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 25, 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 / 674 - Communication - School Department memorandum regarding facility space needs i.e. modular classrooms. Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Leary noted response regarding use of modular classrooms. M. Kennedy noted there would be no need for modular classrooms for next school year and that will save on substantial costs. In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. CITY CLERK 2. - CITY CLERK 2.1. 2016 / 672 - Minutes of City Council Meeting October 18th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. - GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1. 2016 / 650 - Loan Order-Police Equipment Bonds $500K City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 9) In City Council, Given 2nd Reading and adopted and referred to City Clerk’s Office for 20 days. Public hearing held. Speaking in favor was Supt. Taylor (LPD) who noted purpose and benefits of the system. Speaking in opposition was Randy Breton. C. Mercier noted privacy issue was not affected by this program as the cameras are placed in public areas. C Milinazzo noted the City of Revere use of cameras and how effective it was and that grant funding is available for such programs. C. Belanger commented on the amount of money being borrowed and requested further information on the software. Capt. Trudel (LPD) commented on the product being purchased. C. Rourke noted the success with the use of cameras at Eagle Park. C. Samaras noted the public safety element to the use of cameras and how useful they have been at Lowell High School. Supt. Taylor commented on the security at the High School. C. Elliott noted that many cities use the technology and that the technology is a huge benefit to those cities. C. Leary commented that the use of the technology benefits the City and it is not a “Big Brother” issue. C. Elliott commented on a security camera registry for private owners that may be beneficial. 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 3.2. 2016 / 645 - Fuel Storage - Lowell General Hospital request to amend license for additional fuel storage at facility located at 295 Varnum Avenue. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading and adopted. Public hearing held. Speaking in favor was Kevin Foley (Lowell General Hospital). No Remonstrants. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 9) 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 3.3. 2016 / 646 - 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 2nd Reading and adopted. Public hearing held. Speaking in favor was Kevin Foley (Lowell General Hospital). No Remonstrants. 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 4. - COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. 2016 / 685 - Motion Responses: (A) Light Sequence at Rourke Bridge (B) Durkin Family Bridge Dedication (C) Site Management at Vacant Property on Chelmsford St. (D) Lowell Memorial Auditorium Structural Report (E) Rooming House Inspections City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 9) (F) Pedestrian Crossing (G) Update on Coelho Fuel Inc. (H) Handicap Parking on Middle St. Informational (I) Zoning Amendment In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. C. Samaras commented on Motion Response A regarding lights at Rourke Bridge requesting further information. Nicolas Bosonetto (Traffic Engineer) commented on the light and the flow of traffic and possible redesign of the intersection. Supt. Taylor (LPD) commented on the use of officers assisting with traffic during heavy traffic times. C. Samaras commented on the work and attention to the issue at the site. C. Leary noted that an officer is helpful with the condition. C. Elliott noted that officers are helpful and questioned the use of money from Charter School to help with the issue. Mr. Bosonetto noted how the money would be spent and that the school will monitor their traffic situation every six months. C. Elliott noted that widening intersection may be helpful and timing of lights along the corridor would help. M. Kennedy commented on the use of cameras to shorten sequence. C. Milinazzo commented on Motion Response B regarding Durkin Family Dedication noting the time and place and recognized effort of all involved for help and support. C. Leary commented on Motion Response C regarding vacant property on Chelmsford Street recognizing effort being made to keep it clean. C. Elliott commented on Motion Response E regarding rooming house inspections noting the licensing procedure and the need to inspect to ensure compliance. Manager Murphy noted that inspections should be part of renewal procedure. C. Mercier commented on Motion Response F regarding pedestrian crossings noting the lights should be timed for safely crossing. Mr. Bosonetto commented on the crossing at Central and Merrimack Streets noting there was a request for proposal formulated for correcting lights to assist pedestrians. C. Leahy questioned crossing near Prescott Street and Mr. Bosonetto noted that current resources would not be covering that area but it will be monitored. C. Leahy commented on crossing at Prescott and Merrimack Streets. C. Leary commented on Motion Response G regarding Coelho property recognizing improvements and the satisfaction of the neighbors. C. Leahy questioned paving on the premises. Eric Slagle (Inspectional Services) noted that paving was planned but was cost prohibitive. C. Elliott noted that people who had concerns should be updated with the City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 9) progress. C. Leary noted that paving should still be considered. C. Leahy noted cost of paving is substantial due to type of material that must be used. C. Mercier commented on Motion Response H regarding handicap parking on Middle Street recognizing effort put towards report. Manager Murphy commented on Informational Response I regarding zoning requesting referral to Zoning SC. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo to refer matter to Zoning SC for review and recommendation. So voted. 4.2. 2016 / 683 - Communication-Appoint Tammie Dubois to Hunger Homeless Commission (Merrimack Valley Food Bank Rep) In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Ms. Dubois thanked the Council. 4.3. 2016 / 684 - Communication-Appoint Suzanne Frechette-Pollard Memorial Library Board of Trustees In Council, read and adopted. Ms. Frechette addressed and thanked the Council. 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 Samaras, William x x VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5. - VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. 2016 / 680 - Vote-Transfer $48,000 Cemetery (special projects, general improvements to Edson and Westlawn Cemeteries) In Council, read twice, waived full reading and adopted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 9) 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 5.2. 2016 / 682 - Vote-Accept Gift of $7,500 from DCU (Fire Dept) 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 Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x 5.3. 2016 / 686 - Vote-Auth City Manager Ex. License Agreement-10 Cardinal O'Connell Parkway (Viet Thai Express) In Council, read twice, waived full reading and adopted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 9) 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 ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6. - ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. 2016 / 681 - Order-60 day trail (various) 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 x Rourke, Daniel P. x x Samaras, William x REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7. - REPORTS (SUB / COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. 2016 / 673 - Downtown Redevelopment SC October 25, 2016. In City Council, C. Milinazzo reported on the Downtown Redevelopment SC meeting noting the attendance and the discussion regarding programs to address panhandling and homelessness in the City and commenting on Lowell program entitled Use Your Change for Change. Motion by City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 8 of 9) C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke to recommend to City Council to support implementation of the Use Your Change for Change program as presented to the subcommittee. So voted. C. Leahy recognized the presentation and the program. Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. Motion to bundle and accept and adopt the three wire inspector reports (Item # 7.2; 7.3; and 7.4) by C. Leary, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 7.2. 2016 / 558 - Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request installation of 5' of 4-4" conduit on William Street to service new Middlesex Community College auditorium. In Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying order by C. Leary, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 7.3. 2016 / 610 - Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request permission to relay/replace cast iron gas main with plastic gas main in sidewalks on Sixth Street. In Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying order by C. Leary, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 7.4. 2016 / 611 - Wire Insp. - 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 Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying order by C. Leary, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. C. Leahy abstained from discussion and vote on this item. C. Mercier questioned the protection of trees during work in the area. Manager Murphy noted trees would be protected and an arborist will be on site. PETITIONS 8. - PETITIONS 8.1. 2016 / 679 - National Grid - Request permission to install (1) SO Pole on east side of intersection of Lawrence and Andrews Streets near 706 Lawrence St. In Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to Public Hearing on November 8, 2016 at 7PM by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 9 of 9) CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9. - CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. 2016 / 675 - C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department replace portion of the curbing (curbstone) in front of 154 Upham Street. In Council, seconded by C. Leary, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted the need to repair curbing that was damaged by the City. 9.2. 2016 / 676 - C. Samaras/C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. provide a report regarding plan to increase the number of parking garage spaces in the City. In Council, no second needed, read and referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the need to assess future needs. C. Leary agreed with comments of C. Samaras. ANNOUNCEMENTS 10. - ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, Manager Murphy provided the hours for Halloween. C. Mercier commented on upcoming dedication for Mr. Hebert and Lord Family as well as African celebration. ADJOURNMENT 11. - Time for meeting to stand adjourned. Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov