CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:05 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:20 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of October 28, 2014.

NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location in: PLANTATION ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole location in: PLANTATION ST.

Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring November 26, 2014 as Native American Heritage Day in the City. The Proclamation was presented to George Spring Buffalo.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Robert Gibbs, Worcester resident
2. Raquel Castro Corazzini, Worcester resident
3. Carolina Francesschi, Worcester resident
4. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
5. Jonathan Lavoie, Worcester resident
6. Jules Polonesse, Worcester resident
7. Keith Scott, Worcester resident
8. Joy Oahwamahuro, Auburn resident
9. Cultron McFadden, Worcester resident
10. Bruce Alexander Tate, no residence given
11. Sonya Conner, Worcester resident
12. Jen Burt, Worcester resident
13. Judy Diamondstone, Worcester resident
14. Laura Martinez, Worcester resident
15. Chris Robarge, Worcester resident
16. Jo Hart, Worcester resident
17. Gwen Davis, Worcester resident
18. Fernando Hernandez, Worcester resident
19. Ruth Rodriguez, Worcester resident
20. Leon Waller, Worcester resident
21. Taline Kachadoorian, Worcester resident
22. Lisa Gibbs, Worcester resident
23. Eliza Lawrence, Worcester resident
24. Faith Bess, Worcester resident
25. Cody Litchfield, Worcester resident
26. Julius Jones, Worcester resident

Shannon Reidy request the trimming of one tree in front of 22 Westview Rd., and the removal of the tree next to the driveway of the property.

Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Cynthia and Stephen Hudson request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks remove the deteriorating city shade tree located at 66 Beverly Rd. as soon as possible, in the interest of public safety.

Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of The Twiss Family request Collins St. be resurfaced.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of David Brady request installation of two (2) catch basins on College St., prior to the intersection of College St. and West Hampton St.

Councilor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of Joe Marrone request parking rates and times be adjusted on the recently installed meters in Faraday St. and Lancaster St. to match the rates and times on older meters in Grove St., which match the needs of the surrounding businesses, which is fifty cents per hour with a maximum of two hour parking.

Kevin Reando request the existing Yield sign on Maravista Rd. be changed to face Maranook Rd. or be removed and a stop sign be installed on Maranook Rd. before you enter Maravista Rd.

Lloyd Keddy, Jr. request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 11 Moen St.

Councilor Gary Rosen request "No Parking" areas be established in Chandler and May Sts. at the main access points into Worcester State University to provide safe entrance and exit to and from the campus.

Hong Kim Vo request missing handicap parking space signs in front of 5 Plane St. be replaced.

VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for conduit location in: QUINSIGAMOND AVENUE

VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for conduit location in: RAYMOND ST./FIFTH AVE./VERNON ST.

NATIONAL GRID for conduit location in: WILTSHIRE DR./FOREST ST.

William S. Coleman III request opportunity to work with City Administration and City Clerk's Office (as a volunteer) to develop a comprehensive grant to help Clerk's Office digitize city records.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor determine if the bond for the water main repair on Lovell St. can be used to recover damages caused to the streets.

Request City Manager collaborate with various community-based employment and training agencies and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce to improve upon and prioritize services to veterans in the areas of employment. (Rivera)

Request City Manager initiate a program through which our non-profit agencies are asked and encouraged to make partial voluntary annual payments toward the many services and benefits that they reap through the generosity of our property tax payers. (Rosen, Gaffney)

Request City Manager request the Police Chief provide increased police presence and attention to the Apricot Street neighborhood. (Rosen)

Request City Manager convene a working group from throughout the City within 60 days, that will include the Chamber of Commerce, appropriate members of the city administration, small business owners, residents and non-profit representatives to strategize on PILOT programs, fee for service and or a flat rate fee/tax from non-profit organizations throughout the City. (Economou, Russell, Rosen)

Request City Manager come forward with estimated saturation numbers for rental unit developments in the City and when we may or are we approaching saturation in the rental market specifically as it pertains to our urban core. (Economou, Rosen)

Request City Manager report to Council as soon as possible on the condition, integrity and dangers of the Gates Lane Bennett Field retaining wall, and further request that he provide the City Council and area residents with a plan and timelines to repair it. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report on the impact to the city budget as a result of Governor's proposal to cut local aid in order to close a projected $329 million dollar deficit in the state's budget. (Lukes)

Request City Manager request his Economic Development staff work with small business groups to explore the possibility of funding the installation of exterior surveillance cameras. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request his Economic Development staff to develop an inventory of vacant city-owned lots that might be eligible for transfer to qualifying groups for the purpose of developing community gardens. (Rivera)

Request City Manager review the conditions on and surrounding the Raymond Gribbons Memorial Bridge (40 step bridge), which connects South Crystal and Canterbury Streets and take appropriate actions to address the overgrowth, graffiti, broken lighting and missing concrete in both the bridge steps and floor over the railroad tracks. (Rivera)

Request City Manager update the City Council concerning progress of installing a yellow blinking pedestrian crossing light in Main Street at Kilby Street. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a second sweeping of those streets in the Elm Park neighborhood south of Highland Street and north of Pleasant Street, which were designated to be swept first, but, whose foliage had not fallen until after the sweeping program was conducted there. (Rivera)

Dr. Helen Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting request to City Council to authorize the Worcester Public Schools and the City of Worcester to bid and award contracts for student transportation services for a period of five (5) years, in accordance with section 12 of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30B.

Dr. Helen Friel, Assistant to the Superintendent/Clerk of the School Committee transmitting request to City Council to authorize the Worcester Public Schools and the City of Worcester to enter into a contract for a period of six (6) years with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company for Go Math textbooks and ancillary materials, in accordance with Section 12 of the Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 30B.

Michael J. Toohill, Sr. Environmental Scientist of BSC Group Inc., transmitting informational communication relative to Blackstone Gateway Park Environmental Notification Form.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Gavin Besmond request Stanton St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request Whitla Dr. from Sunderland Rd. north and west be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Ellen Choiniere request Progressive St. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Cornelius J. Carmody request Beaconsfield Rd. be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen request Blaine Avenue be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Martin Griff request Rydal Street be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen request lane striping in June St. from May St. to Mill St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) for the Month of August 2014: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the Month ending August 31, 2014: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Joann Lee request Nelson Park Dr. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Cornelius J. Carmody request Chesterfield Rd. be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Don Huard request Volkmar Road be resurfaced between West Boylston Street and Croydon Rd.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request Rich Street be repaved: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request Distributor Road be resurfaced: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of James Lennon request the trench in front of 61 Havelock Road be filled: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor William J. Eddy request repair of city water pipe in the vicinity of 30 Rob Roy Rd.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board upon the Petition of Councilor Frederick C. Rushton request to convert Nathaniel St. and Nathaniel Court to public streets: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Mary Reyes-Colon request installation of Resident Permit Parking in Chatham St. between Oxford St. and Crown St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide for resident permit parking on Chatham St. from Oxford St. to Crown St. 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 A.M.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Mary Reyes-Colon request installation of Resident Permit Parking in Oxford St. between Pleasant St. and Chatham St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide for resident permit parking on Oxford St. from Pleasant St. to Chatham St. on the west side of Oxford St. from 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 A.M. and on the east side of Oxford St. from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 A.M.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kelly Eldridge request installation of a handicap parking space in the direct vicinity of 32 Blossom St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to provide handicap parking in front of 32 Blossom Street.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman request a green left turn arrow be added to the turn signal at the intersection of Main Street into Curtis Parkway: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Morris A. Bergman request installation of a Go Slow/School Zone sign in Main Street inbound prior to the intersection with Cleveland Avenue in the approach to Gates Lane School: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to install "School" signs approaching Gates Lane School.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Stephen Genatossio et al request the installation of several parallel parking spaces in front of 28 Lake Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending approval of a Loan Order to Provide Funding for Energy Efficiency Projects. (Tabled Under Privilege - Gaffney November 18, 2014)

RESOLUTION of Mayor Joseph C. O'Brien - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby goes on record in support of the Administration’s efforts to negotiate the maximum hiring of local residents in Tax Increment Financing agreements and other tools used to attract business and to expand our tax base. (Tabled - O'Brien September 13, 2011)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Out of State Residents Working on Local Projects and Not Meeting the State's Health Care Mandates. (Tabled Under Privilege - O'Brien August 14, 2012) (Tabled - Lukes September 4, 2012)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting communication relative to parking meters at Rockwood Field. (Tabled Under Privilege - Eddy December 10, 2013 and Tabled December 17, 2013)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Manager request the School Department share in the cost for providing police services during the presidential visit. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 17, 2014 and Tabled July 22, 2014)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the number of properties in areas surrounding Holy Cross, Clark University, Becker College and WPI that are listed as having true four-bedroom units. (Tabled - Bergman August 19, 2014)

PETITION of Frank Kartheiser et al on behalf of the Worcester Community-Labor Coalition request City Council hold public hearings starting in October on charter change and that at the conclusion of the hearings the Council takes a vote on holding an election to let the voters decide Worcester's future form of government. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes August 19, 2014 and Tabled - Petty September 16, 2014)

Motion Gaffney @ #10b CC – Request City Manager develop a system where non-profit agencies may report to the City all of the various activities and assistance they provide the City.

Motion Economou @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of all tax paying residents and businesses that provide the City with various acts of assistance.

Motion Petty @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with the existing PILOT agreements.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report, at its next meeting, concerning the progress for repairing the one way section of Lake Avenue North.

Motion Economou - Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works & Parks to straighten the utility pole in the vicinity of 44 Thorndyke Rd.

PETITION – Councilor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of Yansen Perez request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 103 Endicott St.

PETITION – Councilor Frederick C. Rushton on behalf of Yansen Perez request installation of a “Hearing Impaired” sign in front of 103 Endicott St.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager work with Board of Directors of the Worcester Public Library to consider implanting a Food for Fines program at the Main Public Library, 3 Salem Square, similar to the program currently operating in many Massachusetts communities such as Plymouth, Natick and Grafton (see attached).

Motion Palmieri and Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager create a Holiday Impact Division that can identify issues that can assist businesses in the City to prevent losses.

Motion Palmieri – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider opening municipal garages to the public for overnight parking during snow events.