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 27, 2015 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA MAYOR’S BUSINESS 1. - MAYOR'S BUSINESS 1.1. 2015 / 640 - Communication - Louise Griffin to address the City Council regarding an upcoming event to raise awareness about prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction. Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Elliott presiding. Ms. Griffin commented on event and the organization hosting the event which is a movie regarding opiate addiction entitled “If Only”. Motion to Suspend Rules to take item #8.1 out of order and address it with this item by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2015 / 634 - Minutes of City Council Meeting October 20th; Downtown Redevelopment SC October 20th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 2.2. 2015 / 635 - Presentation - Lowell Archival Inventory Report. In City Council, Mr. Mehmed Ali (City Historian) presented report entitled “City of Lowell Archives Inventory Report”. Mr. Ali noted the volunteers who assisted with the project as well City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 8) as City Department Heads. C. Mercier commented on the amount of work that had been done for this report and the importance of it. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2015 / 642 - Motion Responses: (A) Parkview Avenue Sign (B) Church and Lawrence (C) Dedication of Stone at Fels Park (D) Status of Merrimack, Moody, Market and Salem Street 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 Parkview Avenue sign noting it was resolved. C. Leahy noted the need for signage on additional streets in that area. C. Martin commented on Motion Response B regarding Church and Lawrence streets underground utilities noting the costs are high but that the utility company should be willing to discuss a wide variety of options and that they should be embarrassed at what is there presently. C. Leahy noted the utility company needs to be part of the solution to the problem. Manager Murphy commented that the City was upgrading in that area and the utility companies should put forth effort as well. M. Elliott noted that there is a public safety element to this discussion as well. C. Mercier commented on Motion Response C regarding Fels Park noting the dedication is scheduled for November 7, 2015. Manager Murphy noted that parking and refreshments would be available as well. C. Samaras commented on Motion Response D regarding new development in the Market and Moody Streets area noting the need to bring current planning to that neighborhood and requested that the report be forwarded to the neighborhood leaders. Manager Murphy outlined the report and noted the need to improve that neighborhood. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 8) 4.1. 2015 / 644 - Vote-Accept gift ($5,000) from Digital Federal Credit Union to Pollard Memorial Library 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 Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x 4.2. 2015 / 646 - Vote-Authorize CM to Accept Letter of Intent and Enter into an LDA with Watermark Environmental, Inc. re: Parcels 17, 17A & Parcel A. In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Manager Murphy gave brief history of the Hamilton Canal District (HCD) and the strides that have been made in developing the area including the land swap with the National Parks which will enable the City to build a needed parking garage. Manager Murphy outlined the necessary votes and requested support for same. Craig Thomas (DPD) commented on the response to the RFQ noting the response of master developer Winn/Anchorline Properties and separate parcel developers Watermark and Genesis Health Care. Mr. Thomas presented Council with a power point report entitled “Hamilton Canal District – Opportunity Realized”. Mr. Haley (President and CEO) of Watermark addressed the Council and noted he looked forward to working with the group. Registered speaker, Armand Hebert, of Lowell addressed the Council. M. Elliott commented on the hiring of local labor. C. Milinazzo commented on local hiring and noted that the votes tonight would not affect the plans of the proposed master developer. C. Mercier noted that local labor should be favored on the job. C. Martin noted it was an exciting time for the project and that it is a positive development which should focus on a multi-storied signature building at the site. C. Martin noted the extra building being part of the Genesis plan. Mr. Thomas noted that there may be deviations from the plans City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 8) at this early stage. C. Kennedy noted the economic development possible from these plans and questioned time frame for each project. Manager Murphy noted that there have been preliminary discussions with parties regarding incentives on the part of the City. C. Kennedy questioned the historic review needed on the plans. Mr. Thomas noted that the type of review was not too burdensome. C. Kennedy noted there may be a need to change zoning in the area. C. Belanger noted the great strides with the project and the work of Phil Shea with the Lowell Regional Transit Authority in procuring alternative parking for their outfit. C. Samaras commented on the companies who have chosen to stay in Lowell and expand. C. Leahy recognized all parties involved and that the projects are about Lowell jobs and Lowell companies. 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 4.3. 2015 / 647 - Vote-Authorize CM Execute an Access Agreement with Watermark Environmental, Inc. re: Parcels 17, 17A & Parcel A In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Martin. 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 City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 8) Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 4.4. 2015 / 648 - Vote-Authorize CM to Accept RFQ Proposal of Genesis Health Care, LLC re Parcels 2, 3A & 4 In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Mr. Thomas outlined the proposed project and introduced Roy Mead, Chief Construction Engineer for Genesis who spoke further on the project. Mr. Mead commented on the relationship with UMass-Lowell and having a retail element to the project. Dean McKinney of UMass-Lowell (Dean of Health Sciences) noted it was a one of a kind facility. Mr. Thomas commented on parking plan for the entire project. City Solicitor O’Connor outlined each 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 4.5. 2015 / 649 - Vote-Authorize CM Execute an Access Agreement with Genesis Health Care, LLC In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 8) 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 5. - ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2015 / 643 - Order-60 day trial In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. 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 REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6.1. 2015 / 636 - Transportation SC October 27, 2015. In City Council, C. Milinazzo noted the Transportation SC was postponed until November 17, 2015 at 5:30 PM due to Council interviewing Auditor candidates. PETITIONS 7. - PETITIONS City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 8) 7.1. 2015 / 638 - Claim - (1) Property. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 7.2. 2015 / 639 - Misc. - Jeff Engel (Lowell Gallery) request City Council approve installation of overhanging sign at 219 Central Street. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 7.3. 2015 / 645 - Misc. - Nadina Dagraca request installation of (1) handicap parking sign at 69 Crawford Street, Apt. 3. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. 2015 / 637 - M. Elliott/C. Samaras - Req. City Council vote to create Opiate Epidemic Crisis Task Force. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to Mayor. So voted. Registered speaker Jordan Guys addressed the Council. C. Samaras noted they were at the crisis stage with this epidemic and there is a need for a large group to create a mission to eliminate the problem. M. Elliott noted this was the needed education piece of the solution. C. Mercier commented on the need for immediate action. M. Elliott relinquished Chair to Vice-Chair Leahy at 6:55 PM. M. Elliott noted the need to put people at the table that can make action happen. C. Belanger noted the Council has been moving in the right direction and that there is a crisis to be addressed. C. Samaras noted the City is doing all the right things and more needs to be done and the community should unite. C. Leahy called for roll call vote. C. Leahy returned Chair to M. Elliott at 7:05 PM. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Elliott, Rodney M. x x Belanger, Corey x Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Leahy, John J. x Martin Jr., William F. x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 8 of 8) Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x x ADJOURNMENT 9. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Martin, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov