City Council

CITY OF WORCESTER AGENDA OF THE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Esther Howland (South) Chamber 6:30 P.M. MAYOR Joseph M. Petty AT-LARGE COUNCILORS DISTRICT COUNCILORS Morris A. Bergman Jenny Pacillo - District 1 Donna M. Colorio Candy Mero-Carlson - District 2 Khrystian E. King George J. Russell - District 3 Thu Nguyen Luis A. Ojeda - District 4 Kathleen M. Toomey Etel Haxhiaj - District 5 www.worcesterma.gov CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER CITY AUDITOR Nikolin Vangjeli Eric D. Batista Robert V. Stearns City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts Virtual Attendee Call-In Information: City Council Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1613631913 City Council Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666 City Council Zoom Access Code: 161 363 1913 _________________________________________________________________ To request a reasonable accommodation or interpretation or to submit written comments or questions in advance of the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office by email at clerk@worcesterma.gov. Please note that interpretation requests must be received no later than 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Para solicitar una interpretación razonable, o enviar comentarios o preguntas por escrito antes de las reuniones municipales, por favor comuníquese con la oficina del Secretario Municipal por correo electrónico a clerk@worcesterma.gov. Por favor note que las solicitudes de interpretación deberán ser enviadas 48 horas antes de la reunión. 1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND STAR SPANGLED BANNER 2. ROLL CALL September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 1 of 21  3. PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 4a Adopt 4a. Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of the City Council Meeting of July 15, 2025. 5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - a person may speak for no more than two (2) minutes on any items appearing on the agenda 5a. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the "Public Participation" section of the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can raise your hand by dialing *9. City Council Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1613631913 City Council Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666 City Council Zoom Access Code: 161 363 1913 6. HEARINGS AND ORDERS - 6:30 P.M. 6a - 6c Hold Hearings and Adopt 6a. Hearing: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: HERMON ST. Granting permission to CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS for a conduit location at: HERMON ST. 6b. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: HARRISON ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: HARRISON ST. 6c. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: WINFIELD ST. Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: WINFIELD ST. September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 2 of 21  7. SUSPENSION OF RULES TO TAKE UP A COMMITTEE REPORT AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS 7a Adopt on a roll call 7a. ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - As Chair of the City Council Standing Committee on Public Safety and in accordance with Rule 33 (e) of the Rules of City Council, request City Council suspend its rules at its September 9, 2025, meeting to take up the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of MGL Ch 148, Section 26I, which mandates the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in residential buildings with four or more dwelling units, as presented to City Council and referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety as Item #16k CC on the April 1, 2025, City Council agenda, along with related items pending before the Committee. 8. FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS - Biannual Economic Development Reports 9. PETITIONS - PART I - a Petitioner may speak up to three (3) minutes the first time their petition appears on an agenda 9a Refer to the Department of Public Works and Parks 9a. Glenn M. Pape request installation of street name signage for Thornton Rd. at the intersection of Dennis Dr. and Thornton Rd. 9b Refer to Planning Board 9b. Steven Fischer, Executive Director of The Regional Environmental Council, Inc., request Zoning Map be amended by extending the BG-6.0 (Business, General) zoning district and the CCOD-D (Commercial Corridors Overlay District - Downtown Parking Sub Area) to wholly encompass the properties located at 108 Beacon St. (MBL 06-028-00005) and 112 Beacon St. (MBL 06-028-00006). 9c - 9i Refer to Public Works Committee 9c. Deborah A. Valcourt request sidewalk resurfacing in front of 49 Rowena St. 9d. Jose Landaverde request sidewalk resurfacing at 43 Mendon St. 9e. Elena Fechner request sidewalk resurfacing on McRae Ct. at the intersection of Shrewsbury St. 9f. Rocco DeMalia request installation of a sidewalk in front of 410 Mower St., from the intersection of Mower St. and Westmorland Dr. to 334 Mower St., in the interest of ensuring safe passageway to students walking to school on the street. 9g. Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Luis A. Ojeda request Gardner St. from Main St. to Hollis St. be given the honorary street name of “William S. Coleman III Way.” September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 3 of 21  9h. Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request Oleum Ct. be resurfaced. 9i. Aaron Dahrooge request the extension of a water line on Hastings Ave. from the existing water main westerly to new buildings on the street, at no cost to the city. 9j - 9z Refer to Traffic and Parking Committee 9j. Samaris Correras request removal of a handicap parking space across from 194 Pilgrim Ave. 9k. Izan Alfonso Ramos Asevalo request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 9 Aetna St. 9l. Samuel Hernandez request installation of speed humps on Pilgrim Ave. 9m. Rae Anne Shenette request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 1 Ames St. 9n. Munish Verma request installation of a speed hump in the vicinity of 6 Boston Ave. 9o. Jane Beahn request removal of a stop sign at the bottom of the hill on Chester St. 9p. Heidy Ciciliane request Pasadena Pkwy. be reviewed for installation of speed humps or other traffic calming devices. 9q. Emma Duprey request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on one of the two sides of Norwood St. 9r. Jose I. Rivera request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 81 Fairfax Rd. 9s. Magda L. Roman request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 444 Chandler St. 9t. Brenda Hagen et al. request installation of speed humps on Schaffner St. 9u. Deborah Fins request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Neponset St. and West Boylston Dr. 9v. Deborah Fins request installation of a stop sign on Neponset St. at the entrance of Reliant Clinic parking lot (5 Neponset St.). September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 4 of 21  9w. Lilian Sorto Cruz and Pedro Cruz request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in front of 3 Thayer St. 9x. Shameen Wijesundara request installation of a temporary speed hump on Ellis Dr. 9y. Keith J. Linhares request the Resident Permit Parking zone on Germain St. be reviewed for the feasibility of setting a time limit of 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. or removing the zone from parts of the street to allow for visitor parking. 9z. Councilor Jenny Pacillo request installation of speed humps in the vicinity of 111 and 114 Barry Rd. 10. PETITIONS - PART II 10a - 10n Refer to Traffic and Parking Committee 10a. Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Brianne Erban requests speed humps on Delawanda Dr. 10b. Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Kerri Wentworth request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of Wedgewood Rd. and Westmorland Dr. 10c. Doug Clark request installation of speed humps on Ashmont Ave. 10d. Nicole Anuszczyk request installation of additional speed limit signage on Blackstone River Rd. 10e. Nicole Anuszczyk request installation of additional speed limit signage on Greenwood St. 10f. Nicole Anuszczyk request installation of a crosswalk on Blackstone River Rd. in front of Quinsigamond Elementary School (14 Blackstone River Rd.). 10g. Nicole Anuszczyk request the School Zone signage on Blackstone River Rd. be reviewed for the feasibility of changing the time from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. 10h. Nicole Anuszczyk request the existing School Zone signage on Blackstone River Rd. be updated to include flashing beacons. 10i. Joel Wallen request removal of the Commercial Loading Zone in front of 237 Millbury St. September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 5 of 21  10j. Anival Correa request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage in front of 21 Lodi St. 10k. Councilor Etel Haxhiaj on behalf of Gordon Jon Davis request installation of speed humps on Varnum St. 10l. Gary P. Peters request the three (3) way stop signs at the intersection of Parkton St. and Chester St. be replaced with two (2) yield signs and one (1) stop sign as previously configured. 10m. Jennifer O'Connor request installation of speed humps on Beverly Rd. 10n. Alyson Kenney request installation of a crosswalk that includes pedestrian walking signage with blinking lights on Main St. at the Richards St. intersection. 11. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER 11.1 APPOINTMENTS Non-City Council Confirmation Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of Hasib Mahmud to the Worcester Arts Council. 11.2 APPOINTMENTS City Council Confirmation 11.3 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES William Bagley, Jr., Esq., Chief Human Resources Officer 11.4 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Peter Dunn, Chief Development Officer Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the Semi-Annual Tax Increment Financing and Tax Increment Exemption Report for the period ending June 30, 2025. Informational Communication B. Transmitting informational communication relative to Housing and Neighborhood Development Activities. September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 6 of 21  Recommend Adoption C. Recommend Adoption of resolution to amend the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Plan and Agreement for Lakeside Phase I Four LLC and Lakeside Phase I Nine LLC for the proposed affordable housing project located at 34-46 Lakeside Avenue. Informational Communication D. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Billboard Regulations. Informational Communication E. Transmitting informational communication relative to Economic Development Initiatives. 11.5 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Kevin Lovaincy, Chief Equity Officer 11.6 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Division of Human Rights and Accessibility Patricia M. LaFore, Director 11.7 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Administration Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 11.8 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Engineering and Architectural Services Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 11.9 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Operations Division John K. Westerling, Commissioner 11.10 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND CEMETERY Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Commissioner 11.11 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY Stephen S. Rolle, P.E., Commissioner September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 7 of 21  11.12 FIRE DEPARTMENT Martin Dyer, Fire Chief Informational Communication A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Fire Department strategic plan, as relates to the Emergency Services Consulting International report. 11.13 POLICE DEPARTMENT Paul B. Saucier, Police Chief 11.14 DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner 11.15 LAW DEPARTMENT Alexandra H. Kalkounis, Esq., City Solicitor Recommend Adoption A. Recommending adoption of proposed Home Rule Petition authorizing the municipality to adopt a zoning ordinance requiring Institutional Master Plans. Informational Communication B. Transmitting informational communication relative to rental agreements for all municipal properties, including but not limited to churches renting Worcester Public Schools properties. 11.16 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Administration Nicholas Antanavica, Commissioner 11.17 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Building and Zoning Division David Horne, Deputy Building Commissioner 11.18 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Housing and Health Inspections Division Lee R. Hall, Director 11.19 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration Dr. Matilde "Mattie" Castiel, M.D., Commissioner September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 8 of 21  11.20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Elder Affairs Amy Vogel Waters, Director 11.21 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Veterans Services Dr. Joe Robinson, Veterans' Services Officer/Director 11.22 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Division of Youth Services Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Director 11.23 WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY Jason L. Homer, Executive Director 11.24 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Election Commission Division Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk 11.25 PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Rachel Monárrez, Superintendent 11.26 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Administration Timothy McGourthy, Chief Financial Officer 11.27 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Assessing Division Samuel E. Konieczny, City Assessor 11.28 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Budget Office Division Erin E. Taylor, Director 11.29 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Purchasing Division Christopher Gagliastro, Director 11.30 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Treasury and Collections Division Francisco Hernandez, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 9 of 21  11.31 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES James Bedard, Chief of Public Facilities 11.32 DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer 11.33 DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY Michael P. Hamel, Chief Information Officer 11.34 FINANCE ITEMS Capital Transfers 11.35 FINANCE ITEMS Grants and Donations Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend One Hundred Ninety-Seven Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars and Forty-Five Cents ($197,195.45) for the FY26 State 911 Training Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety. Recommend Adopt On Roll Call B. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Seventy Five Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($75,000.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) for the Youth Employment Gateway Cities Learning Community Pilot. Recommend Adopt On Roll Call C. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500) from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Competitive Grant Program. Recommend Adopt On Roll Call D. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of Two Hundred Ninety-Three Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($293,000.00) from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's (MassCEC) Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment & Infrastructure grants program. September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 10 of 21  Recommend Adopt On Roll Call E. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of One Million Ninety Thousand and Seven Dollars and No Cents ($1,090,007.00) from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant FY2026. Recommend Adopt On Roll Call F. Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in the amount of Two Thousand Thirty Five Dollars and Three Cents ($2,035.03) from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. 11.36 FINANCE ITEMS Operational Transfers Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend that Two Hundred Eleven Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($211,000.00) be transferred from Gift #GFT-1138, Community Fund/Gate Fees, and be appropriated to Project #PRJ-100203, Blithewood Park, to cover lighting improvements at Blithewood Park. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call B. Recommend Adoption of Revolving Fund (MGL Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2), for the Co-Operative Paving and Patching Program. 11.37 FINANCE ITEMS Prior Year Recommend Adoption On Roll Call A. Recommend that Three Thousand Three Hundred Nine Dollars and Seventy Three Cents ($3,309.73) be authorized from Cost Center #CC1031, Department of Innovation and Technology Ordinary Maintenance, to provide funding for the payment of a prior year invoice. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call B. Recommend that Seven Thousand Three Hundred Eighty One Dollars and Seventy Six Cents ($7,381.76) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Public Works and Parks cost centers for the payment of prior year invoices. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call C. Recommend that Ten Thousand Sixty Nine Dollars and Thirty Cents ($10,069.30) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2026 Cost Center #CC1081, Transportation & Mobility Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of a prior year invoice. September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 11 of 21  Recommend Adoption On Roll Call D. Recommend that Three Thousand One Hundred Seventeen Dollars and Twenty Seven Cents ($3,117.27) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2026 Cost Center #CC1017, Emergency Communications Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call E. Recommend that One Thousand Six Hundred Fifteen Dollars And Forty Two Cents ($1,615.42) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2026 Cost Center #CC1055, DPW Salary and Overtime, to allow for a prior year salary adjustment for an employee of the Department of Public Works. Recommend Adoption On Roll Call F. Recommend that Nineteen Thousand One Hundred Fifty Five Dollars and Seventy Nine Cents ($19,155.79) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2026 Cost Center #CC1044, Fire Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year invoices. 11.38 FINANCE Loan Orders 11.39 MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS 12. ORDERS 12a. That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby declare that William S. Coleman, III, be made an honorary City-Councilor-For-A-Day on October 20, 2025, in honor of his passing and contributions to the city. (Petty) 12b. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility conduct a traffic study for Bellevue St. from Pleasant St. to Chandler St. (Ojeda) 12c. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility conduct a traffic study on Malden St. to determine appropriate speed calming measures that can be installed throughout the street. (Pacillo) September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 12 of 21  12d. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning safety protocols required for motorists using e-bikes and scooters, including information concerning where said motorists are required to drive, as well as whether said motorists are required to wear helmets when operating their vehicles. Further, request City Manager consider an education campaign around such requirements to ensure safe roadways for all road users. (Colorio) 12e. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report listing all the vacant lots in the city that are city-owned. (Haxhiaj) 12f. That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby amend its meeting schedule to cancel its meeting on November 11, 2025, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday, and make its November 18, 2025, agenda a joint City Council and City Manager agenda. (Petty) 12g. Request City Manager conduct a staffing analysis of the city’s inspectors to determine whether any additional best practices used in other municipalities could benefit the city in ensuring proper coverage that allows the city to keep up with the construction and permitting associated with the growth of the city. (Pacillo) 12h. Request City Manager review the existing playground equipment at Duffy Field to determine any upgrades that can be made to said equipment that would make the location safer for young children. (Pacillo) 12i. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide City Council with a presentation regarding plans to create a rotary at the intersection of May St. and Chandler St. in the vicinity of Worcester State University. (Bergman) 12j. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any plans to eradicate invasive plants in the city. (Toomey) 12k. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the status of changes to fire stations alerting in the way of “quiet stations,” which would reduce the negative physical and mental health impacts on firefighters. Said efforts could include progressive tones, pre-announced soft messages, graduated lighting, and zoned alerting. (Toomey) 12l. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any plans around crosswalk enforcement in the city. (Toomey) September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 13 of 21  12m. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the status of PFAS-free turnout gear, in light of recent reports regarding the effectiveness and safety of gear currently being used by Worcester and other municipalities. Further, request said report include information as to whether there is any new legislation that could support the city’s efforts to purchase and increase the amount of PFAS-free turnout available to Worcester Fire Department (WFD) firefighters, as well as any additional fire suppression equipment that may be helpful in supporting the department. (Toomey) 12n. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the effectiveness of fire blankets and any recommendations for use by residents. (Toomey) 12o. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the current condition of the city’s Worcester Police Department (WPD) fleet. Said report should include information concerning what is needed to ensure the city is able to maintain maximum performance of the fleet. (Toomey) 12p. Request City Manager work to ensure all construction projects occurring in the city have an assigned community liaison tasked with communicating to residents and businesses in the area of all pertinent information regarding said construction. (Mero-Carlson) 12q. Request City Manager request Assistant Commissioner of Public Works and Parks ensure any Master Plan associated with Poet Hill include work to be done with neighborhood stakeholders to install a plaque listing all poets associated with the location. (Mero-Carlson) 12r. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review the area around the Lake Ave. pumping station to ensure all foul odors at the location be alleviated. (Mero-Carlson) September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 14 of 21  12s. Request City Manager provide City Council with proper legislation to allow the city to opt into the local option of M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 54 for the purposes of establishing a minimum value of personal property subject to taxation threshold of under $10,000.00. Further, request City Manager include in said report information concerning additional strategies and follow up in potential unreported businesses, tracking for newly incorporated business entities, and comprehensive business tracking systems that are currently in play in the city. Further, request said report include information concerning the city’s personal property team performance metrics with confirmation of $2 to $4 million in untaxed personal property accounts. Further, that said report include information concerning future efforts that said team plans to take to ensure continuous identification and fair taxation. Further, request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with information delineating whether once the local option is adopted it can be reversed in the future and that such enactment would require a special act filed with the state legislature. (King) 13. RESOLUTIONS 13a. That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby recognize the week of September 14, 2025, through September 20, 2025, as “Paint the Town Green,” week in the City of Worcester. (Petty) 13b. That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby recognize and celebrate all neighborhood leaders who host monthly neighborhood meetings in partnership with the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and other city service departments, in appreciation of their dedication, hard work, and ongoing commitment to safety and quality of life in the city’s neighborhoods. (Petty) 14. REPORTS OF THE PLANNING BOARD 14a - 14c Refer to Economic Development Committee 14a. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment relative to Accessory Dwelling Units. 14b. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of Zoning Ordinance Amendment Related to Driveways, Pavement, and Permits. 14c. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Daniel S. Ford request Zoning Map be amended by extending the BG-3.0 (Business, General) zoning district and the CCOD-C (Commercial Corridors Overlay District - Canal District Subarea) overlay district to fully encompass the property located at 3 Harding St. (MBL-05-021-0004A). September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 15 of 21  14d Refer to Public Works Committee 14d. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager Recommend Discontinuance of a Portion of the Former Foster Street Layout at Washington Square. 15. TO BE ORDAINED 15a - 15c Ordain on a roll call 15a. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group A - Administrative and Supervisory for Multiple Positions. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group C - Information Services for the Software Analyst Position. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group E – Fiscal for the Assistant Collector Position. Amending the Salary Ordinance of August 20, 1996 Occupational Group Na – Fire for the Director of Fire Engineering Position. 15b. Amending Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991 Relative to Extension of the Business Limited-1.0 (BL-1.0) Zoning District in the vicinity of Mountain Street East and Burncoat Street. 15c. Amending Article III of the Worcester Zoning Ordinance Adopted April 2, 1991, Relative to Extension of the Residence, Limited (RL-7) Zoning District in the vicinity of Malden Street, Malden Terrace, Reynolds Street and West Boylston Street. 16. HELD UNDER PRIVILEGE 16a. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to Council request on the impact of adopting M.G.L Chapter 148, Section 26I. (Held Under Privilege - Toomey August 19, 2025) 16b. COMMUNICATION of the City Auditor transmitting an informational communication auditing construction progress reports completed or not completed, information related to street selections, as well as completed streets over the past five (5) years with funding considerations and realizations. (Held Under Privilege - King August 19, 2025) September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 16 of 21  17. TABLED ITEMS 17a. 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. (Held Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019 and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019) 17b. 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. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February 23, 2021) 17c. 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. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson October 26, 2021 and Held Under Privilege - Petty November 9, 2021 and Tabled - Rivera November 16, 2021) 17d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Morris A. Bergman and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson - 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: recommend Communication be placed on file. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023) 17e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND TRANSPORTATION Upon the Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation meet 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: recommend Order be placed on file. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman January 17, 2023 and Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson January 24, 2023 and Tabled - Mero-Carlson January 31, 2023) September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 17 of 21  17f. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager work with appropriate departments and stakeholders to establish an Office of Housing Stability in an effort to prevent the involuntary displacement of city residents who are in the process of being evicted or at the risk of losing their housing, as well as to enact policies to combat displacement, homelessness and enhance tenants’ rights. (Held Under Privilege - Haxhiaj July 18, 2023 and Tabled - Haxhiaj August 22, 2023) 17g. PETITION of Gordon Davis request City Council request Standing Committee on Public Safety investigate the issue of systemic racism and public safety with public hearings included. (Tabled - Toomey May 14, 2024) 17h. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor Morris A. Bergman - Request City Manager install metal detector safety equipment at City Hall whenever open, similar to the equipment used at Polar Park, the Worcester District Court and other public places, on or before December 31, 2024. (Held Under Privilege - Russell September 24, 2024 and October 1, 2024 and Tabled - Russell October 8, 2024) 17i. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager conduct an equity audit of all city departments every five (5) years. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson December 10, 2024 and Held Under Privilege - Toomey December 17, 2024 and Tabled - Nguyen January 7, 2025) 17j. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to how the U.S. Department of Justice's report on the Worcester Police Department differs from the account of the municipality. (Held Under Privilege - King April 29, 2025 and May 6, 2025 and Tabled - King May 13, 2025) 18. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under suspension at the August 19, 2025 City Council meeting. 18a. PETITION of Councilor Jenny Pacillo and Councilor Morris A. Bergman on behalf of Paula Rosenblum et al. request speed hump plan associated with Haviland St. be amended to include three (3) speed humps placed as equal distance to each other as possible. – Item #25a CC Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 18 of 21  18b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the Report of the Planning Board Upon the Petition of Joshua Lee Smith on behalf of Wolfe Farms LLC request to amend the Zoning Map of the City of Worcester, as referenced in Article III, Section 2 of the City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance, by changing the zoning designation of the Properties identified below from the current zoning designation of Residence, Single Family (RS-7) to Residence, Limited (RL-7), as shown on the map attached hereto. The Properties include the properties known and numbered as 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 40, 42, and 44 Malden Street, 1-6 Malden Terrace, 1-3, 5-7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 Reynolds Street, and 885, 915, 919, 921 and 923 West Boylston Street: recommend passage of the accompanying proposed Ordinance. – Item #25b CC Voted to advertise proposed Ordinance on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18c. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing prior City Council Orders and recommendations relative to trash management in the city. – Item #25c CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18d. ORDER of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager review neighborhood concerns and clean/remove a large trash receptacle located in the Canal District. – Item #25d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18e. ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any State Ethics Commission rulings relative to issues around City Council reaching a quorum when considering topics impacting many City Councilors and whether any exemptions exist around such circumstances. – Item #25e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18f. ORDER of Councilor Jenny Pacillo – Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report detailing the operational challenges faced by the department relative to transitioning to a new agenda management software, OneMeeting by Granicus, and website. Further, request City Clerk include in said report information relative to any functions lost or gained concerning vital records operations on the city’s new website. – Item #25f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18g. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager request Chief Information Officer provide City Council with a report concerning how much money the city is currently spending on software associated with both the city’s agenda management program and the city’s website. – Item #25g CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 19 of 21  18h. ORDER of Councilor Jenny Pacillo and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson – Request City Manager provide City Council provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of adjusting private utility permitting fees in relation to any utility rate changes. – Item #25h CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18i. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with a report concerning the legality of imposing retaliatory increases to private utility fees based on increases to resident utility bills. – Item #25i CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18j. ORDER of Councilor George J. Russell – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the amount the city is charging utility companies for utility work being done in the city’s streets, as well as the feasibility of increasing said charges to account for additional funds required to fix damage to the city’s streets associated with such work. – Item #25j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18k. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning the timeline and efforts being made to secure a day center and general public facilities for the city’s homeless population. – Item #25k CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays 18l. ORDER of Councilor Morris A. Bergman – Request City Manager consider requesting non-profits that own real estate in the city to voluntarily contribute back to the city funds they receive regarding Community Preservation Act (CPA) monies. – Item #25l CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 9 Yeas and 0 Nays September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 20 of 21 Scheduled Meetings of the Standing Committees Monday, Sep. 8, 2025 Public Service and Transportation Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:30 PM Chairperson Donna M. Colorio, Jenny Pacillo, George J. Russell Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025 Public Safety Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:00 PM Chairperson Kathleen M. Toomey, Morris A. Bergman, Luis A. Ojeda Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025 Traffic and Parking Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:00 PM Chairperson Donna M. Colorio, Thu Nguyen, Khrystian E. King Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025 Public Works Committee Esther Howland (South) Chamber 05:00 PM Chairperson George J. Russell, Candy Mero-Carlson, Jenny Pacillo Contact Info: Worcester City Clerk City Hall Room 206 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-799-1124 clerk@worcesterma.gov September 9, 2025 Agenda of the City Council Page 21 of 21