City Council

Lowell City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Date: January 17, 2017 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1/17/2017 - Minutes 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. M. Kennedy presiding. C. Mercier reqeusted moment of silence in darkened chamber for James J. "Jimmy" Meehan, Sr. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes Of Economic Development SC January 10th; City Council Meeting January 10th, For Acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion to accept and place on file by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 3. AUDITOR BUSINESS 3.1. Communication - December Year To Date Budget Report. In City Council, read, Motion to accept and place on file by C. Leary, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. C. Leary questioned school budget short falls and what corrections will be made. Auditor Perry noted he was aware of situation and is in contact with school administrators. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. Motion Responses In City Council, read, Motion to accept motions responses and informational and place on file by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. (A) Student Parking on Livingston Avenue - C. Leary noted the need to reach out to neighbors. Nick Navin (Parking Director) noted that informational and place on file by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. (A) Student Parking on Livingston Avenue - C. Leary noted the need to reach out to neighbors. Nick Navin (Parking Director) noted that process has begun and it should take about two weeks. C. Leary noted the UMass-Lowell police should be involved as well and that other areas in the City should be given similiar attention. C. Mercier noted the need for community input. C. Leahy noted that the number of students in the classrooms should be factored into parking. Manager Murphy noted the problem and the issue raises as the University charges for parking so there will be a meeting to clear up all issues. C. Rourke noted the the University is aware of the problem and must assist with the solutions. (B) Lighting at the Leo Roy Parking Garage and access to parking during City festivals - C. Samaras noted the neighborhood concern in downtown. Mr. Navin commented on event parking and noted the lighting issue has been resolved. C. Samaras questioned if assistance could be done to have people get to garages during festivals. C. Belanger noted that City derives revenues that go to festival funding during these events. (C) Cullen Family Dedication - C. Rourke commented on efforts and that notice should be given to family prior to event so that they may all gather. (D) Implementation Status of the Municipal Modernization Act - C. Milinazzo commented that it was a concise report and that it demonstrated the connection between state and local municipalities. C. Elliott commented on the option available for dealing with double poles in the community. Manager Murphy commented on that procedure going forward. C. Elliott questioned changing speed limits in the City. Manager Murphy noted that changes involve location and if the road is a state or city road and that City Council would approve changes. C. Elliott questioned E-Polling Centers and if they were cost effective. Conor Baldwin (CFO) noted that they did not save money has there is expenditures in setting up places. C. Mercier commented on National Grid meeting with City concerning double poles. Manager Murphy noted he will request report from National Grid. C. Samaras noted that they should research how Boston handles speed changes in the City. (E) Establishing a City-wide Youth Council - C. Belanger commented on similiar program in the City entitled "Youth Reaching Out" and invited Kaitlyn Hickey the coordinator of the program to comment on it. Ms. Hickey spoke to the program and noted the outreach in the community. C. Belanger noted the organization speaks to the need he was looking to address. C. Elliott commented on issues addressed including the relationships between the youth and the police. C. Leahy requested meeting information be forwarded to Mayor so that body may be aware of  Kaitlyn Hickey the coordinator of the program to comment on it. Ms. Hickey spoke to the program and noted the outreach in the community. C. Belanger noted the organization speaks to the need he was looking to address. C. Elliott commented on issues addressed including the relationships between the youth and the police. C. Leahy requested meeting information be forwarded to Mayor so that body may be aware of them. (F) Lowell House Project Update - C. Belanger noted he was behind the efforts of the Lowell House but could not support the proposed current location of residentail housing. Manager Murphy noted he had met with the group and spoke of his concerns with the location and not with the mission. Manager Murphy noted location was not in best interests of the City or in compliance with their grant applications. C. Belanger commented on how City assisted methadone clinic with their location. C. Mercier supported the location and that they should be allowed to move forward if a suitable replacement can not be located. Manager Murphy noted he was committed to assisting the organization and that a new location will be obtained. C. Milinazzo noted that the location would work in that area and would not be a blight on the City and would be revenue producing. C. Elliott noted the area is not appropriate for the operation and that the Working Cities Grant does not support it. C. Samaras commented that the Manager should continue to assist the organization with search and that different location will not hurt the program. C. Leary questioned options and time frames. Manager Murphy listed the options and noted that the time frames are hard to set at this point. C. Leary noted the need for feedback on the issues and commented on expanding the tax base. C. Rourke commented on people getting help and that these facilities are needed. 4.2. Informational (G) Letter to Deputy Director of HUD Regional Office Regarding Westminster Village - C. Elliott noted the need to let federal government know what is happening. C. Milinazzo commented that there will be feed back from HUD and that they audit all of their properties. C. Mercier requested suspension of the rules to address Middlesex Village residents requests. With no objection to request for suspension of rules, C. Mercier, on behalf of Middlesex Village, thanked the Manager and his administration for their efforts in addressing issues in the neighborhood. 4.3. Communication - Reappt. Craig Kelly And John Donovan To Board Of Health In City Council, Motion to approve by C. Leary, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. 4.4. Communication - City Mgr. Request Out Of State Travel (2) LPD. In City Council, Motion to approve by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted.  Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. 4.4. Communication - City Mgr. Request Out Of State Travel (2) LPD. In City Council, Motion to approve by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. 5. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Order - 60 Day Trial (Various) In City Council, read twice, full reading waived without objection, Motion to approve by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Belanger. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. 6. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Ordinance-Amend Chapter 150 Entitled Fees In City Council, Given 1st reading, full reading waived without objection, Motion to refer matter to Public Hearing on January 31, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Leary, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. C. Leary reqeusted that old fees be availabe for comparison. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Transportation SC January 17, 2017. In City Council, C. Rourke issued the report noting attendance and discussion of Lord Overpass redesign. C. Rourke noted the subcommittee recieved four alternative designs on the area and choose HCD access fill in (#4) as the best choice and that a motion was taken and accepted to recommend that concept to full Council for approval. Nicolas Bosonetto (Traffic Engineer) commented on the choice noting that it was based on data and citizen input. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leahy to accept HCD access concept and move forward with that design alternative by. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. C. Leary qeustioned access from Lower Highlands and Mr. Bosonetto noted that travel time and connectivity with the City will improve at grade and with centralized lights. C. Leary qeustioned Middlesex Street access, pedestrian traffic and bus lane. Mr. Bosoetto addressed those issues noting improvements in all areas. C. Belanger commented on the choice and the process used to pick that alternative. C. Elliott accepted plan and realized that there needs to be reconfiguration with that area. C. Rourke commented on the new lane going to the Lowell Connector will be funded from savings realized with this option. M. Kennedy questioned pedestrian crossing with bus lanes. Mr. Bosonetto spoke to that issue. C. Leahy qeustioned crossing. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Misc. - Jeff Hillam (Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints) Request Permission To Address Council Regarding Community Project. In City Council, Mr. Hillam addressed the Council. Motion to refer to City  8. PETITIONS 8.1. Misc. - Jeff Hillam (Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints) Request Permission To Address Council Regarding Community Project. In City Council, Mr. Hillam addressed the Council. Motion to refer to City Manager by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. C. Mercier questioned organizations prior civic projects. 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. Explore The Feasibility Of Working With The Middlesex Sheriff’s Department In Order To Have A Regional Holding Facility That Would Replace Our LPD Holding Facility. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary noted the need for help in the holding cells. C. Belanger noted the critical need to review the lock-up area. 9.2. C. Leary/C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. Provide An Update Regarding The Closing Of The Eastern Bank Location In Centraville, Its Economic Impact On The Area And Recommendations To Address The Impact And Improvement Of The Overall Business District. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary commented on business options. C. Leahy noted the need to support this business area. 9.3. C. Leahy/C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. Work With LFD To Explore All Possible Means To Replace The Turn-Out Gear Of The LFD. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the need and the funding for equipment. C. Rourke noted the use of grant money to purchase gear and that other funding sources should be explored. C. Samaras commented updated gear is a safety issue. Manager Murphy noted that operational funds, capital funds and grants are used to update gear. 9.4. C. Samaras/C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. Meet With The Administration Of UMass-Lowell, Middlesex Community College And The Lowell School Department To Discuss Their Role In The Educational Planning Of The New Lowell High. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted it was project that needs all players involved to make most effecient high school. C. Rourke noted need to have colleges come to the school to recruit. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS None 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk - 375 Merrimack Street - Phone: 978.674.4161