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: Nov 04, 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 / 729 - Citation - To Kiwanis Club of Greater Lowell in recognition of their efforts in sponsoring the Monster Bash and Halloween Stroll in Downtown Lowell. Roll call showed 9 present. Mayor Elliott Presiding. Motion to Suspend Rules to allow new Executive Director of Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Sovanna Pouv, to address the Council by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Mr. Pouv introduced himself to the body and noted the upcoming 30th Anniversary event for the organization. M. Elliott presented citation to Mr. Campbell and Ms. Patenaude of the Kiwanis Club who were present and thanked the Council. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2014 / 730 - Minutes of City Council Meeting October 28th; Neighborhoods SC October 28th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 7) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2014 / 745 - Motion Responses (A) Free Parking Weekends (B) Parking East Side Shattuck Street (C) City Street Signage (D) West 6th St. Firehouse Roof (E) Downtown Merchant Association (F) Update - Market Rate Housing In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Martin, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. C. Leahy commented on Market Street paving issue concerning cleaning up. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response (A) regarding free parking during holiday week- ends noting the approved times and the need to inform the public. C. Mercier commented on Motion Response (C) regarding street signage noting the presence of the seal and the size of the sign as well of the added costs to hang the signs. Manager Murphy noted they would be installed on a limited basis because of the costs involved. C. Belanger approved of the signage. C. Leahy noted the bigger logo. M. Elliott noted signs bring a sense of pride to the community and that installation should be staggered to spread out costs. C. Leahy commented on Motion Response (D) regarding replacement of firehouse roofs noting the work has started and is moving forward. Manager Murphy noted schedule and that time of completion of all projects should be by end of year. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response (F) regarding market rate housing noting the data update and that there should be continued effort for market rate housing downtown. 3.2. 2014 / 739 - Communication-Appoint/Reappoint-Nicole Nickerson, JoAnn Howell, Jude DeHart, Linda King to Hunger Homeless Commission In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Manager introduced new members including JoAnn Howell who addressed the Council. 3.3. 2014 / 738 - Communication-Appoint Joseph Antifonario (Cultural Council) City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 7) In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Mr. Antifonario was present and thanked the Council. 3.4. 2014 / 731 - Communication - City Mgr. request approval Out of State Travel (1) DPD. In City Council, approved by Roll Call vote. C. Samaras abstained from vote and discussion. 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 VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2014 / 736 - Vote-Transfer $30,000.00 to Wastewater Overtime Acct. In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Manager Murphy outlined the vote noting the cost savings of bringing street sweeping in-house. C. Mercier noted the work of Mark Young of the Waste Water Department. Mr. Young outlined the street sweeping regulations that must be followed by his department. 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 City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 7) Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x 4.2. 2014 / 737 - Vote-Auth. Repeal of Ch. 17 of the Acts of 1992 (relative to Financial Condition of the City of Lowell) In Council, read twice and referred to Finance SC by Motion of C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Mercier requested explanation of the vote. Manager Murphy outlined the reasoning of the vote. C. Kennedy noted it seems like a good idea but there is a need for more information. C. Martin noted the money is there but it would not be returned as planned and that there is a need for more information on Net Spending in the schools as well as budget forecasting. C. Martin noted the need for better understanding of the whole budget moving forward. M. Elliott requested information on current reserves be available to the Finance SC. 4.3. 2014 / 740 - Vote-Auth Mgr Ex Easement w Related Stirling Bay (576 Lawrence St) In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Martin, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 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 4.4. 2014 / 742 - Vote-Apply/Accept/Expend Grant ($22,000) Council on Aging City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 7) In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. 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 Martin Jr., William F. x Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2014 / 741 - Ordinance-Amend Zoning Sec. 6.1.10 Table of Dimensional Requirements for Off-Street Parking In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion “to refer to Planning Board for report and recommendation and public hearing before Council on December 9, 2014 at 7 PM” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. C. Martin questioned reasoning behind ordinance. Manager Murphy noted the need to change to allow more area for driveway permits without going to boards for relief. REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6.1. 2014 / 732 - Economic Development SC November 4, 2014. In City Council, C. Belanger outlined the meeting and attendance noting approval of a motion to accept the personal property exemption regarding research and development facilities in the City; in addition noted the discussion of the possible changes to the current parking ordinance City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 7) and its enforcement. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted a Transportation SC scheduled for December 9, 2014 at 5:30 PM. PETITIONS 7. - PETITIONS 7.1. 2014 / 747 - Claim - (1) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion “refer to Law Department for report and recommendation” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. 2014 / 733 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. meet with Superintendent of Police to develop a protocol on how the police department will respond to citizens of Lowell who have had their homes broken into. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the police are working on such a protocol but requested it be move along quickly with the goal to lessen the fears of victims and ensure their safety. 8.2. 2014 / 746 - C. Belanger/C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. review possible lighting enhancements in the downtown area as a further deterrent to crime. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted the comments coming from the neighborhood and the need for more lighting as a deterrent to crime. C. Samaras noted the need for increased lighting. Carolyn Mooney, registered speaker and downtown resident, addressed the Council. Motion to Suspend Rules to allow Phil Ferreira (DPD) to speak on matter by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Mr. Ferreira noted the current grant program and the process. C. Leahy questioned the grant programs and the use of in-house labor. Mr. Ferreira outlined grand and Manager Murphy noted he would report on use of in-house labor. 8.3. 2014 / 744 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have Superintendent of Police report to Council, City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 7) whether in open or executive session, regarding the collaborative crime prevention efforts with State and Federal authorities. In Council, seconded by C. Martin, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy commented the need to see the direction the City is taking with cooperative efforts. M. Elliott relinquished Chair to Vice-Chair Leahy at 7:30 PM for the remainder of the meeting. 8.4. 2014 / 734 - M. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. report on possibility of aggregating natural gas price for City and residents. In Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Elliott noted the success with electric rates and that it may be just as beneficial with gas rates. 8.5. 2014 / 735 - M. Elliott - Req. Neighborhoods SC meet with Transitional Living Center to discuss winter bed program. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to Neighborhoods SC. So voted. M. Elliott commented with meeting new administration at the Living Center and their request to supply information regarding programs. ADJOURNMENT 9. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM. Respectfully Submitted, ______________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov