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 12, 2014 Time: 7:00 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. - GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 1.1. 2014 / 190 - Special Meeting 3/12/14 Notice is hereby given, as required by Rule 6 of the City of Lowell Council Rules, that the Lowell City Council will hold a Special Meeting of the Lowell City Council in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 7:00 PM. Notice is hereby given as requested by the Lowell City Council that the Lowell City Council will hold a hearing open to the public for consideration of public participation regarding proposed criteria and qualifications on the selection of a City Manager and City Auditor. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 7PM in the City Council Chamber, City Hall. All hearings will conclude no later than 10:00 PM. The public is invited to attend. Special Meeting of City Council Roll Call 9 present (5:05 PM). M. Elliott presiding. Mayor Elliott opened meeting and read posted notice. C. Mercier asked Human Relations Director, Mary Callery if a letter of thanks was sent to the other 23 applicants and Mary Callery said she had sent the letters and also notified the finalists for both positions. Ms. Callery also informed the City Council that they had a finalist who dropped out of the position of City Auditor. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 3) Deb Chause, Lowell, MA - The next City Manager should have an understanding of housing development for families of low income. She states that poor people depend on the leaders of our community to put the needs of the poor and homeless up front when making choices. Bill Daly, Lowell, MA - Can’t see hiring a politician to run the city. The next City Manager needs to be a professional City Manager. Patrick Farmer, Lowell, MA – I believe the next City Manager should be a professional City Manager with budgeting experience. Someone who will go into the neighborhoods and speak to the residents to hear what they have to say. We need to keep moving in direction we were heading. Amy Saba-Farmer, Lowell, MA – People of Lowell deserve a professional City Manager. This position is essential. There have been a lot of positive changes here and would like to see that continue. Dan MacNeil, Lowell, MA – We need to hire a City Manager with education, experience in finance and management. Ken Favreau, Lowell, MA – Said he is a veteran and votes in every election. He does not want his taxes to go up. He voted for Council to run the city and that they are doing a good job. Ann Marie Page & Nancy Judge, Lowell, MA – I would like to thank the City Council for first holding this meeting. We are hoping for a City Manager with education, managing, planning, financing, labor relations, public safety and affordable housing. We need someone with good business sense and also someone who puts together a smart team. We all have to be team players. Aleksandra Tugbiylle, Lowell, MA – Lowell is on a good path and would like to continue. Please consider hiring a professional City Manager. Florangel Suero, Lowell, MA – We need to hire someone with experience in managing a large city with a diverse population. Madeline Nash, CBA – Has always had a great relationship with the City Manager and Division of Planning and Development and hope that will continue as well as the level of professionalism. Hearing Closed for public participation regarding the City Manager’s position. C. Mercier thanked everyone for coming out tonight and speaking. C. Mercier then suggested that there be two nights with three candidates per night. She suggested 90 minutes for each interview with 5 minute opening and closing remarks. C. Belanger said he liked C. Mercier suggestion but maybe 2 per night would be better as it would make for a long night. At this point C. Kennedy moved, seconded by C. Leahy “To add a fourth person to the Auditor finalists since one has dropped out”. So Voted. C. Martin agreed with two candidates per night if they are 90 minute interviews. C. Leahy said he was leery about limiting candidates on opening and closing statements and that there should be some flexibility. MOTION by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy “To have 2 candidates interviewed per night with 10 minute opening statement, 10 minutes per councilor and 5 minute closing statement”. Approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. C. Leahy moved, seconded by C. Martin “To amend the motion to 10 minute City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 3) closing statement instead of 5 minutes”. So Voted. MOTION by C. Martin, seconded by C. Mercier “To have interviews March 25 th , 26 th and 27 th with a start time of 6PM and March 29 th as a backup date”. P P P P P P P P Adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. C. Martin asked Ms. Callery to report back at next Tuesday Council Meeting as to the candidates and interviews. Hearing opened for public participation regarding the City Auditor’s position. No speakers. Hearing closed. Discussion on the scheduling Auditor’s interviews. MOTION by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier “To schedule interviews for the position of City Auditor on April 2 nd and April 3 rd with a start time of 6PM”. P P P P Adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. C. Belanger thanked public for coming out. ADJOURNMENT 2. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. MOTION to adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So Voted. ADJOURNED AT 8:13PM Respectfully Submitted, Angela Gitschier Acting City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov