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 21, 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 / 697 - Citation - To Kathy Tatreaux operator of City Hall snack bar. Proclamation - To Jumpstart in recognition of "Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day". Proclamation - To DPD in recognition of "Lead Poisoning Prevention Week". Roll call showed 9 present. Mayor Elliott Presiding. C. Milinazzo requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Charles “Chuck” Taupin. C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Lane Keefe. In City Council, Motion to Suspend Rules by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo to speak on Centralville event. So Voted. C. Mercier commented on the fall clean-up in Centralville and noted all the groups involved, including the LHS ROTC who were present in the Chamber. M. Elliott recognized Tom Bellegarde (Parks Dept.) for his contribution. Manager Murphy commented on the experience. Commander of the ROTC commented on the effort by all in the clean-up. Mr. King (Principal of the Robinson School) thanked all of the organizations for their help. Ann Marie Page, Lowell resident, noted all of the volunteers present at the event. Heidi Miller, Lowell resident, identified specific volunteers. Brian Martin (Headmaster LHS) recognized the ROTC effort in the clean-up. In City Council, Mayor made presentation of a citation to Ms. Tatreaux for her operation of the City Hall Snack bar who was present and thanked the Council. Mayor made presentation of a City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 8) proclamation to Ms. Chandier of Jumpstart recognizing the program. Mayor made presentation of proclamation to Tony Snow of the DPD recognizing “Lead Poisoning Prevention Week”. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2014 / 692 - Minutes of City Council Meeting October 14th; Downtown Redevelopment SC October 14th; Education Partnerships SC October 7th; City Council Special Meeting October 7th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Mercier requested moment of personal privilege to discuss executive session minutes. C. Mercier questioned the Clerk involving issuing of executive session minutes. Clerk Geary outlined the procedure for approving and releasing the executive session minutes. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. - UTILITY PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1. 2014 / 645 - National Grid - Request replacement of gas main on Appleton Street. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing opened. Hearing held. No Remonstrants. Speaking in favor was a representative from National Grid. Motion by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy to refer matter to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation. So voted. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2014 / 702 - Motion Responses (A) Father Morissette Bike Lanes (B) Police Station Feasibility Study In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Martin, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. C. Milinazzo commented on Motion Response (A) regarding bike lanes by Motion to refer matter to Transportation SC for report and recommendation, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 8) C. Milinazzo commented on Motion Response (B) regarding police feasibility study questioning the Capital Budget amount allotted to the study. 4.2. 2014 / 707 - Communication-Draft Ordinance-Sidewalk and/or Sandwich Board Signs In Council, Motion “To refer to Historic Board for report and recommendation” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. C. Kennedy questioned the reasoning for not including size of signage in the ordinance before sending it to Historic Board. Manager Murphy noted the suggestion and indicated that the size of signage will be included in the ordinance. C. Samaras noted the Historic Board has already begun work on the ordinance and that the Historic Board should meet with the City Solicitor to effectuate further changes. C. Rourke commented on what times of the year the ordinance will be in effect. C. Leahy noted that it should be all year round. C. Kennedy noted it should be year round with some specifications regarding weather. 4.3. 2014 / 706 - Communication - City Mgr. request approval Out of State Travel (1) LPD and (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 Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2014 / 694 - Vote-Apply/Accept/Expend DCR Recreational Trails Grant In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 8) VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x Belanger, Corey x x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 5.2. 2014 / 695 - Vote-Cancel Council Meetings 11/11 and 11/25/14 In Council, read twice and adopted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x x Leahy, John J. x x Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 5.3. 2014 / 701 - Vote-Auth Mgr Ex. License Agreement between City and MBTA re: Railroad Properties In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. C. Mercier questioned the MBTA involvement and the fee charged. Mark Young (Wastewater Director) outlined their involvement and noted that they would not waive the fee. C. Mercier noted that there should be no concessions to the railroad companies. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 8) 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 ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6. - ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. 2014 / 696 - Order-Designate Island on Central St between Green and Williams St "Robinson Memorial Island" In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Mercier thanked the Law Department for their quick turn time on this matter. C. Mercier noted it should be referred to Board of Parks for a vote. C. Leahy questioned the procedure on this matter. 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. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 8) REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. 2014 / 620 - Wire Insp. - Verizon NE - Request underground conduit at 33 East Merrimack Street. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying wire inspector report by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. 7.2. 2014 / 621 - Wire Insp. - National Grid/Verizon NE - Request pole location at corner of Chelmsford St. and Howard St. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying wire inspector report by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. PETITIONS 8. - PETITIONS 8.1. 2014 / 693 - Misc. - Kleber Chavez for Ramona Chavez request (1) Handicap Parking Sign at 58 Gates Street. In City Council, Motion “refer to Traffic Engineer, as amended.” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Motion to amend to 60 day trial by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 8.2. 2014 / 708 - Misc. - Transgas, Inc. request additional 24,000 gallons of diesel above ground storage at 87 Industrial Ave. East. In City Council, Read, Motion “to refer to public hearing on November 18, 2014 at 7 PM” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. 2014 / 698 - C. Leahy/C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. update City Council on report on police vehicles dated July 10, 2013; as well as requesting Supt. of LPD explore possibility of allowing Lowell officers living in the City be able to take cruisers home after shifts. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted the history of the report and that there was a need to know the number of cars and how they City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 8) were acquired and why keeping them would be necessary. C. Kennedy noted that perhaps they could be auctioned off if not needed. C. Leahy outlined reason for motion to have cruisers at homes noting police presence and safety. C. Mercier noted she was not yet comfortable with the motion but will get further information. C. Milinazzo noted the problems with cruisers in homes and noted he was in favor of getting more information. C. Belanger commented that they need to have exact number of cruisers in the fleet to ensure proper coverage and that number should be included in the report. C. Samaras commented that the Superintendent should be involved in any decisions. C. Leahy noted it was an exploratory motion. C. Rourke questioned the amount of officers who live in the City. 9.2. 2014 / 699 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. prepare a report outlining the use of private contracts as well as the use of city and private equipment for 2014/2015 snow removal; in addition explore new strategy regarding snow removal in the downtown and the neighborhoods. In Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy commented that different strategies should be explored so that the approach may be improved from prior years. 9.3. 2014 / 700 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. explore possibility of using outside contract or service to fill the vacant position of Traffic Engineer. In Council, seconded by C. Martin, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted that other communities may have used this approach. C. Kennedy noted NMCOG may be of assistance in this area. C. Milinazzo noted it is a busy position which would require full attention. Manager Murphy noted that the job is posted and four applicants have been submitted but he would explore other approaches as well. 9.4. 2014 / 703 - C. Belanger - Req. City Council approve a program which would allow two free weekends of parking (November 28 and 29; December 19 and 20) in downtown garages. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager and Parking Director. So voted. C. Belanger noted the benefit to consumers and it would promote the availability and functionality of the parking garages. 9.5. 2014 / 704 - C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. establish Neighborhood Crime Watch throughout the City including installation of proper signage along gateways. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 8 of 8) In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger commented that it is just furthering public safety and involving the community as well. 9.6. 2014 / 705 - C. Belanger - Req. City Council discuss potential parking ordinance changes and refer to Economic Development SC for further discussion. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to Economic Development SC. So voted. C. Belanger noted meeting with Parking Director and DPD to develop changes in the ordinance. C. Milinazzo noted it was time for ordinance to be revamped. ADJOURNMENT 10. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov