CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Council Chamber

Convened: 7:10 P.M.

Adjourned: 10:35 P.M.

Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Order of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. and Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby rescinds its previous vote to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement to supply sewer service to 130 Westborough St. in Millbury, MA. (Tabled under privilege - Lukes June 12, 2007)

Marie Albano request tree removal in front of 54 Northboro St.

Councilor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Paul & Judy Kearns request that Monticello Dr. between Utica Dr. and Delawanda Dr. be converted to a public street.

Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request installation of two catch basins in the vicinity of 404 Granite St. due to excessive storm water pooling during rainstorms.

Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request installation of catch basin near hydrant at the intersection of Lake Ave. and Ronald Dr. due to pooling of water on Lake Ave.

Demetra Blake et al request resurfacing of Hackfeld Rd. from Highland St. to Institute Rd.

Maureen & Robert Gray request repair and resurfacing of driveway entrance at 49 Metcalf St.

Henry Rouba request to speak before the City Council's Standing Committee on Public Works as to changing the City ordinance regarding the plowing of snow banks blocking city sidewalks by private owners, to charge the violators and to have a record of fines and snow removal fees available to be seen by victims.

Venice Falls request repair of sunken sewer and hole in front of 152 Chandler St.

Feng Yuan et al request repair or resurface of Mount Hope Terr.

Marie Albano request street repair in Northboro St.

Marie Albano request sidewalk repair in front of 54 Northboro St.

Ralph Notarangelo et al request to install stop sign at corner of Berkeley St. and Shamrock St.

Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request the installation of three-way stop signs at the intersection of Webster St. with Hope Ave.

Nancy Nelson request to install stop sign in Eustis St. at it's intersection with Darrow St.

NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. request joint pole re-location in JOLMA RD.

Francis Cellularo request the Department of Public Works determine whether a 1967 taking of the southern terminus of Amesbury St. for the purpose of widening said street is vested, and, if not, then request a confirmatory, or actual, abandonment of the City's interest be effectuated.

Notification of Reappointment of Thomas Conroy as a Regular Member of the Historical Commission.

Notification of Appointment of Karon Shea to the License Commission.

Notification of Appointment of John Goggins to the Election Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Regarding an Update on Processes and Procedures that have been Established to Enhance Minority Outreach in the City.

Recommend Adoption of the Attached Resolution to Approve an Amendment to the Gateway Park Master Plan.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Disposition of the Former Adams Street School and Former Dartmouth Street School.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Worcester Comprehensive Child Care Services' Desire to Purchase City Park Land on Tacoma Street to Build a New Facility.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File for Official Recognition by the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Capacity Development Office for Designation of the City's Main South Neighborhood as the Next Proposed Weed and Seed Program Site.

Recommend Adoption of an Order to Dispose of City Owned Land on Millbury Street through the Abutter's Program.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Activity Report for the Month of April 2007.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Converting Jeremiah's Lane from a Private Street to a Public Street.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on the Sewer Connection Permit for 130 Westborough Street.

Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to Accept a Donation from the Friends of Worcester Neighborhoods to Support the Parks Department's Summer Youth Programs.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Community Partnership for the Operation and Maintenance of Shore Park.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation in the Amount of $2,500.00 from the Family and Friends of the Late Alexander E. Drapos for the Maintenance of Hope Cemetery.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Newton Hill Master Plan Public Hearing.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Public Hearing for the Improvements to Vernon Hill Park.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Rededication of Blithewood Park.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation in the Amount of $1,100.00 from Victory in Christ Worcester South Foursquare Church.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a FY 2007 U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Grant.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Recommend City Council Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a FY2007 Technology Grant through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Authorize the Lease of Space at the Worcester Senior Center to the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Grant from the Memorial Foundation for the Blind.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Authorize a Lease of Space at the Worcester Senior Center to Parish Nurse Ministries, Inc.

Recommend City Council Accept with Gratitude a Bequest from the Estate of Dorothy R. McGuiness to the Worcester Public Library.

Recommend City Council File Special Legislation and Recommend City Council Adoption of the Attached Proposed Reorganization Plan Relative to the Election Commission.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Process for Real Estate Property Values and the request for the Tax Classification Vote to be Prior to November 6, 2007.

Transmitting Informational Communication Regarding the City's Current Bond Rating Analysis.

Recommend Adoption of the Attached Order Relative to Adopting the Provisions of MGL Chapter 60, Section 23 B for the Purposes of Setting New Fee Rates for Certificates of Municipal Liens.

Recommend that Twenty Four Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($24,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #72C702, Park Site Improvements to fund rehabilitation invoices related to Cookson Field.

Recommend that Ninety Two Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($92,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C734, Sewer Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to Sewer Account #44C704, Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this sewer inspection system.

Recommend that Seven Hundred Sixteen Thousand One Hundred Forty Eight Dollars And No Cents ($716,148.00) be transferred from various accounts and the total be appropriated to DPW Account #41C756, Landfill/Incinerator Demolition to allow for the payment of current and anticipated obligations associated with this capital project.

Recommend that One Hundred Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($105,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C793, Golf Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 71C702, Green Hill Golf Improvements.

Recommend that Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($900,000.00) be Authorized from the various School Construction and Equipment Capital Project Accounts to fund the Worcester Vocational Tech High School settlement of Two Civil Actions arising out of the Construction of the that school.

Recommend that One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C793, Golf Improvements, and be appropriated to Account #71C702, Green Hill Golf Improvements, to fund previously authorized commitments.

Recommend that Sixty Four Thousand One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars And No Cents ($64,125.00) be transferred from Account # 91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, when and as received, and be appropriated to Account # 25C701, Police Department Capital Equipment, for the purchase of bulletproof vests.

Recommend that the City Manager, with the Approval of the City Auditor, be Authorized to make adjustments to City Accounts to Balance the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget.

Recommend that the City Manager, with the Approval of the City Auditor, be Authorized to make Capital Projects and Special Revenue Transfers in order to provide funds for Capital Projects and Special Revenue Accounts during the Summer Months.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($255,000.00) be transferred from Account # 29-33009, Reserve for Appropriation Real Estate Sales, and be appropriated to Account #72S427, GAR Hall Records-Relics.

Respectfully recommend that Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000.00) be transferred from Account #332-91000, Human Services Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #3320-92401, Veteran Services Other Charges & Expenditures to fund Veteran payments for the remainder of the Fiscal Year.

Recommend that One Hundred Seventeen Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($117,000.00) be transferred from Account #250-91000, Police Department Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #250-92000, Police Department Ordinary Maintenance, to cover a projected deficit in the police gasoline account and the police electricity account.

Recommend that Four Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($4,000.00) be transferred from Account #340-91000, Elder Affairs Overtime, and be appropriated to Account #340-92000, Elder Affairs Ordinary Maintenance, to pay for the higher than projected electricity cost.

Recommend that Five Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Eight Dollars And Forty Four Cents ($5,428.44) be transferred from Account #330-07, Damage Settlements, and be appropriated to DPW Account #410318, Sidewalk Repairs O.M. to allow for the payment of invoices associated with work related to damages on Rodney Street.

Recommend that Five Thousand Five Hundred Eighteen Dollars and Eighty Seven Cents ($5,518.87) be transferred from Account #14SSNS32, Neighborhood & Housing Development Salaries and be appropriated to Account #14SONM32, Neighborhood & Housing Development Ordinary Maintenance in order to pay additional costs projected for office operations.

Recommend that Forty Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($43,750.00) be transferred from Account #29- 33201, Reserve for Appropriation Hope Cemetery Lots and Graves, and be appropriated to Account # 720-91000, Parks Personal Services to fund Fiscal 2007 approved budgeted credits for Hope Cemetery.

Recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) be transferred from Account #29-35976, Reserve for Appropriation Hope Cemetery Revenue Perpetual Care, and be appropriated to Account # 720-91000, Parks Department Personal Services to fund approved Fiscal Year 2007 budgeted credits for Parks.

Recommend Thirty Eight Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($38,000.00) be transferred from Account #610-91000, Budget Office, Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #260-92000, Fire Department Ordinary Maintenance to cover ordinary maintenance obligations through the end of Fiscal Year 2007.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Recommend that Forty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($40,000), be transferred from Account #91C711, Citywide Building Rehabilitation and be Appropriated to Account #11C703, Chamber Rehabilitation, to allow for contractual obligations related to the renovation of the Levi Lincoln Chamber Project.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Destination Worcester.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Problem Properties.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Status of the Construction in the Levi Lincoln Chamber.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Fiscal Year 2007 Evaluation of the City Manager.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Recommend Adoption of the Attached Order Accepting a Donation of Travel, Food and Lodging from the Fire Chief's Association that will allow Fire Chief Gerald A. Dio to Travel to Charleston, South Carolina to Assist with the Needs of the Charleston Fire Department in this time of Great Tragedy.

James A. DelSignore, City Auditor, transmitting communication relative to May 2007 Auditor's Report.

Amend the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 - Occupational Group A - Administrative & Supervisory - Cultural Development Officer & Youth Coordinator. Amend the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 - Occupational Group A - Administrative & Supervisory and Occupational Group O - Engineering and Allied - Project Architect, Senior Project Architect and Architect Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4. Amend the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 - Occupational Group K - Library - Library Page. Amend the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 - Occupational Group EM - Executive Management - Director Workforce Central Career Center, Director Central Mass Regional Employment Board, Budget Director, Senior Computer Systems Analyst DBA.

Amend the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 - Occupational Group B - General Administrative - Intern 1, Work Study and Intern 2, Work Study.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. and Mayor Timothy P. Murray request that Central St. from Summer St. to Main St. be renamed MLK, Jr. Boulevard, and, that Front St. from Main St. to Washington Sq. be renamed JFK Boulevard: recommend adoption of the accompanying two Orders. (Tabled - Lukes June 12, 2007)

Order of Mayor Timothy P. Murray - That the ordinance relative to the Police Department License Board as it relates to taxi regulations be rescinded. (Tabled - Murray April 25, 2006)

Order of Councilor Barbara G. Haller and Councilor Gary Rosen - Request the City Manager take all steps to have the WRTA #11 bus rerouted to serve the Island part of Harding Street (south of Kelley Square) to take residents, especially the elderly, to and from the Route 20 Fair Shopping Plaza. Further request that this service be provided several times in the mornings and again in the afternoons, both outbound and inbound. This service was formerly provided by the old #4 Millbury City Line and eliminated on January 28th, 2006 creating a serious hardship and reduction in the quality of life for residents in the Green Island neighborhood. (Tabled - Haller August 29, 2006)

Chairman's Order from the Committee on Military Affairs - Request City Manager consider communicating to City Council a recommendation for funding section 2 of Chapter 157 of M.G.L. in the amount of $1.1 million. (Tabled - Clancy March 6, 2007)

Order of Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby cancels the August 7, 2007 City Council meeting. (Tabled - Rushton June 12, 2007)

RESOLUTION of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes, Vice-Chairman Councilor Michael C. Perotto, Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr., Councilor Barbara G. Haller, Councilor Dennis L. Irish, Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, Councilor Joseph M. Petty, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Frederick C. Rushton, Councilor Joffrey A. Smith and Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - That the City of Worcester offers it's deepest condolences and commiseration in our country's terrible loss on June 18, 2007 when a tragedy claimed the lives of nine of Charleston, South Carolina's Fire Fighters.

Motion-Irish @#12a(2) - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion if changing of the name of Front St. might have an affect on the development agreement involving CitySquare development.

Motion-Clancy @#9.8B CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a summary update relative to meetings regarding the disposition of the Adams St. and Dartmouth St. schools.

Motion-Perotto @#9.9A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with an updated map that will outline the boundaries in the Main South neighborhood for the proposed Weed & Seed Program site.

Motion-Clancy @#9.9B CM - Request City Manager submit a map and property development details relative to the properties described in City Manager's item #9.9B.

Motion-Palmieri - Suspension of Rules - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hold it's weekly meeting in the third week in June, 2008 on Shrewsbury Street during the “A Taste of Shrewsbury Street” event.

Motion-Irish @#9.28A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any charter conflicts relative to the elimination of stipends paid to the Election Commissioners.

Motion-Lukes @#9.28A CM - Request City Manager submit a comparison relative to the cost of running the existing Election Commission and the running of the proposed reorganization of the Election Commission.

Motion-Perotto @#9.29A CM - Request City Manager send a copy of City Manger's item #9.29A to all the neighborhood associations.

Motion-Lukes @#9.29A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a copy of the DOR regulations referred to in City Manager's item #9.29A.

Motion-Haller @#9.37B - Request City Manager send a copy of City Manager's item #9.37B to all the neighborhood associations and business organizations.

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith request sidewalk repair in front of 384 Burncoat St.

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Francis Brothers request installation of a guardrail at 171 Flagg St.

PETITION - Councilor Joffrey A. Smith request street repair at railroad tracks in upper Burncoat St.

RESOLUTION of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby wishes Sophie Palmieri a Happy 91st Birthday.

Motion-Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager review the traffic ordinances at the corner of Chandler St. and Coolidge Rd. specifically regarding the overnight parking of tractor trailers and request enforcement of any existing ordinances relative to the overnight parking of tractor trailers. Further, request the City Manager make recommendations if no ordinance exist to ensure the safety of pedestrians in the crosswalk at this corner. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report of existing ordinances and regulations regarding the parking of tractor trailers in the City of Worcester.

Motion-Palmieri - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks add a layer of asphalt on the basketball court at Holland Rink also known as the Marty O'Malley field

Motion-Palmieri - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks paint the fences at Holland Rink also known as the Marty O'Malley field black and request the assistance of the Community Service Division for the Probation Department or Sheriff's Department. Further, request the City Manager review the concession truck for its current usage and make recommendations as to upgrading this concession stand.

Motion-Rosen - Suspension of Rules - Request city Manager request Police Chief provide surveillance in and around Howland Terrace because of teen activity during the warm weather months.

Motion-Irish - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager investigate and enforce the existing ordinance relative to the sale of motor scooters at a store located in lower Pleasant Street.

Motion-Clancy - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to how much of the previous Loan Order authorization for Levi Lincoln Chamber is remaining and request City Manager recommend the remainder of this authorization be appropriated for street and sidewalk reconstruction.