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 04, 2016 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA MAYOR’S BUSINESS 1. - MAYOR'S BUSINESS 1.1. 2016 / 634 - Communication - Dave Heller (Owner) address Council regarding future of Lowell Spinners baseball team. Roll Call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Leary). Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Milinazzo requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Joseph D. McCabe. In Council, Mr. Heller, owner of the Spinners, addressed the Council regarding his purchase of the team and his acceptance in the City. M. Kennedy presented “Key to the City” to Mr. Heller. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2016 / 621 - Minutes of Education Partnerships SC September 27th; City Council Meeting September 27th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. C. Mercier requested Item #6.1 be taken out of order and was done so by general consent without objection. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 7) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. 2016 / 633 - Motion Responses: (A) Gold Star Families Plaque (B) Flooding Issues on Lura Street (C) Intersection of High and Rogers Streets Informational : (D) Early Voting In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. C. Elliott commented on Motion Response A regarding Gold Star Families Plaque noting the date of the dedication. Manager Murphy noted that the date had changed for the dedication to October 15th. C. Elliott commented on Informational Response D regarding early voting noting that the public should be informed. Manager Murphy commented it was mandated by law and that the process has been adequately established and neighborhood groups have been informed as well as remainder of public. Manager Murphy noted grant money was obtained to cover some of the costs associated with early voting. 3.2. 2016 / 622 - Communication - City Mgr. request Out of State Travel (1) Law. 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 Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 7) VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2016 / 626 - Vote-Increase survivor benefits from $9,000 to $12,000 per Retirement Board In Council, read twice, waived full reading 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 Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x 4.2. 2016 / 629 - Vote-Auth City Manager Ex. Temporary Construction Easement Agreement for the Read St Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Storage Project In Council, read twice, waived full reading and adopted. C. Mercier questioned the status of the dog park in that area. Manager Murphy noted that the park would remain in the same area along with parking. C. Samaras abstained from discussion and vote on this item. 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 Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 7) 4.3. 2016 / 630 - Vote-Apply/Accept/Expend $47,500 from MassDEP RDP/SMRP Grants In Council, read twice, waived full reading and adopted. C. Elliott abstained from discussion and vote on this item. 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 Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x 4.4. 2016 / 631 - Vote-Approving the exemption of Adam Dowling from MGL c.268A s.20 In Council, read twice, waived full reading 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 Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 5. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 5.1. 2016 / 623 - Economic Development SC October 4, 2016. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 7) In City Council, C. Samaras reported on the subcommittee meeting noting the attendance and the discussion regarding the proclamation for “National Manufacturing Day” as well as Lowell waterways initiative which included lighting of canals, bridges and buildings in the City. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6.1. 2016 / 616 - C. Mercier - Req. City Council support naming the street entrance to the Spinners parking garage next to LeLacheur Park “Joann and Drew Weber Way” in honor of them. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier outlined the many accomplishments of the Webers in the community and noted they should be recognized for the same. 6.2. 2016 / 627 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have Traffic Engineer place handicap parking space in front of Ayer Lofts Building at 172 Middle Street. In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier requested that these be 60 day trials with no objection. 6.3. 2016 / 617 - C. Rourke/C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have Traffic Engineer place handicap parking spot at 174 Coburn Street. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier requested that these be 60 day trials with no objection. 6.4. 2016 / 618 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. prepare a report for City Council regarding a plan on how to create a city-wide diversity council. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted Lowell was welcoming City and that lines of communication should be open for all people and this diversity council well enable that. C. Elliott noted that Immigration Council should still play a role in the City and be part of diversity council discussion. C. Samaras noted all groups would be represented. 6.5. 2016 / 619 - C. Milinazzo - Req. City Council dedicate the Lincoln Street Bridge to the Durkin Family; a family made up of generations of distinguished individuals dating back to 1911 who lived in their beloved “Ayer City” neighborhood and who all made great contributions to our city and our country. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 7) In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted this motion was supported by Representative Nangle. C. Milinazzo provided City Council with history of Durkin family in Lowell noted that their accomplishments should be recognized. 6.6. 2016 / 620 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. request DCAM provide a report regarding closure of existing courthouses once the Judicial Center opens in the City. In Council, seconded by C. Belanger, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted that if old District Court building works for the City then it should be pursued. C. Elliott commented on consulting firm for the police department analyzed that site. Manager Murphy noted it was not part of the report and he outlined the process if the City were to pursue acquiring the building. 6.7. 2016 / 632 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. work with Congresswoman Tsongas office to find a solution to open up Western Avenue onto Dutton Street. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the area needs substantial upgrading. C. Rourke questioned the process to clean up needles in the City. C. Mercier commented on the sharp kits used by the police. 6.8. 2016 / 624 - C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. update City Council regarding timelines of the following infrastructure construction in the Hamilton Canal District: Signature Bridge; Mass Works Grant; Garage(s); Land Swap Resolution. In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted the information would be important for others who are looking at the site for possible development. CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 7. - CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 7.1. 2016 / 628 - Executive Session - To discuss the Stadium lease pursuant to Exemption 6 since public discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the City. In Council, M. Kennedy convened in open session, noted the reason for the Executive Session and stated that the meeting would adjourn from the Executive Session. Adopted per Roll Call vote. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 7) 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 Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x ANNOUNCEMENTS 8. - ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier commented neighborhood meeting. C. Mercier recognized gift to Council of Aging and noted all of the hard work done by that organization. ADJOURNMENT 9. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn in Executive Session by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM from Executive Session. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov