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: Jan 20, 2015 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA CITY CLERK 1. - CITY CLERK 1.1. 2015 / 26 - Minutes of City Council Meeting January 13th; Technology & Utilities SC January 13th, for acceptance. Roll call showed 9 present. (C. Martin arrived at 6:40 PM) Mayor Elliott Presiding. M. Elliott requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for James Robert “Rob” Azier, Florence N. Simon Beede, Stephen L. Gervais, Gregory J. Murphy, Mary A. Caulfield Recco and Francis A. Zabbo. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 2. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 2.1. 2015 / 29 - Motion Responses A. Motion Response - Investments with Fossil Fuel Companies B. Motion Response - Strategy to Redevelop Land at the Corner of Market, Cabot and Merrimack Streets Informational C. Informational - LowellSTAT Public Report - Development Services In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) C. Samaras commented on Motion Response B regarding redevelopment of land at Market, Cabot and Merrimack streets noting the report and the need for further development of the area. 2.2. 2015 / 38 - Communication-MOA re: Lowell Housing Authority In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Manager Murphy outlined the prior agreement and commented on the current agreement noting the increase in revenue as well as enhancing safety in the area. C. Milinazzo questioned the future use of the police substation in the Mercier Complex. C. Leahy noted it was a favorable agreement. 2.3. 2015 / 39 - Communication-Reappt Nancy Pitkin, Salmira Mitchell, and Marianne Gries Pollard Memorial Library In Council, read and adopted. 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 VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2015 / 17 - Vote-License Agreement (Parking Early Garage) Merrimack Valley Radio LLC (WCAP) In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Manager Murphy commented on prior agreement that was not committed to writing nor monitored. Manager Murphy outlined current agreement noting the parking rates and advertising credits. C. Belanger noted it was a beneficial contract for the City. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) C. Mercier questioned the advertising rate to be charged to City. Manager noted it was the lesser rate that the City has paid in the past. Solicitor O’Connor noted that the rate can be specified in the agreement. C. Milinazzo questioned the number of spots that would be used under the agreement. Jim Troup (Parking Director) commented on spaces that would be used. Manager Murphy noted the average income was about $8,000 per year which would convert to about $12,000 per year in advertising credits. 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 Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2015 / 35 - Loan Order-Garage Repair Bonds ($6,640,000) Lower Locks, Leo Garages In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion “to refer to public hearing on February 24, 2015 at 7 PM” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Manager Murphy noted that there was presentation regarding loan and that it would be beneficial to present it to Finance SC for clarity on the vote. Motion to refer to Finance SC by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. C. Martin noted that it would still be going to public hearing. 4.2. 2015 / 37 - Order of Taking and Acceptance of Decatur Avenue In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion “to refer to public hearing on February 3, 2015 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) CONSTABLE BONDS 5. - CONSTABLE BONDS 5.1. 2015 / 28 - Communication - City Manager request for approval of Constable Bond of Luis Perez. In Council, read and adopted. 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 REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6.1. 2015 / 30 - Public Safety SC January 20, 2015. In City Council, C. Rourke commented on the Public Safety SC noting the attendance and the discussion regarding Matrix Study, neighborhood crime watch and accreditation of the department. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted that the Transportation SC will meet January 27th regarding Lord Overpass. C. Samaras noted the Youth Services SC will meet January 27th regarding homelessness. PETITIONS 7. - PETITIONS 7.1. 2015 / 27 - Claims - (2) Property; (1) Personal Injury. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) In City Council, Motion “refer to Law Department for report and recommendation” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. 2015 / 31 - C. Martin - Req. City Mgr. have police department develop procedures for use of sirens when responding to calls. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Martin noted there have been claims of accidents because sirens were not activated and that prior reports indicated that driver discretion is used to activate the sirens. C. Martin commented that there should be a procedure or guideline to operate the sirens. 8.2. 2015 / 32 - C. Kennedy - Req. City Council Education Partnerships SC and the Lowell School Committee Lowell High School SC meet to discuss the process, timeline and feasibility of a new high school building project. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to Education Partnerships SC. So voted. C. Kennedy noted it was important for Council to stay on top of this issue as it will be costly and a long term endeavor. C. Kennedy noted this subcommittee was appropriate as C. Samaras is Chair and he has knowledge regarding the high school. C. Kennedy suggested a standing committee could be appropriate to oversee this project. C. Mercier noted that the subcommittee it will be referred to is the most appropriate for the task. C. Milinazzo noted that the School Committee should be able to choose which subcommittee they would want involved in the matter. C. Belanger noted the big ticket price on the project and that the feasibility study expenses may be reimbursable. C. Leahy noted if the feasibility study is done the project would move forward. Manager noted that there is a State process to follow. 8.3. 2015 / 33 - C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. enforce current parking regulations according to ordinance and investigate the possibility of an overnight parking ban. In Council, seconded by C. Samaras, read and referred to City Manager and Economic Development SC. So voted. C. Belanger noted the need for vehicle turnover in the downtown and that the ordinance should be fully enforced. C. Belanger commented on the ban of overnight parking so that it would create a culture of using the garages. C. Leahy questioned the costs of enforcement. C. Kennedy commented that the ban should be discussed separately and forward to subcommittee. C. Rourke noted prior discussions and enforcing the ordinance. Manager Murphy noted that the ordinance could be enforced immediately. C. Martin noted prior discussions and the need for further administration input. C. Belanger commented that City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) there should be significant outreach with residents on any changes in enforcement and possible bans. C. Leahy noted the need for enhanced lighting if people will be using the garages. Substitute Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Leahy to refer each matter to Economic Development SC and Manager for report and recommendation. So voted. ADJOURNMENT 9. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Adjourned at 7:30 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov