

3.       ROLL CALL – All present except Councillor Palmieri who arrive at 7:11 p.m.

 

Mayor Murray read a Proclamation regarding the Ready, Set, Quit, and Cessation Program and presented to the staff at University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

 

4.       ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

 

5.       ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

 

PETITIONS

 

            6 & 7 REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS

 

6.       Bohler Engineering, P.C. request to extend a 120 ft. minor sewer extension on Lanesboro Rd. at petitioner’s expense. (Attachments)

 

7.       Pamela Santoro and Santo Lanava request street betterment assessment in the amount of $3,052.31 assessment no. 24507 for Joseph St. (Attachments)

 

          8 – 11 REFERRED TO TRAFFIC & PARKING

 

8.       James Penny request resident permit parking on Fifth Ave. (Attachments)

 

9.       Joseph Borbone, Director of Engineering, Department of Public Works and Parks, request to approve fifteen minute parking meters for patrons of the new Honey Farms at Commercial St. and Foster St. and to approve a Commercial Loading Zone to accommodate the new business. (Attachments)

 

10.     Rose Milluzo request to have diagonal parking lanes painted on the odd numbered side of Hamilton St. between Ingleside Ave. and Almont Ave. (Attachments)

 

11.     Frank Harwood request resident permit parking on Shamrock St. (Attachments)

 

          12 TABLED

 

12.     Charlene Keefe, President of the Salter School, and Thomas Keefe, President of Campus Realty, Inc. request to amend Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to remove Resident Permit Parking requirement from the easterly side of Indian Hill Rd. from Ararat St. to the southerly lot line of 128 Indian Hill Rd. and from the westerly side of Indian Hill Rd. from Ararat St. to the southerly lot line of 155 Ararat St., and to amend Schedule XX accordingly. (Attachments)

 

          13 - HEARING SET FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2006 7:00 PM

 

13.     MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC CO. d/b/a National Grid for pole location on: GRAFTON ST. (Attachments)

 

          14 TABLED

 

14.     Gary Brackett, Attorney for Salter School, Campus Realty, Inc. & Premier Education Group, Inc. request the opportunity to address the City Council regarding parking issues involving the Salter School and the residents of the Ararat St. and Indian Hill Rd. Neighborhoods. (Attachments)

 

ORDERS

 

14a.   Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report which lists the membership of the Weed and Seed Board. Motion Haller @ #9A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14b.   Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report pertaining to all fixed costs in the Block Grant and further request report include any outstanding debt the City may have. Motion Clancy @ #9B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14c.   Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report pertaining to anticipated trends in HUD and CDGB funding over the next several years and provide a strategy for working with agencies who rely on grant funding to function. Further, request report include what effect the funding reduction may have regarding any new initiatives. Motion Haller @ #9B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14d.   Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report regarding HUD and CDBG funding priorities in light of funding cuts and further, request what type of cuts will be made to the Section 8 Federal Program and how the City will compensate for Section 8 cuts. Motion Lukes @ #9B CM. Mayor Murray moved to amend: Further, request report include Portable Section 8 funding and Project Based Section 8 funding. Adopted, as amended. (Attachments)

 

14e.   Request City Manager provide the City Council with a quarterly report relative to the HUD funding balances. Motion Palmieri @ #9B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14f.    Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report detailing the reasons why the City has not replaced the culvert at 44 Anthony St. Motion Clancy @ #12B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14g.   Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report pertaining to the City’s policy regarding prioritizing and establishing the type of uses for park rehabilitation project improvements, i.e. athletic field, mixed use and open space. Motion Lukes @ #13A CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14h.   Request City Manager request the Purchasing Director provide the City Council with a cost benefit analysis report pertaining to police vehicles: leasing versus purchasing. Motion Lukes @ #17B CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14i.    Request City Manager provide the City Council with a report pertaining to how the City addresses unexpended balances in CDBG that have been subjected to the public processes and hearings and considered by the Community Development Sub-Committee, the committee of the City Council and the City Council in general. Motion Haller @ #33E CM – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14j.    Request City Manager provide the City Council with a full disclosure report regarding possible school closings. (Rushton) – Suspension of Rules – Adopted (Attachments)

 

14k.   Request City Manager provide the City Council with copies of resumes relative to appointees of boards and commissions. (Lukes) – Suspension of Rules – Adopted

(Attachments)

 

15.     COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

MICHAEL V. O’BRIEN

CITY MANAGER

 

CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 31, 2006

 

APPOINTMENTS

 

 1.  NON-CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.      Notification of Constable appointments. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

B.      Notification of the appointment of Timothy Desantis to the Airport Commission. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

C.      Notification of the reappointments of John Goldsberry and Elizabeth White to the Elder Affairs Commission. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

D.      Notification of the reappointments of Joan Kariko and Eileen Rafferty to the Bancroft, Aaron/Lucretta Scholarship Fund. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

E.      Notification of the reappointments of Daniel McManus and John Magnant to the Conservation Commission. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

F.      Notification of the reappointments of Peter B. Schneider and Thomas A. Johnson to the Historical Commission. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

G.      Notification of the reappointments of Robert J. Kelley, Nadia Beard, and John Deedy to the Trust Funds Commission. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

H.      Notification of the reappointment of Dr. James J. Convery to the Health Board. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

I.       Notification of the reappointment of Vite J. Pigaga to the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Commission. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

J.       Notification of the appointments of Avi Kaufman, Brendan Melican, and Jane Pastore, and the reappointments of Kallin Johnson and Cyrus Lipsitt to the Cultural Commission. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

 2.  CITY COUNCIL CONFIRMATION:

 

A.      Notification of the appointment of Dawn Clark, as a full member, the appointments of Migdalia Cortes and Marianella Queiruga as associate members, and the reappointment of John Cronin to the Disabilities Commission. (Attachments) Appointments confirmed on a roll call vote 11-0

 

B.      Notification of the appointment of Jenith Charpentier and Breanda Safford to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women. (Attachments) Appointment confirmed on a roll call vote 11-0

 

C.      Notification of the reappointment of Richard F. Perry to the Hope Cemetery Board of Commissioners. (Attachments) Reappointment confirmed on a roll call vote 11-0

 

D.      Notification of the reappointment of Joseph Capone to the Civic Center Commission. (Attachments) Reappointment confimed on a roll call vote 11-0

 

TRANSMITTALS

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

 3.  AIRPORT DIVISION:

 

 4.  CABLE SERVICES DIVISION:

 

 5.  ELECTION COMMISSION DIVISION:

 

 6.  HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION:

 

 7.  WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:

 

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

 8.  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to parking rates at the Union Station parking lot. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

 9.  NEIGHBORHOODS & HOUSING DEVELOPMENT:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to notification from the U.S. Department of Justice announcing funding in the amount of $214,729.00 for the third year implementation of the City’s Weed and Seed program. (Attachments) Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the FY’06 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding amounts for the City of Worcester. (Attachments) Referred to Community Development

 

10.  PLANNING AND REGULATORY SERVICES DIVISION:

 

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & PARKS

 

11.  ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DIVISION:

 

12.  OPERATIONS DIVISION:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the replacement of a culvert on Sherer Trail. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

B.      Transmitting informational communication relative to flooding in the vicinity of 44 St. Anthony Street. (Attachments) Referred to Public Works Committee

 

C.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester’s snow removal account as of January 24, 2006. (Attachments) Referred to Public Works Committee

 

13.  PARKS DIVISION:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the Beaver Brook Daylighting and Field Renovation Project. (Attachments) Referred to Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee

 

PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS

 

14.  COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT:

 

15.  FIRE DEPARTMENT:

 

A.      Recommend the adoption of an amendment of the Salary Ordinance of August 26, 1996, Occupational Group NA – Fire. (Attachments) Voted to advertise proposed ordinance on a roll call 11-0.

 

16.  LICENSE COMMISSION:

 

17.  POLICE DEPARTMENT:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to an incident report regarding Crime Analysis Unit depicting the number and types of arrests that have occurred in the Winfield/Mason/Chandler Street area from the period of November 1, 2005 through January 23, 2006. (Attachments) Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

B.      Transmitting informational communication relative to a report prepared by students seeking their MBA at Clark University’s Graduate School of Management. (Attachments) Referred to Public Safety and Public Works Committee

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

 

18.  CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the progress report for the construction of the new Worcester Technical High School. (Attachments) Referred to Education & College/University Relations Committee

 

19.  DISABILITY DIVISION:

 

20.  ELDER AFFAIRS DIVISION:

 

A.      Request adoption of a resolution relative to the renewal of a tenant lease at the Worcester Senior Center. (Attachments) Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 9-0. (Rushton and Murray absent)

 

21.  HUMAN RIGHTS DIVISION:

 

A.      Request adoption of a salary ordinance for a new position within the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Human Services, Office of Human Rights. (Attachments) Voted to advertise proposed ordinance on a voice vote

 

22.  HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION:

 

23.  PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION:

 

24.  PUBLIC LIBRARY:

 

25.  VETERANS’ SERVICES DIVISION:

 

LAW DEPARTMENT

 

26.  LEGAL DIVISION:

 

PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

 

27.  PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

 

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

 

28.  ASSESSING DIVISION:

 

29.  BUDGET OFFICE DIVISION:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication regarding a fiscal year 2006 status report on the number of, and the amount of, Federal and State grants written, awarded, and pending approval by the appropriate Federal and State agencies. (Attachments) Referred to Finance Committee and to Public Safety for informational purposes only

 

B.                Transmitting informational communication relative to Governor Romney’s proposed budget for Fiscal 2007, including his recommendations for local aid for the City of Worcester. (Attachments) Referred to Finance Committee and to the Education & College/University Relations Committee for informational purposes only

 

30.  PURCHASING DIVISION:

 

31.  TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION:

 

32.  TREASURY & COLLECTIONS DIVISION:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the recent Bond Anticipation Note (B.A.N.) sale issued to finance the City of Worcester’s capital improvement program. (Attachments) Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

FINANCE ITEMS

 

33.  FINANCE DIVISION:

 

A.      Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C745, Sewer Construction, and appropriated to Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to provide funds for the purpose of payment of contractual obligations related to various sewer reconstruction projects, as approved in the Capital Improvement Program. (Attachments) Order adopted on a roll call 11-0.

 

B.      Recommend that Three Thousand Two Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars and Thirteen Cents ($3,297.13) be transferred from Account #560-92000, Worcester Regional Library Ordinary Maintenance, and appropriated to Account #560-91000, Worcester Regional Library Personal Services, to provide funding for the payment of retroactive cost of living salaries. (Attachments) Order adopted on a roll call 11-0.

 

C.      Recommend that Two Hundred Forty Four Thousand Twelve Dollars and Fifty Cents ($244,012.50) be transferred from Account #33040, Reserve for Appropriation, 1% Federal Reimbursement and appropriated to the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

600-91099

Purchasing

$  46,178.00

650-91099

Auditing

59,311.50

170-91099

Human Resources

1,877.50

680-91099

Information Services

43,357.50

660-91099

Treasury

36,672.50

610-91099

Administration & Finance

32,562.50

680-92099

Information Services

  24,053.00

 

Total

$244,012.50

 

to provide funds for the purpose of providing Federal Indirect services and State Grants. (Attachments) Order adopted on a roll call 11-0.

 

D.      Recommend that Fourteen Thousand Six Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($14,625.00) be transferred when and as received from Account #91,780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, for the purpose of purchasing an underground tank monitoring system for Central Garage, as approved in the fiscal 2006 Capital Improvement Program. (Attachments) Order adopted on a roll call 11-0.

 

E.      Recommend that Seven Thousand Six Hundred Forty Dollars ($7,640.00) in CDBG unexpended balances be transferred from the following account:

         

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

14S42330

ED Salary & Fringe

$7,640.00

         

                   and appropriated to the following accounts:

         

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

14S44730

Quinsig. Village Comm. Ctr.

$3,790.00

14S41330

Project Light

  3,850.00

 

Total

$7,640.00

 

to upgrade computer equipment for these service organizations. (Attachments) Tabled under privilege (Palmieri)

 

F.      Recommend that Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) in CDBG unexpended balances be transferred from the following account:

         

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

14S42329

ED Salaries & Fringe

$20,000.00

         

and appropriated to the following account:

         

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

14S46829

Dismas House Renovations

$20,000.00

 

to support renovations to the Dismas House Facility, which provides housing and related support services to ex-offenders throughout the City of Worcester. (Attachments) Tabled under privilege (Palmieri)

 

G.      Recommend that Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) in CDBG unexpended balances be transferred from the following account:

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

14S42229

Centro Las Americas

$3,000.00

 

                   and appropriated to the following account:

                  

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

14S46729

Regional Environment Council

$3,000.00

 

to purchase equipment and supplies for the Spring, 2006 Earth Day clean up activities through the Regional Environmental Council. (Attachments) Tabled under privilege (Palmieri)

 

H.      Recommend that Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) be transferred from Account #150-91000, Elections Personal Services, and appropriated to the following accounts:

                  

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

040-92000

City Mgr. Ord. Maintenance

$17,000.00

045-92000

Planning Ord. Maintenance

9,000.00

260-93000

Fire Capital Outlay

6,300.00

900-92000

City Manager’s Contingency

  47,700.00

 

Total

$80,000.00

 

to pay for advertising for employment and the cost of the Worcester Tornado’s rally in the City Manager’s office, to fund increased cost of legal advertising, copying/printing, supplies & mailings for the Planning & Regulatory Services Department and to purchase fire safety items for the Fire Department. (Attachments) Order adopted on a roll call 11-0.

 

I.       SUPPLEMENTAL - Recommend that Twenty One Thousand Dollars ($21,000.00) currently available in the following accounts:

 

ACCOUNT

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

171-96000

Workmen’s Compensation

$17,600.00

170-91000

Human Res. Personal Serv.

    3,400.00

 

Total

$21,000.00

 

be appropriated to Account #170-91000, Human Resources Personal Services, to finance a full-time staff Occupational Nurse for case management of injured-on-duty claims.

 

Furthermore, recommend that the Table of Authorized positions for the Human Resources Department, as it appears in the fiscal 2006 Annual Budget Document be revised and amended by adding this staff Occupational Nurse position.

 

Furthermore, recommend that the position of Occupational Nurse be added to the salary ordinance of August 20, 1996. (Attachments) Two orders adopted on a roll call 11-0. Voted to advertise proposed ordinance on a roll call 11-0.

 

J.       SUPPLEMENTAL - Recommend that the table of authorized positions for the WPD, as it appears in the fiscal 2006 annual budget document, be revised and amended by adding three police officers on a temporary basis bringing the total police officer compliment to 385.

 

          Furthermore, recommend that Sixty Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty Nine Dollars ($66,739.00) currently available in Account #250-91000, Police Personal Services, be reappropriated to the same account to finance six police officer positions for the remainder of the fiscal year. (Attachments) Two orders adopted on a roll call 11-0.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS TRANSMITTALS

 

34.  MISCELLANEOUS CALENDAR ITEMS:

 

A.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the changes of services and schedules for the Worcester Regional Transit Authority. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

B.      Transmitting informational communication relative to signature WaterFire event in Providence, Rhode Island. (Attachments) Referred to Commerce and Development Committee

 

C.      Transmitting informational communication relative to the creation of an Energy Task Force comprised of fourteen individuals representing government, industry, and energy organizations. (Attachments) Placed on file

 

D.      Request City Council review and consider final approval to change the name of Worcester Center Boulevard to Major Taylor Boulevard. (Attachments) Order adopted on a roll call 9-0. (Smith and Murray absent) Reconsideration denied on a roll call 0-11.

 

E.                Transmitting informational communication relative to the expansion of the Fallon Clinic Foundation to include several new community services programs. (Attachments) Referred to Education & College/University Relations Committee

 

F.                SUPPLEMENTAL - Transmitting informational communication regarding recommendatins to improve upon and to enhance case management of the Injured-On-Duty Program for public safety employees. (Attachments) Referred to Public Safety Committee

 

 

16.     RECESS TO FINANCE AND ORDINANCE: No Items Pending

 

COMMUNICATION

 

17.     James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting a report on Federal Award Programs- the City's Single Audit. (Attachments) Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

RESOLUTION

 

17a.   That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby opposes HUD funding cuts. (Perotto) Resolution adopted (Attachments)

 

TO BE ORDAINED

 

          18 – 27 ORDAINED ON A ROLL CALL 11-0

 

18.     Amending Chapter Fifteen of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 Relative to the Non-Criminal Disposition of Violations of the Abandoned Shopping Cart Ordinance. (Attachments)

 

Amending Chapter Nine, Section Fifteen of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 Relative to Abandoned Shopping Carts. (Attachments)

 

19.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Reduce No Parking Anytime on the North Side of Duxbury Rd. (Attachments)

 

Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Provide for Resident Permit Parking on the North Side and South Side of Duxbury Rd. (Attachments)

 

20.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Provide for Two Handicap Parking Spaces in Front of 181 Lake Ave. (Attachments)

 

21.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Provide for Handicap Parking in Front of 87 May St. (Attachments)

 

22.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Provide for Handicap Parking Opposite 20 Strathmore Rd. (Attachments)

 

23.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Rescind Handicap Parking in Front of 113 Southgate St. (Attachments)

 

24.     Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Provide for Resident Permit Parking on the West Side of Marshall St. from Shrewsbury St. to Wilson St. (Attachments)

 

25.     Amending Section 40 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Reverse Residential Parking on Florence St. West Side from Charlotte St. to Downing St. to the East Side of Florence St. from Charlotte St. to Downing St. (Attachments)

 

26.     Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Prohibit Parking on the East Side of Lancaster St. from the Entrance and Exit Driveway to 60 Salisbury St. for a Distance of 40 Feet South of said driveway. (Attachments)

 

27.     Amending Section 68 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 1996 to Make Shepard St. One-Way Easterly from Kingsbury St. to a Point 250 Feet Easterly of Kingsbury St. (Attachments)

 

__________________________________________________________

 

SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES

 

FEBRUARY 1, 2006

 

PUBLIC WORKS

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

     6:00 P.M.

 

FEBRUARY 15, 2006

     5:30 P.M.

 

 

PUBLIC WORKS

 

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2006

     5:30 P.M.

 

 

TRAFFIC & PARKING

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

FEBRUARY 27, 2006

     6:00 P.M.

PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

MARCH 1, 2006

PUBLIC WORKS

COUNCIL CHAMBER

     6:00 P.M.

 

MARCH 15, 2006

 

 

PUBLIC WORKS

 

 

COUNCIL CHAMBER

      6:00 PM