CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:09 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:00 PM

Mayor
Joseph C. O'Brien

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Michael V. O'Brien

City Auditor
James A. DelSignore

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes for the City Council meeting of November 9, 2010.

Order of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the date for the tax classification vote and include in the report what calculation and rates, if any, would maintain the same out of pocket payments based upon the current tax rates for commercial and residential property owners.

Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request to resurface the public portion of Kendig St.

Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request resurfacing of June St. Terrace.

Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request resurfacing of Falcon St.

Milagros Berry request sidewalk repair in front of 67 Suffolk St.

Peggy Unga request handicap parking space on the corner of Ashwood St. and Acton St. be removed.

Cahn Ngo et al request bus stop and bus booth in front of 91 Stafford St. be removed.

Zina Hanson request to install handicap parking space in front of 6 Forestdale Rd.

Sam Guffy of The Theatre Cafe request to install a commercial loading zone in the vicinity of 529 Main St.

Milagros Berry request handicap parking in front of 67 Suffolk St.

Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of the Canal District Alliance request the establishment of a Blackstone Square at the corner of Harding St. and Franklin St. to recognize the contributions of Benjamin Wright, Engineer and Tobias Boland, Contractor of the Blackstone Canal.

Transmitting communication regarding a letter from the Department of Revenue certifying that "Free Cash" for fiscal 2011.

Transmitting Auditor's Report for October 2010.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager consider creating an early notification process when developers apply for a Tax Increment Finance Plan.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager use the responsible employer ordinance as a tool within a Tax Increment Finance Plan as a way to encourage the employment of local tradesmen.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager consider including a clawback provision within a Tax Increment Finance Plan which would give the city oversight of a project should a developer violate any portion of the agreement.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager consider developing a central electronic bulletin board where developers could post projects.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief to provide speed enforcement at the intersection of Arboretum Dr., Sarah Dr. and Sophia Dr.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief to provide speed enforcement on Commonwealth Ave. at the corners of Jennings St. and Enid St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager request Police Chief to provide speed enforcement in the newly paved portion of Clover St.

Request City Manager report on the City’s liability and WRTA’s liability for the unfunded pension liability and the post employment benefits liability of the employees of any bus company under contract by the WRTA to provide bus services and the financial consequences and liability of the City and/or the WRTA for employee contract settlements that exceed the financial obligations of current bargaining contracts. (Lukes, Petty, Haller)

Request the City Council of the City of Worcester amend its rules to establish a new City Council Standing Committee to be named “Veterans and Military Affairs that would be comprised of 5 members. Further, request the City Manager request the City Solicitor to draft language that would amend the rules of City Council that would effectuate this change. (O'Brien, Petty, Germain, Rushton, Haller, Eddy, Toomey, Clancy, Palmieri, Smith, Lukes)

Request City Manager update City Council concerning the status of the city Dog Shelter Contract and further, request a report as to how the award will be funded and its impact on public safety. (O'Brien, Haller, Rushton, Petty)

Request City Manager contact the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium and work together in the banning of Four Loko and like caffeinated alcoholic beverages from their respective campuses. Further, request City Manager request the Health Department approach local retailers and request them to consider voluntarily banning the sale of these beverages. (Rushton, Clancy, Haller, Eddy, O'Brien, Petty)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Health and hospital personnel from the health community to report the adverse health effects that occur from the consumption of the drink Four Loko and provide this information to City Council. (Palmieri, Lukes, Smith, Haller, Clancy, Rushton, Petty)

Request City Manager report on the current status of the case loads and veterans needs and issues and what changes have occurred over the past five years as processed by the City's Veteran's Services office. (Lukes)

#9a CC June 22, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for May 2010.

#4a CC September 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for July 2010.

#4b CC September 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting reports on the budgetary basis financial results of operations for the City in fiscal 2010.

#13a CC September 21, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for August 2010.

#11a CC October 12, 2010
Communication of the City Auditor transmitting Auditor's Report for September 2010.

#9.31A CM October 19, 2010
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on Year-to-Date Revenues, As of August 31, 2010.

#9.34B CM October 19, 2010
Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Universal Changes to the Municipal Rating Scales by the Major Bond Rating Agencies.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to a detailed update relative to Financial Forecasts for next Fiscal Year (FY2012) and projections through 2017, per the Five Point Financial Plan.

Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager, transmitting communication relative to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA).

