City Council

Lowell City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Date: February 7, 2017 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 2/7/2017 - Minutes 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call recorded 9 present. M. Kennedy presiding. C. Leahy requested a moment of silence in darkened chamber for Mary Noon. M. Kennedy requested, without objection, that Council discuss Manager's responses first. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes Of Zoning SC January 31st; City Council January 31st, For Acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion to accept and place on file by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 3. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 3.1. National Grid - Req. Permission To Install Underground Concrete PVC Conduit At 11 - 15 Carter Street. In City Council, Given 2nd reading, hearing held, no remonstrants. Speaking in favor of petition was Ken Dobe (National Grid) and Lisa Demeo (City Engineer). Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 3.2. National Grid/Verizon NE - Req. Permission To Install New Riser Pole At 15 Carter Street. In City Council, Given 2nd reading, hearing held, no remonstrants. Speaking in favor of petition was Ken Dobe (National Grid) and Lisa Demeo (City Engineer). Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. INFORMATIONAL - Lowell High School Site Selection In City Council, Manager Murphy commented on process noting that the School Building Committee forwarded four options for the Council who can accept, reject or add others. Manager Murphy noted one option must be a rehabilitation of the existing school. Robert Bell (Perkins Eastman) commented on time line established by Massachusetts School 4.1. INFORMATIONAL - Lowell High School Site Selection In City Council, Manager Murphy commented on process noting that the School Building Committee forwarded four options for the Council who can accept, reject or add others. Manager Murphy noted one option must be a rehabilitation of the existing school. Robert Bell (Perkins Eastman) commented on time line established by Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for the project. Mr. Bell noted that there were 10 options that were looked at to get down to the 4 and that he would review each of the 10 tonight. Mr. Bell outlined all design options including the pros and cons as well as the costs of each option. C. Milinazzo commented on the options presented to the body. C. Elliott questioned next step in the process. Manager Murphy outlined the process. C. Elliott noted the project was ahead of schedule and made Motion to refer the matter to a Committee As A Whole for further review, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. C. Mercier commented on taking of property. C. Samaras questioned other sites. Manager Murphy noted it was early in the process and more data needs to be analyzed. C. Leary noted the Committee as a Whole must act quickly on options before them. C. Rourke commented on educational objectives for the long, short and unknown terms. C. Leahy commented on Cawley sited and questioned Tewksbury/Lowell line. C. Leahy questioned downtown site and eminent domain proceedings. Manager Murphy spoke to eminent domain. C. Elliott noted need for more data especially traffic studies. Manager Murphy noted that the MSBA requires all of that data. Mary Ann Williams (SKANSKA) commented on modular classrooms has not being reimburseable. M. Kennedy noted costs are higher than anticipated and efforts should be made to cut them. C. Leary noted that body must be aware of non-reimbursable costs and that the longer project goes the more expensive it will be. C. Belanger was in agreement with four options and noted his concern with non- reimbursable costs and eminent domain. C. Milinazzo noted the criteria should be what is in the best interests of the students and that all costs must be understood. C. Samaras commented on square foot costs. C. Rourke noted all plans for existing school includes modular classrooms. Ms. Willams discussed modular classrooms. C. Mercier questioned costs of these classrooms. C. Leahy questioned crossing of Father Morrisette Drive at existing site. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. VOTE- Auth.Mgr.Ex. License Agreement-122 Merrimack St. (Overhanging Sign) In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Adopted per Roll Call Vote, 9 yeas. So voted. C. Leary requested, without objection to take item #7.4 out of order. So voted. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) None. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. Claim - (1) Personal Injury; (1) Property. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 7.2. Misc. - Karen McShea (VP Real Estate Development, Lupoli Companies) Request City Council Approval For Installation Of Overhanging Sign At 17 Shattuck Street For Thorndike Exchange Experience Center. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 7.3. Misc. - Vladimir Saldana Request Permission To Address Council On Behalf Of Petition To Reverse Personnel Decision On Patrolman Pender By The City Manager.  Thorndike Exchange Experience Center. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 7.3. Misc. - Vladimir Saldana Request Permission To Address Council On Behalf Of Petition To Reverse Personnel Decision On Patrolman Pender By The City Manager. In City Council, matter discussed on Council floor. The following registered speakers addressed the body: Vladimar Saldana; Lisa Arnold; Harrison Ingraham; Danny Bravo; Aurora Enkson. 7.4. Misc. - Sue Kim Request Permission To Address The City Council Regarding Petition To Consider Adopting A Trust Ordinance In The City. In City Council, Motion to refer to City Manager for report and recommendation by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. The following speakers addressed the Council: Sue Kim; Carlos Gavriel; Judith Duran; Camaran Kay (oppose); Joseph Boyle; George Koumantzelis (oppose). C. Milinazzo supported the motion and noted that the practice of the LPD is in compliance with the Trust Ordinance so he commented he would not support the ordinance as it would lead to division. C. Mercier noted non support of the Trust Ordinance. C. Samaras noted support of motion by would not support underlying issue. C. Leary requested turn around time of the report and any change should be in best interest of City. M. Kennedy noted the Council usually does not take position on a national issue. 7.5. Misc. - Maria Matos, On Behalf Of Lorda E. Vallanilla, Request (1) Handicap Parking Sign At 1374 Gorham Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. Convene A Public Forum, When All The Facts Are In Concerning Lowell High School, So That The Public Can Express Their Thoughts And Concerns Before A Vote Is Taken. In City Council, seconded by C. Leary, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted it was important to hear all thoughts and concerns from citizens and requested special meeting be set up as a committee of the whole. 8.2. C. Leahy/C. Milinazzo - Req. City Mgr. Have Traffic Engineer Explore Feasibility Of Placing A 4-Way Stop Sign At The Intersection Of Trull Lane And Trull Lane East And West. In City Council, no second needed, referred to Traffic Engineer. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted the neighbors concerns. 8.3. C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. / City Auditor Provide A Report On The Status Of “Free Cash” For FY 2017. In City Council, seconded by C. Belanger, referred to City Manager/City Auditor. So voted. C. Elliott noted it would be a positive report showing prudent spending and savings. Manager Murphy noted the report will include uses of the money. 8.4. C. Elliott - Req. City Council Discuss Process For Permit Approvals For Road Races, Festivals, Block Parties, Etc., When Using City Streets And/Or Facilities. In City Council, seconded by C. Belanger, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott noted information to citizens are important as there are a lot of events. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 10. ADJOURNMENT 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 10. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk - 375 Merrimack Street - Phone: 978.674.4161