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: Oct 14, 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 / 679 - Presentation - Celeste Bernardo (Lowell National Historic Park Supt.) and Paul Marion (author) regarding book outlining history of Lowell National Historic Park and the City of Lowell. Roll call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Milinazzo). Mayor Elliott Presiding. In City Council Ms. Bernardo introduced Mr. Marion as the author of “Mill Power” a book concerning the development and growth of the National Park in Lowell. Mr. Marion commented on his book and the role of the City in the National Park system. C. Martin commented on the accomplishments of Mr. Marion. C. Leahy noted Mr. Marion’s work. Manager Murphy commented on the National Park in Lowell. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2014 / 688 - Minutes of City Council Meeting October 7th for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2014 / 675 - Petition Response (A) Use of High St. and East Merrimack Street by Commercial Vehicles In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Leahy commented on Petition Response (A) regarding use of commercial traffic on High Street and East Merrimack Street outlining the report. Manager Murphy noted that it was a state road and that MDOT would need to make any changes to traffic pattern. Lisa DeMeo (City Engineer) commented it was the State’s responsibility to make any restrictions on the road and outlined the criteria they may use. Manager Murphy noted that the City could apply for exclusions. C. Belanger noted that such an application should be made for the benefit of the citizens in that area. C. Mercier agreed that the matter should be brought before MDOT. C. Kennedy recommended that there be discussions with companies that are running the trucks through there. Manager Murphy commented that he would speak with companies as well as beginning an application with MDOT. 3.2. 2014 / 677 - Communication - City Mgr. request approval Out of State Travel (1) DPD. In City Council, approved by Roll Call vote. 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. Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 4. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 4.1. 2014 / 690 - Downtown Redevelopment SC October 14, 2014 In City Council, C. Kennedy outlined the meeting and attendance noting discussion on developing a Business Improvement District (BID) and a report by City Assessor regarding costs associated with the BID. C. Kennedy noted that further discussion with the subcommittee will be scheduled for after the first of year. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. PETITIONS 5. - PETITIONS 5.1. 2014 / 676 - Misc. - Swan Street Development Company (Atty. David Plunkett) request to approve and accept Asbury Way as a public way. In City Council, Motion “refer to Law Department for report and recommendation” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 5.2. 2014 / 680 - Misc. - The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Edward J. Resnick request a 15 minute drop off only sign @ 701 Merrimack Street. In City Council, Motion “refer to Traffic Engineer.” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 5.3. 2014 / 686 - Misc. - Jeffrey Wilson request (1) Handicap Parking Sign at 67 Hanks Street. In City Council, Motion “refer to Traffic Engineer, as amended.” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. Motion to amend to 60 day trial by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 5.4. 2014 / 678 - Verizon NE - Request underground conduit at 33 Middle Street. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion “to refer to public hearing on October 28, 2014 at 7 PM” by C. Martin, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6.1. 2014 / 682 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have the City Solicitor prepare the proper vote to change the location and name from Robinson Corner on building to "Robinson Memorial Island" across the street from their coffee shop on the island on Central Street. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager/Law Department. So voted. C. Mercier noted that memorial was to be on building but it would not fit so it will need to be moved across street on the island requiring the Law Department to draft a new vote indicating the new name and new location. C. Mercier commented that the Veteran group had no issue with the changes and that upon completion of vote it would need to be referred to Board of Parks. 6.2. 2014 / 683 - C. Mercier - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department repair and shore-up the caved in sewer on Charles Street next to Portuguese monuments. In Council, seconded by C. Samaras, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted it was done per request of area business. 6.3. 2014 / 687 - C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. work w/Traffic Engineer to explore possibility of adding parking spaces on east side of Shattuck Street. In Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger commented that it would enhance use of street as well as increase parking in area. 6.4. 2014 / 691 - C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. instruct DPD to provide a report to the Economic Development SC that re-evaluates the goals and direction of the JAM Plan exclusive of the Hamilton Canal District with focus on developing an industrial/R&D park in the JAM area with an emphasis in the life-science industry. In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy commented on the need for job creation and that the goals of the JAM Plan should be adjusted to include that criterion. C. Kennedy noted that increasing industrial tax base will help with economic development downtown and that a re-look at plan is warranted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 6.5. 2014 / 684 - M. Elliott/C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. identify funding to hire additional police officers out of current year funds without raising the levy, and prepare a report to expand number of sworn officers to 260 officers In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the need to have more officers on the street at all times of the day and there is a need to identify the funding. C. Leahy noted that hiring of civilians to take desk jobs in the department would free up more officers for the street. C. Belanger noted need for more officers even if cuts from other areas are necessary. Manager Murphy noted there would be an updated report regarding the Matrix Study noting attempts to adhere to some recommendations. C. Samaras noted it was a tough request but needed and commented on grant funding available. C. Belanger commented on grant writers in the City. Manager Murphy noted the department’s recent use of grants to bring on four additional officers. M. Elliott relinquished Chair to Vice-Chair Leahy at 7:25 PM. C. Kennedy noted that there will not be much success in getting money out of current budget but commented that the officers the City has allowed are not all on the job at this point. C. Kennedy noted a change in deployment could enable more officers on the streets. M. Elliott noted all work being done by Council and that there is a continued commitment to public safety and the challenge is upon the group. C. Rourke noted the police department has increased it numbers through different approaches and they currently have highest number in twenty years. C. Kennedy requested information of shifting personnel to enable more officers on the streets. 6.6. 2014 / 685 - M. Elliott - Req. the City Manager have the City Solicitor provide report on process to change selection in order to fill vacancies of unexpired terms of elected officials at Greater Lowell Vocational Technical High School. In Council, seconded by C. Belanger, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Elliott noted this motion was filed with School Committee as well in order to review possible changes. C. Leahy returned Chair to M. Elliott at 7:35 PM. CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 7. - CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 7.1. 2014 / 667 - Executive Session - Regarding pending litigation, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City's position. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) In Council, approved on Roll Call vote at 7:36 PM. M. Elliott notified public that the body would adjourn from the Executive Session. 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 Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x ADJOURNMENT 8. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Meeting adjourned in Executive Session at 8:12 PM. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov