CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:32 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:59 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 December 4, 2018.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Michael Papagni, Worcester resident, spoke under suspension of rules concerning the support shown for those affected by the loss of Christopher Roy, a Worcester Firefighter who passed away December 9, 2018.
2. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11c CC
3. Eric Garcia, Princeton resident, spoke in favor of #11c CC
4. Lauren Bishop, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11c CC
5. Paul Therien, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11c CC
6. Jacqueline Barbieri, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of #11c CC
7. Jo Hart, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor or opposed to #11c CC

Hearing: For Amendment #1 of the Downtown Urban Revitalization Plan

COMMUNICATION of City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. transmitting a recommendation for City Council's review, deliberation and adoption of the attached order relative to the draft Downtown Urban Revitalization Plan Amendment No. 1.

Councilor Matthew E.Wally request installation of additional street lighting in Bailey St., between Assabet Lane and Foxmeadow Dr.

Donald Mancini, Manager of 969 Main Realty LLC request street lights be installed on poles 17, 19, 21, 23 and 24 on Brooks St.

Evan Corrigan request alterations be made to the intersection of St. Nicholas Ave. and Clark St. to address low visibility.

Theresa Giard, Assistant Director of Operations, WPI Residential Services request sidewalk resurfacing at Hackfeld Rd.

Theresa Giard, Assistant Director of Operations, WPI Residential Services request sidewalk resurfacing at Einhorn Rd.

Theresa Giard, Assistant Director of Operations, WPI Residential Services request sidewalk resurfacing at Trowbridge Rd.

Theresa Giard, Assistant Director of Operations, WPI Residential Services request sidewalk resurfacing at Schussler Rd.

Theresa Giard, Assistant Director of Operations, WPI Residential Services request sidewalk resurfacing at West St.

Theresa Giard, Assistant Director of Operations, WPI Residential Services request sidewalk resurfacing at Elbridge St.

Candria Gray and Doris Ortiz request street resurfacing at Chino Ave.

Candria Gray and Doris Ortiz request street resurfacing at Constitution Ave from Chino Ave to Tacoma St.

Roberta Adams request the handicap parking in front of 197 Eastern Ave. be removed.

Roberta Adams request to alleviate the traffic backup at the traffic light for left turns from Catharine St. onto Lincoln St., school buses turn onto Harlow St. to Crescent St. instead of Lincoln St. to Crescent St.

Roberta Adams request to make Winter St. one way from Green St. to Harding St. or eliminate the parking on one side.

Florian Hoxha request a solution to the speeding problem at Forest St. and Grove St.

Councilor Matthew E. Wally request installation of traffic advisory signage in Bailey St., in the approach to the crosswalk, warning motorists of the crosswalk including "Thickly Settled" signage and "Yield to Pedestrian" signage.

Anthony Belcher request speed enforcement on Willow St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide to City Council a list of eligible small vacant city properties that could be sold to non-profits to be used for gardens/farms.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, PARKS AND RECREATION - Request Parks Commission consider holding a public hearing for the purposes of constructing a skateboard park at Crompton Park and reporting to City Council a final recommendation.

Request City Manager report to City Council regarding the progress being made on establishing a Worcester Fire Fighters' Museum and Education Center at Union Station by December 3, 2019, the 20th anniversary of the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. fire. (Rosen)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any and all actions being taken by the city in regards to the Hepatitis A outbreak. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request Police Chief provide speeding enforcement in the vicinity of Bailey St. (Wally)

Request City Manager provide a legal opinion as to the city's ability to obtain a percentage of real estate sales proceeds resulting from real estate owned and sold by tax exempt/non-profit owners of real estate. (Lukes)

Request City Manager consider to start looking for alternatives to the PAMET system for WFD/WPD as this system is over twenty years old and at some point could no longer be compatible with the needs of WFD/WPD. (Rose)

Request City Manager request the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks perform a groundwater test in the area of Grove Heights, Grove St. and Parkton Ave. to determine who is responsible for the flooding in the area. (Rose)

FROM THE WORCESTER PLANNING BOARD - That the Worcester Planning Board finds the amendment to the Downtown Urban Revitalization Plan approved by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority on December 4, 2018 is based on a local survey and conforms to a comprehensive plan for the City of Worcester as a whole in accordance with M.G.L. c. 121B, SS 48.

That the City Council of the City of Worcester urges the State Legislature to approve and fully fund a new foundation budget formula for Public Schools by May 1, 2019. (Mero-Carlson, Petty, Wally, Russell, Lukes, King, Rose, Rosen, Rivera, Bergman, Toomey)

That the Worcester City Council urge the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and all concerned parties to proceed with caution and care to ensure the continuity and quality of vital services and to maintain the day-to-day operation of HOAP program at Community Healthlink; and Be it Further Resolved: That the City Clerk transmit a copy of this resolution to the appropriate parties at Community Health Link and the Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care, U.S. Senator Edward Markey, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Congressman James McGovern, Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, State Senator Harriette Chandler, State Senator Michael Moore, State Representative John Mahoney, State Representative James O’Day, State Representative Mary Keefe, State Representative Daniel Donahue, State Representative Kate Campanale and Governor’s Council Jennie Caissie. (King, Russell, Rivera)

David Hewett, Principal of Epsilon Associates, Inc. transmitting Supplemental Information Filing regarding the Notice of Project Change & Phase I Waiver Request for the Worcester Downtown Urban Revitalization Plan, EEA #15637.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty submitting for approval by the City Council the attached Annual Calendar of City Council meeting for calendar year 2019.

City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. transmitting recommendation for adoption of the attached amendment to the Revised Ordinances by adding a new Section to Chapter 12 - Streets and Sidewalks, relative to the permitting of small cell wireless facilities in the public right-of-way.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mark L. Donahue, Esq,. request to amend the City of Worcester zoning map pertaining to 37 Fruit St., so as to alter that portion located in the RL-7 zone to BO - 1.0 thereby causing the entire lot to be contained in the BO-1.0 zone: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to add provisions relating to urban agriculture: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance as amended to exclude all aspects regarding honey bees and allow for necessary clerical corrections.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Andrew Noonan request the removal of three handicap parking spaces at 14 Ayrshire Rd.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Elvin Cartagena request installation of a handicap parking space in front of or in vicinity of 81 Bellevue St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Norma Delgado request installation of an additional handicap parking space across from 36 Gates St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of John Golding request installation of handicap parking space in front of 5 Winchester Ave.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Ronald Holbrook request installation of a handicap parking space in the vicinity of 229 Millbury St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance to install a handicap parking space on the Seymour St. side of 229 Millbury St.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Donald Duval request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 30 Northampton St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Michael Hoose on behalf of Geraldine Hoose request installation of a handicap parking space in the vicinity of 10 Vale St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Thomas Xhupi request installation of 30 Minute Parking on the Merrick St. side of 325 Pleasant St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Matthew E. Wally request to install "No Parking" on Mower St. north side from Westmoreland St. to the western property line of West Tatnuck School between the hours of 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Beverly Simpson et al request to reverse the winter parking ban on Rydal St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Anna Gentile et al request installation of two stop signs facing both directions of Nebraska St. at Muskeego St.: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a four way stop sign at Westminster and Northampton Sts.: recommend Petition be placed on file

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request reinstallation of a “Left Turn Only” lane in Belmont St., turning into 240 Belmont St., Seabury Heights: recommend Petition be placed on file.

Amending The Salary Ordinance Of August 20, 1996 Relative To Members Of Local 911, NEPBA (Police Officers)

Amending the Organization Plan for the Executive Office Of Economic Development Concerning Workforce Central Career Center Division And Workforce Development Board Division.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Quality of Life Taskforce. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty December 11, 2018)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – That the City Council go on record in favor of supporting the Worcester Bravehearts as they plan for the future. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes August 21, 2018 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty September 12, 2018 and Tabled - Lukes September 25, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Kontantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager report on the numbers and types of undomesticated animals reported in the city and reported contacts with humans. (Tabled - Petty December 4, 2018)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the number of applicants for the Elderly Exemption Program in other municipalities of a similar size. – Item #13a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2019 be set at $18.91 for Residential Property and $32.31 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #13b CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 8 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2019 be set at $18.63 for Residential Property and $33.12 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #13c CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2019 be set at $18.00 for Residential Property and $34.90 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #13d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 6 Yeas and 5 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – That the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2019 be set at $18.51 for Residential Property and $33.46 for Commercial, Industrial and Personal Property. – Item #13e CC Not put

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager consider applying revenue earned from the sale of recreational marijuana to reducing taxes. – Item #13f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning how the expansion of middle school sports programs including volleyball have been received. – Item #13g CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning typical salaries for City Council support staff. – Item #13h CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Matthew E. Wally – Request City Manager provide City Council with a long range plan to deal with icy conditions in Flagg St. – Item #13i CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what will be done with the old counters used by the Election Commission and Treasurer’s Office when the new counters are built. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning who will be designing the new counters and what the new counters will look like. – Item #13j CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager consider posting onto the city’s website information released about Worcester being one of the twenty (20) safest cities to live in. – Item #13k CC Order adopted

Motion Lukes @ #7a CC - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report outlining the process for taking parcels by eminent domain and any costs associated with such a process.

Motion Petty - Request City Manager notify the twenty-five (25) properties and their owners that are not going to be taken as part of the Downtown Urban Revitalization Plan Amendment #1.

Motion King @ #11b CC – Request City Manager work with his intergovernmental team to update City Council concerning what type of engagements the City are having concerning the foundational budget formula with the State Delegation.

Motion Lukes @ #14b CC – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the practice of voting to advertise a proposed ordinance when said proposed ordinance’s final edits are not completed before being reported to City Council.