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 26, 2016 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA CITY CLERK 1. - CITY CLERK 1.1. 2016 / 45 - Minutes of City Council Meeting January 19th, for acceptance. Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Judith Sweet. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. Motion to Suspend Rules to take Items 6.1 and 6.2 out of order by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 2. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 2.1. 2016 / 57 - Motion Responses (A) Newcomer Student Funding (B) Lowell Properties in Disrepair (C) Storm Drain on Hovey Street (D) 43 Market Street Update (E) Double Poles in East Pawtucketville (F) Traffic Congestion (G) Clean-up Between Hunts Falls Bridge and Duck Island (H) 914 Varnum Manufactured Home City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. C. Leary commented on Motion Response A regarding newcomer student funding noting that the local, federal and state governments are involved. C. Milinazzo commented on Motion Response B regarding properties in disrepair questioning the status on buildings that have a red “X” placed on them. Eric Slagle noted that the mark is used as an indication of violation of fire codes. C. Milinazzo questioned if owners could be charged for any extra services provided to them by the City. Mr. Slagle commented on the ability to lien the property. C. Leahy commented on some noted properties. Mr. Slagle pointed out the challenges in dealing with certain properties and that the ones to be scheduled for demolishment are among the worst. C. Samaras commented on Motion Response C regarding storm drain on Hovey Street complimenting the department for quick response on matter. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response D regarding property at 43 Market Street outlining the history of the building and the progress being made by new owner. Manager Murphy outlined the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Mr. Slagle noted that new units were to be market rate rentals. C. Leahy questioned the status of the store fronts during construction. Manager Murphy noted that the City would assist the owner in updating the store fronts. C. Samaras commented on Motion Response E regarding double poles in Pawtucketville noting the effort on the part of the City to clear up old issues in the neighborhood. C. Elliott began the discussion regarding Motion Response F (traffic) by recognizing Dept. Supt. Arthur Ryan on his upcoming retirement from the Lowell Police. Dept. Supt. Ryan addressed the Council regarding his leaving. Manager Murphy introduced Nicolas Bosonetto (Traffic Engineer) who provided handout to Council entitled “Traffic Improvement Plan” and made presentation to the Council. The presentation focused on bridge traffic and downtown traffic. Dept. Supt. Ryan noted Lt. Barry Golner was part of the team that is dealing with traffic and that there is a trial period in which signals would be controlled manually so that more information can be gathered. C. Mercier noted her concern for pedestrian safety in the downtown and also recognized Dept. Supt. Ryan for his service. C. Leahy commented on crossing in downtown and at Rourke Bridge noting that improving traffic lines could help with congestion. C. Elliott noted that there is progress and priority set to deal with a long time issue and that he was pleased that solutions included a funding element in them. C. Elliott questioned the effect of new Charter School on traffic in the area. Manager Murphy noted that City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) manual control of the signals will help provide useful information and that the administration is focusing on the traffic issues. Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Belanger to refer matter to Transportation SC for updates regarding improvements in traffic management. So voted. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response F regarding clean-up between Hunts Falls Bridge and Duck Island noting the City and State efforts to get job done as well as future fencing to alleviate the problem. C. Leahy recognized the quick response to clear area. Regarding Motion Response H (914 Varnum Ave.), M. Kennedy relinquished the Chair to Vice Chair Rourke at 7:26 PM. M. Kennedy recognized the report which classified home as modular home commenting that he did not agree with the decision and that it appeared to be a mobile home. M. Kennedy suggested that a revision of zoning may be needed. Motion by M. Kennedy, seconded by C. Milinazzo to refer housing issue to Zoning SC to review possible revision of dwelling classifications under the Code. So voted. C. Belanger noted the need for tighter restrictions on the Code. C. Samaras noted the need to review. Manager Murphy noted the State is treating the dwelling as residential and not personal property and that the City can have tighter restrictions. C. Rourke returned Chair to M. Kennedy at 7:30 PM. 2.2. 2016 / 46 - Communication - City Mgr. request Out of State Travel (1) LPD. In Council, read and adopted. VOTING Committee Member YES NO ABSTAIN RECUSE MOTION SECONDED Kennedy, Jr, Edward J. x Belanger, Corey x Elliott, Rodney M. x Leahy, John J. x Leary, James x Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2016 / 56 - Ordinance - Banning Replica Firearms In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to waive full reading by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Motion to refer matter to Public Hearing on February 9, 2016 at 7 PM by C. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 4. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, C. Belanger noted that there would be an Auditor & Clerk Oversight SC meeting on February 2, 2016 to discuss hiring of City Auditor. C. Elliott requested City Manager have HR prepare latest list of Auditor candidates. C. Milinazzo noted that there would be a Personnel SC meeting February 16, 2016 to discuss charter change and salary adjustments for elected officials. C. Samaras noted that there would be an Economic Development SC meeting on February 9, 2016 to discuss project of Mr. John Power. PETITIONS 5. - PETITIONS 5.1. 2016 / 47 - Claim - (1) property. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6.1. 2016 / 50 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department place a granite marker on the north side of the Ouellette Bridge in honor of Joseph R. Ouellette. In Council, second by C. Rourke, read and referred to Parks & Recreation SC. So voted. Robert Page was a registered speaker who addressed the Council. C. Mercier spoke to the legacy of Mr. Ouellette as did Mr. Page. C. Mercier noted that the monument must be replaced as it was stolen. Substitute Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Leary to refer to Parks & Recreation SC. So voted. 6.2. 2016 / 49 - C. Samaras/C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. work with DPD to create a time-line for the development of the Bridge Street corridor based on the Cupples Square model. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras commented on importance of development in the area. C. Leary noted the Cupples Square City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) model would be sufficient to use on Bridge Street corridor to develop a neighborhood downtown. Registered speaker, Ann Marie Page, addressed the Council regarding this issue. 6.3. 2016 / 52 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have proper department review the illegal parking of cars along Western Avenue. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the need to open up the area and make it more attractive to visitors. 6.4. 2016 / 51 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have Traffic Engineer review possibility of installing 4 way stops signs at Aiken Ave. and Moody St. and Cabot St. and Moody St. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the increase in traffic in the area has raised a safety concern. 6.5. 2016 / 55 - C. Samaras/C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. ask the LDFC to include City of Lowell employees in their first time Lowell home buyers down payment assistance program. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the need to entice new employees to purchase homes in the City. C. Belanger noted that professionals should be sought after to stay in the City. C. Milinazzo noted that the program applies to homes purchased in Lowell and it would not prevent you from participating if you purchased home in another area. C. Elliott noted that UMass-Lowell had a similar program for their employees and requested Manager get information on its success. Manager Murphy noted he would raise issue with University at their quarterly meeting. 6.6. 2016 / 54 - C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. provide City Council with a time-line for the bidding/design/construction of the new Hamilton Canal parking garage set to be completed in 2018. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Armand Hebert, addressed the Council. C. Belanger noted the project moving forward and that deadlines must be met and the garage is a critical element of the project. 6.7. 2016 / 48 - C. Belanger/C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. report on status of Plain Street re- alignment. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott commented on the scope of the project and the effect on economic development in that area. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 6.8. 2016 / 53 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have proper department provide an update regarding property at 247 Remmington Street. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted it was a response to an email and neighbor’s concern with property and property line in the City. ANNOUNCEMENTS 7. - ANNOUNCEMENTS None 8. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov