CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:07 P.M.

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 of the City Council meeting of March 1, 2011.

Mayor O'Brien read and presented a Proclamation declaring Tuesday March 15th as New England Dream Center Sweet Dreams Day. Mayor O'Brien invited Katherine Spinelli to elaborate on the Sweet Dreams project developed by Eagle Scout Dylan Chaulk who was present with his parents.

Councilor Rushton and Mayor O'Brien moved for a moment of silence to recognize the tragedies in Japan due to the earthquake, tsunami and ensuing catastrophes.

Jean Brouet request abatement of street betterment assessment #24917 in the amount of $14,320.20 for Benson Ave. issued in the names of Juan & Dalila Vera.

Walter Matos, Jr. request to install handicap parking space in front of 16 New Vista Lane.

Sandra Brouillard request to install handicap parking space in front of 5 Plantation St.

Rocco Morano request to remove two handicap signs in front of 19 Ingleside Ave.

Sandra Lee Garry request to rescind the resident permit parking on Malden Terrace.

Beverly A. Bennett request to install handicap parking space in front of 64 Dover St.

Vincent & Donna Oliveri request the winter parking ban on Birch Hill Rd., from Claridge Rd. to the dead end, be changed to allow parking on the odd numbered side.

Councilor Barbara Haller request installation of resident sticker parking in the odd side only of Canton St. from #9 to #35.

Mesfin Beshir, Ethiopian Dream Center Inc., request installation of resident permit parking on Harding St. from Kelley Sq. to Lamartine St.

Jo Hart request that the City Council or a Standing Committee immediately conduct a well publicized public hearing concerning the WRTA's plan to move its hub to Union Station and to build a two/three story office building directly on Foster St., directly blocking that view of Union Station.

NATIONAL GRID for conduit location: HARLEM ST. and WARD ST.

Transmitting the Quarterly Economic Development Report.

Transmitting the Economic Development Report Relative to Small Business Recruitment and Retention Efforts.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Annual Report of the Economic Development Division for 2010.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Sign Ordinance Amendments Relative to Billboards.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Sign Ordinance Presentation that was Made to the City Council's Sub-Committee on Economic Development.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Potential Loss of Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Funding and Impact on Local Workforce Development Programs and Services.

Recommend Adoption of a Resolution to File and Accept Funds from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Career Pathways Innovation Fund Grants Program.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Summary Report on the City's Twenty-Nine (29) Dams and a Proposed Plan of Action for the Future Maintenance and Safety of these Dams.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the 2011 Spring Sweeping Program.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Report on the Cost of Demolition of the Crompton Park Pool Facility and a Cost Estimate to Demolish the Remaining Seven Pool Facilities.
Refer to CCM Item 8.38A

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Status Report on the Asian Longhorned Beetle.

Recommend City Council Accept with Gratitude a Donation in the Amount of Two Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($200.00) from Highland Apartments LLC and a Donation of One Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($100.00) in the Form of Gift Cards from Home Depot to the Worcester Fire Department's Public Education Division.

Transmitting Informational Communication on a Legal Opinion Relative to Grant Administration Fees.

Recommend Adoption of an Order to Authorize a Lease of Space to Senior Whole Health at the Worcester Senior Center.

Recommend Adoption of an Order to Authorize a Lease of Office Space at the Worcester Senior Center to Worcester Pastoral Counseling Center.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to a Small Business Tax Exemption.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's FY2011 Revenue Report for January and February 2011.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7131A, Water Filtration, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C768, Water Filtration Plant, to allow for the payment of anticipated obligations associated with the Water Filtration Plant.

Recommend that Four Thousand Four Hundred Forty Nine Dollars And No Cents ($4,449.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7311A, Water Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #45C703, Water Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of a wood chipper.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C741, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C742, Street Resurfacing (Ext Pavement), to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Seven Dollars And No Cents ($12,957.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7801A, Citywide Capital Equipment, and be appropriated, when and as received, to Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of Central Garage equipment.

Recommend that Sixty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($65,000.00) be transferred from Account # 91C711, Citywide Building Rehabilitation, and appropriated to Account #04C753, to fund approved budgetary salary allocation for the citywide Energy Improvement Program.

Recommend that Three Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C711, Citywide Building Rehab, and appropriated to Account # 72C70219, Forestry Facility for the demolition of the former Parks Headquarters at 125 Greenhill Parkway.

Recommend that Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C784, Park Improvements, and appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70208, Beaver Brook.

Recommend that Seventy Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($70,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7440B, Building Rehabilitation, to DPW Account #46C704, Federal Building Rehabilitation to allow for payment of current and anticipated obligations per the cash flow procedure.

Recommend that Twenty Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Two Dollars And Seventy Five Cents ($29,702.75) be transferred from Account #91C780, Citywide Capital Equipment, and appropriated to Account #91C7801A, Citywide Capital Equipment, to pay for various citywide capital purchases.

Recommend that Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) be transferred from Account #330-09, Real Estate Sales, and appropriated to Account #72C302, Demolitions of Aquatic Facilities, to fund the demolition of various citywide aquatic pools.

Recommend that Twenty Six Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Four Dollars And Ninety Cents ($26,234.90) be transferred from Account #330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, and be appropriated to Account #660-62000, Treasurer's Office Ordinary Maintenance, to fund the cost associated with the issuance of the Bond Anticipation Notes dated February 17, 2011.

Recommend the Adoption of a Loan Order in the Amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7841M, Parks Improvement Acquatic Demolition, to fund the demolition of various citywide acquatic pools.

Refer to CCM Item 8.15A

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Worcester Sharks' License Extension.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative the the Announcement of the Date, Time and Place of the First of Four Public Meetings to be Held to Discuss Further Eradication Plans for the Asian Longhorned Beetle.

Recommend Adoption to Accept with Gratitude a Donation in the Amount of One Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($135,000) from UMass Memorial Health Care Common Pathways and a Donation in the Amount of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($25,000) from Worcester Polytechnic Institute to Benefit the 2011 Wheels to Water Program.

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the compliance of city boards and commissions, including the Elections Commission, to the new Open Meeting law, specifically regarding the posting of all documents submitted to the board or commission pursuant to the meeting referenced in the posted minutes. (Tabled - O'Brien March 8, 2011)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the process for training and providing oversight to Boards and Commissions, specific reference being made to the minutes of the Elections Commission dated February 17, 2011 where steps are recommended but no action or vote being taken. (Tabled - Lukes March 8, 2011)

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)

Motion Lukes @ #9b CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the possibility of televising of Election Commission meetings.

Motion Lukes @ #9b CC - Request the City Clerk provide City Council with the backup referenced in the minutes posted by the Election Commission.

Motion Rushton - @ #8.15A CM - Request City Manager clear the overgrowth surrounding the culvert at Beaver Brook Park.

Motion Eddy @ #8.4A CM - Request City Manager add the former Price Chopper property on Mill Street to the Quarterly Economic Development Report.

Motion Eddy @ #8.4A CM - Request City Manager work with Sam Adams, owner of the former Price Chopper property on Mill Street, to rehabilitate it to a positive re-use and report any updates to City Council.

Motion Lukes @ #8.6A&B CM - Request City Manager arrange a presentation concerning the proposed changes to the Sign Ordinance for the March 29th City Council meeting.

Motion Toomey @ #8.6A&B CM - Request City Manager provide to City Council a report that clarifies the status of murals across the city in relation to the proposed Sign Ordinance.

Motion Smith @ #8.15B CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report regarding plans for upcoming chemical treatments against the Asian Long Horned Beetle.

Motion Palmieri @ #8.15B CM - Request City Manager invite Christine Markham from the Asian Long Horned Beetle Eradication Program to appear before the City Council for a discussion of ongoing and future efforts.

Motion Smith @ #8.15B CM - Request City Manager report to City Council concerning employment for local people in the efforts to plant trees and maintain them during calendar 2011.

Motion Lukes @ #8.20A CM - Request City Manager obtain and provide to City Council the School Departments legal opinion regarding grant administration fees.

Motion Lukes @ #8.30A CM - Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of communities who employ the small business tax exemptions.