CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 6:39 P.M.

Adjourned: 11:53 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 February 9, 2021.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Andrea Taber, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item ##13b CM 2. Kimberly Rogers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 3. Luis Pedraja, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 4. Justin C., Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 5. Matt M., Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13e CM 6. Emma Narkewicz, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #13a CC and #13e CM 7. Ellie Gilmore, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 8. Rick Shapiro, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 9. Juan Gomez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 10. Benjamin Desjarlais, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 11. Ashley Rogers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 12. Marika Fox, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 13. Sheila Brenner, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 14. John Pappas, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 15. Jim (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 16. Catherine Roy, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 17. Joe Bryan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 18. Marie Brouillette, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13a CC 19. Celia Blue, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 20. Rob Jones, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 21. Ted Kosta, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 22. Laurie Ross, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 23. Tim Jones, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 24. Laura Matthew, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 25. John Rogers, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13a CC, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 26. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 27. Isabel Gonzalez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM, spoke in opposition to items #13a CC and #13e CM 28. Dawn Moore, Worcester resident resident, spoke in opposition to item #13a CC 29. Cara Metrano, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 30. Erin Bryan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 31. German Fuentes, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 32. Bernard Reese, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 33. Erica Schlier, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM, spoke in opposition to item #13a CC and #13e CM 34. Shirley D’Iorio, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 35. Omar Taweh, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 36. Janet Frasier, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 37. Jacob Aguilar, Worcester resident, spoke concerning items #13a CC and #13b CM 38. Mary Carroll, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 39. John Smith, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition of items #13e CM 40. A. Lynch, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 41. Ann Dowd, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 42. Eliana Stanislawski, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 43. Emily Rittershaus, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 44. Jeffrey Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 45. Johanna Hampton-Dance, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM, spoke in opposition to item #13e CM 46. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM and #13c CM, spoke in opposition to items #13a CC and #13e CM 47. Margaret Foster, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 48. Matt Whitlock, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13a CC and item #13e CM and spoke in opposition to item #13b CM 49. Charlotte Donovan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 50. Alana Cruz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 51. Sam Caprade, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13e CM, #13a CC, and spoke in favor of #13b CM 52. Samantha Schwartz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM and spoke in opposition to item #13e CM and item #13a CC 53. Victoria DiMassa, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 54. S. Medina, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM 55. Shawn Carr, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13b CM and spoke in support of item #13a CC 56. Sarah V., Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #13b CM

ORDER - That the City Council convene in Executive Session at the Tuesday, March 2, 2021 meeting for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy with respect to the case of Worcester Interfaith, Inc., et. al. v. City of Worcester et al.; United States District Court Civil No. 4:21-CV-40015 as the last item of business of the regular City Council meeting and the City Council will not reconvene in open session.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: ACTON ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: ACTON ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: ELIZABETH ST. and FARWELL ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: ELIZABETH ST. and FARWELL ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GRAFTON ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GRAFTON ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PLANTATION ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PLANTATION ST.

Peter Lorange request the lack of a wheelchair accessible pathway from the public street to Plantation Ridge Apartment Complex be investigated and corrected.

Dona Wingard et al. request installation of residential parking on the odd side of Mendon St. from Grafton St. to Aetna St.

Richard Molnar III, on behalf of Charter Communications, request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on the northern side of Washington St. near the Lamartine St. intersection to allow access to and prevent further damage to the Spectrum Cable (Charter Communications) Vault and equipment on the sidewalk.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an updated Economic Development Report.

Transmitting informational communication relative to an update of the Division of Housing & Neighborhood Development Activities.

Transmitting Information Communication Relative to the Semi-Annual TIF/TIE Reporting.

Transmitting informational communication relative to funding received to address the impacts of COVID-19.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($80,000.00) from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) under the Quality Enhancements After-School and Out-of-School Time 530 (ASOST-Q) program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($200,000.00) from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) under the Quality Enhancements After-School and Out-of-School Time 531 (ASOST-Q) - Recreation Worcester Earmark program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($5,000.00) from the MA Attorney General's Office under the Healthy Summer Youth Jobs program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) through the FY22 Water Quality Monitoring Grant Program in an amount up to $100,000.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file and accept a Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration in the amount of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1,250,000.00)

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant from the Commonwealth Corporation in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Three Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($153,900.00) through the High School Secondary Education Internship Program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of One Hundred Sixty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars And No Cents ($166,700.00) from Massachusetts Cultural Council under the Local Cultural Council program for the Worcester Arts Council.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Three Thousand One Hundred Eight Dollars And No Cents ($3,108.00) from the Massachusetts Service Alliance under the Digital Literacy Ambassadors program.

Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept and expend a grant in the amount of Six Hundred Twenty Thousand Six Hundred Eighteen Dollars And No Cents ($620,618.00) from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases under the FY21 REACH Supplement program.

Recommend that One Hundred Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($150.00) be authorized from Account #110-92000, EAM Ordinary Maintenance, for payment of prior year invoice.

Recommend the adoption of a Loan Order in the amount of Two Million Dollars And No Cents ($2,000,000.00) be appropriated to Account #91C71131, Worcester Arts Magnet School, to fund the MSBA approved Accelerated Repair Project for a roof replacement at Worcester Arts Magnet School.

Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk, transmitting an informational communication relative to the timing associated with City Councilors adding their names as co-sponsors of various items.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the expansion of ShotSpotter and the capabilities of the ShotSpotter Connect Program: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. (Tabled Under Privilege - Toomey February 9, 2021 and February 23, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to proposed reforms and an executive order that acknowledges structural changes that will assist with eradicating institutional racism. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty February 23, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a response model similar to the Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets (CAHOOTS) to address emergency mental health situations with trained mental health providers. (Tabled Under Privilege - King February 23, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that Twenty Five Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($25,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70248, Coes Beach, to fund design services. (Tabled Under Privilege - King February 23, 2021)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend that Four Hundred Thousand Dollars And No Cents ($400,000.00) be transferred from Loan Account #91C784, Park Improvements, and be appropriated to Parks Account #72C70259, Columbus Trail, for the design and construction of trails. (Tabled Under Privilege - King February 23, 20201)

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 George J. Russell, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - Request City Council have the City Council Standing Committees on Public Works and Municipal Operations conduct a joint meeting about the future recommended staffing of the City Council office as well as logistics for office space for staff and City Council. Further, request the joint committee discuss potential recommendations regarding the job description and role of the City Council staff persons and further, encourage other City Councilors who are not members of the joint committee to attend and be included in the conversation. (Tabled - Petty February 26, 2019)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a legal opinion as to the jurisdiction of office space and facilities within City Hall. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson March 12, 2019; Tabled Under Privilege - Petty March 19, 2019 and Tabled - Petty March 26, 2019)

ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the process of instituting a residential rent control program and the resulting impact of implementing such a program. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019 and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019)

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' MEMORIALS, PARKS AND RECREATION Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request restoration and relocation of the Sullivan Memorial located in Melrose St. to a location approximately 50 feet north of its current location: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson April 21, 2020 and April 28, 2020 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson May 5, 2020)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Sean M. Rose and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - That the Worcester City Council urges our State Delegation and others to pursue the naming in 2020 of the Worcester District Courthouse the “Sarah E. Wall Courthouse”. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman June 2, 2020 and June 9, 2020 - Petty and Tabled - Russell June 16, 2020)

COMMUNICATION of Stephen Herzog, Project Manager at Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., on behalf of CSX Transportation, Inc. transmitting an informational communication relative to the application of herbicide on the railroad. (Tabled Under Privilege - Petty June 9, 2020 and Tabled - Russell June 16, 2020)

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Donna M. Colorio, Councilor Gary Rosen and Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request City Manager support the (re)opening of the City’s licensed cigar and hookah lounges and for the state to amend the classification of these establishments. These establishments can, and should, fit under the guise and parameters set forth as restaurants as they have or will have a common ViC license. (Tabled Under Privilege - Rivera September 8, 2020 and Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson September 15, 2020 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson September 22, 2020)

COMMUNICATION of the City Clerk transmitting a draft of social media policies and procedures for City Council, in the event that a Facebook page for the City Council is created, including information relative to best practices used in other communities. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman January 26, 2021, Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson February 2, 2021 and Tabled - Petty February 9, 2021)

RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support Representative Rebecca Rauch and Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz’s SD 699 HD 1283, An Act effectuating equity in COVID-19 Vaccination Bill. (Tabled Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February 23, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing additional, evidenced based information relative to a response model similar to CAHOOTS. – Item #22a CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with additional information relative to a response model similar to CAHOOTS that includes information relative to the Advocates Program and Boston Best Team. – Item #22b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

PETITION of Councilor Donna M. Colorio request the winter parking ban on Tainter St. be amended to not allow parking during a declared winter parking ban on the odd side of Tainter St. – Item #22c Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning how the building of a future police station will be prioritized, including information about the status of the current building. – Item #22d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any anticipated expenses for the current Worcester Police Department building in the near future. – Item #22e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with an estimate of the property value for the land where the current Worcester Police Department building exists. – Item #22f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any recent legislation from the city’s State Delegation as it relates to a high speed commuter rail to and from Worcester to Boston. – Item #22g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning actions being taken to engage with President Biden’s Administration regarding commuter rails. – Item #22h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning what is being done to ensure individuals who are homebound the COVID-19 vaccine. – Item #22i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager set up an opportunity to meet with the appropriate representatives from the State to discuss eliminating barriers associated with providing COVID-19 vaccines as equitably as possible. – Item #22j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether the city’s health centers have applied for the $25,000.00 grants and what the city is able to do to aid them in their applications. – Item #22k CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager request City Solicitor to provide City Council with a legal opinion concerning the ramifications of Section 7 of SD 699 and HD 1283. – Item #22l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a comprehensive report detailing the community engagement that has occurred relative to the potential implementation of ShotSpotter Connect. – Item #22m CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a report concerning the number of crime analysis individuals are employed by the city. Further, request City Manager include in said report information relative to what said individuals do as it relates to responding to matters in the community as well as the potential impact of automating their duties and responsibilities. – Item #22n CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a detailed report comparing ShotSpotter Connect to other programs nationally. Further, request City Manager include in said report information relative to why the potential implementation of ShotSpotter Connect did not go out to bid. – Item #22o CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion Colorio @ #6a CC – That the City Council does hereby suspend its rules to allow for the public participation section of the agenda on March 2, 2021 to occur beyond the typically allotted thirty (30) minutes.

Motion Toomey @ #13b CC – Request City Manager consider working with the city’s colleges and universities to develop a program for the city’s police officers to earn degrees in social work.

Motion Bergman @ #13b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the costs associated with the potential creation of a Division of Investigations.

Motion Bergman @ #13b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report clarifying how the Statehouse’s reform legislation impacts the city’s implementation of a body camera program for the Worcester Police Department. Said report should include information as to whether there could be costs saved if the city were to hold off implementation, whether funds spent on the program could be reimbursed if the program were pursued prior to the Statehouse’s legislation and the timetable for such legislation.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to perform a citywide equity audit and support a future appropriation to accomplish this goal.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to create a Division of Investigations through the future adoption of an organizational ordinance and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to remove the day-to-day presence of School Resource Officers from the Worcester Public Schools by January 1, 2022, and the recommendation to establish a working group to develop a comprehensive safety plan for the schools in place of the school resource officers.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to delay any body camera program until after the Commonwealth issues statewide standards for the purchase and use of body-worn cameras, along with the recommendation that the Human Rights Commission and Worcester Police Department hold at least five public listening sessions to discuss the program and its impact.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to ban all facial recognition technology subject to the future adoption of an ordinance.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to require a public hearing and approval by the city council prior to the acquisition of any new surveillance technology subject to the future adoption of an ordinance.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to create a process where social/outreach workers and/or licensed specialists are deployed during a mental health incident, and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to implement a paid cadet program in both the police and fire departments, and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal.

Motion Petty @ #13b CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to increase the diversity trainings offered through the Human Resources Department to foster cultural change across the City Administration, and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal.

Motion King – Suspension of Rules – That City Council does hereby support and advocate to its State Legislature the prioritization of educators receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Motion Rivera – Suspension of Rules – Request City Council allow for a presentation at its March 16, 2021 meeting from representatives from UMass Memorial and the city's Equity Task Force relative to both the data collected on how the city’s diverse community has been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and well as how said data collected by UMass Memorial and the Equity Task Force can be used to guide the city in its vaccination process.