CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:38 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:19 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Morris A. Bergman Khrystian E. King
Konstantina B. Lukes Candy Mero-Carlson
Sarai Rivera Sean M. Rose City Clerk
Susan M. Ledoux
Gary Rosen George J. Russell
Kathleen M. Toomey Matthew E. Wally
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


1.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & STAR SPANGLED BANNER

2.

ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor as the Chair.

3.

PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE

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 January 16, 2018.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

5.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

5a.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Gordon Hargrove, Worcester resident
2. John Provost, Worcester resident
3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
4. Frederick C. Rushton, Worcester resident
5. May Zottoli, Holden resident
6. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident
7. Chris Webber, Worcester resident
8. Gordon Ward, Worcester resident

 

6.

PETITIONS

6a.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request damaged trees on Franklin St. be replaced.

Attachments

Referred to the Department of Public Works and Parks

 

6b.

Ellen Moynihan, Principal West Tatnuck Elementary School request sidewalk be installed in front of 334 & 410 Mower St. and the Mower St. side of 2 Westmorland Dr.

Attachments

Referred to Public Works Committee

 

6c.

Guy Glodis request installation of a new handicap railing in front of the property at 9 Kelley Square.

Attachments

Referred to the City Manager

 

6d.

Christina MacDonald request the placement of stop signs where Moreland Green Dr. intersects with Ledgewood Ln. and Glenbrook Ln. be reviewed.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

6e.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request installation of stop signs in Moreland Green Dr., where it intersects with Glenbrook Ln. and Ledgewood Ln.

Attachments

Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee

 

6f.

Stephen Quist request City Council go on record supporting the opening of the Mann St. parking lot for patrons of the dog park at Beaver Brook Park.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke and Referred to the City Manager

 

6g.

Stephen Quist request City Council go on record supporting the creation of a City of Worcester Charter Commission to review term limits, etc.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke and Referred to Municipal Operations Committee

 

6h.

Jo Hart request City Council immediately hold two large public meetings at the DCU Center (one on plastic bags and the other on recycling) and invite the author of a book on garbage to speak and show the film about garbage and the floating trash piles in the ocean (presentation at the Worcester Public Library some years ago) in order for everyone to have more accurate information about the danger of plastic bags and garbage before making such important decisions.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke and Placed on file

 

6i.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council have City Administration consider allowing WorcesterCompanyBulbs.com and partners to illuminate the City of Worcester Citizens of Color Honor Roll.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke and Referred to the City Manager

 

6j.

William S. Coleman, III request City Council consider having City Administration list the primary sources of heat for all housing and building addresses with an E for electric, G for gas, W for wood and S for solar.

Attachments

Petitioner spoke and moved to amend the petition to include the words, "C for Coal and O for oil." Referred to the City Manager as amended.

 

7.

ORDERS

7a.

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the quality and reliability of WRTA service, including any service cuts and fare hikes being considered by the WRTA Board and Administration. (Rosen)

Attachments

Councilor King moved to add his name as an author. Councilor Bergman moved to add the entire City Council as authors. Order adopted

 

7b.

Request Standing Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation discuss the feasibility of and determine a process that will lead to the installation of lights at Grant Square Park on Lincoln St. (Rosen, Mero-Carlson)

Attachments

Councilor King moved to add his name as an author. Order adopted

 

7c.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks explore getting the dams that are outside our city limits off our tax levy and give back to the responsibility to the appropriate abutting town(s). (Rose)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

7d.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report or status update concerning the property of 321 West Boylston St. aka, “Barber’s Crossing.” (Rose)

Attachments

Councilor Wally moved to add his name as an author. Councilor Russell moved to add his name as an author. Councilor Russell moved to amend: Further, request City Manager provide in said report the assessed value of the property. Order adopted as amended

 

7e.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what resources, if any, are available through the City for any consumer businesses going through bankruptcy. (Wally)

Attachments

Councilor Wally moved to amend the order to read as follows: “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what resources, if any, are available through the City for consumers of businesses who filed bankruptcy.” Order adopted as amended

 

7f.

Request City Manager create an emergency hotline for homeless families to access triage-type services during the hours when the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is not available due to their hours of operation, similar to the services found in communities such as Boston, Lowell, Quincy and Springfield. (Rivera, Wally, Rose, Rosen, Bergman, King, Mero-Carlson)

Attachments

Mayor Petty moved to add his name, as well as Councilor Toomey’s name, as an author. Order adopted

 

7g.

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide additional speed enforcement in the vicinity of Clark St. and St. Nicholas Ave. (Rose)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

7h.

Request City Council vote to eliminate its automatic cost of living raise based on the consumer price index permanently beginning January 1, 2020. (Lukes)

Attachments

Councilor Rosen moved to file the Item. Councilor Toomey moved the question. Councilor Toomey’s motion approved on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 2 Nays (Nays – Lukes, Petty). Order denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yea and 10 Nays (Yea – Lukes)

 

7i.

Request City Council establish a practice of taking a public vote regarding any future increase in its salary. (Lukes)

Attachments

Councilor Rosen moved to file the Item. Councilor Bergman moved to amend the Order to read as follows: “Request City Council establish a practice of taking a public vote, in October, regarding all compensation received by all City Councilors that are currently in office.” Councilor Toomey moved the question. Councilor Toomey’s motion approved on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 2 Nays (Nays – Lukes, Petty). Order denied on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas and 9 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Lukes)

 

7j.

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning what the next steps are to improve the Senior Center that includes the different ways it can be developed such as creating senior housing. Further, request the City Manager report to Council as to how the services at the Senior Center can be expanded. (Petty)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

7k.

Request City Manager report to City Council regarding the process/steps needed to implement the banning of flavored tobacco products. (Toomey)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

7l.

Request City Manager request the appropriate departments generate a report to City Council indicating what, if any, marketing efforts are being made to encourage individuals/families/seniors living outside of Worcester to purchase/lease residential properties in Worcester and the current budget for doing so. (Bergman)

Attachments

Councilor Russell moved to recuse himself from the Item. Councilor Russell recused on a voice vote. Order adopted

 

7m.

Request City Manager clarify the Department of Public Works’ policy and practice concerning the pre-treatment of steep and hilly streets, that are not main arterials, prior to the arrival of snow and ice storms. (Rosen)

Attachments

Councilor Russell moved to add his name as an author. Order adopted

 

7n.

Request City Manager provide City Council with an progress update concerning the re-use development plan of the Memorial Auditorium. (Mero-Carlson, Petty)

Attachments

Placed on file

 

7o.

Request City Manager provide enforcement of the tractor trailer ban on Lake Ave. North. (Mero-Carlson)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

7p.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the income qualifications for the senior, widow and veteran tax exemptions, as well as any other exemption. (Mero-Carlson, Toomey, Rose, Bergman, King, Lukes, Rivera, Rosen, Russell, Wally, Petty)

Attachments

Councilor Toomey moved to add her name as an author. Councilor Rose moved to add his name as an author. Mayor Petty moved to add the entire City Council as authors. Order adopted

 

7q.

Request City Manager schedule an executive session for the purpose of reviewing pending litigation. (Lukes)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

7r.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the sanding operations on Forsberg St. and Tatman St. (King, Russell)

Attachments

Order adopted

 

8.

RESOLUTION

8a.

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support and recognize February 2018, as BLACK HISTORY MONTH in the city of Worcester. Further, The City Council does hereby call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all its citizens to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs in honor of the many achievements and contributions made by African Americans to our economic, cultural, spiritual and political development. (King)

Attachments

Councilor King moved to Table the Item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - King

 

9.

RECESS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE

9a.

#10e CC July 18, 2017 ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager and City Council reduce the FY18 taxes at the tax recap for 1) 20% of any certified free cash; 2) any amounts determined to be in excess in the Health Insurance Trust and; 3) any new growth in excess of what is currently budgeted.

Attachments

Placed on file

 

10.

COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY AUDITOR

10a.

Transmitting Comprehensive Annual Financial Report - FY 2017.

Attachments

Councilor Lukes moved to Table the Item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes

 

10b.

Transmitting the audited annual financial statements of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Attachments

Councilor Lukes moved to Table the Item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes

 

10c.

Transmitting the annual financial statement of the DCU Center for the year ended June 30, 2017 as audited by the outside firm of Clifton Larson Allen, LLP.

Attachments

Councilor Lukes moved to Table the Item Under Privilege. Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes

 

11.

TABLED ITEMS

11a.

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 and Tabled - Rosen December 19, 2017)

Attachments

No action taken

 

11b.

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, Tabled - Petty February 2, 2016 and Tabled - Lukes December 19, 2017)

Attachments

No action taken

 

12.

BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under suspension at the January 23, 2018 City Council meeting.

12a.

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager consider reaching out to developers of plastic bags and to grocery stores to discuss the impact of banning plastic bags, as well as consider the usage of the city’s own plastic bags prior to a ban being established. – Item #11a CC Order adopted

 

12b.

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager report to City Council regarding considerations for individuals who may not be able to afford reusable bags. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing what percentage of municipal waste plastic bags make up. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with information regarding whether there is a strong environmental impact made by plastic bags in the City. – Item #11b CC Order adopted

 

12c.

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the cost impact made in Shrewsbury after the ban on plastic bags was implemented, taking into consideration the different economic circumstances in Worcester. – Item #11c CC Order adopted

 

12d.

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager market the former Big Y Lot located on Westborough St. as a place for potential developers. – Item #11d CC Order adopted

 

13.

NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Item brought forth under suspension at the January 30, 2018 City Council meeting.

13a.

Motion Lukes @ #7a CC – Request City Manager draft a resolution voicing the concerns of City Council as it relates to the service of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), which would be distributed to the appropriate Board Members and state officials.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

13b.

Motion King @ #7f CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what resources the City currently utilizes for homeless families during the hours when the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is not available due to their hours of operations.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

13c.

Motion Rosen @ #7l CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what hills in the City are and are not pretreated prior to snow and ice storms.

Attachments

Order adopted

 

13d.

Motion Lukes @ #10b CC – Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report concerning the risks the City faces being uninsured and uncollateralized as it pertains to the WRA and the DCU Center.

Attachments

Order adopted