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: Feb 16, 2016 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA CITY CLERK 1. - CITY CLERK 1.1. 2016 / 90 - Minutes of City Council Meeting February 9th; Zoning SC February 9th; Economic Development SC February 9th, for acceptance. Roll Call showed 7 present, 2 absent (C. Milinazzo, C. Samaras). Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for George Nicolakakis and Michael J. Donoghue. C. Leahy commented on Mr. Nicolakakis business George’s. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. CITY AUDITOR 2. - CITY AUDITOR 2.1. 2016 / 79 - Discussion regarding hiring process for City Auditor. In Council, accepted as a report with no objections. C. Belanger noted the interviews would be conducted on February 29, 2016 beginning at 6 PM each lasting 45 minutes. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2016 / 89 - Motion Responses: City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 5) (A)Plain Street Realignment (B) Implementation of Shot Detection System and Cameras (C) Status of the Trolley System (D) Pooling Agreement to Reduce Electric Cost to Residents Informational: (E) National Grid Update on Double Poles (F) FY15 Independent Audit In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response A regarding Plain Street questioning the value of properties that would be taken for the project. Manager Murphy noted that the VFW wishes to reduce the amount of land to be taken on their premises and outlined the procedure. C. Mercier noted the need to assist the VFW and that this project should be catalyst to improve whole area including Canada Street. C. Elliott noted the need to keep project on track and that it is an important urban plan that has a number of incentives for developers. Manager Murphy noted that they are working on development plans and have looked at relocating LPD in that area as well as investigating DIF programs which puts tax money back into the area. Motion by C. Belanger, second by C. Leary to refer report to Economic Development SC. So voted. C. Elliott commented on Motion Response B regarding Shot Detection System noting the process in choosing the system and that there would be better use of money for the use of cameras first followed by improved software. Manager Murphy noted that the software can be added when the technology catches up with the use of cameras with the system. Supt. Taylor (LPD) noted the technology is better when it is tied into camera system. C. Belanger noted it was the best use of equipment and it is still shows a commitment to public safety. C. Mercier noted it enhanced the ability to deter criminal activity. C. Leahy commented that the report suggest what is the best route to take in this situation. Manager Murphy noted the money is available for the cameras and to add technology. Supt. Taylor outlined the research regarding choosing the system. C. Rourke noted that as it presently exists it is the best use of the equipment and money. Manager noted that a vote may be needed to allocate money differently. C. Rourke questioned what time line is for installation of cameras. Supt. Taylor outlined the time frame. C. Elliott noted that vote may be needed to comply with loan order. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response C regarding trolley system noting that costs were to extravagant as this point and requested to explore if grant money could be used for a similar project. Manager Murphy noted it was a federal grant and that it could be used for other transportation systems. C. Mercier noted the need for a transportation system within the city. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 5) C. Leahy commented on Motion Response D regarding pooling energy costs noting the savings to city residents in the system. Manager Murphy reminded the public of avenue to ensure costs savings. C. Elliott requested specifics on the current contract for pooling costs. Phil Ferreira (DPD) outlined contract language. C. Mercier commented on opting into the program. Manager Murphy commented on Informational Response E regarding double poles outlining the report and requesting more information to be included. C. Leahy noted current location where problem has existed for some time. C. Mercier noted Adams Street location in need of services. Conor Baldwin (CFO) commented on Informational Response F regarding independent audit noting the report and that there were no material weaknesses contained therein. C. Mercier noted the report results were good and commented on the need to track fixed assets of the City. Mr. Baldwin commented on tracking those assets and how they are important. C. Elliott noted the report suggest there is good fiscal management in the City. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger to refer report to Finance SC. So voted. 3.2. 2016 / 98 - 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 x Leahy, John J. x Leary, James x Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2016 / 96 - Loan Order-Bridge Repair Bonds In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer matter to Public Hearing on March 1, 2016 at 7 PM by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Elliott requested Manager prepare City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 5) presentation outlining the reason for loan and how it ties in with Tiger Grants and fixing of City bridges. REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 5. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 5.1. 2016 / 93 - Personnel SC February 16, 2016. In City Council, M. Kennedy noted that the Personnel SC was postponed to a later date. C. Elliott noted that the subcommittee wanted the full Council present for the issues. C. Elliott noted that on issue regards charter change and that would be best placed in the Rules SC. M. Kennedy noted that if the Personnel SC wished to transfer matter they may. 5.2. 2015 / 737 - Wire Insp. - National Grid/Verizon NE - Req. permission to relocate pole at the intersection of Broadway Street and Madonna Circle. In Council, Motion to adopt and accept the recommendation of the Wire Inspector by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. PETITIONS 6. - PETITIONS 6.1. 2016 / 91 - Claims - (3) property. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 6.2. 2016 / 92 - Misc. - Tho Le (Greenspoon Restaurant) request permission for overhanging sign at 108 Merrimack Street. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 7. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 7.1. 2016 / 97 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. explore creating a program to waive excise taxes for active duty military personnel. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 5) In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted it was being done in other communities. 7.2. 2016 / 95 - M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department investigate the property located at 350-352 Wilder Street for possible code violations. In Council, seconded by C. Belanger, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. ANNOUNCEMENTS 8. - ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Belanger noted that WinterFest would be this weekend. ADJOURNMENT 9. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov