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: Mar 22, 2016 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA CITY CLERK 1. - CITY CLERK 1.1. 2016 / 182 - Minutes of Neighborhoods SC March 14th; Ad Hoc Charter Changes and Elections SC March 15; City Council Meeting March 15th, for acceptance. Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Rev. Lucien Sawyer. C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for the victims of the attack in Brussels. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. - GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 2.1. 2016 / 150 - Ordinance-Quarterly Traffic (March) In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No remonstrants. Adopted on Roll Call vote. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 8) 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 Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2016 / 189 - Motion Responses: (A) Possible Upgrades to the Intersection at Princeton Blvd and Baldwin St (B) Illegal Parking Along Western Ave (C) Rehab Lowell Police Headquarters (D) Repeated Dumping on Lawrence St (E) Trolley System Informational: (F) Year in Review 2015 In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. C. Leahy commented on Motion Response A regarding upgrades to intersections noting that the State has control of that roadway. Manager Murphy noted that it is now on State radar and that they will monitor any activity on the street. C. Mercier commented on the Coehlo property in the area. Manager Murphy noted that they are intensifying their efforts of inspecting the property. C. Samaras commented on Motion Response B regarding parking on Western Avenue noting the results contained in the report. Manager Murphy outlined efforts to help with the parking for the Western Avenue studios. C. Leahy commented on Motion Response C regarding rehab of police headquarters noting the plans on moving forward. Manager Murphy noted that a new facility at this time would be very expensive and that rehabbing current location may be better option. Supt. Taylor commented City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 8) on scope of work including door security and replacement. C. Rourke questioned doing a piecemeal approach on this project. Manager Murphy commented that they would make as best as they can with the current situation. C. Samaras requested analysis from the Manager regarding costs of rehab versus new construction. C. Elliott noted the rehab of the current building may not be best option. C. Leahy noted that the current building needs attention now even if there would be new construction. C. Milinazzo noted that the City of Revere just went through this process and that the administration should garner information from them as it would be fresh. C. Mercier commented on Motion Response D regarding dumping on Lawrence Street noting the effective use of cameras to catch violators. C. Elliott requested a report regarding the use and success of using cameras. Eric Slagle (Inspectional Services) responded that quarterly reports could be issued. C. Milinazzo commented on Motion Response E regarding trolley system noting the re-use of the current grant to investigate the use of other forms of transportation. Manager Murphy commented on reprogramming the grant money. Diane Tradd (DPD) noted that the grant could be used for other purposes and is not in danger of being voided. Manager Murphy presented City Council with power point program entitled “City of Lowell Yearly Progress Report 2015”. Manager Murphy made note of the economic development, education and public safety in the City as well as 2017 fiscal challenges and moving forward in 2016. C. Mercier noted the accomplishments of the administration. C. Leary commented on improving economic development to lessen burden on tax payers identifying startup companies. C. Leary noted the necessity of the new Lowell High School project. C. Milinazzo commented on the communication improvements with our partners. C. Samaras commented on priorities that were set and followed. C. Rourke complimented the team effort and meeting expectations. C. Leahy noted the strong team approach. C. Elliott noted the accomplishments and dealing with uncertainties and noted the attention to smaller matters as well. 3.2. 2016 / 186 - Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) DPD; (1) LPD. In Council, read and adopted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 8) 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 Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2016 / 191 - Vote-Amend City of Lowell "Complete Streets Policy" In Council, read twice and adopted. Full reading waived without objection. C. Milinazzo noted the need for change to enable aggressive pursuing of grant money. Manager Murphy outlined the vote. 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 Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x 4.2. 2016 / 192 - Vote-Authorize City Manager enter into License Agreement with Tho Le d/b/a Greenspoon Restaurant to encroach upon City property (108 Merrimack St) overhanging sign In Council, read twice and adopted. Full reading waived without objection. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 8) 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 x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x 4.3. 2016 / 195 - Vote-Transfer $3,010 Div. Developmental Services (travel expenses) In Council, read twice and adopted. Full reading waived without objection. 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 x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2016 / 193 - Order-60 day trial In Council, read twice and adopted. Full reading waived without objection. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 8) 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 x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6. - ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. 2016 / 190 - Ordinance-Amend Ch. 9 Boards, Committees and Commissions - Create Sustainability Council formally known as Green Building Commission In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer matter to Public Hearing on April 5, 2016 at 7 PM by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 6.2. 2016 / 194 - Ordinance-Traffic Amend Ch. 266 (Park Avenue East) Pyne Arts School In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer as amended the matter to Public Hearing on April 5, 2016 at 7 PM by C. Leary, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leahy to amend hours to reflect 8:30 – 9:30 AM and 3:00 – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday during school year. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 5 yeas, 4 nays (C. Belanger, C. Elliott, C. Mercier, C. Rourke). So voted. C. Elliott questioned the number of cars involved in that area. Nicolas Bosonetto (Traffic Engineer) commented on current 60 day trial and the effect upon its expiration. C. Milinazzo noted that there still would be a public hearing on the matter. C. Mercier questioned the thoughts of the residents in that neighborhood. C. Rourke commented on the number school issues regarding traffic. C. Leahy noted they should consider the thoughts of each group. C. Leary noted the regulations surrounding other schools in the City. C. Samaras commented on original policy after the 60 day trial. C. Elliott questioned procedure at public hearing. City Solicitor O’Connor commented on procedure as well as any amendments during the hearing. C. Mercier noted that the safety of school children should be paramount. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 8) REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. 2016 / 183 - Public Safety SC March 22, 2016. In City Council, C. Leahy issued a report regarding Public Safety SC noting the attendance and the discussion surrounding school safety plans during a crisis as well as ordinances covering jaywalking, skateboarding and bicycling. Motion by C. Leary, seconded by C. Rourke to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. PETITIONS 8. - PETITIONS 8.1. 2016 / 184 - Misc. -Lorrie Gibson request (1) handicap parking sign installed at 27 Fremont Street. In Council, Motion to refer to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. 2016 / 185 - C. Elliott - Req. City Council discuss performance evaluation of City Manager and establish timeframe to conduct process. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to Personnel SC. So voted. C. Elliott noted the documentation by Manager requesting evaluation. Motion by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Leahy to refer to Personnel SC. So voted. 9.2. 2016 / 188 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have Melrose and Shirley Avenues paved during upcoming paving season. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy commented on the situation in the area and questioned if streets had been accepted. C. Mercier noted there is a need to get back on program to accept streets in the City. Manager Murphy noted he would check on status of accepted streets. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 8 of 8) 9.3. 2016 / 196 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have proper department provide a report regarding maintenance and enhancement of street lighting between Prescott, Warren and Middlesex Streets including the properties in and around the area of UMass-Lowell and Middlesex Community College. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the area is not well lit and that UML and Middlesex need to check their properties as well. 9.4. 2016 / 197 - C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. review the feasibility of turning the Christian Hill “Open” Reservoir into a public park and/or recreational space. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary commented on area and that there is a safety element involve as well. C. Leary noted it could be a passive park for the area. ANNOUNCEMENTS 10. - ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, M. Kennedy noted upcoming reception for the Lowell Cultural Council. C. Mercier noted an upcoming meeting to discuss updates to the Lord Overpass. C. Elliott noted upcoming performance of “Paper Lanterns”. C. Samaras commented on upcoming “First Thursdays Events”. ADJOURNMENT 11. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov