CITY OF WORCESTER

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Esther Howland Chamber

Convened: 6:34 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:27 P.M.

Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

www.worcesterma.gov

City Manager
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

City Auditor
Robert V. Stearns

Councilors

MOMENT OF SILENCE in memory of Daniel Herlihy, who passed away Sunday, January 14th, 2018 at the age of 88. Mr. Herlihy was a strong advocate for various Irish organizations, and served two terms on City Council in the 1980’s.

Mayor Petty recognized the following speakers:
1. Pamela Boubay, Worcester resident
2. Elena Olson, Worcester resident
3. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident
4. Jo Hart, Worcester resident

Nick Smith, President of 207 Greenwood Street LLC request to remove and discontinue Warmland St., a private way, from the Official Map.

Jean Collamore request "No Dumping" or "No Littering" signs be installation across from 28 Haviland St. at the edge of the woods.

Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Vin Dacri request installation of sidewalks in Heard St. from 166 Heard St. to 184 Heard St., or from Linda Vista Ave. to the Heard St. School.

Al Jabire Rashim on behalf of Deia Mtasher request installation of a handicap parking space across from 30 Russell St.

Lisa Recore request the handicap parking space in front of 46 Sylvan St. be relocated to in front of 45 Sylvan St.

Wurood Handhal request installation of "No Parking Here to Corner" signs on either side of the driveway at 255 Pilgrim Ave.

Kelly Sharpe request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 2 Harlow St.

Request City Manager report to City Council concerning the feasibility and affordability of initiating a project in which an appropriate van or truck is used as a "City Hall to Go" in order to deliver municipal services to neighborhoods, especially aiding those who can't get downtown or go online. A similar program in which, among others, residents can pay parking tickets and tax bills, get a library card and dog license, even register to vote, has been thriving in Boston. (Rosen)

Request City Manager report to City Council if there are any programs in place or being developed to assist both residential and business tenants (many minority businesses) at-risk of displacement due to development downtown, and share what staff member acts as point person for any issues. (Rivera, Mero-Carlson)

Request City Manager provide City Council with an update as to the legal status of any state-wide ban, as well as bans of other cities and towns dealing with the elimination of plastic trash bags, which is similar to an order that was adopted by this City Council on May 23, 2017. (Lukes)

Request City Manager consider night time illumination for the public Greendale War Memorial on West Boylston St. and other memorials elsewhere in the city. (Bergman)

Request City Manager request the City Solicitor to generate a report and provide it to City Council forthwith concerning the processes(es) available to review issues/changes to the functioning of the City Council including but not limited to the length of council terms(s) term limit(s) and attendance requirements at City Council meetings, etc.. (Bergman)

Request City Manager work with the Wormen’s History Project and Center for Non-Violent Solutions to establish a commission/working group to erect a monument/statue to honor Abby Kelley Foster. (Petty, Bergman, King, Lukes, Mero-Carlson, Rivera, Rose, Rosen, Russell, Toomey, Wally)

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen and Councilor Philip P. Palmieri - Request City Manager inform City Council as to whether he and other representatives from the city intend to meet with the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox to see if they have any interest in relocating to Worcester. (Tabled - Gaffney September 29, 2015 and Tabled - Rosen December 19, 2017)

COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication on a quarterly update relative to the City of Worcester’s plan to implement improved strategies and policies that better serve and represent our diverse community. (Tabled Under Privilege - Lukes January 26, 2016, Tabled - Petty February 2, 2016 and Tabled - Lukes December 19, 2017)

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with information concerning why municipal employees cannot serve on Worcester’s boards and commissions. – Item #18a CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Gary Rosen – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning whose decision it would be to change whether or not it is a requirement that someone serving on a board or commission in Worcester be a citizen of the United States. – Item #18b CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager look into any grant funding that could be used to remove overgrowth of weeds at Coe’s Pond’s John Binienda Beach prior to using money from the City’s budget. – Item #18c CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Clerk redistribute to the City Council the report provided by the City Solicitor concerning marijuana legislation. – Item #18d CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager post the current rules and regulations for marijuana establishments in Worcester on the City’s website. – Item #18e CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey – Request City Manager update the list of streetlights in the City to include all streets and also make said list more readily available on the City’s website. – Item #18f CC Order adopted

ORDER of Councilor Sarai Rivera – Request City Manager request Commission of Public Works and Parks focus snow removal efforts on crosswalks near community schools. – Item #18g CC Order adopted

Order of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks remove the signage illegally posted in the East Side of the City, which reads “Sell Me Your House Today.” – Item #18h CC Order adopted

Motion Toomey @ #6a CC – Request City Manager consider expanding the Worcester Public Library’s Libby’s services to include municipal services.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks inspect the streetlights in the vicinity of Westminster St., Windsor St. and Channing St., which all have been out of service.

Motion Mero-Carlson – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager enforce regulations in regards to putting out trash on time in the Burncoat St. area.

Motion Rosen – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager contact MassDOT to ensure the streetlights on I-290 are on between Lincoln Sq. to Holy Cross.

Motion Petty – Suspension of Rules – Request City Manager provide City Council with the article about Worcester recently featured in Commonwealth Magazine.

Motion Bergman – Suspension of Rules – Request City Clerk provide City Council with the appropriate amendments for the City Council 2018 Meeting Schedule.