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the banning of Four Loko and similar products and requests the city’s state delegation to file legislation that would achieve this goal. (Rushton, Clancy, Haller, Eddy, O'Brien, Petty)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the 180 Main Street Rehabilitation Project: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the property located at 180 - 184 Main St.: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Hong Kim Vo request to remove handicap parking space in front of 26 South St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Hong Kim Vo request handicap parking in front of 5 Plane St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Cara Bedard Davis request removal of handicap parking in front of 179 Delmont Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mary Depew request handicap parking in front of 39 Granby Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Elizabeth Mullaney request to remove handicap parking space in front of 7 Congress St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sophia Tsiokas request removal of handicap parking space in front of 3 Stoneland Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Doris Stone request to install a handicap parking space on the Leeds St. side of 14 Fales St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance adjacent to the petitioner's driveway

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of David Savageau request removal of handicap parking space in front of 116 Grand View Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mike Gabriella request handicap parking sign in front of 5 Royal Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Lydia Blanche request to move handicap parking space on Manomet St. to allow installation of driveway for 91 Lakewood St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kristen McGann et al request resident permit parking on Salford St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance as amended to install Resident Sticker Parking on both sides of Salford St. from the corner of Vale St. to the entire frontage of 18 Salford St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Barbara G. Haller on behalf of Joseph Obert request Oliver St., between Florence St. and Park Ave., be made one-way, towards Park Ave.; and request Woodbine St., between Beaver St. and Oliver St., be made one-way, towards Beaver St.; and request stop signs be removed or installed as appropriate in this area along Oliver St. at Woodbine St., at Birch St. at Beaver St. (design documents attached): recommend adoption of four Ordinances to make Oliver St. One Way westerly, to make Woodbine St. One Way southerly, for a Stop Sign on Woodbine St. at Beaver St. and to Rescind No Parking on Oliver St. and one (1) Order for a commercial loading zone in Beaver St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mark Torgersen et al request the bus stop located at 150 Lincoln St. be removed or relocated: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Sue and Mike Howard request installation of speed limit signs in the newly paved portion of Clover St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy and Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Susan Ames request installation of a “Go Children Slow” sign in vicinity of 164 Flagg St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mike Letendre request more signage and clarification for the right turns at the intersection of Green St., McGrath Blvd. and Franklin St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Joann Lee request enforcement of the following: no parking at the corner of Nelson Park Dr., no parking at crosswalk and no parking at corner of Deborah Ave. at the Stop Sign: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Stephen Meredith, Assistant Area Director of the Massachusetts Department of Development Services, request installation of a handicap parking space at 24 Southbridge St: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Joffrey A. Smith on behalf of Richard Carr request the installation of a crosswalk in the vicinity of 20 Park Ave: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anthony Kopas request stop signs where Arboretum Dr., Sophia Dr. and Sarah Dr. intersect: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of State Representative John Fresolo on behalf of Lou Cozzolino request to have stop signs installed on Commonwealth Ave. at the corners of Jennings St. and Enid St: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Joseph M. Petty request the installation of three (3) No Turn On Red signs at the following locations: facing southbound traffic in Burncoat Street at Dorothy Avenue, in Dorothy Avenue facing eastbound traffic at Burncoat Street and in Clark Street facing westbound traffic at Burncoat St: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Tracey Burg et al request to install speed bumps on South Flagg St. #95-201, Asbury Rd. & Barr St: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Teresa-Jean Rubin et al request speed bumps from start to private part of Gates Lane: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Dennis L. Irish on behalf of Joe Capone request to install speed bumps in Emerson St: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Rosamond Bennett et al request the installation of three speed bumps on lower Otsego Rd: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Margarita Calixto request speed bump on Parkton Ave: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Tad Jaillet et al request speed bumps or any other speed calming devices that would alleviate the high rate of speeds that motorists tend to travel on the residential road of Lovell St. to ensure public safety: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Karen Forbes et al request speed bump in Barnes Ave. off West Boylston St. to reduce speeding due to small children: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Raymond Douglas & Michael Glenn request City Council install proper signage/lights to address the speeding situation at the Vernon Hill Toddler Park at the intersection of Providence & Doane St: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Barbara G. Haller request "No Parking" be installed in the even side of Sheridan St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to provide Two (2) Handicap Parking Spaces in front of 6 Sheridan St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Prohibit Parking on the east side of Sheridan St. opposite 6 Sheridan St.

Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the 2009 Leaf Collection Program. (Tabled - Haller June 1, 2010)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri and State Representative Vincent Pedone request to install a trailer truck ban in Mulberry St. between Shrewsbury St. and East Central St.: recommend the passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Petty June 8, 2010)

COMMUNICATION - Michael V. O'Brien, City Manager transmitting information communication relative to an Agreement between City of Worcester and the College of the Holy Cross.

Motion O'Brien @ #5a - Request City Manager provide an update on the utilization of various exemptions, what they have been historically and any adjustments.

Motion Clancy @ #8j: Request City Manager provide the city's policy, that squares be named for veterans whom have died in the line of duty, to the Traffic & Parking Committee for consideration when considering the name of Blackstone Square.

Motion Rushton @ #10a-c Request City Manager report if the recommendations of the Economic Development Committee, from the November 23, 2010 agenda, will be implemented in the Tax Increment Finance Plan.

Motion Toomey @ #11e: Request City Manager report on the effects of mixing caffeine with alcohol in various brand name drinks.

Motion Lukes - Suspension of Rules - Request the Election Commission report on voting procedures in the past election.

Motion Toomey - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager provide an update on the outcome of court proceedings regarding the Visitor Center fire.