City Council

LOWELL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2013 CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER TIME 6:35 PM Roll call showed 9 present. M. Murphy Presiding. MAYOR Proclamation – Shirley Antoine, Americorps volunteer, naming April 9 National Service Recognition Day. In Council, read by Mayor and presented to Ms. Antoine who addressed and thanked the Council. Proclamation – Robert Daley, Lowell Chapter Barbershop Harmony Society, naming week of April 7-13 “Barbershop Harmony Week”. In Council, read by Mayor and presented to Mr. Daley who introduced President of local chapter who addressed the Council and performed. Citation – Recognition of Wang Middle School Knowledge Bowl Team. In Council, read by Mayor who congratulated the team. CITY CLERK Minutes of City Council Meeting April 2nd, for acceptance. In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by Motion of C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Lorrey. So voted. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS (Scheduled for 7PM) Ordinance - Amend Zoning 12 Weed St. extend TMU Zone. In Council, Given 2nd Reading and hearing held. Atty. James Flood representing the owners of the property outlined the petition and gave history of the site. Carol McCarthy, Lowell resident, spoke in favor and noted establishment was asset to the neighborhood. Ann Marie Page, Lowell resident, spoke in favor of the petition and noted the contribution of the owner to the community. Sandra McNamara, Lowell resident, spoke in favor of petition and noted that it was a successful business. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mendonca “To waive the full reading”. So voted. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Lorrey “To Adopt”. Adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Mercier commented it was a good business that should be thanked. C. Lorrey noted it has a successful business. 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. Lorrey, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. 1  VERBAL MOTION OF 3/26/13 BY COUNCILOR LEAHY: “Request the City Manager have the parks department reach out to Lowell lacrosse for cleanup help at Cawley Stadium” No comments. COUNCIL MOTION OF 3/12/13 BY COUNCILOR MERCIER: “Request City Manager refer to traffic engineer a request for a stop sign at corner of West 3rd and Coburn streets.” No comments. COUNCIL MOTION OF 3/12/13 BY COUNCILOR NUON: “Request City Manager provide a report regarding ownership of vacant lot at corner of Branch and Middlesex Streets.” No comments. COUNCIL MOTION OF 3/26/13 BY COUNCILOR MERCIER: “Request City Manager have proper department put a loading zone sign in front of 240 Jackson Street.” No comments. COUNCIL MOTION OF 3/26/13 BY COUNCILOR LORREY: “Request City Manager have the proper department review installing one 30 minute parking space for ‘residents only’ in front of 240 Jackson Street.” No comments. COUNCIL MOTION OF 3/12/13 BY COUNCILOR NUON: “Reg. City Mgr. have proper departments provide a report concerning pedestrian- related motor vehicle accidents over the period of the last three years to include the following: the number of accidents and accidents involving pedestrians, the location, the time of day, the day of the week, age of operator, and any other pertinent variables that would contribute to learning how we might lower the incidence of pedestrian-related accidents including driver usage of personal communication devices while driving at the time of an incident.” No comments. Communication - From City Manager, Request approval of Out of State Travel (1) Library. In Council, Read Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Lorrey “To approve”. Approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Communication - Report and Recommendation from Planning Board RE: Proposed Amendment extending the TMU zoning district to include the parcel located at 12-14 Weed Street. In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by Motion of C. Martin, seconded by C. Mendonca. So voted. Communication - Reappoint Richard Lockhart to Historic Board as Planning Board member. In Council, Read Motion by C. Lorrey, seconded by C. Nuon “To approve”. Approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Communication - Appoint Metrey Keo, J.D. to Immigration Commission. In Council, Read Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon “To approve”. Approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Mr. Keo addressed and thanked the Council. 2 Vote – Apply/Accept/Expend Grant ($20,000) from Massachusetts Comm. In Council, Read twice and Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Martin “To waive the full reading”. So voted. Motion “to adopt” by C. Martin, seconded by C. Lorrey. Adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Communication - Appoint John D. Corrigan to Hunger Homeless Commission. In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by Motion of C. Lorrey, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Communication - Accept resignation of David Robinson (Hunger Homeless Commission). In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by Motion of C. Lorrey, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Order - 60 day trial (various). In Council, Read twice and Motion by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Martin “To waive the full reading”. So voted. Motion “to adopt” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Mendonca. Adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Communication - Appoint John C. Reid to Taxicab and Livery Commission. In Council, Read Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott “To approve”. Approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Mr. Reid was present and thanked the Council. Communication - Accept resignation of Stephen Daly (Library Board of Trustees). In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by Motion of C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Lorrey. So voted. Communication - Appoint Christopher Jenkins (Library Board of Trustees). In Council, Read Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Lorrey “To approve”. Approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Mr. Jenkins was present and thanked the Council. REPORTS (Sub/Committee, if any) Flood Issues SC April 9, 2013. In Council, Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Kennedy “To accept the report as a report of progress”. So voted. C. Elliott outlined the meeting and who was present. C. Elliott noted Mr. Aucella was present from the National Park and gave a report of status to the subcommittee. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy “to request City Solicitor notify federal delegation along with Inspector General to inform FERC of City support for National Park’s position along with a request to enforce the rules and regulations regarding the setting of pins on flashboards in dams.” So voted. C. Mercier recognized George Rose as person in charge of emergency management system and noted the work to be done by the management team. GENERAL PETITIONS Claims (4) claim for property damage. In Council, Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Nuon, “To refer to Law Department for report and recommendation.” So voted. 3 Misc. - John Wren, Lowell, MA, Request City address Service Area Issues Comcast. In Council, Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Mercier, “To refer to City Manager.” So voted. Carly Youcher spoke for Mr. Wren who could not be present. Manager Lynch spoke about Comcast service. C. Mendonca noted that there was no service in that area. C. Mercier noted that they must provide service by law. C. Kennedy commented if you cannot come over the railroad tracks they should go different way. C. Leahy noted that there are some complaints from downtown businesses regarding rates for cable. C. Martin noted that some areas cannot get Comcast in the downtown and that problem could grow as development grows. C. Leahy requested outlet to voice concerns over rates and that City should support effort to lower rates. MOTIONS By C. Lorrey – “Req. City Mgr. work with city, state and federal agencies assisting with the removal of tents and shelters along Merrimack and Concord Rivers and finding suitable shelter for people residing there.” In Council, seconded by C. Elliott, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. Paul Belley, registered speaker, outlined the issue and noted that there were about 60 people living in the areas from all walks of life and that outreach is the only manner in which to help. C. Lorrey noted there must be a joint effort to assist with the issue. C. Leahy recognized the groups who assist the people. C. Elliott noted a need for compassion but laws need to be recognized as well. Manager outlined the plan in dealing with the different tent cities in the area. By C. Mendonca – “Req. City Mgr. provide more publicity with greater detail for Summer recreation activities for children.” In Council, seconded by C. Nuon, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Mendonca noted that parents are in need of more information and that use of website would help to get to a broader spectrum of citizens. Manager noted they were moving forward concerning publicity earlier this year. C. Nuon noted that there should be a wide range for information and that should include job opportunities. C. Lorrey commented that information should be given to coaches as well. Manager outlined posting of jobs. By C. Nuon – “Req. City Mgr. provide list of all contractors hired by DPW for snow removal for past year and include terms of contract.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Nuon commented the need to hire locally in this area. By C. Nuon – “Req. City Mgr. report and update regarding amended rules and regulations of License Commission.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted time period and requested update. City Solicitor O’Connor outlined meetings of the Commission and that a public hearing was being set up in future. C. Lorrey requested copies of new regulations before the public hearing. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Kennedy “to take items #25 to #29 inclusively together.” So voted. 4 Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Lorrey “to second and approve items #25 to #29 inclusively.” So voted. By C. Nuon – “Req. City Mgr. report on summer job opportunities for youth.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. By C. Nuon – “Req. Mayor prepare citation recognizing the Asian American Young Professional Group for meeting of April 16th.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Mayor. So voted. By C. Nuon – “Req. Mayor prepare proclamation recognizing Cambodian New Year Planning Committee for meeting of April 16th.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Mayor. So voted. By C. Nuon – “Req. Mayor prepare proclamation recognizing month of April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” for meeting of April 16th.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Mayor. So voted. By C. Nuon – “Req. Mayor prepare proclamation recognizing month of April as “Cambodian New Year Celebration” for meeting of April 16th.” In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to the Mayor. So voted. 30. By C. Mercier – “Req. City Mgr. explore possibility of having a police substation in the library for completing reports and other administrative functions.” In Council, seconded by C. Nuon, read and referred to the Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted it would be more of a presence of police if it were feasible. Manger noted he would look into it. C. Elliott requested the procedure for calling the police and if security guard is allowed to call on matters. Manager noted there should be a chain of command in the building. Mayor thanked Vice Chair Mendonca for his service during his absence. C. Mendonca congratulated the Mayor on his new addition to family. Motion to Adjourn by C. Lorrey, seconded by C. Mendonca. So voted. Adjourn at 7:50 PM. Michael Q. Geary City Clerk 5