CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:46 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:11 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph C. O'Brien

 

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Paul P. Clancy Jr. William J. Eddy
Michael J. Germain Barbara G. Haller
Konstantina B. Lukes Philip P. Palmieri City Clerk
David J. Rushford
Joseph M. Petty 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 except Councilor Eddy and with the Mayor in the Chair. Councilor Eddy arrived at 7:46 P.M.

4.

ITEMS OF CITIZEN INTEREST

4a.

Under Suspension of Rules, Mayor O'Brien introduced John Foisy, Finance & Marketing Department Head of the Worcester Vocational Technical High School who in turn introduced Peter Crafts, Director of Vocational/Technical Education and the students who won awards from the Massachusetts Association of Marketing Students 2010 statewide competition:

Josh Patnod and Brittany Zigmont for the Financial Literacy and Promotions Project
Loan Chau, who worked with Luisanna Paulino who was not present, for Entrepreneurship Project
Jennifer Siqueira for Apparel & Accessory Marketing Event

These students were invited to recognize their achievements and show support in their upcoming competition in Louisville, KY.

 

5.

ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

6.

PETITIONS

6a.

Hossein Haghanizadeh, PE, H, S & Group, Inc., request portion of Austin St. be discontinued as a public street and removed from the Official Map.

Attachments

Referred to Planning Board

 

6b.

Richard Blasé request City Council consider privatizing the Human Resources functions of the City of Worcester and the Worcester Public Schools.

Attachments

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

6c.

Kristen Johnson & Scott Renaud request to resurface Fales St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

6d.

Kristen Johnson & Scott Renaud request sidewalks in Fales St. be repaired

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

6e.

Councilor Barbara G. Haller request "No Parking" be installed in the even side of Sheridan St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

6f.

Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request the installation of a pedestrian push-button street crossing device in Richmond Ave. for safe pedestrian crossing in front of 2 Richmond Ave. to 821 Pleasant St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

6g.

Sherrel Cooley request to remove bus stop at 10 Everett Gaylord Blvd.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

7.

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

7.1

APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Appointments of Michael Amir and Robert Nemeth to the Airport Commission.

Attachments

Mayor O'Brien moved to place the item on file - Councilor Germain moved for a roll call vote Placed on file on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas (Clancy, Haller, Lukes, Palmieri, Petty, Rushton, Smith, Toomey, O'Brien) and 1 Present (Germain) (Eddy absent)

 
 

7.2

APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation
 

7.3

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
 

7.4

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Economic Development Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on the Worcester Blackstone Visitor Center.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
B.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Application to Google for the Installation of High-Speed Fiber Network.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

7.5

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Neighborhoods and Housing Development Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on the City's Housing Strategy.

Attachments

Referred to Economic Development Committee

 
 

7.6

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Planning and Regulatory Services Division
 

7.7

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Workforce Development Operations Division
 

7.8

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board
 

7.9

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Youth Opportunities Division
 

7.10

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Worcester Regional Airport Commission Division
 

7.11

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Cable Services Division
 

7.12

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Administration Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Department of Public Works and Parks Employees' Donations for Haiti Relief.

Attachments

Placed on file with gratitude

 
 

7.13

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
 

7.14

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Operations Division
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Candidate List of Petitioned Streets for Future Resurfacing Programs.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 
B.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Lincoln Street Construction Projects.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 
C.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Spring 2010 Street Sweeping Program.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
D.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program for FY10.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 
 

7.15

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Parks Division
A.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a FY2010 Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Grant for Coes Pond.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
 

7.16

FIRE DEPARTMENT
 

7.17

POLICE DEPARTMENT
A.

Recommend City Council's Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept an FY 2010 Dept. Of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Strategic Enhancement to Mentoring Programs Grant.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
 

7.18

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
 

7.19

LICENSE COMMISSION
 

7.20

LAW DEPARTMENT
A.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Independent Audit Management Letter and the Authority of the City Council as it relates to the Worcester Public Schools and the Office of the City Clerk.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

7.21

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
 

7.22

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
 

7.23

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
 

7.24

DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
 

7.25

DIVISION OF ELDER AFFAIRS
A.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept a Grant from the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
B.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept State Council on Aging Formula and Service Incentive Grants from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Attachments

Resolution adopted

 
C.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Donation of Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Six Dollars ($3,796.00) from the Friends of Worcester's Senior Center, Inc.

Attachments

Mayor O'Brien invited Kristine Potter Romano to say a few words Resolution adopted with gratitude

 
 

7.26

WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
 

7.27

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Human Services Division
A.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to Accept with Gratitude a Grant in the Amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00) from One Family, Inc. and the Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation.

Attachments

Resolution adopted with gratitude

 
B.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to an Update on the City's Plan to End Homelessness.

Attachments

Referred to Economic Development Committee

 
 

7.28

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
 

7.29

PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
 

7.30

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
 

7.31

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
 

7.32

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
 

7.33

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Technical Services Division
 

7.34

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
 

7.35

FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers
A.

Recommend that Four Thousand Two Hundred Ninety Eight Dollars And No Cents ($4,298.00) be transferred from Account #91C711, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, and be appropriated to Account #34C702, Elder Affairs Building Rehabilitation, to provide funding for emergency repairs at the Worcester Senior Center.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
B.

Recommend that Two Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($240,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #75C504, DCU Special District , and be appropriated to DCU Account #75C704, DCU Special District Improvements, for contractually obligated payments on the Ice System and Electrical Upgrades at the DCU Center.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
C.

Recommend that Two Hundred Seventy Nine Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($279,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #75C504, DCU Special District, and be appropriated to DCU Account #75C704, DCU Special District Improvements, for the purpose of paying contractually obligated commitments for the DCU Center Design.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
D.

Recommend that Eleven Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty One Dollars And No Cents ($11,981.00) be transferred from Account #91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #26C701, Fire Capital Equipment, to fund the replacement of an older Thermal Imaging Camera.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
E.

Recommend that Thirty Eight Thousand Three Hundred Eighteen Dollars And No Cents ($38,318.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C711, Citywide Rehabilitation, and appropriated to City Messenger Account #11C702, City Messenger Rehabilitation ($16,518.00) and Account #11C703, Alderman Chamber ($21,800.00) for anticipated payments associated with City Hall projects.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
F.

Recommend that Sixty One Thousand Five Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars And Fifty Five Cents ($61,599.55) be transferred from various citywide capital accounts and appropriated to various citywide capital accounts.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
G.

Recommend that Forty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Two Dollars And Seventy Cents ($49,992.70) be transferred from Sewer Account #440-91101, Salaries, and appropriated to Sewer Account #440-97201, Overtime to allow overtime costs to be paid during the remaining period of Fiscal Year 2010.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
H.

Recommend that Seven Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($7,000.00) be transferred from Account # 91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #67C703, Assessing Capital Equipment, for the purchase of a computer and software for the Assessor's Office.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
 

7.36

FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers
A.

Recommend that Three Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars And Seventy Five Cents ($3,388.75) be transferred from Account #270-92000, Communications Ordinary Maintenance, and be appropriated to Account #270-93000, Communications Capital Outlay, to fund the purchase and installation of an EDACS radio.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
B.

Recommend that Three Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Dollars And Ninety Nine Cents ($3,530.99) be transferred from Account #270-92000, Communications Ordinary Maintenance, and be appropriated to Account #270-93000, Communications Capital Outlay, to facilitate the purchase of a desktop and laptop computer.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
C.

Recommend that Eight Hundred Thirteen Thousand One Hundred Two Dollars And Fifty Cents ($813,102.50) be transferred as follows so as to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Parking Program for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2010:

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
D.

Recommend that Twenty Two Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($22,250.00) be transferred from Account #670-91000, Assessing Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #670-92000, Assessing Ordinary Maintenance, for ordinary maintenance expenses through FY2010.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

 
 

7.37

FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year
 

7.38

FINANCE
Loan Orders
 

7.39

MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS
A.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Pending Board and Commission Vacancies.

Attachments

Referred to Rules and Legislative Affairs Committee

 
B.

SUPPLEMENTAL: Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Criteria for the Transfer of Worcester Regional Airport to MassPort.

Attachments

Referred to Public Service and Transportation Committee

 
8.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD

8a.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Richard Kerver, CIO, on behalf of Worcester Energy Alliance, request to amend the Zoning Ordinance by amending Article IV, Section 13, Paragraph E.1.a relative to height requirements.

Attachments

Referred to Economic Development Committee

 

9.

TABLED ITEMS

9a.

Order Granting permission to MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY for a pole location in: KENILWORTH RD (Tabled - Eddy October 20, 2009)

Attachments

No Action Taken

 

9b.

Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Reports on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, Compliance and Federal Awards Programs prepared by Sullivan, Rogers & Company, LLC for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. (Tabled - Haller March 23, 2010)

Attachments

No Action Taken

 

9c.

Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Management Letter prepared by Sullivan, Rogers & Company, LLC for the year ended June 30, 2009. (Tabled - Haller March 23, 2010)

Attachments

Councilor Haller moved to take the item off the table - Approved Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

10.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

10a.

Motion Haller @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager provide an organizational chart of city departments showing employee resources in each of the departments.

Mayor O'Brien moved to amend: Further, request City Manager report to City Council the list of current projects and if there are enough staff to move applications and keep project moving forward.

Attachments

Order adopted as amended

 

10b.

Motion Haller @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager report what the city has allocated administration dollars for each of the last five years relative to Community Development Block Grant to support housing development and a description of what HUD allows us to do with these administrative dollars.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10c.

Motion Haller @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager report what is the percentage of funds the city has allocated to private housing development versus non-profit housing development versus community-based housing development.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10d.

Motion Haller @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager report how the city has calculated the 14% affordable housing figure.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10e.

Motion Haller @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager report concerning city allocated NSP 2 funds and how the funds are awarded as well as how much has been distributed.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10f.

Motion O'Brien @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with income eligibility charts and guidelines for qualifying for housing assistance.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10g.

Motion Haller @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager report to City Council the current policy regarding municipal tax and fee abatements.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10h.

Motion Haller @ #7.5A CM - Request City Manager report to City Council the city policy relative to foreclosure on delinquent tax liens.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10i.

Motion Clancy on behalf of the entire City Council @ #7.14A & 7.14D CM - Request City Manager, in conjunction with the sale of Worcester Regional Airport, come forward to City Council with a report as to how much monies are made available immediately for street and sidewalk repair and what monies could become available through an increase in our bonding capacity for the use of additional infrastructure work.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10j.

Motion Eddy @ #7.14A & 7.14D CM - Request City Manager consider moving the operational account for berm repair and replacement into the capital account for sidewalk repair.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10k.

Motion O'Brien @ #7.14A & 7.14D CM - Request City Council request City Manager consider funding school plant infrastructure when monies from the sale of Worcester Regional Airport are realized.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10l.

Motion O'Brien @ #7.14A & 7.14D CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update to the ESKO contract.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10m.

Motion Toomey @ #7.14A & 7.14D CM - Request City Manager address pension liabilities and debt load when considering recommending an appropriation of funds from the sale of Worcester Regional Airport.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10n.

Motion Haller - @ #7.27A CM - Request City Manager provide a report showing the figures for the past five years relative to homelessness for individuals and families.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10o.

Motion Germain @ #7.15A CM - Request City Manager investigate the possibility of developing a park at the hillside beach area abutting Coes Pond.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10p.

Motion Germain @ #7.15A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the Dennis J. Reed softball field, and if the field is not formally named in memory of him, that the proposed playground to be located at this field be named in his honor.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10q.

Motion Haller @ #7.20A CM - Request City Clerk notify City Council when the financial policy and procedure manual is completed.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10r.

PETITION - Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request sidewalk repair in Standish St. from #96 Standish St. southerly to Massasoit Ave. on both sides of the street.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10s.

PETITION - Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request resurfacing of Butler St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10t.

PETITION - Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request resurfacing of Allston St from Greenfield St. southerly.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10u.

PETITION - Councilor Paul P. Clancy, Jr. request resurfacing of Cargill St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10v.

PETITION - Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request sidewalk resurfacing in Tampa St. where needed.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10w.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide police enforcement of corner clearances at the intersection of Atlanta St. and Plantation St.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

10x.

Motion Rushton - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Police Chief in Hadwen Rd., both directions at the approaches to Havelock Rd., as previous requested by City Council on February 29, 2010.

Attachments

Order adopted