CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:33 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 September 29, 2015.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. William S. Coleman, III, Worcester resident
2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
3. Reverend John Griffin, Worcester resident
4. Colin Novick, Worcester resident

Elena Shyta request removal of city shade tree located in front of 83 June St.

Gilberto Ledesma of L'Omatic Realty Trust request to extend BG-3.0 zone line to include all of 124 Chandler St.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Bill Hinson request repaving of sidewalks from 9 through 15 Caroline Street.

Lorraine Laurie request installation of "No Parking From Here to Corner" signage in Waverly St. at Providence St. on the south side.

Vincent Virzi on behalf of Charles Warner request installation of handicap parking space in front of 41 Everard St.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location in: FENWICK ST./WESTBROOK RD.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council invite citizens who have older historical records from Worcester's past, including pictures and documents, to a venue such as the Senior Center to display and share their holdings.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council and City Administration establish a volunteer sign up program for homebound seniors to receive a wellness checkup phone call.

Emmanuel Tstsilianos request permission to address the City Council regarding the Rogers Kennedy Memorial.

Jo Hart request City Council hold at least one public hearing for each of the following three subjects that were previously brought to the then interim City Manager's attention requesting his help with 1.) refugees (request made to the City Manager in his office); 2.) snow removal (left earlier papers with the City Manager regarding snow removal problems at the same meeting); and 3.) WRTA (29 pages hand delivered to the City Manager about its system-wide failure).

Recommend the appointment of Vincent Pedone as the Chairperson to the Worcester Redevelopment Authority.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City’s retiree health plans and associated open enrollment period.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Yr. 41 – Substantial Amendment to Annual Action Plan.Refer to CCM Item 8.31B

Transmitting informational communication relative to the fall 2015 Asian Longhorned Beatle Status Report.

Recommend adoption of an Order relative to a Drainage Easement on Salisbury Street.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Master Plan Initiative for improvements to Mulcahy Field.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Schedule.

Recommend approval of a proposed amendment to the Conservation Restriction at Green Hill Park.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2015 October Disability Awareness Events, including White Cane Day on October 14, 2015 and National Disability Employment Awareness panel discussion on October 20, 2015.

Recommend that Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7413A, Street Construction/Sidewalks, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C797, Sidewalks, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Respectfully Recommend Eighteen Thousand Four Dollars And Twenty Six Cents ($18,004.26) be transferred from Account #91C780H, Capital Equipment - Public Library, to Account #55C701-93301, Library Equipment, when and as received, to pay for expenses related to equipment replacements.

Recommend that Three Thousand Six Hundred Seventy Two Dollars And No Cents ($3,672.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7804A, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this equipment.

Recommend that Twenty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Five Dollars And No Cents ($26,785.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C780A, DPW Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, DPW Capital Equipment, when and as received, to allow for the purchase and future payments of this equipment.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C713G, Water Accounting & Analysis, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C720, Water Mains, to allow for the payments of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C714A, Water Pumping Stations, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C726, Water Pumping Rehab, to allow for payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7454, Sewer Reconstruction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C744, Sewer Reconstruction, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745J, New Sewers, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C750, Trunk Sewers, to allow for the current and future obligations to be met.

Recommend that Seventy Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($70,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C7842G, Parks Indian Hill, and be appropriated to Parks Account # 72C70210, Indian Hill, to allow for current and anticipated contractual obligations. Site improvement bids have been received and contracts are in process for construction to begin.

Recommend that Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745A, Sewer/Interceptor, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C751, Sewers/Interceptor Inspection, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($50,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C745K, Sewer Pump Rehab, and be appropriated to DPW Account #44C764, Sewer Pumping Station Capital Program, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Thirty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($30,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7412J, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C787, Canal District Improvements, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations.

Recommend that Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($450,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7414A, Street Construction, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C768, Private Street Conversion, to provide funds for current and future expenditures.

Recommend that Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($80,000.00) be transferred from Account #04C748, Union Station Garage, and be appropriated to DPW Account #46C707, Parking Garages - Improvements, to allow for payment of current and anticipated obligations.

I respectfully request that the City Council accept with gratitude a donation of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation for the Worcester Public Library’s One City One Library Initiative.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for, accept, and expend Grant Funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants (ORI).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude numerous small donations to the Worcester Public Library for the 1st quarter FY16 in the amount of Seven Hundred Seventy Eight Dollars And No Cents ($778.00).

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant of up to Eighteen Thousand Sixty Eight Dollars and Thirty Five Cents ($18,068.35) from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for additional FY2013-14 Emergency Management Performance Grant funds.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant up to sixty nine thousand nine hundred seventy five dollars and no cents ($69,975.00) from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for additional FY2015 Emergency Management Performance Grant funds.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant up to seventy five thousand dollars and no cents ($75,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for FY2015 Metropolitan Medical Response System Grant funds.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of five hundred dollars and no cents ($500.00) from St. Pierre for the 2015 Recreation Worcester Program and other cultural activities.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file an application and accept technical assistance from the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission through its Low-Impact Development Project grant of service program

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file an application and accept a grant in the amount of Six Hundred Fifty Nine Thousand, One Hundred Eighty Dollars and No Cents ($659,180.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security through its FY 2016 Support and Incentive Program

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a grant up to twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) from the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts for youth violence prevention outreach.

Recommend that Nine Hundred Thirty Five Thousand Eight Hundred Forty One Dollars And Fifty Cents ($935,841.50) be transferred as recommended so as to provide sufficient funding for the Off-Street Parking Program for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2016.

Recommend that Two Million Six Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($2,660,000.00) be transferred from Account #14S48837, HUD OIG Repayment, and be appropriated to various CDBG accounts to fund additional projects approved as part of the City's CDBG Year 41 Action Plan Substantial Amendment.Refer to CCM Item 8.4A

Recommend that One Hundred Forty Five Dollars and No Cents be authorized from Account #043-92134, Office of Economic Development, for payment of prior year invoices.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City Manager's Clean Team event scheduled for Saturday, October 24th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Bancroft Tower.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Quality of Life Task Force.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of Stearns Tavern.

Briony Angus, AICP, Senior Project Manager/Associate of Tighe & Bond, transmitting supplemental information in support of the Notice of Project Change (NPC) for the Greenwood Street Landfill Solar Project.

That One Million Three Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,325,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7111H, South High Building Rehabilitation/Replacement, to pay for feasibility study costs associated with the South High School project.

Amend the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 - Occupational Group N - Police (Regional Dispatcher II, Certified/Casual)

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 and 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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommending approval of Legislation to Impose a Fine on Motorists that Damage a Bridge that is marked with a Height Restriction. (Tabled - Bergman December 2, 2014)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Brittan Square Parking Lot. (Tabled - Palmieri January 7, 2015 and January 13, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager provide information from the City Solicitor as to what steps are available to enforce breaches of the Services Agreement with Laz Parking Limited, LLC in regards to City owned parking garages, specifically the Federal Plaza Parking Garage. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Tony Economou and Councilor George J. Russell - Request City Manager provide information from the City Assessor, Chief Financial Officer and City Solicitor as to the assessed real property values of all City owned parking garages, the amount of debt, if any, the anticipated repairs and/or capital improvements costs for fiscal year(s) 2015/2016 and the existing lease commitments/terms for spaces in these garages. (Tabled - Petty January 7, 2015, Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 13, 2015 and Tabled - Bergman January 20, 2015)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Upon the Order of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney request City Manager consider amending the Five Point Financial Plan to require that any increases in local aid received from the Commonwealth be assigned to the Other Post Employment Benefit Trust Fund: recommend Order be placed on file. (Tabled - Gaffney June 16, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor Philip P. Palmieri - Request City Manager inform City Council as to whether he and other representatives from the city intend to meet with the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox to see if they have any interest in relocating to Worcester. (Tabled - Gaffney September 29, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney - Request City Manager reach out to our corporate business partners concerning the appearance and cleanliness of the exterior of their establishments, and, if necessary, review any requirements set out by the Zoning Board for compliance. (Tabled - Gaffney September 29, 2015)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning the status of the Home Rule Petition draft to aid Joseph Tortorelli as a result of errors made by the city of Worcester in applying tax payments. (Tabled - Bergman September 29, 2015)

Motion Lukes @ #8.30H CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a status report concerning the appeal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 2008 discharge permit that was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the impact it may have in Worcester.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents in the Burncoat St. and Quinapoxet Lane area request “No Parking” on the northerly side of Quinapoxet Lane as it approaches Burncoat St.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a general report concerning the relationship between Code Enforcement and the Fire Department and how they coordinate final inspections.

Motion Russell – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with a previously requested report to amend the “REAP” ordinance in order for the fire department to schedule and issue smoke detector and carbon monoxide permits in order to facilitate the sale of real estate here in the City.

Motion Lukes – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request City Solicitor report on the feasibility of drafting proposed legislation for the state regarding the impounding of information concerning absentee ballots until Election Day when the ballots are officially cast and counted.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager consider not replacing the street light in front of 262 Salisbury St., in the interest of public safety.