City Council

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4007 www.LowellMA.gov Lowell City Council Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Regular Meeting Minutes Date: Mar 03, 2014 Time: 5:00 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA MAYOR’S BUSINESS 1. - MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2. 2014 / 155 - SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE Notice is hereby given, as required by Rule 6 of the City of Lowell City Council Rules, that the Lowell City Council will hold a Special Meeting of the Lowell City Council in the Council Chambers on Monday, March 3, 2014 at 5:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting is (1) Discussion of selection/hiring process for City Manager and City Auditor, (2) Appointment of Acting City Auditor. The public is invited to attend. Special Meeting of City Council Roll Call 9 present (5:00 PM). M. Elliott presiding. Mayor Elliott opened meeting and read posted notice. C. Mercier commented on the need for public participation. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Belanger “to allow for public participation in the selection process for the City Manager and to advertise a public hearing on March 12, 2014 at 7 PM regarding that participation after the final candidates have been selected.” Adopted on Roll Call Vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Samaras commented that the motion is in order and that as further suggestions there should be community leaders involved in the process as well as well as submitting questions of the candidates. C. Kennedy commented that the hearing for public participation should be advertised. C. Mercier noted there should be advertisement for the hearing open to public. C. Milinazzo noted that the resumes are not made public until finalists are set. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 2) C. Rourke noted that the meeting should be advertised. M. Elliott noted the importance of public discussion. M. Elliott questioned the number of applicants to be submitted to the Clerk and how many would be interviewed. C. Martin noted historically there were 5 submissions and top 5 for interviews including ties. C. Leahy questioned timing of interviews. C. Belanger noted that public would not be part of interviews their participation would come before. C. Kennedy noted that public would comment on general characteristics. C. Martin noted any hearing should start at 7 PM as other public hearing do. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo “to submit 5 names for City Manager to Clerk by 5 PM Friday March 7, 2014 and interview the top 5 with ties.” Adopted on Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Motion by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke “to have Mayor’s Office compile any questions from the public.” So voted. City Solicitor Chris O’Connor provided information regarding the hiring process as outlined by letter dated March 3, 2014. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier “to submit 4 names for City Auditor to Clerk by 5 PM Friday March 7, 2014 and interview the top 4 with ties and allow for public participation as well” Adopted by Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. M. Elliott noted next meeting would be March 12th. C. Martin commented that the same public process should be done with the auditor position and noted that the Council should have dates in mind for interviews. City Solicitor O’Connor outlined the appoint process for acting auditor and noted that selection by the Council would be best approach. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke “to appoint second in command at Auditor office (Asst. Auditor Karen O’Beirne) as Acting City Auditor.” Adopted on Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. ADJOURNMENT 3. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo “to adjourn.” So voted. Adjourned at 5:45 PM. Michael Q. Geary City Clerk. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov