CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:02 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:43 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE for victims of the Las Vegas Shooting, which included 59 people who have passed away and another 500 who were injured. The shooting took place on Sunday, October 1, 2017.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of September 19, 2017.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Ellen Dunlap, No residence given
2. Troy Siebels, Shrewsbury resident
3. Casey Starr, Worcester resident
4. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
5. Jerry Powers, Worcester resident
6. Karin Valentine Goins, Worcester resident
7. Joyce Mandell, Worcester resident
8. Jonathan Church, Worcester resident

Alexander Vega request abatement of street betterment assessment #25556 in the amount of $558.00 for Aroostook St.

Edward & Vana Oslowski request abatement of street betterment assessment #25552 in the amount of $12,154.50 for Valley View Lane.

Beverly Kerr request abatement of street betterment assessment #25543 in the amount of $3,346.50 for Valley View Lane.

Michelle Sampson request a handicap ramp curb cut in front of 9 Plantation St.

Evelyn Torres request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 2 1/2 Lodi St.

Sandra Vargas request installation of a handicap parking space be in front of 12 Vale St.

Michelle Sampson on behalf of Roberta Marengo request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 9 Plantation St.

Donna Buteau request installation of resident permit parking on Hamilton St. in front of 57-59 Hamilton St.

Patricia Zinkevich request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 23 Merrifield St.

Matthew Bombaci, P.E. of Bohler Engineering request a "No Parking" area be designated in front of 90 Barber Ave.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Gary Vecchio request installation of "Yield to Pedestrian" signage for turning vehicles at 1). Lincoln Sq.; 2). the intersection of MLK Blvd. and Major Taylor Blvd.; and 3). the intersection of Summer St. and MLK Blvd.

NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND for a jointly owned pole on: GRAFTON ST.

EVERSOURCE for a gas main location at: CONWAY ST.

Michael Morris request to speak before the City Council at the meeting of October 3, 2017 regarding elder abuse at 1060 Main St.

Jo Hart requests City Council and City Manager have an immediate major citywide public meeting at the DCU about changing zoning regulations so we can open up the city for diverse forms of housing and quickly move ahead to use a variety of structures not in wide use earlier, such as shipping containers, to construct more mobile, more adaptable and more specific uses, perhaps in blocks of five or six at different locations for varied and specific residential and shelter use before this winter, to be converted in a lot of cases by workers who will be using them later. We need to educate to learn how to build what we need.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Arts Economic Prosperity5 Report.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of the Worcester Wayfinding project.

Recommend adoption of an Order of Taking for temporary easements relative to the Main Street/Maywood Street Streetscape improvements.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Feasibility of Making Coes Street one way from Mill Street to Park Avenue.

Transmitting informational communication relative to pedestrian, bicycle, and roadway safety and complete streets.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a leaf raking program to assist seniors in Worcester.

Recommend adoption of an amendment to the Table of Organization for the Human Rights and Disabilities Office.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the the costs associated with carrying out a special election.

Recommend that Seventy Five Thousand Eleven Dollars And Fifty Two Cents ($75,011.52) be transferred from Loan Account #91C7804, Capital Equipment, and be appropriated to DPW Account #41C703, Capital Equipment, to allow for the payment of these capital items.

Recommend that Two Million Dollars And No Cents ($2,000,000.00) be transferred from Account #91C7844 Blackstone Gateway Park, and be appropriated to Account #04C755, Blackstone Gateway Park, to allow for the payment of current and future obligations associated with the construction of the park project.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Ninety Nine Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($99,000.00) from MEOPSS under the Buyer Diversion Treatment Alternative program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($500.00) from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to the Worcester Public Library for the Worcester Public Library Talking Book Library.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($7,500.00) from the Digital Federal Credit Union to the Worcester Police Department.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($112,500.00) from MEOPSS, Highway Safety Division under the FFY 2018 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Sixteen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($16,500.00) from Charter Spectrum to the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($10,000.00) from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($7,500.00) from Digital Federal Credit Union to the Worcester Fire Department.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) from MA EOPSS under the 2018 Shannon Community Safety Initiative program.

Recommend that Twenty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($27,500.00) be transferred from Account #250-92000, Police Ordinary Maintenance ($10,000.00) and Account #29-33008, Premium on Loans ($17,500.00) and that the total be transferred to Account #250-93000, Police Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Fifty Two Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($52,000.00) be transferred from various CDBG accounts, and be appropriated to Account #14S45637, Park Avenue Fire Station, to provide sufficient funding for the remaining projects to be competed at the Park Avenue fire station.

Robert V. Stearns, City Auditor, transmitting a report responding to questions regarding excess funds in the Health Care Trust Fund.

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager request Chamber of Commerce and the Worcester Regional Research Bureau work together to provide a report to City Council as to how properties have been impacted in the town of Auburn since implementing the process of moving to a single tax rate over the last eleven (11) years. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson September 26, 2017)

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)

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)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on a quarterly update relative to the City of Worcester’s plan to implement improved strategies and policies that better serve and represent our diverse community. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 26, 2016 and Tabled - Petty February 2, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request removal of granite borders placed by the City onto private properties on Plantation St., and placed instead in a City park. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request removal of large planters clumped together on Plantation St. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

PETITION of Denise Healey request the targeted second "makeover" of Shrewsbury St. be placed on hold until other city streets have had their first "makeover". (Tabled - Mero-Carlson February 9, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a list of the non-profit agencies who keep their properties on the tax rolls. (Tabled - Gaffney May 24, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a report listing properties that have been converted from commercial or industrial to residential. (Tabled - Gaffney May 24, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting communication responding to City Council inquiry requesting City Manager submit an estimated assessor's recap comparing the proposed FY 17 tax levy with the current real estate assessments and the FY 16 assessed values. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes June 14, 2016 and June 21, 2016 and Tabled - Lukes July 19, 2016)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to legislation to regulate and restrict non-profit organizations in residentially zoned districts. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman September 20, 2016 and September 27, 2016 and Tabled - Bergman October 4, 2016)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - That the Worcester City Council does hereby support the initiation of negotiations by the WRA with MassPort or other entities regarding the feasibility of transferring Union Station as an intermodal transportation center to MassPort. The transfer concept is based upon the transfer of the Worcester Airport to MassPort and is necessitated by similar transportation and financial concerns that resulted in the conveyance of Worcester Airport to MassPort. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty February 28, 2017- and Tabled - Lukes March 7, 2017)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen - That the City Council does hereby strongly urge the Mayor, School Superintendent, School Committee and the Worcester Department of Public Health to follow EPA guidelines and direction in immediately authorizing and funding and the testing of the air and environment at both Doherty Memorial and Burncoat High Schools for dangerously high levels of toxic and carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and to use the test results to determine an appropriate remediation process. (Tabled - Rosen March 21, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a City Solicitor's report concerning the wording of the ordinance voted by the Town of Westborough on March 7, 2017, which banned any recreational marijuana stores, farms or other related businesses in that Town and what, if any, would be the impact of the ordinance on medical marijuana businesses, personal consumption and limited home grown plants and further what is the process for the city to implement a such a ban on commercial, non-medical marijuana business. (Tabled - Lukes May 9. 2017)

HEARING & ORDER to grant permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a joint or identical pole location at: ST. PAUL DRIVE (Tabled - Bergman May 23, 2017)

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney - Request City Council, in Accordance with City Council Rule 52, to discharge from the Standing Committee on Public Safety the item referred to said committee on September 6, 2016 relative to a Communication of the City Manager transmitting communication regarding a draft ordinance relative to the smoking or consumption of marijuana or other drug in public, similar to the City Ordinance concerning drinking in public. (Tabled - Bergman May 23, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the legality of changes in this year’s tax classification from residential to commercial of several assisted living facilities. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman June 20, 2017 and Tabled June 27, 2017 - Bergman)

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager develop a comprehensive, multi-year plan to utilize the City’s excess revenue to provide tax relief, control of health insurance premiums for employees and retirees, fund resources for Worcester Public Schools and fund resources for City projects. – Item #18a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the City’s bond rating would be affected if the City’s current Free Cash plan were tweaked by adding a cap in the policy. – Item #18b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning potential new growth in the third or fourth week in October 2017. – Item #18c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager work with the City Auditor to provide City Council with a breakdown of the dollars in the Health Insurance Trust Fund that could be allocated to the City that are above the amount the City budgeted in June 2017. – Item #18d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Michael T. Gaffney – Request City Auditor to provide City Council what other gateway cities policies are in regards to their Health Insurance Trust Funds. – Item #18e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager request City Solicitor work with the City Auditor to provide City Council with a report concerning the legal process for reducing the City’s Health Insurance Trust account so that the money can go back to the taxpayers. – Item #18f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager consider providing City Council with a multi-year budget. Further, if such a budget is not provided, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning why a multi-year budget was not feasible. – Item #18g CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to the price difference between asphalt and concrete sidewalks, as well as information concerning which lasts longer. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning if there are better ways to fund sidewalk repairs such as betterments or liens. – Item #18h CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager look into expanding the long patch program for street and sidewalk repairs and whether that would be more effective that repaving streets. – Item #18i CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager reach out to our Congressman to ask for their support in Worcester’s individual RFP for Amazon’s next headquarters. – Item #18j CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager look into issues with the water at Alvarado Ave., Locust Ave., and Anna St. – Item #18k CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Tony Economou – Request City Manager repair and/or turn on the streetlight in front of 23 Germain St. – Item #18l CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager investigate running water at a property located on the corner of Northampton St. and Westminster St. – Item #18m CC Order adopted

Motion Lukes @ #8.4B CM – Request City Manager use the wayfinding project as a means to help direct residents who use public transportation.

Motion Gaffney @ #8.5C CM – Request City Manager review the possibility of light sequencing in the City while looking at Complete Streets.

Motion Economou @ #8.5C CM – Request City Manager, in the establishment of a Pedestrian Safety Task Force, consider including VIP (visually impaired persons) in said task force, as well as residents who are deaf or have other disabilities.

Motion Russell and Petty @ #8.5C CM – Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed traffic analysis as to the speeds vehicles are currently travelling whenever information regarding lowering the speed limit to twenty-five (25) MPH is provided. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with the successes, if any, other cities and towns have had when lowering their speed limits.

Motion Petty @ #8.5C CM – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks look into the traffic pattern and pedestrian safety concerns at the corner of Mill St. Extension and Park Ave.

Motion Petty @ #8.18A CM – Request City Manager post information regarding the Leaf Raking Program to assist seniors on a special portion of the City’s website.

Motion Rosen @ #8.18A CM – Request City Manager post information regarding the Leaf Raking Program to assist seniors at the Worcester Senior Center.

Motion Toomey – Suspension of Rules – Request Police Chief provide speed enforcement in the vicinity of Bay state Rd., Sachem Ave., Bristol St. and Thorndyke Rd.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request Police Chief provide speed enforcement in the vicinity of Sigel St. and Endicott St.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Jonathan Booker request installation of a sidewalk on West Chester St.

PETITION – Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Tom Taylor request installation of a street light on a pole in front of 92 Blue Bell Rd.

Motion Economou – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request MassDOT provide City Council with an update concerning where in the process is the Shore Dr. project and whether it will be a future endeavor.

Motion Gaffney – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Police Chief monitor ATV usage near Illinois St.