CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:31 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 February 1, 2022.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers 1. Bob Michel, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #21a CC 2. William S. Coleman, III, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #21a CC 3. David Slatkin, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9o - #9u CC and item #21a CC 4. Janice Davis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #21a CC 5. Mike Morrissey, Marlborough resident, spoke in favor of item #10h CC 6. Margot Barnette, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #21a CC 7. Nelly Medina, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10d CC, #9p CC 8. Alex Tarr, Worcester resident spoke neither in favor nor opposed to item #21a CC 9. David Fort, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #21a CC 10. David Nowicki, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #21 a CC 11. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9o CC, #9q CC, #9s CC, AND #21A CC 12. Johanna Hampton-Dance, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #9o - #9U CC, #11b CC and #21a CC 13. Matt Whitlock, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #21a CC 14. Sheila Brenner, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed to item #21a CC 15. Sue Mailman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #9s CC 16. Yenni Desroches, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10a CC, #10b CC, #10c CC and #10d CC 17. No name given, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #23p CC

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: HAWTHORNE ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: HAWTHORNE ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: EXCHANGE ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: EXCHANGE ST.

Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: LEWIS ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: LEWIS ST.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Goldthwaite Rd. from Lincoln St. up to Varney St. be resurfaced.

Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Sigourney St be resurfaced.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty request Sudbury St. from Harvard St. to Eden St. be made a two-way street.

Councilor Sean M. Rose on behalf of Sandra Guries request Indian Lake Pkwy. be exempt from the winter parking ban due to lack of spaces and the structural layout of the street.

George Cortes request removal of handicap parking space in the vicinity of 258 Belmont St., with the re-installation of "No Parking Anytime" in its place on Belmont St. from Seabury Heights to the junction of Shrewsbury and Belmont St.

Dean Gicas request installation of "Do Not Block Intersection" signage at the intersection of Crescent St. and Lincoln St., with X's painted across the width of the opening at the intersection.

Mary Ricciardi Sivo, on behalf of Venerini Academy, request installation of signage with the school's name and direction to the school on the green pedestrian pole at the corner of Belmont St. and Edward St.

Thomas Blanchette request installation of handicap parking place in front of 27 Rugby St.

Joseph Curet request removal of handicap parking space in front of 176 Lincoln St.

Elizabeth Groot request installation of "Blind Driveway" signage on Upland St. in the vicinity of 226 Greenwood St.

Michael J. Grandone request City Council request City Manager consider asking professional landscaping companies maintain and plant greenery on the city's roadway islands and in lieu of payment be allowed to place a 24 x 24 inch advertisement sign at the end of each island they have maintained.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks post the rules and information concerning abatements on the city website.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review for any immediate trip hazard on the sidewalk in front of 13 Algonquin Road.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review for any immediate trip hazard on the sidewalk on the even side of Dorchester St. from Providence St. to Chaplin St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review for any immediate trip hazard on the sidewalk in the vicinity of 275 Massasoit Road.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review for any immediate trip hazard on the sidewalk in the vicinity of 124 May Street.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a review and address any immediate trip hazard with temporary repair on Edwidge St.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks trim the trees in the vicinity of 35 Fairfax Road for better lighting.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning on-going expenses of the Upper Blackstone Clean Water facility, including available federal funding that the facility is qualified for.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks consider holding a visitation and viewing the Upper Blackstone Clean Water facility for City Council.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with quarterly update concerning the status of implementing municipal broadband in the city. Further, request City Manager include said quarterly update on the city’s website.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT - Request City Manager consider holding a public meeting to allow for public input relative to implementing municipal broadband in the city.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the actions taken by the city to address climate issues.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the legal actions available to the city relative to divesting in fossil fuel companies.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager work with the city’s partners, such as separate government housing authorities and Upper Blackstone Clean Water, to determine whether they qualify for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding beyond what the city may allocate to them.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager establish a dashboard related to fund disbursement of ARPA funds. Further, request said dashboard include information as to allocation timelines and prioritizations.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager prioritize communities that have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 when allocating ARPA monies to various initiatives. Further, request said prioritization be reflected in writing and shared with the community.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager identify where ARPA funds are streaming to, as well as provide oversight, accountability, transparency, parameters and expectations for ARPA fund dispersal in an effort to evaluate the successes of said allocations.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager establish increased contact with the city’s community providers relative to ARPA fund disbursement, in an effort to provide ongoing communication to various communities relative to said allocations.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion concerning whether the City Council has the authority to enforce the prioritization of local jobs, as well as diversity goals relating to men, women, businesses and the BIPOC community, as they relate to the expenditure of ARPA funds.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report of the reports filed by the city to the Department of Treasury relative to the city’s use of ARPA funds, in an effort to confirm they have been filed.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager provide full transparency as it relates to the allocation of ARPA funds and proceed with said allocations as though they are all subject to the Open Meeting Law.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an update concerning whether the professional helping the city through the School Committee redistricting process has been selected.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning public testimony received during hearings relative to the School Committee redistricting process.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Clerk provide City Council with the Worcester Regional Research Bureau’s March 2020 report relative to voter turnout information.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS - Request City Clerk provide the city’s federal and state representatives with the members’ of Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations contact information for the purpose of expanding discussion on topics within the Committee’s purview.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks instruct his staff and contractors to discontinue the practice of leaving large piles of snow at the very end of street corners that cover handicap ramp sidewalk access. (Russell)

Request City Manager work with the City Clerk to develop an online, mandatory registration system for lobbyists and any other person being compensated to solicit elected or appointed officials concerning policy matters in the City of Worcester’s government. Said information should include who they are and on behalf of who they are contacting officials for. Further, request that this data be public information as soon as it is filed. (Russell)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any traffic calming measures and/or any improvements made to address pedestrian safety and crashes in the Newton Square rotary. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the rules and regulations relative to large trucks, such as 18-wheelers, driving on neighborhood streets. Further, request City Manager include in said report information relative to the impact said large trucks have on residents’ homes, as well as car and pedestrian safety.(Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the environmental hazards at 150 Blackstone River Rd., as well as what actions under the city’s TIF Policy and the TIF Agreement with the developer are available to ensure the issues are addressed. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager provide all City Councilors with emergency (after hours) contact information for utility companies such as water, gas, National Grid, etc. to be used as needed and with the understanding that if used, the appropriate city departments will also be notified. (Bergman)

Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking hold a public hearing to discuss the Speed Hump Pilot Program, including issues relative to the impact installing speed humps had on the streets involved in the pilot program, the process for petitioning City Council to be part of any future speed hump program and the feasibility of expanding the program. (Colorio)

Request City Manager consider partnering with Baby Safe Haven, as well as the city’s colleges and universities, to begin planning for an awareness campaign set during the first week of school in fall of 2022 that increases awareness around newborn abandonments and options available to parents, including being able to legally surrender newborn infants seven (7) days old or younger at a hospital, police station, or manned fire station without facing criminal prosecution. (Rose)

Request City Manager consider utilizing any leftover funding from the Snow Fund to aggressively repair the city’s streets, including potholes, that were damaged in the winter season due to snow removal with pothole repairs, patches and long patches. (Rose)

Request City Manager consider available options to provide additional funding for completion of the Worcester Black History Trail and related public education and awareness campaign. (King, Rose)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby call upon our federal leaders and our nation to make nuclear disarmament the centerpiece of our national security policy and join the global effort to prevent nuclear war, as outlined in the Back from the Brink campaign, by: 1) Renouncing the option of using nuclear weapons first; 2) Establishing a system of checks and balances ensuring that the President of the United States no longer has the sole and unchecked authority to launch nuclear weapons; 3) Taking US nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert; 4) Cancelling the plan to replace the entire United States nuclear arsenal with next-generation nuclear weapons; and 5) Actively pursuing a verifiable and multilateral agreement among nuclear-armed states to eliminate nuclear arsenals. Further, that the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the United Nations’ Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and calls upon the United States federal government to join the treaty. Further, that the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby authorize the passage of this resolution be considered by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) for the ICAN Save Cities Campaign, joining cities from around the world in formally supporting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. (Rose)

That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby recognize and support the work done and efforts made by the Worcester Black History Trail Committee, including Dr. Thomas Doughton, Keith Scott, Gordon Ward, Gordon Davis, Nick Schuyler, Fred Taylor, Che Anderson, The Laurel Clayton Project, Worcester NAACP, City of Worcester’s Office of City Manager Edward Augustus, City of Worcester’s Department of Public Works and Parks’ Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Robert Antonelli, the Office of Cultural Development’s Cultural Development Officer Erin Williams and Staffer Yaffa Rain and College of the Holy Cross’ Associate Director of Community Relations Susan Q. Hunt. Further, that the Worcester City Council acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of the Black History Project, founded and led by Deborah Hall, and of long time Black activist William S. Coleman, III, along with the Worcester City Councilor Khrystian E. King. Further, that the City Council does hereby further the goal of edifying and valuing Worcester’s Black History in perpetuity. (King, Rose)

Transmitting an informational communication concerning, "Building Blocks," which is a new tool that members of the City Council and support staff may utilize to find information on particular properties in the city.

Transmitting the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the year ended June 30, 2021 audited by the Certified Public Accountant firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

Transmitting the financial statements of the operations of the DCU Center for the year ended June 30, 2021 as audited by CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

Transmitting the financial statements of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 as audited by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.

Transmitting the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Worcester Retirement System (WRS) for the year ended December 31, 2020 audited by the Certified Public Accountant firm of ClifftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

Transmitting the OPEB valuation as prepared by KMS Actuaries, LLC for the financial disclosure date of June 30, 2021.

Edward M. Augustus, Jr., City Manager, providing City Council with the preliminary incident report on the Lake Avenue Sewer Pumping Station Failure.

Edward M. Augustus, Jr., City Manager, recommending City Council’s adoption of the attached Salary Ordinance Amendments

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Nick Lewis request the property located at 110 Webster St. be included in the adaptive re-use overlay district to allow for multi-unit residential development.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Marcelo Barreto and Donald Fair request the Zoning Map be amended by changing a small portion of 11 Prudence St. from RL-7 to MG-0.5, as shown in accompanying map.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil request the Zoning Map be amended by extending the BL-1.0 zone line running along the rear property line of the land located at 1369 Grafton St. northeasterly to incorporate the abutting parcel of land located at 3 McAvey Way (MBL 41-027-61+62) presently zoned ML-0.5 in its entirety.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell request Evergreen Ln. from Massasoit Rd. to a pt. 100’ southwest of Massasoit Rd., or less, be made public, for the purpose of installing a surface drainage system to prohibit water going down Evergreen Ln. from Massasoit Rd.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Fiscal Year 2022 financial update, as of November 30, 2021: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the ARPA funding recommendations: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of Paul Matthews, Executive Director of the Worcester Research Bureau, transmitting, "Bureau Brief— Changing the Worcester School Committee to District Representation.": recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Peter W. McKone and Patricia M. McKone request abatement of street betterment assessment #25764, in the amount of $26,760.00 for Newburn Rd: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of David M. MacArthur, Jr. request abatement of street betterment assessment #25691, in the amount of $13,500.00 for Toronita Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Mary Ann Stankus request abatement of street assessment #25797, in the amount of $20,512.50 for Bangor St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Maria Brescia request installation of guardrail on Massasoit Rd. along the side of 1 Fenwood Rd: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Chester Morrison request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 39 Bay State Rd: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Lorraine Laurie request sidewalk resurfacing on the even side of Dorchester St. from Providence St. to Chaplin St., in front of 70 and 84 Dorchester St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Whittier St. be repaved: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Francis Wanene request installation of street lights in the vicinity of 1 Tucker St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Inmaculada Rodriguez request review and installation of street light at the entrance of Moreland Green Dr. at Moreland St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Natalie Turner request installation of an additional streetlight on Parker St. between Park Ave. and Mayfield St: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Richard Phan request light pole #1 on Homer St. be relocated approximately 35' to the right, beyond the front steps of 174 Park Ave. toward Park Ave., or across the street, to allow for the installation of a driveway: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Marguerite Cormier request installation of a streetlight on pole #20 in front of 139 Lake Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Angelo Caputo et al. request Ayrshire Rd. be resurfaced: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson on behalf of Ciaran Douglas request installation of a streetlight in the vicinity of the parking area at the beginning of Burncoat Park: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Gene Abbascia request relocation of the street light in front of 11 Devens Rd: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of William S. Coleman, III request City Administration look into adding more lights under the Southbridge St. railroad bridge for improved public safety: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Committee on Public Service and Transportation Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the installation of lights at Grant Square: recommend Report be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the month ending October 31, 2021: recommend Communication be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to Citywide streetscape policies: recommend Communication be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Transportation Advisory Group (TAG) and its role in supporting implementation of complete streets in Worcester: recommend Communication be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to Keep Worcester Clean (KWC) Six Month Activity Report - January - June 2021: recommend Communication be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the Construction Progress Report for the Month ending August 31, 2021: recommend Communication be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Chester Morrison request sidewalk in the vicinity of 39 Bay State Rd. be repaired: recommend Petition be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Chester Morrison request sidewalk in the vicinity of 39 Bay State Rd. be repaired: recommend Petition be given leave to withdraw.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Rebecca Sharpe request abatement of street betterment assessment #25727 in the amount $13,500.00 for Pelican Ave: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Daniel A Buduo, Jr. request abatement of street betterment assessment #25696 in the amount of $15,000.00 for Toronita Ave: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Patrick G. Duggan request abatement of street betterment assessment #25770 in the amount of $13,500.00 for Newburn Rd: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Sarah E. Caramello and Robert D. O'Doherty request abatement of street assessment #25738 in the amount of $18,000.00 for Pelican Ave: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Matheus F. DosSantos and Courtney D. DosSantos request abatement of street assessment #25688, in the amount of $6,654.00 for Toronita Ave: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of David M. MacArthur request abatement of street betterment assessment #25735 in the amount of $15,000.00 for Pelican Ave: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Junaid Marvi request Brookdale St. be resurfaced: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Tulio Interiano et al. request installation of additional streetlights on Armory St: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Caroline Villaruz request installation of a streetlight on lamp post #21, in front of 238 June St: recommend Petition be denied.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian and Priscella Underwood request installation of flashing crosswalk lights and signage at Worcester Arts Magnet School, 315 St. Nicholas Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian and Priscella Underwood request installation of flashing crosswalk lights and signage at UMASS Memorial Hospital roundabout, Lake Ave: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Supreet Makkar request increased traffic enforcement of crosswalk regulations in the city, particularly along Holcombe St., Loxwood St. and Providence S: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Communication of the City Clerk transmitting an informational communication relative to petitions for the installation of speed humps submitted during the 2020-21 term: recommend Communication be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Rain Vanmoll request installation of handicap parking space in front of 7E Shelby St. on the corner of the basement apartment: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Laura McCormick et al. request installation of speed limit signage at the intersection of Ararat St. and I-190 exits: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian Underwood request installation of school signage in the vicinity of City View Elementary School, 80 Prospect St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian Underwood request installation of school signage in the vicinity of Midland Street Elementary School, 18 Midland St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian and Priscella Underwood request installation of flashing crosswalk lights and signage at MCPHS University, Lincoln Sq: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Brian and Priscella Underwood request installation of flashing crosswalk lights and signage at Hahnemann Hospital, Lincoln St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Michael Letendre request installation of No Parking Anytime signage on Myrtle St. from Southbridge St. to Portland St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Kenneth Welch request installation of resident permit parking in the vicinity of 2 Claridge Dr: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Elizabeth Plonski et al. request installation of residential permit parking from 7A Revere St. to 9D Revere St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Alex Cruz et al. request installation of residential permit parking on both sides of Rugby St. in the vicinity of 14-16 Leon St. and 27 Rugby St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Michelle Diliddo request installation of a three-way stop sign at the intersection of Loxwood St. and Tauton St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a stop sign on Agate Ave. where the road makes a sharp right turn, in the vicinity of 2 Agate Ave: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Sarai Rivera request installation of a three-way stop sign at Walpole St. and Gates St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Joan Bertrand request a traffic study at the intersection of Lincoln St. and Catherine St: recommend Petition be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT Upon the Order of Councilor Matthew E. Wally, Councilor Morris A. Bergman, Councilor Donna M. Colorio, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor Sean M. Rose, Councilor Gary Rosen, Councilor George J. Russell, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey and Mayor Joseph M. Petty - Request Standing Committee on Urban Technologies, Innovation and Environment hold a meeting with the appropriate representatives from the city’s staff to discuss municipal broadband: recommend Order be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager Transmitting informational communication relative to the City of Worcester Social Media Policy: recommend Communication be filed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON URBAN TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT Upon the Order of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj - Request Standing Committee on Urban Technologies, Innovations, and Environment schedule a meeting that invites appropriate representatives from the city’s departments that oversee issues pertaining to said Standing Committee to discuss its goals for the next two (2) years, as well as review the previous successes and challenges of the various departments. The Standing Committee of Urban Technologies, Innovations and Environment considers matters pertaining to smart city solutions, process engineering, technology, telecommunications, strategic planning, green spaces, blue spaces, urban agricultural, urban trees, climate change and electric aggregation: recommend Order be filed.

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update of an executive order to address and assess institutional and structural racism. (Tabled Under Privilege - King February 8, 2022)

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)

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 Sarai Rivera - Request City Clerk research the feasibility of authorizing legal residents who have not been naturalized yet to vote in elections at the local level. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request City Manager consider prioritizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for REC Worcester’s capital project involving the development of the new REC Worcester headquarters and Center for Food Justice and Urban Agriculture (for Worcester and Central Massachusetts), in an effort to support community food security, as well as youth development and employment. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Tabled Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021)

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the training the city’s constables go through as part of their position. – Item #13a 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 the role constables have during issues of foreclosures and evictions, as well as what constables are and are not able to do by law in said situations. – Item #13b CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Thu Nguyen – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report relative to the city’s homeless population concerning feedback from stakeholders, agencies and individuals impacted by homelessness, as well and an analysis of best practices and possible alternatives for working with homeless individuals, such as sanctioned encampments, as well as low threshold and supportive housing. – Item #13c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion concerning whether the city has a legal responsibility to ensure homeless individuals moved off of encampments on public property are brought to other housing opportunities. – Item #13d 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 the recent work done relative to South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC). – Item #13e 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 what actions city’s schools are taking relative to youth homelessness in the city. – Item #13f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report identifying the challenges external stakeholders have relative addressing the issues surrounding the homeless population in the city. – Item #13g 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 the costs, as well as the best practices, used by other cities and towns for homelessness outreach. Further, request City Manager meet with other cities and towns to ensure there are contributions made to the city from other municipalities whose homeless populations come to the city due to lack of services in their municipality. – Item #13h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager consider exploring access to fentanyl test strips for the Worcester Police and Public Health and Human Services departments. Further, request City Manager determine whether the city could collaborate with any existing pilot programs regarding same. – Item #13i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Donna M. Colorio – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the number of opioid fatalities in the city in 2022 at the conclusion of the year. – Item #13j 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 work being done by the city relative to overdose prevention sites, as well as Community Resources for Justice (CRJ) housing. – Item #13k CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Sean M. Rose – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report exploring the potential of expanding Recreation Worcester’s programming, including information concerning any additional funding required to do so. – Item #13l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager request City Solicitor work with the City Clerk to provide City Council with a report concerning what actions, if any, can be taken to ensure individuals calling into various City Council and Standing Committee meetings virtually can be properly identified.” (See Item #13m CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning the best practices used by other communities to contact their local representatives. – Item #13n CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning why the city did not receive any notification of a blackout in the upper Lincoln St. and Burncoat St. neighborhood, which lasted twenty-one (21) hours. – Item #13o CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the events that took place leading to four million gallons of sewage going into Lake Quinsigamond. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning what action have occurred to mitigate the issue, what will be done to ensure it does not happen again and what environmental impact this may have on Lake Quinsigamond. – Item #13p 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 the state and federal supports the city is receiving relative to the sewage going into Lake Quinsigamond. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning the part other municipalities that border Lake Quinsigamond are taking in said issue. – Item #13q 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 report concerning why the city did not immediately communicate with its residents who are serviced by the pump station that had sewage go into Lake Quinsigamond to cut down on their water usage until a solution was found. – Item #13r 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 concerning all actions previously completed to mitigate sewage being brought into Lake Quinsigamond, as well as what actions needed to be completed to ensure it does not happen again. – Item #13s CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays

Motion King @ #21a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning various timelines associated with actions the city is taking to address and assess institutional and structural racism.

Motion King @ #21a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update relative to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning removing School Resource Officers (SROs) from the city’s schools. Further, request City Manager include in said update access to any drafts of the MOU and information as to how outcomes will be measured.

Motion Mero-Carlson @ #15a CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with an update of the ongoing efforts to mitigate issues associated with the Lake Avenue Sewer Pumping Station. Said update should include information relative to why said sewer pumping station was put in that location, whether there is an odor at Lake Quinsigamond and the failure at the sewer pumping station’s effect on the lake’s ecological system.

Motion King @ #15a CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a reoccurring report relative to the ongoing challenges and gains associated with the Lake Avenue Sewer Pumping Station, including information relative to whether any fish kills have occurred.

Motion Toomey @ #15a CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether residents on the Shrewsbury side of Lake Quinsigamond are connected to sewage.

Motion Rivera @ #10g CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the impact the Speed Hump Pilot Program had on the neighborhoods where the speed jumps were placed.

Motion Rose @ #10h CC – Request City Manager explore whether there is “Baby Safe Haven” signage at the city’s Police Department Headquarters.

Motion Colorio @ #19p CC – Request City Clerk provide additional information with items being reported out of various Standing Committees in which additional work will be completed beyond the scope of the item, such as work orders.