Worcester City Council Liveblog 12/9/08

7:06: Starting tonight with a resolution thanking Bobby Genese and Robert Williams for their cross country walk raising money and awareness of Autism. The two friends’ walk wasn’t easy: they had a somewhat infamous fight in Colorado, and ended up finishing the coast to coast journey separately.

7:16: Another resolution, thanking Frank Raffa and Don Courtney for their years of union service, coming to an end in January.

7:34: The plaudits still coming in from councilors for Raffa and Courtney for their years of hard work. “Who would have thought you’d be getting a standing ovation in city hall?” jokes Joff Smith.

7:46: The always intriguing Library Board vote is going on…two new members will be elected. The first ballot results in a tie for the third spot. The councilors are very confused about procedure right now.

Bill Coleman and Susan Gaitley win the multi-year spot. Gaitley took the last slot in a run-off, unanimously, after narrowly edging Phyllis Harrington on the first ballot.

Javian Gutierrez takes the one year position.

7:58: For those watching from home, we’re having some serious microphone issues in the chamber.

8:00: City Auditor James DelSignore is talking about pension fund requirements, performance, and city contributions. Bleak. Actually, DelSignore says by one measurement, this is as bad a year as there has been since 1931.

8:03: City Manager Michael O’Brien says we need to expect a 5-10% aid cut in FY2010, and there is no guarantee cuts will be avoided in FY2009, though they will be a “last resort.”

8:05: Bill Coleman, fresh off his Library Board election, is moving on to a new challenge: getting some sort of recognition for former City Clerk Robert O’Keefe, who spent 45 years in the clerk’s office. Coleman acknowledges O’Keefe’s controversial nature (he was a proponent of marking down baby’s born out of wedlock, among other things)

8:10: Councilor Toomey wants a focus on reducing the cost of fleet and personal cars for city personnel.

8:12: Lukes makes the odd move of calling for a roll call vote from councilors on an item from Rushton asking for the feasibility of restoring nine city pools over the next ten years.  It passes 10 to 1, with Lukes voting against.

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