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 18, 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 / 656 - Communication - Amy Pessia (Merrimack Valley Food Bank) to address Council regarding "Food Day". Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Joseph Travierso. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2016 / 655 - Minutes of Economic Development SC October 11th; City Council Meeting October 11th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 8) 3.1. 2016 / 662 - Motion Responses: (A) McAvinnue Parking (B) Sidewalks by St. George Church (C) Effectiveness of Police Officers on Bikes (D) Sampas Pavilion Noise Complaints (E) Princeton Blvd In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. C. Milinazzo commented on Motion Response A regarding McAvinnue Parking noting the compromise reached between the parties. C. Samaras commented on Motion Response B regarding St. George Church noting the members were pleased with the work that is being done. C. Elliott commented on Motion Response C regarding police officers on bicycles noting the information was helpful and that it should be reviewed to ensure that resources are being used efficiently. C. Belanger commented that the use of bicycles in downtown is very effective and embraced by the neighborhood. C. Elliott requested information regarding the number of officers assigned to the bicycles. C. Elliott commented on Motion Response D regarding noise complaints at the Sampas Pavilion noting the concerns have lasted a long time and that there should be more enforcement to limit the noise. Manager Murphy noted there was excessive noise in the area and that it should be addressed. C. Belanger noted the problem has increased and that DCR should be involved in the solution. C. Leahy questioned the jurisdiction of DCR in the area and that there should be an increased use of decibel readers. Manager Murphy commented that DCR has jurisdiction in that area and should be involved. C. Mercier noted that if noise last a certain amount of time at any time there would be a violation. C. Samaras noted the concern with bigger acts and sound systems being used and that sound barriers may be a partial solution. M. Kennedy requested further information for the report and that further action may be warranted. C. Elliott commented on the procedures to process violations of the ordinance. Deputy Supt. Webb (LPD) outlined procedures for issuing citations. C. Leary commented on Motion Response E regarding Princeton Blvd. noting the follow-up and the discussion at the neighborhood meeting. C. Samaras noted that muffler noise should be looked at as well. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 8) 3.2. 2016 / 657 - Communication - City Mgr. request Out of State Travel (1) Waste Water. 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. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2016 / 664 - Vote-License Agreement-96 Merrimack St. overhanging sign-Adriana Tharpe d/b/a Drica Fashion 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 x Leahy, John J. x Leary, James x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 4.2. 2016 / 666 - Vote-Accept Gift of $250 from FBI Citizens Academy 11-2005 Alumni Assoc. Boston Div. in support of LPD Community Programs City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 8) 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 x Elliott, Rodney M. x x Leahy, John J. x Leary, James x Mercier, Rita M. x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x Samaras, William x 4.3. 2016 / 667 - Vote-Accept Gift of $7,500 from Digital Federal Credit Union in support of two (2) LPD's Community Programs. 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 Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x 4.4. 2016 / 668 - Vote-Accept Gift from Citywide Neighborhood Council of $350 in support of the LPD Community Programs. In Council, read twice, waived full reading and adopted. 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 x Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x 4.5. 2016 / 669 - Vote-Accept Gift from TD Bank, N.A. of $500 in support of LPD Animal Control towards the 2017 Lowell's Purr-Fetch Pet Fest. 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 Milinazzo, James L. x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x x ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2016 / 665 - Ordinance-Amend Zoning-Extend GI District-north side of Industrial Avenue In City Council, Given 1st Reading, waived full reading, Motion to refer to Public Hearing on November 15, 2016 at 7 PM by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. C. Leary commented on fact that land should be available for continuing rail trail down through that area. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 8) REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) None PETITIONS 7. - PETITIONS 7.1. 2016 / 658 - Misc. - Kelly Zapata for Jorge Zapata request installation of (1) handicap parking spot at 168 6th Street. In Council, read and Motion to refer, as amended, to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Mercier requested amending to a 60 day trial without objection. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. 2016 / 659 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. explore the feasibility of placing defibrillators in all public buildings as well as private halls that serve the public. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the need for the machinery in public and private buildings. 8.2. 2016 / 660 - C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. work with proper department to install a street light on Mammoth Road at the crosswalk near Domino’s Pizza. In Council, seconded by C. Rourke, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the need to light the crosswalk. 8.3. 2016 / 670 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. work with LPD to prioritize staffing levels that may help with fighting the opiate epidemic in the City. In Council, seconded by C. Leary, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the need to improve effectiveness in all areas and moving personnel around may do that. C. Belanger noted it always good to look at and commented on recent grant by LPD that can be used to combat the opiate epidemic. Manager Murphy updated body on the grant and possible use of the money noting a report will be prepared on the issue. C. Rourke questioned the use of recent grant money to enhance curriculum in the schools. C. Belanger noted that school grant is being studied for best possible change to curriculum. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 8) 8.4. 2016 / 671 - C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. send letter of appreciation to Parks Department for work done at Shedd Park Recreation Area along Boylston Street. In Council, seconded by C. Mercier, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the area of improvement and the upgrades made to benefit different groups of people and that department should receive citation for their efforts. M. Kennedy relinquished Chair to Vice Chair Rourke at 7:11 PM. 8.5. 2016 / 661 - M. Kennedy/C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. take the necessary steps to formally change the name of the Hamilton Canal District to the Hamilton Canal Innovation District. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy commented that change would enhance marketing toward economic development on commercial end and the UMass-Lowell was supportive of the change. C. Samaras noted the need for bigger high tech industries to take a look at the area. C. Belanger noted branding was vital to project and questioned the housing element of project. C. Leary noted full build out of area will take an extended period of time but will be worth the effort. C. Elliott noted that impact on current developers should be reviewed. Manger Murphy noted that he will respond to motion and make recommendations as well. C. Milinazzo commented on the strides being made at the site and need to keep moving forward. C. Samaras noted that State may be further involved as well. C. Leahy questioned when work for new court house will begin. 8.6. 2016 / 663 - M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. provide a report on the progress and/or results of the DPD survey of downtown property owners’ opinions on implementing a Business Improvement District in the downtown area. In Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy requested update and noted work should be completed on this matter so information can be engaged and reviewed. ANNOUNCEMENTS 9. - ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted three events: POW MIA Chair event at Cawley Stadium; Mickey Cochran dedication; and Downtown Stroll for Merrimack Valley Food Bank. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 8 of 8) ADJOURNMENT 10. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by M. Kennedy, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov