CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:35 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:36 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Joseph M. Petty read a Proclamation declaring the week of May 19th to May 25th as National Safe Boating Week in the City of Worcester. The Proclamation was presented to Daniel Mcauliffe, Flotialla Staff Officer.

During suspension of rules, MOMENT OF SILENCE for Peace Officers Memorial Day 2018, which honors and recognizes the sacrifices of public safety officers. (Toomey)

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of May 1, 2018.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Ronal Madnick, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to #7e CC - #7i CC
2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9d CC
3. Donald Courtney, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9h CC
4. Elaine Gardella, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC
5. Denise Bilotta, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC - #7i CC
6. Tonia Ostrow, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7f CC and #7g CC
7. John Provost, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC
8. Keith Scott, Worcester resident, did not speak concerning an item on the agenda
9. Josh Plusinski, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC
10. Brian Brossault, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9f CC and #9g CC
11. Terri Kelly, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC - #7i CC and #7k CC
12. Jonathan Ostrow, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC - #7i CC, #9f CC and #9g CC
13. Alissa (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #9i CC
14. Randy Feldman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC - #7i CC
15. Brian Leonard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC - #7i CC
16. Jo Hart, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC - #7i CC
17. Kwame Appiah, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7k CC
18. Donna Hamel-Towman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7e CC - #7i CC

Hearing: LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location: FREMONT STREET Granting permission to LIGHTOWER FIBER NETWORKS for conduit location: FREMONT STREET

Stephen Madaus, Attorney for Agrand Realty, LLC request to amend the Zoning Map of the City of Worcester by changing the zoning designation of the property located at and known as 223 Greenwood St. from a current designation of RL-7 to ML-0.5.

Evan Corrigan request upper Burncoat St. at the mouth of Mountain St. East be repaved.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request traffic enforcement in Coolidge Rd.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: EDGEWORTH STREET

Ted Conna request the City Council go on record in support of the city making preservation and rehabilitation of historically significant buildings a pre-condition of future development agreements for redevelopment projects such as CitySquare, and request a report as to why that was not done in the case of Notre Dame des Canadiens and CitySquare.

Ted Conna request the City Council request a report on what sources of public funding (federal, state and local) are available that could be used to fund the restoration and redevelopment of Notre Dame des Canadiens, and which of these funding sources the city has considered using for this purpose.

Ted Conna request the City Council ask for a report on both the sources and the uses of all forms of public funding (federal, state and local) for CitySquare, including grants, loans, DIF financing, TIFs and any other form of public funding, and whether any of that funding can be allocated toward the cost of restoring and redeveloping Notre Dame des Canadiens.

Ted Conna request the City Council discuss and go on record with a position on how much money City Council would support the city spending to subsidize the redevelopment of Notre Dame des Canadiens.

Ted Conna request report on results of communications with Hanover following City Council's unanimous vote on May 8, 2018 asking for three-month demolition delay and request opportunity to address City Council regarding Hanover's response.

William S. Coleman, III, request City Council have City Administration consider a study that assesses the financial value of residents volunteering in Worcester departments, schools and community centers similar the to report concerning the value of art to our city.

Cassie Giardina request City Council request City Manager allocate funding for the Tacoma St. and Great Brook Valley Master Plan for rectangular fields.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager report to City Council whether or not the assessed local meals tax is at the maximum percentage allowed.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - Request City Manager consider expanding the DCU Special District to include the west side of the DCU Center.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS - That the City Council approves the framework as enclosed to be used to conduct the Annual Performance Evaluation of the City Manager on the June 26, 2018.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request the City Solicitor with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the merits of the document concerning an abatement for sewer betterment assessment #31235 for Fenimore Rd.

Request the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks & Recreation meet to discuss additional steps that can and must be taken at the baseball field at Vernon Hill Park to prevent foul balls from striking and damaging the homes and parked cars of neighbors on adjacent Ames Street. (Rosen, Russell)

In an effort to discourage illegal dumping, Request City Manager to consider providing access without an appointment at the DPW facility on Millbury St. on a daily weekday basis for any resident who wants to drop off large items for a fee as well as yellow bags that are not able to be picked up on designated days for whatever reason. (Russell, King)

Request City Manager consider putting out an RFP for a private company to maintain all trash barrels on public streets supported primarily by advertising on said barrels. (Russell)

