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: Dec 15, 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 / 723 - Presentation - Awards "City of Lights" Parade. Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Elliott Presiding. Motion to suspend rules to present citation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Mayor presented Citation to Yary Livan for his nationally recognized art work. M. Elliott presented awards for the “City of Lights” Parade. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2015 / 719 - Minutes of City Council Meeting December 8th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. 2.2. 2015 / 716 - Vote-Cancel Council Meetings 12/22/15 and 12/29/15 In Council, read twice and adopted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) 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 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3. - UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3.1. 2015 / 678 - Order of Taking and Acceptance of Adie Way and Ecklund Drive In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. 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 Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4. - GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. 2015 / 668 - Ordinance-Amend Zoning-Extend NB Zone to include 8 and 20 Stockbridge Ave and 9 Magnolia St. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Public hearing opened. Motion to continue Public Hearing until January 12, 2016 at 7 PM by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2015 / 718 - Motion Responses: (A) Belvidere Beautification Project (B) No Parking Sign on Westford Street (C) Assessment of Street Lights (D) Charter Change Informational: (E) Local 1705 Settlement Overtime Dispute (F) Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (G) Distinguished Budget Award FY 16 In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. C. Samaras commented on Motion Response C regarding street lights commenting that the information should be distributed to the neighborhood groups. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response D regarding Charter change questioning the process for change. Christine O’Connor (City Solicitor) noted that any changes need a formal alteration. Manager Murphy commented on Home Rule Petition for the Legislature. C. Mercier noted that there could be two issues that may be changed. C. Kennedy questioned the scope of any charter change. City Solicitor O’Connor commented on the scope of the changes and the wording needed on any ballot. C. Mercier commented on Informational Response E regarding settlement with Local 1705 noting it global agreement. C. Martin commented on Informational Response F regarding LTC commenting on the City Council appointments to the LTC and how they are determined. Manager Murphy commented on Informational Response G regarding budget award recognizing the finance team for the accomplishment in receiving a national award. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 6.1. 2015 / 717 - Vote-Authorize City Manager Execute License Agreement with Patricia Donahue d/b/a Gallery Z-167 Market Street (overhanging sign) In Council, read twice and adopted. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Kennedy. 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 x Martin Jr., William F. x x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 6.2. 2015 / 725 - Vote-Transfer $16,000 Development Services to cover travel reimbursements for FY15/16 In Council, read twice and adopted as amended. Motion to “waive full reading” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Motion to delete following “for FY 15 -16” from vote due to scrivener’s error by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Leahy. 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 Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 7.1. 2015 / 724 - Substance Abuse SC December 15, 2015. In City Council, C. Belanger issued report noting the attendance and the discussion regarding opiate abuse education in the school system. C. Mercier noted a future subcommittee meeting to discuss formalized plans for including subject in school agendas. C. Leahy noted that the Superintendent of Schools needs to be involved so that education can be done system wide. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. C. Martin commented on recent Human Rights Conference held in Boston that was attended by the Mayor. 7.2. 2015 / 685 - Wire Insp. - Comcast - Request installation of new vault and conduit at 59 Technology Drive. In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept the accompanying report by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. 2015 / 720 - C. Martin - Req. City Mgr. have proper department establish a veteran memorial for James Sweeney in the St. James Street area. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Martin noted the criteria needed to have square dedicated and noted this individual would fit that criterion. 8.2. 2015 / 721 - C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. provide a report regarding private companies who are delinquent with payments for public safety details. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Rourke commented on the need for the information so that payment may be pursued. 8.3. 2015 / 722 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department install two “No Parking - Tow Area” signs on both sides of the entrance at Charles Street, behind Central Plaza. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted the owners of the Central Plaza requested some assistance in the matter. 8.4. 2015 / 726 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have appropriate staff review the UMass- Lowell bus routes in the East Pawtucketville area. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the concern of the buses not following the assigned routes. 8.5. 2015 / 727 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have appropriate staff assess the increase in the number of “double” poles in the East Pawtucketville area. In Council, seconded by C. Belanger, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the concern that the numbers of poles are increasing and that these poles are in worsening condition leaving them dangerous. Manager Murphy requested addressed so that they may be viewed. 8.6. 2015 / 728 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have appropriate staff assess the need to repair sidewalks on Belmont and Mansur Streets. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the sidewalk was deteriorating making it difficult to walk. M. Elliott recognized C. Martin last meeting as a Councilor. The Mayor and each Councilor lauded praise on C. Martin noting his may accomplishments. C. Martin addressed the body thanking them as well as all of the citizens of Lowell for the opportunity to serve. He commented on the team effort and leaving the City in a good position for future generations. Lastly, he thanked his family for their continued support. C. Mercier noted that this would be the last meeting for the Mayor. Each Councilor recognized the Mayor and noted his leadership over the last two years through good and bad times. M. Elliott thanked the body for their support and that the time went by quickly. He commented on the many projects in the City and that the leadership was very busy in that regard. He thanked all city hall employees including Celine Gettings (Secretary), City Manager, City Clerk and C. Mercier. Lastly he thanked his wife and family for their guidance and support. ADJOURNMENT 9. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Martin. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov