CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 6:30 P.M.

Adjourned: 8:03 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Eric D. Batista

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

Mayor Petty presented Cara Brindisi with a Key to the City for representing Worcester on the international stage while competing on The Voice, a singing reality competition television series broadcast.

Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 6, 2022.

Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following speakers: 1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #10b CC 2. Andrew Marsh, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC 3. Terry Cherry, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10i CC and #10j CC 4. Michael Baker, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10i CC 5. Paul Matthews, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #11a CC and #11b CC 6. Jen Falcon, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10i CC and #10j CC 7. Colin Novick, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC 8. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10e CC and #10f CC 9. Adam Thielker, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10b CC, #10i CC and #10j CC 10. Andy McCown, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC 11. Cathy Trumbull, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC 12. Susan Swanson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10b CC

Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: HOUGHTON ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a pole location on: HOUGHTON ST.

Councilor Sean M. Rose request Hockanum Way be converted from a private street to a public street.

Kimberly Malta, on behalf of Loxe Builders, request extension of the water and sewer line to Natural History Dr.

Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Ronald Holbrook request installation of a stop sign on the corner of Seymour St. and Millbury St.

John Plouffe request installation of No Parking Anytime signage on the even side of Ives St.

Luz Galarza request installation of two (2) stop signs on Oread St. at the intersection of Oread St. and Beacon St. in both directions

Tamisha James request installation of fifteen (15) minute parking zone on Chandler St. from Murray St. to Main St.

Osseni Wanda request resident permit parking on Merrifield St. be extended to the odd side of Merrifield St. from Elliott St. to Belmont St.

Antonio Martinez request installation of handicap parking space in front of 1 Woodbine St.

Zaida Gomez request installation of resident permit parking on both sides of Edward St. from Laurel St. to Elliott St.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location on: HOUGHTON ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: CHADWICK ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: CHARLOTTE ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: FLORENCE ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: HAWTHORNE ST.

NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location on: WOODLAND ST.

FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning justice impacted applicants associated with the Worcester Jobs Fund Program, including information concerning the number of applicants who participated in the program and the number of applicants who have succeeded in job attainment.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of creating a bill payment service that does not include a third-party vendor that charges fees associated with their services. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager work with the Chief Development Officer to submit proper documentation designating 195 Mill St., commonly known as Big D, as an Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Zone. Further, request City Manager request Chief Development Officer provide City Council with a report listing other areas in District 5 suitable to designate as a UCH-TIF zone. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Inspectional Services provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of implementing a vacant property ordinance to help with effectively dealing with abandoned or vacant properties that are boarded up, which pose a safety hazard and contribute to neighborhood blight. Further, request said report include information as to how the City of Revere Vacant Property Ordinance and the city of Wilmington, Delaware’s ordinance are structured and their successes with their programs. (Haxhiaj)

Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report concerning how the City Clerk’s Office and Board of Election Commissioners plans to educate the public relative to the voting process associated with the new School Committee district lines, notify voters about the changes associated with the City Council districts and change the voter rolls to reflect the new voting process. (Toomey)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a presentation relative to the progress of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) Cadet program. (Rivera)

Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the progresses made by the Chief Diversity Officers of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and Worcester Fire Department (WFD). (Rivera)

Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation Committee hold a public discussion with the WRTA Administrator relative to the removal of a bus route that passes the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way. (Bergman, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks make structural and lighting improvements to the basketball court on Hawley St. (Rivera)

Request City Manager work with the WRTA Administrator to provide City Council with a report concerning the WRTA’s winter weather plan, especially including information as to how snow will be removed at each of the bus stops. (Rivera)

Request City Manager work with the WRTA Administrator to perform an audit of all bus stop locations that includes whether proper signage is posted and how many bus shelters there are in the city. (Rivera)

Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning whether any steps have been taken to create a Master Plan for Dodge Park. Further, request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks begin the process of creating a Master Plan for Dodge Park if such a plan does not yet exist. (Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the status of repairing and restoring Elm Park, including efforts to remediate weed/plant growth/infestation and the restoration of appropriate water levels. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility review whether any safety issues exist by way of a one-way street designation at the Acton St., Massasoit Rd. and Grafton St. intersection. (Bergman, Russell)

Request City Manager explore the feasibility of adding sidewalks on Holden St. in the area of Dogwood Rd. and Tuxedo Rd., as well as and Chester St. and Lansing Ave. (Rose)

Request City Manager explore the feasibility of recruiting and hiring lifeguards for the 2023 summer season by way of paying for the lifeguards’ certification programs and offering to pay for transportation to their trainings in a way that is comparable to other municipalities in the state. (Rose)

Paul Matthews, Executive Director of the Worcester Research Bureau, transmitting, "Static Income, Rising Costs: Renting in the Heart of the Commonwealth.”

Paul Matthews, Executive Director of the Worcester Research Bureau, transmitting, "Governing for Excellence: Worcester Public Schools' Evolution in Governance."

Eric D. Batista, City Manager, recommend adoption of an Order to grant exemptions to four (4) snowplow contractors that are also City employees.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Donald J. O'Neil, on behalf of Lord St. LLC, request Zoning Map be amended to extend the RG-5 Zoning District, running along and/or parallel to Mason Street, westerly to include, in their entirety, the land situated at: 53 Mason St., 54 Mason St., and 11 Parker St. Said parcels being currently zoned MG-1.0.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of an ordinance to amend the City's Zoning Ordinance relative to adult use marijuana.

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Joseph Chabor request Wescott St. from Wildwood Ave. to Paris Ave. be made public.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Mark Borenstein, on behalf of Kensington Management LLC., request the Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of the property located at and known as 48 Mason St. from the current zoning designation of Business, General (BG-3.0) to Business, General (BG-3.0) and Commercial Corridors Overlay District - Elsewhere (CCOD-E) by establishing the CCOD-E as shown on the plan attached: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Richard Herlihy request the Zoning Map be amended by changing the zoning designation of the entire block bordered by the Belmont St., Plantation St., Natick St. and the railroad tracks from ML-1 to BG-3 for the properties located at 350 Plantation St., 306 Belmont St. and the adjacent 2-story parking garage: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to an update on the City Administration’s efforts to develop a plan to improve outcomes relative to contracting with underrepresented businesses: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Jobs Fund FY22 Annual Report: recommend Communication be placed on file.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to a request to discontinue and convey a portion of land and aerial rights over the Ernest H. Johnson Tunnel: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting an informational communication relative to supplying a portion of the Town of Leicester with water: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.

Amending the Salary Ordinance Relative to the Salary of the City Manager.

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 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)

CHAIRMAN'S ORDER FROM THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - Request City Council work to ensure City Council and School Committee districts are parallel, so as to ensure public clarity. (Tabled Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson May 24, 2022 and June 7, 2022 and Tabled - Petty June 14, 2022)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the city’s snow removal procedures during the December 10, 2022 to December 11, 2022 snowstorm, including information as to why there were so many accidents reported during the event, the average number of the accidents reported during snowstorms and whether the city has enough snow removal equipment for snowstorms moving forward. – Item #13a CC Order adopted

Motion King @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report explaining Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) zones, as well as the Massachusetts General Laws associated with said zones.

Motion King @ #10b CC – Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer reengage with the property owner of 195 Mill St., to the extent possible, to help understand the complexity of moving forward with actions associated with the property.

Motion Toomey @ #10b CC – Request City Manager request City Assessor provide City Council with a report determining whether 195 Mill St. has a high property assessment due to it being a property with a water view.

Motion Toomey @ #10b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whether designating 195 Mill St. as an Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) zone would make the property a more desirable and viable location for potential buyers and developers to purchase and complete a project at the site.

Motion King @ #10d CC – Request City Clerk work with the GIS Manager to provide City Council with a report and map outlining the new School Committee districts and where each Worcester Public School falls in said districts. Further, said map should be listed on the city’s website.

Motion Petty @ #10i CC – Request City Manager work with the WRTA Administrator to present to City Council, in person, a comprehensive report detailing the operations of the WRTA, including but not limited to information relative to whether the buses will remain fare free.

Motion King @ #10i CC – Request City Clerk work with the Chief of Staff to City Council and the Mayor’s Office to create a joint letter from City Council to the city’s State Delegation outlining the concerns the City Council has relative to the operations of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), in an effort to increase their responsiveness to various issues associated with bus ridership and public transportation in the city.

Motion Nguyen – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning plans for warming and cooling centers in the city.