Request the Worcester Board of Health consider put on hold implementation of its April 23, 2018 vote restricting the sale of such products to adult-only establishments. While the Worcester City Council supports efforts to curb the use of flavored tobacco products by our youth, the Board of Health’s well intentioned previous action will do little to stop youth under the age of 21 from purchasing and/or using these products. Further, Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Health, the Board of Health, and the New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association, which represents 266 Worcester small business owners, meet to discuss alternative ways (such as prohibiting the open display of such products) to deter city youth under the age of 21 from purchasing and consuming these products. (Bergman, Rosen)

Request City Manager provide funds to the WRTA allocated from rideshare companies to be used by the WRTA for the sole purpose of developing pilot programs for alternative and innovative modes of transportation in place of the current transportation services and to include evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness of the pilot program. (Lukes)

Request City Manager report to City Council as to whether or not the use of local labor can be negotiated in the contract for building of South High School. (Petty)

Request City Manager report to City Council as to the criteria used to qualify for a project labor agreement used on public construction projects and whether Doherty Memorial High School and South High School would qualify. (Petty)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what the policy is concerning public safety at the Providence and Worcester railroad crossings on Blackstone River Rd. and in Quinsigamond Village. Further, request City Manager provide in said report information regarding what times of day are peak traffic hours, how peak traffic impacts public safety, what the protocol and/or procedure is to notify public safety agents or agencies regarding delays due to train crossings. (King, Russell)

Request City Council go on record in support of providing live City Council and Standing Committee feeds to social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.), in an effort to increase government transparency. Further, request City Manager provide City Council with a report providing information concerning the feasibility of providing such a service. (King)

Request City Manager provide City Council with alternative zoning use maps that show alternative zoning areas for marijuana uses, especially showing areas currently excluded because of proximity to uses such as day care or small religious facilities. (Russell)

Edward M. Augustus, Jr., City Manager, recommending adoption of the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget submission as identified in the line item budget and available to view at http://www.worcesterma.gov/finance/budget-central.

Joseph M. Petty, Mayor, transmitting communication regarding proposed FY 2019 Budget Hearings scheduled for the Standing Committee on Finance and changes to the 2018 City Council Meeting Schedule.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil, Esq. on behalf of David and Michelle M. Hutchins request to amend the Zoning Map by extending the RL-7 Zoning District in the vicinity of Reeves St. northerly to include the lot located at 5 Reeves St. in it's entirety and to exclude said lot in it's entirety from the Commericial Corridors Overlay District.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Mark Liniano et al request Weldon St. be made public.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the DCU Special District Improvement Fund Note/Bond issue: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the certification of funds in the DCU Special District Improvement Fund.: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the certification of funds in the DCU Special District Improvement Fund: 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 FY 2019 water and sewer rate recommendation: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request sidewalk on the even side of Cohassett St., between Ingleside Ave. and Fairmont Ave. be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilors Matthew E. Wally and Gary Rosen on behalf of Peter Stearns request sidewalk resurfacing at 966 Pleasant St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Sean M. Rose request sidewalk repair in front of 5 Pompano Rd.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Jacquelyn Giannelli and Rafael Lazo request sidewalk repair in front of 20 Mayfair St. due to tree roots: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request street resurfacing for Westinghouse Parkway: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally request Crest Circle be resurfaced: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Frank DeCaro et al request to resurface Moreland Green Drive, from Greenside Lane to Ledgewood Lane/Glenbrook Lane: 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 the 2018 Spring Sweeping Program: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Craig R. and Hazelwood Hopkins request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31263 in the amount of $15,623.00 for Phoebe Way: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Craig R. Hopkins request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31266 in the amount of $18,809.00 for Phoebe Way: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Joel Shaw, Secretary for Worcester Chevra Kadisha request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31225 in the amount of $6,300.00 for Havana Rd.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally request the sidewalk in front of Foley Stadium between Coolidge Rd. and Abbott St. be made wheelchair accessible, as it is currently not due to the location of metal poles in the sidewalk: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Sean M. Rose request street repair in the vicinity of 18 Cheyenne Rd.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally request to resurface Longfellow Rd.: recommend Petitioner be given leave to withdraw

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Jasmine Velez request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31220 in the amount of $3,500.00 for Wendover Rd.: recommend Petition be denied

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Dana Knight request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31190 in the amount of $6,400.00 for Wheeler Ave.: recommend Petition be denied

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Yvonne Miller on behalf of James H. Miller Life Estate request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31207 in the amount of $5,000.00 for Dominion Rd.: recommend Petition be denied

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Kathleen S. Dulude request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31211 in the amount of $12,500.00 for Dominion Road: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Vincent Ricard request abatement of sewer betterment assessment #31232 in the amount of $2,250.00 for Porto Rico Rd. in the name of Nellie Swikas: recommend Petition be denied

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Yahya Habbo on behalf of Nazo Abdi request installation of handicap parking space across from 28 Rodney St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Mark Kaczmarczyk request the removal of the two handicap parking spaces in front of 13 Jones St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to remove one handicap parking space in front of 13 Jones St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Peter Milecki request handicap parking space in front of 9 View St. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Charles Beauregard request installation of two handicap parking spaces in front of 127 Plantation St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Javier Amarat request installation of handicap parking space in front of 211 Constitution Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Elizabeth Vargas request installation of a second handicap parking space in front of 7A Clarkson St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Bouleng Seneth request installation of handicap parking space in front of 33 Standish St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Robert Moran Jr. request handicap parking space in front of 39 Granby Rd. be removed: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Luis Cancel on behalf of Candy Rodrigues request installation of a handicap parking space in front of the path located on the side of 7 Dixon Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Chairman's Order - Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking consider installing “No Parking Anytime” signage on the north side of Sierra St. from 2 Sierra St. down to Brantwood Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Freddie Reyes request installation of "20 Minute" Parking signs in front 480 Park Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install One Hour Parking.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Joanne O'Leary on behalf of Eversouce Energy request installation of crosswalk on Quinsigamond Ave. near or at Sigel St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request traffic enforcement at the crosswalk in front of 1050 and 1060 Main St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Sonia Carestio request removal of one of the two handicap parking spaces in front of 65 Plantation St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Gloria Ortega request installation of handicap parking space in front of 15 South Buffum St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of Russell Pichette request installation of “No Parking Anytime” signage on the easterly side of Fatima Lane from Clark St. to the mailboxes: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Gary Rosen request installation of "No Parking Here to Corner" signage on both sides of Walworth St. at its intersection with May St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Felix Burgos et al request installation of resident permit parking in Winslow St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kristin Vasel request installation of a four way stop sign at the intersection of Hadwen Rd. with Durant Way and Havelock Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Bay State Rd., Squantum St. and Brighton Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents in the Saxon Rd. area request children advisory signage in Westbrook Circle on Pole #2, in the interest of public safety: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents in the Saxon Rd. area request children advisory signage in Westbrook Rd. on Poles #1 and #10., in the interest of public safety: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents in the Saxon Rd. area request children advisory signage in Richmond Ave. in the vicinity of Flagg St. School, Amherst St. and Pleasant St., in the interest of public safety: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request installation of a crosswalk in Massasoit Rd. near Greenfield St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Allison Autino request installation of a crosswalk in front of Belmont Towers, located at 40 Belmont St., in the vicinity of the bus shelter: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Barbara Taylor request installation of parking on Chandler St. in front of the Goshen Science Building, or have the "No Parking Anytime" area striped, if there is some valid reason this cannot be made legal parking: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Michael Grandone request 30 MPH signage that has been covered or removed and not replaced on Massasoit Rd. from Route 20 up to Rice Square be reinstalled due to the high rate of speed of drivers: recommend Petition be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George Russell on behalf of Samuel Agyenim request a traffic mirror be installed on Heywood St. at South Stowell St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.

Amending Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extension Of The RG-5 Zoning District in the vicinity of Milton Street

Amending Article III Of The Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative To Extension Of The BL-1.0 Zoning District in the vicinity of 127 Cambridge Street

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of a previous report concerning what the impact would be if 4 to 8 unit properties and 9 or above unit properties were moved to a commercial tax rate using the current valuations and the rational the state used to classify income properties and how many buildings have 9 or above units in the city. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman May 9, 2018)

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)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Bruce LaBoffa request zone change for the property at 452 Southwest Cutoff from Residential to ML-0.5.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. (Tabled - Mero-Carlson April 3, 2018)

Motion King @ #9e CC – Request City Manager work with the WRTA to provide City Council with a report detailing the impact Uber and Lyft has had on ridership on the WRTA’s vehicles.

Motion Lukes @ #9f CC – Request City Manager, when providing information concerning local labor agreements in contracts for South High School and Doherty High School, also include information concerning public bidding and how it may apply to the agreements.