CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:26 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Morris A. Bergman Tony Economou
Michael T. Gaffney Konstantina B. Lukes
Philip P. Palmieri Sarai Rivera City Clerk
David J. Rushford
Gary Rosen Frederick C. Rushton
George J. Russell Kathleen M. Toomey
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


1.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER - DOHERTY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL MADRIGAL SINGERS

3.

ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor as Chair except for Councilor Rushton who arrived at 7:11 P.M.

4.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

4a.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of November 10, 2015.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

5.

INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES FOR LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

5a.

Candidates were given an opportunity to address the City Council - Election to take place at the City Council meeting on December 1, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.

 

6.

HEARING & ORDER

6a.

Hearing: LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location in: HAMILTON ST. Granting permission to LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location in: HAMILTON ST.

Attachments

Hearing Held & Order Adopted

 

7.

TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING

7a.

HEARING: To determine tax rates for residential, commercial, industrial and personal properties for Fiscal Year 2016.

Mayor Petty opened the Tax Classification hearing at 7:11 P.M. and the following people spoke: 1. Timothy P. Murray, Worcester resident 2. Sue Mailman, Northborough resident 3. Michael Keating, Worcester resident 4. Rob Branca, Shrewsbury resident 5. Leonard Zalauskas, Worcester resident 6. William Coleman, Worcester resident 7. Jo Hart, Worcester resident Mayor Petty closed the public speaking portion of the hearing and heard Councilors input. Councilor Rushton moved to recommend for consideration Line 177 – That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $21.23 for Residential Property and $32.45 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. Mayor Petty moved to recommend for consideration Line 191 – That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $20.98 for Residential Property and $33.07 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. Councilor Russell moved to recommend for consideration Line 212 – That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $20.59 for Residential Property and $34.03 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. Councilor Russell moved to "Request City Manager request the City Assessor to provide City Council, when discussing the budget, with a table that compares assessed values for properties." (see item #15d) Councilor Lukes moved to recommend for consideration Line 271 – That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $19.51 for Residential Property and $36.70 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. Councilor Toomey moved to “ Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to provide City Council with a legal opinion as to the process necessary to reduce the interest rate that is offered for deferred payment for assessed properties.” (see item #15f) Councilor Gaffney moved to “Request the City Manager look into the feasibility of a multiple year budgeting plan.” (see item #15g) Councilor Lukes made a motion to move the question. Mayor Petty moved to take a vote for each motion regarding setting the tax rate in the order they were presented on the floor. Councilor Lukes moved to take her motion for lowest residential tax rate consideration first. Mayor Petty ruled to take the vote as he stated. Councilor Lukes moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair. Motion for appeal is a follows: That City Council take a vote for each motion regarding setting the tax rate in the order they were presented on the floor. Approved on a roll call vote of 7 Yeas and 4 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Economou, Palmieri, Rivera, Rushton, Toomey, Petty) (Nays – Gaffney, Lukes, Rosen, Russell) Councilor Rushton’s motion for line 177 was taken up and denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays. (see item #15a) Mayor Petty’s motion for line 191 was taken up and denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays. (see item #15b) Councilor Russell’s motion for line 212 was taken up and denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays. (see item #15c) Councilor Lukes’s motion for line 271 was taken up and denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yeas and 10 Nays. (see item #15e) Councilor Rushton moved for a recess. Councilor Lukes moved to withdraw her motion from consideration – Approved on a voice vote. Recessed: 8:48 P.M. Reconvened: 8:56 P.M. Councilor Russell moved to take up for consideration line 212. Councilor Rushton moved to table the vote for setting the tax rate, items #11.25A, 11.33B and 11.33D Under Privilege.

 

7b.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2016 Tax Classification.

Attachments

Councilor Rushton moved to Table this item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Rushton

 

8.

ITEMS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

8a.

Danielle Obenewaa a student from Claremont Academy and Petrena Sommerville, Dorothy Obisui, mary Siriboe and Henrietta Danso, students from North High School, were present to inform City Council of their annual school food drive.

 

8b.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. John Provost, Worcester resident
2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident

 

9.

ITEMS OF DEPARTMENTAL OR EMPLOYEE INTEREST

10.

PETITIONS

10a.

Pauline Abbis request tree in front of 40 Calumet Ave. be removed.

Attachments

Referred to the Department of Public Works & Parks

 

10b.

Mary Dionne request the public portion of Elliot St. be resurfaced.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10c.

William Coleman, III request City Council give an update as to how well our residents are doing relative to recycling in our City since the program started and further, request report include a district wide update on which part of the city does the best.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke - Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10d.

Roberto Gelais request abatement of street assessment #25349 in the amount of $6,606.95 for Yukon Ave.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10e.

Carley Harrington request repaving of Dewey St. from West Oberlin St. to Charlotte St.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

10f.

Michele Bouffard et al request removal of illegally placed stop signs on Commonwealth Ave. at Crawford, Modoc, and Glezen Sts.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10g.

Michele Bouffard et al request installation of stop signs in Acton St. at Ashwood St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10h.

Michele Bouffard et al request to install "No Turn on Red" signage leaving Acton St. onto Massasoit Rd.

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10i.

Michele Bouffard et al request to make Acton St. one way from Houghton St. to Grafton St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10j.

Sharon Giordani request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 77 Chatham St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10k.

Lorianne Palmer et al request traffic enforcement for crosswalks and speed in vicinity of Columbus Park Preparatory School. Further, request installation of a Flashing Yellow Light in Lovell St. in vicinity of school as well as installation of a "No Parking Buses Only" sign before the crosswalk in Lovell St. at the school.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10l.

Lorianne Palmer et al request installation of a Flashing Yellow Light at crosswalk in Spaulding St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10m.

Sandra Mitchell request a Stop Sign be installed at the intersection of Dixfield St. and Castine St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10n.

Michelle Santiago request handicap parking poles be removed from in front of 27 Mendon St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10o.

Michael Laflash request handicap parking space be removed from in front of 25 Louise St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10p.

Michele Bouffard request repainting of crosswalk in front of 5 Acton St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10q.

Michele Bouffard request prohibition of left hand turns onto or off of Grafton St. between Waverly St. and Arthur St. with exceptions for Cutler St. and Grafton St. onto Houghton St.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10r.

Michele Bouffard request reprogramming of lights coming off Skyline Dr. between 1:45 P.M. and 2:15 P.M. to allow vehicles leaving Worcester Technical High School to exit more efficiently.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10s.

Michele Bouffard request removal of random, unnecessary stop sign in the middle of Grand View Ave.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

10t.

Elijah Johnson request City Council acknowledge Major-General Daniel Gookin Monument or Plaque as the "Father of Worcester."

Attachments

Referred to Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee

 

10u.

LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS LLC for a conduit location in: CHANDLER ST.

Attachments

Hearing set for December 1, 2015 - 7:00 P.M.

 

10v.

NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint pole relocation in MONMOUTH AVE.

Attachments

Hearing set for December 1, 2015 - 7:00 P.M.

 

10w.

NATIONAL GRID & VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC. for a jointly-owned pole location in: MOWER ST.

Attachments

Hearing set for December 1, 2015 - 7:00 P.M.

 

10x.

William Coleman, III request City Council acknowledge the effort of school students who have collected food for those in need.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke - Placed on file

 

10y.

Jo Hart request City Council allow and follow full free-speech and open-meeting-law procedures to allow the public to speak on any unplanned/emergency item any official wants to interject into the agenda, and that new-item placeholder be listed before the public-speaking portion on all agendas, and that all other supplemental items wait for the next meeting agenda.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke - Referred to Rules and Legislative Affairs Committee

 

10z.

Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Council suspend its rules to permit the recording of her vote regarding the Resolutions as they appeared on the November 17, 2015 City Council agenda, items #12b & 12c, as follows: item #12b as a nay and item #12c as a yea.

Attachments

Mayor Petty moved to Table the item because Councilor Lukes was not present. Tabled - Petty

 

11.

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

11.1

APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation
 

11.2

APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation
A.

Recommend appointment of Etel Capacchione to the Citizens Advisory Council.

Attachments

Confirmed on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Rushton absent)

 
 

11.3

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
A.

Recommend City Council's review, deliberation and adoption of a salary ordinance amendment for IBPO 504 to bring the Local 504 contract into compliance with recently completed contract negotiations.Refer to CCM Item 11.33A

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
 

11.4

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A.

Recommend adoption of an Ordinance concerning the compensation of the Cultural Development Officer.

Attachments

Voted to advertise proposed ordinance on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
 

11.5

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Administration Division
A.

Transmitting informational communication relative to public outreach for winter parking bans.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

11.6

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
 

11.7

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Operations Division
A.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending October 31, 2015.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 
 

11.8

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS
Parks Division
A.

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

Attachments

Referred to Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee

 
B.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Master Plan Initiative for improvements to South Worcester Playground.

Attachments

Referred to Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee

 
 

11.9

FIRE DEPARTMENT
 

11.10

POLICE DEPARTMENT
 

11.11

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
A.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the selection of Richard H. Fiske, III to the State Interoperability Executive Committee.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
 

11.12

LICENSE COMMISSION
 

11.13

LAW DEPARTMENT
A.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the proposed changes to the Rules of City Council.

Attachments

Referred to Rules and Legislative Affairs Committee

 
 

11.14

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
 

11.15

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
 

11.16

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
 

11.17

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Public Health
 

11.18

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Elder Affairs
A.

Recommend adoption of an Order for the lease of space at the Worcester Senior Center by Family Services Organization of Worcester, Inc.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
 

11.19

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Human Rights and Disabilities
 

11.20

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Veterans Services
 

11.21

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Youth Services
 

11.22

WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
 

11.23

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
 

11.24

PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
 

11.25

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
A.

Recommend City Council’s review, deliberation and adoption of an Order relative to the Elderly Exemption Program.

Attachments

Councilor Rushton moved to Table this item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Rushton

 
 

11.26

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
A.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the City's revenues and expenditures through September for Fiscal Year 2016, per the City's Five Point Plan.

Attachments

Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 
 

11.27

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Energy and Asset Management
 

11.28

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
 

11.29

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Technical Services Division
 

11.30

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
 

11.31

FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers
A.

Recommend that Twenty Thousand Dollars And Five Cents ($20,000.05) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7413J, McKeon Road, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C728, McKeon Road Project, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations associated with this project.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
B.

Recommend that Fifty Two Thousand Four Hundred Thirty Nine Dollars And No Cents ($52,439.00) be transferred from Loan Account # 91C780C, Parks Capital Equipment, when and as received to Parks Account # 72C701, Parks Capital Equipment, to allow for the purchase and future payment of approved FY16 Capital Equipment.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
C.

Recommend that Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($250,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7134, Water Mains, and be appropriated to DPW Account #45C721, Water Mains, to allow for the payments of current and future obligations.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
D.

Recommend that Fifty Two Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Eight Dollars And No Cents ($52,858.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C780A, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, when and as received, to allow for the purchase and future payment of this vehicle.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
 

11.32

FINANCE ITEMS
Grants and Donations
A.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to apply for and accept a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize for the Worcester Division of Public Health (WDPH) in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($25,000.00).

Attachments

Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
B.

Recommend adoption of resolution to accept a donation in the amount of Five Thousand One Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($5,100.00) from Digital Federal Credit Union, First Congregational Church Fellowship, and Diane Krikorian to the Worcester Fire Department.

Attachments

Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
C.

Recommend adoption of resolution to accept a donation of materials with a value of Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) from Modern Manufacturing, Inc., to benefit the Worcester Fire Department.

Attachments

Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
D.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a gift of service through the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Fellows Program.

Attachments

Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
E.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of One Million Dollars and No Cents ($1,000,000.00).

Attachments

Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
F.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a Brownfields Assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($400,000.00).

Attachments

Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
G.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($500.00) to the Victoria Trachtenberg Children's Reading Fund of the Worcester Public Library.

Attachments

Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
 

11.33

FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers
A.

Recommend that One Million Forty Four Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Five Dollars And No Cents ($1,044,795.00) be transferred, as detailed, in order to implement the collective bargaining agreement with Local 504, Worcester Police Officials.Refer to CCM Item 11.3A

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
B.

Recommend City Council's authorization of the use of the Revolving Fund Accounts in Fiscal Year 2016, at the limits in each account.

Attachments

Councilor Rushton moved to Table this item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Rushton

 
C.

Recommend that Thirty Six Thousand One Hundred Ten Dollars And Twenty Six Cents ($36,110.26) be transferred from Parks Account # 720103-92120, Park Steward Ordinary Maintenance and be appropriated to Parks Account # 7202-91101, Parks Regular Salaries to cover the costs of salaries for the Parks Steward Program.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
D.

Recommend that One Million Two Hundred Eighty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Forty One Dollars And No Cents ($1,288,841.00) be transferred to finalize the City's FY16 Annual Budget, and furthermore, recommend that One Million Six Thousand Five Hundred Four Dollars And No Cents ($1,006,504.00) in FY15 certified free cash be appropriated to various accounts.

Attachments

Councilor Rushton moved to Table this item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Rushton

 
E.

Recommend that Twenty Eight Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($28,000.00) be transferred from Account # 900-92000, City Manager's Contingency, and appropriated the accounts listed on the City Clerk's letter to cover the costs associated with the certifying of the initiative petitions for the 2016 election and the recount of the ballots from the November 3, 2015 election:.

Attachments

Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 
 

11.34

FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year
 

11.35

FINANCE
Loan Orders
 

11.36

MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS
A.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the 2016 Festival of Lights.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
B.

Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the City's Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance.

Attachments

Placed on file

 
12.

RECESS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE

12a.

#8.23A June 9, 2015 Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an estimated assessor's tax recap using the proposed FY16 tax levy with current real estate assessed values and actual FY15 assessed values.

Attachments

No action taken

 

12b.

#8.28A June 9, 2015 Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Bond Anticipation Notes (BAN) rating.

Attachments

No action taken

 

12c.

#9.24A June 23, 2015 Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the FY16 Capital Improvement Plan.

Attachments

No action taken

 

12d.

#11a CC November 10, 2015 Communication of the City Auditor transmitting unaudited financial reports on the budgetary basis for results of operations in Fiscal Year 2015 for the General and Enterprise Funds (Schedules A through B-3). Also attached are summaries of the activities in the Special Revenue, Capital Project, Debt Service and Trust Funds (Schedules C-1 through C-5).

Attachments

No action taken

 

13.

TO BE ORDAINED

13a.

Amending Chapter 8, Section 3 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 concerning the Distribution and Use of Tobacco Products.

Attachments

Ordained on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Lukes absent)

 

14.

TABLED ITEMS

14a.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14b.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14c.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14d.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14e.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14f.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14g.

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

Attachments

No action taken

 

14h.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14i.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14j.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14k.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14l.

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)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14m.

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes request City Manager report on what plans are being formulated to defund Mosaic Cultural Center for failing to comply with state and federal wage laws and other non compliant actions, including inadequate delivery of services pursuant to their participation in the Prevention and Wellness Trust. (Tabled - Lukes November 17, 2015)

Attachments

No action taken

 

14n.

COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting communication regarding an audit of the administration of the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund (PWTF) grant for all eleven organizations receiving funds. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes October 27, 2015 and November 10, 2015; Tabled - Petty November 17, 2015)

Attachments

No action taken

 

15.

NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES

15a.

Motion Rushton @ #7a & 7b - That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $21.23 for Residential Property and $32.45 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property.

Attachments

Order denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays (Yeas - Palmieri, Rushton, Petty) (Nays - Bergman, Economou, Gaffney, Lukes, Rivera, Rosen, Russell, Toomey)

 

15b.

Motion Petty @ #7a & 7b CC - That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $20.98 for Residential Property and $33.07 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property.

Attachments

Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays (Yeas - Economou, Palmieri, Rushton, Toomey, Petty) (Nays - Bergman, Gaffney, Lukes, Rivera, Rosen, Russell)

 

15c.

Motion Russell @ #7a & 7b CC - That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $20.59 for Residential Property and $34.03 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property.

Attachments

Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays (Yeas - Bergman, Gaffney, Rivera, Rosen, Russell) (Nays - Economou, Lukes, Palmieri, Rushton, Toomey, Petty)

 

15d.

Motion Russell @ #7a & 7b CC - Request City Manager request the City Assessor to provide City Council, when discussing the budget, with a table that compares assessed values for properties.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

15e.

Motion Lukes @ #7a & 7b CC - That the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016 be set at $19.51 for Residential Property and $36.70 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property.

Attachments

Order denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yea and 10 Nays (Yea - Lukes) (Nays - Bergman, Economou, Gaffney, Palmieri, Rivera, Rosen, Rushton, Russell, Toomey, Petty)

 

15f.

Motion Toomey @ #7a & 7b CC – Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to provide City Council with a legal opinion as to the process necessary to reduce the interest rate that is offered for deferred payment for assessed properties. (Toomey)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

15g.

Motion Gaffney @ #7a & 7b CC - Request the City Manager look into the feasibility of a multiple year budgeting plan.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

15h.

Motion Rushton – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager continue the efforts of the Worcester Police Department by offering any necessary support to the city’s Muslim community.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

15i.

Motion Petty – Suspension of Rules - Request City Manager implement the free holiday parking in downtown.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

15j.

PETITION – Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request Minthorne St. be repaved.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

15k.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the Dion Family request installation of a “Blind Driveway” sign in the vicinity of 32 Tyson Rd.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee