City Council

LOWELL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2013 CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER TIME 6:30 PM Roll call showed 9 present. Mayor Murphy Presiding. MAYOR’S BUSINESS Communication – Amy Pessia from Merrimack Valley Food Bank discussion of Spring food drive. In Council, Ms. Pessia addressed the Council regarding the Spring food drive and its importance to the community. Proclamation – To Coach Phil Maia and the Lowell High School Indoor Track Team in recognition of the 2012-1013 State Championship and recognizing February 27, 2013 as the 2012-2013 Lowell High School Indoor Track Team Day. In Council, Mayor read and presented the Proclamation to Coach Maia and the team. Coach Maia addressed the Council, introduced his assistant coaches and outlined the championship season. Each member of the team introduced themselves to the Council. CITY CLERK Minutes of City Council Meeting February 19th, Public Safety Sub/Committee February 12th, and Rules Sub/Committee February 19th for acceptance. In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by Motion of C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Lorrey. So voted. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS (Scheduled for 7PM) 4. Loan Order - Capital Improvement Bonds – to borrow $2,000,000 for the purpose of financing the purchase and installation of parking kiosks. In Council, Given 2nd Reading and hearing opened. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Mendonca “To waive the full reading”. So voted. Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott “To delay action for one week”. Approved on roll call vote 7 yeas, 2 nays (C. Lorrey, C. Mendonca). So voted. Manager Lynch presented a power point entitled “Parking Kiosks Report, Office of the City Manager, dated February 22, 2013” (See Attachment # 1): 1. Issues – outdated meters; increase revenue; Father Morissette Blvd. overhaul; event parking; UML expansion. 2. Project Overview – replace old meters; replace old kiosks; need more parking in certain areas. 3. Father Morissette Blvd. – better use of space; new parking spaces; new cycling lanes; increase meter revenues. 4. Problems Addressed – new spaces; ease of auditing; fewer errors in ticketing; self- funded debt; capture event parking. 5. Kiosks over Meters – reporting; theft protection; automation. 6. Deployment – location in Spring of 2013; bid on street dependent on Council approval. 1 7. Maps – outlined areas where kiosks will be located. 8. Budget – payment breakdown; in house work; revenue; payback in 4 years. 9. Graph – growth of kiosks revenues. 10. Debt Projections – 4 year payoff; positive cash flow C. Kennedy commented on the number of letters received in support of the proposal and should be part of record (See Attachment # 2 – Various Letters). Mayor opened the meeting to the public. No speakers in favor. James Walsh spoke in opposition commented on the hidden costs, type of kiosk, alarm system and the City Ordinance outlining the time for the use of meters in the City. The Manager responded to the concerns noting they would purchase best kiosk for the purpose and within budget. Mr. Troup, Parking Director, commented on event parking staff as well as alarm system on the kiosks. C. Mercier questioned the quality of the kiosks. C. Kennedy questioned why the funds could not come from general fund. Manager outlined reason for loan. C. Kennedy questioned the RFP associated with the loan. Manager noted the responses were due this week and then they would be evaluated. C. Kennedy noted that his issue was with the changes to Father Morissette Blvd. and he would need a closer look at it. Manager commented on traffic study done. Mr. Baacke (DPD) commented on the issues with the road and the studies done showing underutilization of the road. C. Kennedy had questions on quality of machines and their ability to take dollar bills. Manager assured Council that the machines will take dollar bills. C. Lorrey made note of the tie in with UMass Lowell and attracting business to the area. C. Lorrey commented that it would not be fair to other businesses in City if they have kiosks in front of their buildings and that there should be an element of residential parking as well. C. Lorrey commented that funds to clear kiosks should come out of the Parking Enterprise Fund. C. Mendonca noted new meters will be a new spaces creating turnover in spaces. C. Mendonca noted the emails sent to Clerk’s Office supporting the plan and that the program will pay for itself in short manner. C. Mendonca questioned some elements of the scope of services on RFP regarding accepting dollar bills. Mr. Troup outlined the addendum ensuring the acceptance of bills. C. Leahy commented on life of the machines and the replacement plan. Manager noted the life span would probably be 7-8 years. Mr. Troup outlined the maintenance plan for the kiosks. C. Leahy question rate for event parking. Manager noted that the spots would be premier spots so there rate should be increased. C. Mercier questioned what the original costs were and was informed that they were included in the Early Garage development. C. Leahy noted the machines must be upgraded to keep abreast with latest technology. C. Mendonca questioned the pay by license plate technology. Mr. Troup outlined the software and note it was not something they were looking at presently. C. Nuon questioned the RFP and warranty on the machines. Manager noted the warranties were usually two years but you could purchase a longer one if desired. C. Noun questioned the open time on the meters and event staff that would be needed. Manager noted that there would be limited staff for events and that collection during certain hours could cost prohibitive as well as not being business friendly. C. Kennedy made above referenced motion to delay on week. On the motion C. Nuon questioned if delay would hurt proposal. C. Mendonca questioned maker of motion what new information you will be searching for. C. Kennedy commented he had some questions on Lowell Plan study as well as Father Morissette Blvd. plans and the hidden 2 costs that may be involved with the plan. Manager noted that the revenues projected did not include event parking. C. Lorrey questioned reason for continuing and noted sufficient information is there to move forward. C. Elliott questioned why the RFP was out before the money was approved and also noted that no parking on the road may be a safety issue. Manager noted that there are different times an RFP can go out and that he has done it different ways and he did not know why there was no parking on Father Morissette Blvd. Mr. Moses (CFO) responded to C. Elliott that there is very little debt on one garage and that there is larger debt on the Early Garage. Manager noted that new parking spaces will create more revenue than the garages. Manager commented that he cannot sign a contract unless the funding is available. C. Mendonca noted event parking would need ordinance change. C. Martin noted the kiosks system has been very successful downtown and that he is supportive of the plan but would like to review Father Morissette Blvd. element of the plan a little more. C. Martin noted that the Lowell Plan report points out that metered parking creates more of urban walking environment. C. Martin supported the delay to hear from businesses in the area. C. Leahy noted he supported plan as well as a delay. C. Elliott questioned how they would get information. Manager commented he would supply information in whatever manner Council wished it. C. Kennedy noted he wanted the delay and he would gather information he needs. Mr. Baacke noted he has had general discussions with building owners in the area as well as businesses. C. Mercier supports proposal and supports delay. CITY MANAGER Communication - From City Manager Responses to City Council Motions and Requests. In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by Motion of C. Mercier, seconded by C. Mendonca. So voted. COUNCIL MOTION OF 2/12/13 by C. NUON: “Req. City Mgr. Work with HR Dept. to develop a policy regarding hiring and promotion to help give Lowellians greater access to City jobs.” No comments. COUNCIL MOTION OF 2/12/2013 BY COUNCILOR LEAHY: “Request City Manager extend invitation to the Lowell Plan to attend an economic development subcommittee to explore a strategy in conjunction with UMass Lowell to recruit research facilities to locate their businesses in the city.” No comments. FOLLOW UP RE: COUNCIL MOTION OF 1/29/13 BY COUNCILOR MARTIN: “Req. City Mgr. consider contracting services to other municipalities for appropriate departments.” No comments. MOTION OF 2/12/2013 BY COUNCILOR NUON: "Request City Manager have Superintendent of Police develop a public service tutorial on the city's website or public television regarding how to protect your personal property from theft." No comments. 3  INFORMATIONAL Report—2012 Crime Statistics. No comments. Key to the City of Lowell. No comments. White Ribbon Day Campaign 2013. No comments. Communication - From City Manager, Request approval of Out of State Travel (1) Fire Dept. In Council, Read Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Martin “To approve”. Approved on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lorrey). So voted. Ordinance - Create (1) full-time position (Animal Control Compliance Officer) and establish said salary. In Council, Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier “To Waive Full Reading”. So voted. Given 1st Reading, Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Nuon “To refer to public hearing on March 12, 2013 at 7 PM.” So voted. REPORTS (Sub/Committee, if any) C. Mendonca noted that there is an upcoming Finance Subcommittee meeting on March 5th at 5:30 PM. GENERAL PETITIONS Claims (1) claim for property damage. In Council, Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon, “To refer to Law Department for report and recommendation.” So voted. MOTIONS By C. Kennedy – “Req. City Mgr. appoint or re-appoint two members to the Auditorium Board of Trustees.” In Council, seconded by C. Elliott, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted three new members and that there are two holdovers that need to be reappointed or replaced. C. Lorrey noted that there is probably a need for experience on the board. By C. Kennedy – “Req. Mayor prepare a Proclamation for Brynn Geary in recognition of her performance of the National Anthem to open Winterfest 2013.” In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to the Mayor. So voted. C. Kennedy outlined the motion and spoke of the competition to sing the anthem. C. Mercier recognized the performance. By C. Nuon – “Req. the City Mgr. provide inventory of all city owned land and city owned property.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Nuon requested how long it would take to assemble. Manager responded it would take 2-3 weeks for report. By C. Nuon – “Req. City Mgr. provide a breakdown of the current diversity within the Police Dept. for both officers and command staff and further report efforts to continue diversifying the police force in the newest recruiting class of the Police Academy.” In Council, seconded by C. Mendonca, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Nuon added that larger City departments should be included as part of the report. 4 By C. Lorrey – “Req. City Mgr. prepare report for Council regarding estimate of total costs of snow removal and possible reimbursements from State or Federal agencies.” In Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Lorrey commented that it is an attempt to lessen the snow removal costs. By C. Lorrey – “Req. City Mgr. have proper dept. track the number of prisoners released due to State drug lab scandal and track any costs associated with retrying those prisoners due to the scandal for possible reimbursement.” In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Lorrey noted it was important to track as these costs may be reimbursed by the State at some point. 16. By C. Leahy – “Req. City Mgr. prepare a report concerning the removal of trash from the downtown area.” In Council, seconded by C. Lorrey, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Leahy commented to look at whole operation and to urge businesses downtown to be a part of the process of keeping areas clean. C. Lorrey questioned the number of barrels downtown. C. Mercier noted that the downtown coordinator should have involvement in the matter. C. Mendonca requested the report include barrels in the surrounding neighborhoods. C. Kennedy requested the report include barrels in the parks. C. Elliott noted that there was a reduction in the number of barrels at one point. Motion to Adjourn by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Lorrey. So voted. Adjourn at 9:07 PM. Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Attachment # 1 - Parking Kiosks Report, Office of the City Manager, dated February 22, 2013. Attachment # 2 – Various Letters. 5