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 11, 2016 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA CITY CLERK 1. - CITY CLERK 1.1. 2016 / 639 - Minutes of Economic Development SC October 4th; City Council Meeting October 4th, for acceptance. Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Milinazzo requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Claire Durkin. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for John F. Quealey. M. Kennedy recognized Michael Roundy and Bianca Mauro of the Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race for the event they organized. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. CITY AUDITOR 2. - CITY AUDITOR 2.1. 2016 / 643 - Communication - Response to M. Kennedy motion regarding financial impact Charter Schools have on City. In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Auditor Perry outlined the report from a strictly financial perspective noting the funding formula and further noted that the reimbursement falls short of the assessment levied on the system thereby leaving a financial funding gap. C. Elliott noted the increase in the funding gap and that Charter Schools are not reimbursed sufficiently. C. Samaras commented on formula City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 8) and the money needed to cover costs. Manager Murphy noted that the gap comes off the Cherry Sheet of the State and it is a significant amount that needs to be covered. C. Milinazzo noted the advertising in support of added Charter Schools are not accurate and do not portray the actual picture and that this is a budget issue not political issue. C. Leary noted that it hits City budget directly and it has a significant impact on the budget. Manager Murphy noted that the reimbursement falls short because of financial constraints at the State level. C. Mercier noted there are sufficient choices for schools in Lowell and that finances in the City need to be protected. C. Elliott commented on cost per student formula. C. Rourke noted the assessment has grown and the reimbursement has not. M. Kennedy noted the issue is getting larger and it was the reason the City adopted a resolution in opposition to Question 2 on ballot. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. - UTILITY PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1. 2016 / 596 - National Grid - Request installation of (1) SO pole located at corner of Gorham and Livingston Streets. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading and Motion to refer to City Manager for report and recommendation by C. Leary, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Public hearing held. Speaking in favor was David Boucher (National Grid). Speaking in opposition was Frank King noting the new location would hinder his access to business by his trucks. Manager Murphy requested matter be referred to his office. C. Mercier noted Mr. King has had a business in the City for a long time and that his request should be reviewed. C. Leahy requested further review on poles in other parts of the City as well. 3.2. 2016 / 610 - National Grid - Request permission to relay/replace cast iron gas main with plastic gas main in sidewalks on Sixth Street. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading and Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Public hearing held. Speaking in favor Leanne Gauthier (National Grid). No Remonstrants. C. Leary questioned location of new line and if sidewalks would be affected. 3.3. 2016 / 611 - National Grid - Request permission to relay/replace cast iron gas main with plastic gas main on Glenwood Street and install plastic gas main on East View Street. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading and Motion to refer to City Manager for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Public hearing held. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 8) Speaking in favor Leanne Gauthier (National Grid); and the following spoke in favor but requested trees be spared if possible: Patricia Wadowski; Ted Sumsark; Christina Freitas; John Gear. No Remonstrants. C. Mercier noted the need to preserve the trees. C. Rourke commented that there was a prior agreement to preserve the trees. Manager Murphy noted that there should be a meeting to ensure least possible intrusion on the trees. C. Samaras noted the need to keep the integrity of the neighborhood. C. Elliott noted the protection of urban trees is important. C. Leary requested time frame for the project. C. Mercier commented on removing old pipe. Lisa Demeo (City Engineer) commented on the reason for not removing replaced pipe. C. Leahy did not participate in the discussion or the vote in this matter. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2016 / 652 - Motion Responses - (A) Joint Marketing Plan (B) River Meadow Brook Rail Trail (C) Bridge Street Parking (D) Hamilton Canal District Timeline (E) Concord River Walkway Informational - (F) Sick Leave Buy Back In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response A regarding joint marketing plan noting the City moving forward on their own. Manager Murphy noted that they would enlist private companies as well in the plan and he recognized Toby Marx and Henri Marchand for their effort with this project. C. Leary commented on Motion Response B regarding River Meadow Brook Rail Trail noting that there are several owners of the parcels in that area. Motion to refer matter to Parks & Recreation SC by C. Leary, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. C. Belanger commented on Motion Response C regarding Bridge Street parking noting that the morning traffic congestion needs to be improved. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 8) C. Belanger commented on Motion Response D regarding Hamilton Canal District timeline by Motion by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Leary to refer matter to Economic Development SC. So voted. 4.2. 2016 / 647 - Communication-Accept resignation of Derek Pelotte (Sustainability Council) In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2016 / 648 - Vote-Approve exemption of Joseph Boyle 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 x Mercier, Rita M. x x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6. - ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. 2016 / 649 - Order-60 day trial (various) In Council, read twice, waived full reading and adopted. C. Rourke noted that Coburn Street was part of the order. 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 Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x 6.2. 2016 / 650 - Loan Order-Police Equipment Bonds $500K In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier to refer matter to Public Hearing on October 25, 2016 at 7 PM. So voted. C. Mercier questioned the amount of cameras to be purchased. Manager Murphy noted that the cameras will be used by other departments as well. REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. 2016 / 637 - Economic Development SC October 11, 2016. In Council, C. Samaras issued the report noting the attendance and the discussion regarding the Lowell Sustainability Council. Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Samaras reinstate support of the Lowell Sustainability Council moving forward. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the work of Ms. Moses the energy director in DPD was performing for the City. Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. PETITIONS 8. - PETITIONS 8.1. 2016 / 638 - Claims - (4) property. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 8) In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. 8.2. 2016 / 640 - Misc. - Valerie Robinson Kind request installation of handicap parking sign at 2 Lewis Street. In Council, read and Motion to refer petition, as amended to 60 day trial, to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Leary, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. C. Mercier, requested petition be amended to 60 day trial with no objection. 8.3. 2016 / 641 - Misc. - Long Tran (Viet Thai Express) request permission to install overhanging sign at 10 Cardinal O'Connell Parkway. In Council, read and Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 8.4. 2016 / 645 - Misc. - Fuel Storage - Lowell General Hospital request to amend license for additional fuel storage at facility located at 295 Varnum Avenue. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier to refer matter to Public Hearing on October 25, 2016 at 7 PM. So voted. C. Milinazzo disclosed he was on Board of Governors for Lowell General Hospital as a volunteer. 8.5. 2016 / 646 - Misc. - Fuel Storage - Lowell General Hospital request to amend license for additional fuel storage at facility located at Saints Campus (122 Stackpole St.; 2 Hospital Dr.; 12 Bartlett). In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion by C. Rourke seconded by C. Leary to refer matter to Public Hearing on October 25, 2016 at 7 PM. So voted. C. Milinazzo disclosed he was on Board of Governors for Lowell General Hospital as a volunteer. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. 2016 / 635 - C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. provide a report regarding inspections of boarding room homes in the City. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott requested status of new inspections and that if properties are not in compliance they should be shut down. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 8) 9.2. 2016 / 636 - C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. have LPD provide update on drug enforcement efforts in the City regarding heroin and fentanyl distribution. In Council, seconded by C. Belanger, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott noted there was a lot of prevention being done but there should be more prosecution of dealers and traffickers. C. Belanger noted the efforts being made and the strides being done but those dealing need to be dealt with in a stricter fashion. C. Leahy noted that such a report may have to be given in an Executive Session. 9.3. 2016 / 642 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have Traffic Engineer provide a report regarding changing light sequence at Rourke Bridge to better handle traffic flow. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted that the traffic is worsening and that a different light pattern and manual control may be more efficient. C. Leary questioned resources used for manual control. C. Leahy noted that he saw some improvement in the traffic and that painting traffic lines will be a great help. C. Elliott noted traffic remains a problem and that there is a lot of congestion in Pawtucketville. C. Belanger noted that there could be an adjustment with pedestrian lights if there is less pedestrian traffic. 9.4. 2016 / 651 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department increase light sequences downtown and on Thorndike Street to allow additional time for pedestrians to cross. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier commented on personal experience with crossing the road. 9.5. 2016 / 653 - C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. provide an updated status on the Coelho property located at the corner of Baldwin St. and Princeton Boulevard. In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary noted there were still some complaints with the property. C. Belanger noted that there are ordinances in place to ensure this property comes into compliance. 9.6. 2016 / 654 - C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. work with Lowell School Department as it relates to the potential need and funding required for modular schools for the 2017/2018 year. In Council, seconded by C. Leahy, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary noted it is a budget and funding issue. M. Kennedy noted that there is an upcoming joint subcommittee session with school side to address these types of issues. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 8 of 8) ANNOUNCEMENTS 10. - ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted Gold Star Family dedication and the Boys and Girls Club events. C. Leary noted the placing of the POW Chair at Cawley Stadium. ADJOURNMENT 11. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. 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