CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:06 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:17 P.M.


Mayor
Konstantina B. Lukes

 

www.ci.worcester.ma.us

City Manager
Intern V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Paul P. Clancy Jr. Jr.William J. Eddy
Michael J. Germain Barbara G. Haller
Philip P. Palmieri Joseph M. Petty City Clerk
David J. Rushford
Gary Rosen Frederick C. Rushton
Joffrey A. Smith Kathleen M. Toomey
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


1.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER - ALL SAINTS CHURCH CHOIR

3.

ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor in the Chair except for Councilor Toomey who arrived at 7:17 P.M.

4.

ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

4a.

Mayor Lukes wished to express her gratitude to her colleagues on the City Council who attended the reception for the President of Ireland on Memorial Day and further wished to thank her staff, Sarah Lenis, Mary Racicot and Thomas Gorham for their hard work for making the day memorable.

 

5.

ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

6.

PETITIONS

6a.

Marcus Lewis request to resurface Doris St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

6b.

Nikki Nguyen request removal of "No Parking" signs in front of 6A Boylston St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

6c.

State Representative John Fresolo on behalf of Arthur Tomasetta request the installation of a blind driveway sign facing westbound traffic in Blithewood Ave. east of the driveway to the Hickory Hills complex.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

6d.

FIBER TECHNOLOGIES NETWORKS, LLC for conduit location in: PLEASANT ST.

Attachments

Hearing set for June 2, 2009 - 7:00 P.M.

 

7.

COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY AUDITOR

7a.

Transmitting April 2009 Auditor's Report.

Attachments

Referred to Finance Committee

 

8.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS

8a.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the future of Community Immunity Day.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

8b.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Request City Manager report to the City Council the number of community seats that will be established on the Executive Committee of the Task Force concerning the development of a Public Health model for Worcester.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9.

ORDERS

9a.

Request City Manager provide information at the May 26th, 2009 City Council meeting informing the public whether or not plastic grocery bags and other plastic items, such as the wrappings around cases of bottled water, are permitted in their weekly recycle containers. (Rosen)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

9b.

Request City Manager inform City Council of the date he will name the Task Force relative to the issue of an equitable real estate tax rate. (Rushton)

Attachments

Placed on file

 

10.

RECESS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE

10a.

#10a CC May 19, 2009
Communication of Dr. Roberta R. Schaefer, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, transmitting Worcester's FY10 Budget: Challenges and Opportunities for Reform.

Attachments

No action taken

 

11.

REPORTS OF THE PLANNING BOARD

11a.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Sharon Healy request to make public Ronald Dr.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

11b.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Carl Persson et al requesting to make public Myrick Ave.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

12.

TO BE ORDAINED

12a.

Amending Chapter 2, Section 24 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to Establishment of Fees.

Amending Chapter 8, Section 10 (e) of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to Fees for Dog Licenses.

Amending Chapter 13, Section 36 and Section 52 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 relative to Fines for Parking Violations.

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays. Mayor Lukes moved to suspend the rules to allow reconsideration - Approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays. Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote of 0 Yeas and 11 Nays.

 

13.

TABLED ITEMS

13a.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13b.

Grant permission to NATIONAL GRID for conduit system in KANSAS ST. (Tabled - September 18, 2007)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13c.

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report to City Council whether a claims process exists which is available to commercial users who experience electric power outages and surges caused by National Grid. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13d.

Order of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the number and location of National Grid equipment stations located on public property, whether the City receives any revenue from the use of public land, and if not, whether the city can charge for said use. (Tabled - Lukes February 26, 2008)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13e.

Petition of NATIONAL GRID for cable and conduit system in: PLANTATION ST., CLARENDON ST. & ALMONT AVE. (Tabled - Palmieri March 18, 2008)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13f.

Proposed Ordinance amending the Montvale Historic District by the adoption of a new map enlarging the District. (Tabled Under Privilege - Palmieri March 25, 2008)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13g.

Order of Councilor Michael J. Germain - Request City Manager consult with the Worcester Sharks regarding the possible management and redevelopment of the Charles Buffone Arena Ice Skating Rink on Lake Ave. (Tabled - Palmieri October 1, 2008)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13h.

Order of Councilor Michael J. Germain - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby accept and adopt Section 19 of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32B, allowing for coalition bargaining for health benefits in the City of Worcester. (Tabled - Lukes October 21, 2008)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13i.

Order of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to report to City Council what basis the City is using to delay the public records request by the Worcester Telegram in light of the Globe Newspaper Company v. Commissioner of Education, 439 Mass. 124 (2003) ruling whereby the Supreme Judicial Court ruled public records must be released for inspection and copying without unreasonable delay, that is, within ten days of the receipt of a request for them. (Tabled - Haller November 25, 2008)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13j.

Resolution of Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby supports the City Manager in seeking 0% increases in the FY2010 collective bargaining contracts; and be it further resolved that the City Council supports the City Manager in seeking the previously detailed 75/25 contribution rate and the co-pay changes.(Tabled - Haller January 27, 2009)

Attachments

No action taken

 

13k.

Petition of MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location: BROOKLINE ST. (Tabled - Eddy April 7, 2009)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

14a.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to the condition of the City' pools.

Attachments

Mayor Lukes moved to suspend the rules to allow citizens to speak - Accepted Mayor Lukes recognized Ken Ksen, Worcester resident, who address City Council on this item Referred to Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee

 

14b.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting a communication relative to alternatives for aquatic programming this summer.

Attachments

Mayor Lukes moved to suspend the rules to allow citizens to speak - Accepted Mayor Lukes recognized Jo Hart and Cha Cha Conner, Worcester residents, who address City Council on this item Referred to Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee

 

14c.

Motion Toomey @ #14b CC - Request City Manager consider building a new pool with assistance from community volunteers. Further, request City Manager provide information relative to building a new pool such as costs, materials, what are the risk levels, liabilities and waivers needed.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14d.

Motion Eddy @ #14b CC - Request City Manager consider reinstating the transportation of children from the Lakeside Apartments to Coes Pond or the Bennett Field pool.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14e.

Motion Haller @ #14b CC - Request City Manager provide to City Council the details of the plan for transporting children to city pools.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14f.

Motion Haller @ #14b CC - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby endorses the City Manager's plan for this 2009 Pools and Beach Program as outlined in his May 26, 2009 City Council Calendar item #14b CC.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14g.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager place a city flag at Union Station. Further, request City Manager consider provide the Jesse Burkett Little League with a city flag for their facility.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14h.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager repair stone wall near the tennis courts at Newton Square.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14i.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager report to City Council the plans for repairing the stone wall at Bell Pond.

In response to Councilor Toomey's motion Councilor Palmieri informed City Council that the wall will be repaired as part of the Belmont St. Rehabilitation Project. Not Put

 

14j.

Motion Rosen - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager consider for next year's Memorial Day continue the tradition of placing wreaths at all the veterans memorials throughout the city.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

14k.

Motion Smith - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the rehabilitation of the Eagle Statue on West Boylston St.

Attachments

Order adopted