CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 7:31 P.M.

Adjourned: 9:18 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 May 8, 2018.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Elias Solis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7a CC and #11g CC
3. Joyce McNichols, Sutton resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
4. Lucillia DeJesus, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
5. Katherine Barnard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
6. Lucy Candib, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
7. Ruth Rodriguez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
8. Carson Shiek, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
9. Jai Chavis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
10. State Representative Mary Keefe, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC and #14a-e CC
11. Terri Kelly, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #7a CC and #11g CC
12. Calvin Feliciano, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to #10a CC
13. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
14. Diane Pacevicz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #14f CC
15. Amy Robinson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11g CC
16. Ted Conna, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #10m CC and #14a-e CC
17. Jo Hart, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #14a-e CC

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: EDGEWORTH STREET Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: EDGEWORTH STREET

Norman Guertin et al request the city of Worcester stop selling tax liens of owner occupied houses of elderly persons over the age of 62 years to third parties.

Bruce Matulonis request repaving of the remaining 200 yards of sidewalk in Arlington St. that has not been repaved.

Jean Collamore request reinstallation of a street sign for Haviland St. and Institute Rd. where the streets intersect at its original location.

Charlana Simmons of The Office of Multicultural Affairs at WPI on behalf of Reverend Cheryl Leshay request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 19 Schussler Rd.

Joseph Godin request installation of a handicap parking space in the vicinity of the driveway of 5 Winchester Ave.

Silvia and Donald Irving request installation of flashing lights along the planned crosswalk at Mill St. and Ball St. at the entrance to the Coes Pond Playground.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty request installation of a crosswalk in Green St. in the vicinity of the Crompton Collective Building.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Sandy Meltzer request installation of “Hidden Driveway” signage in front of 108 Richmond Ave., warning motorists of two upcoming hidden driveways.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Rick Swedberg request installation of resident permit parking in Kenwood Ave. in front of 61, 62, 64, 65 and 67 Kenwood Ave.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request the traffic lines on Burncoat St. from Randolph Rd. to Millbrook St. be permanently repainted.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PRENTICE STREET

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointments of Paul Franco and Cathy Rao to the Elder Affairs Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Eric Goldstein to the Parks Commission.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Zachary Washburn to the G. A. R. Memorial Hall Board of Trustees.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Amy Skrzek to the Memorial Auditorium Board of Trustees.

Recommend appointment of Stephen Quist to the Cable Advisory Committee.

Recommend appointment of Priscilla Elsass to the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

Recommend the appointment of Devin Canton to the Conservation Commission.

Recommend appointment of Albert LaValley to the Planning Board.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Massachusetts Historical Commission Annual Preservation Awards.

Recommend adoption of the Year 44 FY19 CDBG, Emergency Solutions Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program Allocations, funded through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Recommend adoption of an Order of Taking for watershed land acquisition of Viner Property.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending April 2018.

Transmitting informational communication relative to DPW&P Streetlight Division Budget.

Recommend that Three Thousand Nine Hundred Forty Five Dollars And No Cents ($3,945.00) be transferred from Account # 91C7804, Citywide Capital Equipment, to Account #34C701, Elder Affairs Equipment, as requested by Amy Vogel Waters, Director, Elder Affairs .

Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($500,000.00) from Berkshire Bancorp, Inc. for renovations to Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Seventy Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($75,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs under the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($60,000.00) from UMass Memorial Medical Center and Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester Determination of Need (DoN) Resource & Development Committee under the Community Benefits Grant.

Recommend that Forty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars And Fifty Cents ($46,779.50) be transferred from Account # 330-08, Reserve for Appropriation on Loans, to Account # 660-9200, Treasurer's Office Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Thirty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($35,000.00) be transferred from Account #270-91101, Regular Salaries, to Account #270-97201, Overtime.

Recommend that One Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($110,000.00) be transferred from Account #260-91000, Fire Personal Services, and be appropriated to Account #480-92000, Union Station Ordinary Maintenance, to provide additional operating funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2018.

Recommend that Three Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($3000.00) be transferred from Account #170-92000 Human Resources Ordinary Maintenance, to Account #170, 97000 Human Resources Overtime Account to pay for unanticipated overtime expenses through fiscal year end.

Recommend that Fifty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($55,000.00) be transferred from Account # 260-91000, Fire Salaries, to Account # 330-91000, Public Health Salaries.

Recommend that Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($80,000.00) be transferred from Account #550-91000, Worcester Public Library Department Regular salaries, to Account #550-92000, Worcester Public Library Ordinary Maintenance.

Recommend that Fifty Three Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($53,000.00) be transferred from Account #710-92000, Golf Ordinary Maintenance, and be appropriated to Golf Account # 710-91000, Golf Salaries for $28,000 and Golf Account # 710-96000, Golf Fringe for $25,000 due to changes in salary costs and health insurance.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($660,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C734A, Sewer Capital Equipment.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($695,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C731A, Water Capital Equipment.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C780E, Public School Equipment.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,500,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711F, Library Rehabilitation Master Plan.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($100,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C735A, Sewer Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($6,200,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C732, Water Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($3,600,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C711E, Public Schools Rehabilitation.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Four Million Dollars And No Cents ($4,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7124, Urban Renewal.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($1,250,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C724B, Traffic Signal Improvements & Street Light Improvements.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Nine Million Four Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($9,470,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7413A, Street & Sidewalk Construction.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C741C, Private Street Conversion.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Seventeen Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($17,200,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C745B, Sewer Construction.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Thirteen Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($13,400,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7134, Water Mains.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($300,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C702, Watershed Land Acquisition.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Six Million Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($6,950,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C784, Park Improvements.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Two Hundred Eighty Thousand Two Hundred Ninety One Dollars And No Cents ($3,280,291.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7804

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Three Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars And No Cents ($3,336,250.00) be appropriated to Account #91C7114, Citywide Building Rehabilitation.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Three Million Dollars And No Cents ($3,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C744B, Off Street Parking Rehab.

Recommend adoption of a reorganizational plan relative to Technical Services.

Recommend Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Transmitting communication concerning budgeted New Positions - Fiscal 2019.

Transmitting Management Letter for the year ended June 30, 2017

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report outlining what the monetary value of the credit being allotted for School Resource Officers is in the city of Worcester. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager consider creating a holistic task force that could focus on combating issues with properties consistently creating neighborhood and community problems. (Rivera)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager indicate, through use of an asterisk, which employees are civilian personnel for the Worcester Police Department. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with the demographics of the budgeted police officer rank as well as the budgeted civilian personnel. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide a column on budget charts projecting how much of the previous years’ allocated funds have been spent. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the types of emergency calls received for the city’s universities. (Rosen)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the staffing analysis process for the Worcester Fire Department. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing how much money has been generated as a result of inspections done by the Fire Department. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report showing how many city positions are supported by grants and when such grants will expire. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with the job descriptions for the openings in the Emergency Communications department for posting. (Toomey)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager consider using the reverse 911 calling system to warn motorists of bad driving conditions due to weather. (Bergman)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report outlining the progress of the Economic Development Office’s Master Plan. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager consider initiating ongoing dialogue regarding current uses, reuses and future uses of church buildings. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with an update detailing how the officers posted at the Worcester Police Department Substation at Union Station are engaging with the neighborhood. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report as to whether unemployment compensation is being provided to full time employees due to summer vacation schedules. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Clerk explore the feasibility of having ballots available in Vietnamese in future elections. (Rivera)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager consider including in future budgets money for providing poll workers on Election Day with refreshments. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what the Department of Public Works and Parks is doing to achieve zero waste. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning why the city does not have the capability of checking if there are leaking gas pipes where public shade trees are to be planted. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks work with Destination Worcester to market both the driving range opening at the Green Hill Golf Course as well as the city’s parks. (King)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed report concerning expenditures of the Department of Public Works’ Streetlight Division along with projected expenditures. (Russell)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Manager provide City Council with the projected increases in sewage fees for the next ten years. (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Auditor provide City Council with a report concerning his opinion on an editorial article in the Telegram and Gazette regarding, “Worcester’s Pension Problem.” (Lukes)

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - Request City Auditor provide City Council with a list of all new positions in the budget for FY 2019, including information as to whether it replaces another position as well as information concerning what the funding source is for the position. (Lukes)

Request City Manager consider a more visible and appropriate location for the Gold Star Families monument currently located at the corner of North St. and Grove St. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide information previously requested regarding funds received from CSX and where those funds are to be utilized as per the MOU with CSX. (Russell, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide an update as to efforts to reduce truck traffic on city streets and redirect truck drivers to use I-290 to and from the CSX terminal. (Russell, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request the Worcester Board of Health to take steps to protect city bicyclists by educating and encouraging them to abide by Massachusetts law requiring any person 16 years old or younger riding a bicycle to wear a properly fitted helmet. The Board's efforts should also target bike sharing companies like Ofo that ignore such laws. (Rosen, Bergman)

Request City Manager consider establishing an annual sidewalk poetry project where selected poetry of local poets is imprinted into fresh concrete of new sidewalks in the area of public buildings such as the public library, city hall, schools and playgrounds. (Lukes)

Request City Manager provide cleanup of the waste caused from illegal dumping in the vicinity of Millbrook St. at the onramps of I-290 and I-190. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager work with UMass to address the following requests made at the public forum regarding the closing of Plumley Village Clinic: 1) request UMASS assign staff that will work with existing patients to navigate a system of health care until they are fully connected with another Primary Care Physician; 2) request follow up with the city and this coalition to address the ongoing concerns that will arise during the transition; and 3) request UMass work with our Department of Public Health in our priority area of the CHIP (Community Health Improvement Plan) concerning the domain of access to health care. (Rivera, Mero-Carlson, King)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the establishment of up to 15 regulated Marijuana Establishments, which may include cultivators, laboratories, product manufacturers, retail stores (off-site consumption only), and related establishments: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed ordinance.

Amending Section Twenty-Six of the Revised Ordinances of 1008 relative to Sewer User Charge (FY 2019)

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking Across From 28 Rodney Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Amend Handicap Parking In Front Of 13 Jones Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 9 View Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 127 Plantation Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 211 Constitution Avenue

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 7 Clarkson Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 33 Standish Street.

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinance Of 2008 To Rescind Handicap Parking In Front Of 39 Granby Road

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Provide Handicap Parking In Front Of 7 Dixon Avenue

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Install No Parking Anytime On Sierra Street

Amending Section 42 Of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances Of 2008 To Install One Hour Parking In Front Of 480 Park Avenue

PETITION of 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey May 15, 2018)

PETITION of 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey May 15, 2018)

PETITION of 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey May 15, 2018)

PETITION of 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey May 15, 2018)

PETITION of 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey May 16, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor George J. Russell - 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Russell May 15, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Gary Rosen - 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. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rivera May 15, 2018)

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 8, 2018 and May 15, 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)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – 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. – Item #18a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. 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. – Item #18b CC Order adopted

Motion Russell @ #14f CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider having staff go to Little League Baseball games at Vernon Hill Park to track where foul balls are being hit into the neighborhood.

Motion King @ #11g CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with information concerning the effectiveness of UMass’ shuttle services for individuals who need services outside of Worcester.

Motion Russell @ #11g CC – Request City Manager consider reaching out to UMASS to determine whether there is a mechanism in place to help patrons find new healthcare due to the closure of the Plumley Village Clinic.