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: May 13, 2014 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA MAYOR’S BUSINESS 1. - MAYOR'S BUSINESS 1.1. 2014 / 368 - Citation - To Sarah Quigley owner of "The Social Pup" recognizing new business in City. Roll call showed 9 present. Mayor Elliott Presiding. M. Elliott read and presented citation Sarah Quigley of “The Social Pup” recognizing it as a new business in the City. Ms. Quigley addressed and thanked Council. M. Elliott read and presented citation to “Greater Lowell United Football Team” recognizing it has a new business in the City and on their upcoming season. C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for John Conlon and all other who have passed in the City. M. Elliott spoke of Mr. Conlon. C. Samaras requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Mary Botto. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2014 / 369 - Minutes of City Council Meeting May 6th; Zoning SC May 6th; Special Meeting May 8th, for acceptance. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 8) In Council, read, accept and place on file by Motion of C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2014 / 377 - Communication Summary Motion Responses (A) Motion Response - Efforts to Clean Streets and Sidewalks Downtown on Weekends (B) Motion Response - Spot to Honor William J. Sullivan (C) Motion Response - Request the City Manager to have LPD Superintendent report on funding and source of funding to the UTEC organization (D) Motion Response - Request City Manager have Wastewater report on flooding on Wentworth Ave and efforts being undertaken to avoid future occurrences (E) Motion Response - Report on cost of establishing a 311 Constituent Service Call Center for the City of Lowell Informational Reports (F) Informational - Anne Welcome Field (G) Informational - Flood training exercise (H) Informational - Upcoming dedications Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. C. Rourke commented on Motion Response (A) noting report and work shifts. Manager Murphy noted the new work hours to cover the weekend. C. Leahy noted the shift in work and the positive effect it will have. C. Mercier commented on Motion Response (B) noting the time and place of the dedication. C. Rourke commented on Motion Response (C) regarding UTEC funding report. Manager Murphy commented on meeting with parties to resolve issues. C. Milinazzo noted the meeting and the need for the parties to work together. C. Leahy commented that one person will wish to speak on the matter in the following week. C. Samaras noted the Manager handling of the situation was the best approach. C. Martin commented on Motion Response (D) regarding flooding on Wentworth Ave. noting the report and the procedures to follow for correction. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 8) VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2014 / 364 - Vote-Authorize City Manager Execute Retaining Wall Easement (135 Beacon St) In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x x Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 4.2. 2014 / 365 - Vote-Apply/Accept/Expend ($77,842.00) JAG Grant In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. C. Milinazzo abstain from vote and was not present in the Chamber. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 8) 4.3. 2014 / 366 - Vote-Transfer $136,500.94 (Salary Stabilization Fund) In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x x Martin Jr., William F. x x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 4.4. 2014 / 367 - Vote-Transfer $1,703.86 from Salary Stabilization Fund In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x x Martin Jr., William F. x x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 5. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 8) 5.1. 2014 / 376 - Youth Services SC May 13, 2014. In City Council, C. Samaras issued the report and noted attendance. C. Samaras outlined the summer youth programs and jobs in the City and how the information is passed along to the citizens. C. Mercier noted it was a productive meeting and commented on the various partnerships and that the whole City would be involved. C. Rourke noted that the programs provide a lot of opportunity for youth at very low costs. C. Leahy commented on the various opportunities. M. Elliott noted that all the programs are well run. Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Kennedy to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. 5.2. 2014 / 238 - Wire insp. - National Grid/Verizon NE – pole location at 16 Maude St. In council, read and Motion to accept and adopt the recommendation of the wire inspector by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. PETITIONS 6. - PETITIONS 6.1. 2014 / 370 - Claim - (1) property damage. In City Council, referred “To the Law Department for report and recommendation” by Motion of C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 6.2. 2014 / 371 - Misc. - Christopher Kerivan and Alexa Queenan request permission to address Council regarding building located at 16 Hampshire St. In City Council, referred “To the City Manager for report and recommendation regarding condition of site, costs to re-hab and possible re-use of site” by Motion of C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Mr. Kerivan, the petitioner, addressed the Council regarding the building. C. Mercier noted the history of the site and the shape of the building noting it should be demolished. C. Belanger commented that the building needs to be addressed and must move forward with plan as well as involve neighborhood in any discussions. Ann Marie Page addressed the Council regarding site. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 8) 6.3. 2014 / 375 - Misc. - Evelia Ramirez request (1) handicap parking sign at 325 Moody St. Misc. - Luz Gonzalez request to move (1) handicap parking sign from 485 Stevens St. to 37 Alder St. In Council, both petitions read and Motion to amend both to 60 day trial by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Motion to refer as amended to Traffic Engineer by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 7. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 7.1. 2014 / 372 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. provide a report outlining and explaining the reasoning between estimated water readings vs. actual readings and justify exorbitant water bills months and years later on estimated readings. In Council, seconded by C. Belanger, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted the issue is when the estimates are not accurate and the billing is much later. Manager requested the information regarding the account. C. Belanger commented that digital reading of meters will reduce the problem. 7.2. 2014 / 373 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. find ways and means of purchasing and/or providing a mulch blower for the City, specifically the Parks Department. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted it was a request by employee and citizen to ease workload as staffing was reduced. 7.3. 2014 / 374 - C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. provide a report on the status and occupancy of all mill properties and other industrial properties outside of the National Park District. In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy commented that you would need that status of mill properties to assist in economic development. 7.4. 2014 / 378 - C. Martin - Req. City Council appoint Professor Wael Kamal to the board of directors of Lowell Telecommunications Corporation. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 8) In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, appointed on Roll Call Vote. C. Martin noted that the Council makes the appointment on the LTC Board. C. Belanger noted the appointments impressive resume. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x x Martin Jr., William F. x x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 7.5. 2014 / 379 - C. Martin - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department provide an update on construction projects at Sun Apartment and Father John's Medicine buildings. In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Martin noted it appears projects downtown are moving forward with the anticipated major renovations and just need status update. 7.6. 2014 / 380 - C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. have proper department review the need for a crosswalk from Cardinal O'Connor Parkway over Market St. to the City employee parking lot. In Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger commented the need to protect employees at that crossing. Motion to Suspend Rules to discuss final auditor interview and vote by C. Martin, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Kennedy to place item on May 20, 2014 agenda regarding vote to appoint Auditor. So voted. ADJOURNMENT 8. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 8 of 8) Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Adjourn at 7:35 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov