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: March 7, 2017 Time: 6:30 PM Place: City Council Chamber, City Hall 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Lillian Tuzman. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of City Council Special Meeting February 27th; Technology & Utilities SC February 28th; City Council Meeting February 28th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 3. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 3.1. Motion Responses In Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. (A) Introductory Meeting With the New Owners of the Franco American. – C. Belanger noted meeting with potential developer (Brian McGowan). C. Rourke commented on preserving the Grotto. Manager Murphy noted the steps to preserve the Grotto. C. Mercier commented on the need to preserve the Grotto. (B) Update Regarding Superintendent’s Efforts to Have the LPD Achieve Accreditation. – C. Belanger noted the efforts on the issue. Supt. Taylor (LPD) noted the benefits of accreditation and the process used. (C) Economic Development Plan for Cabot and Market Street Area. – C. Samaras commented that the report outlined the steps moving forward and requested that there be a report regarding procedures followed per Working Cities Grants. C. Leahy commented on the Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union building future proposal. Manager City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 5) Murphy commented on plan and the preference for commercial development. C. Belanger requested City position on student housing. Manager Murphy noted his concern with those types of developments. C. Belanger noted the difficulty in restricting private ownership. C. Mercier requested report regarding comparison of taxes paid on commercial properties as opposed to residential properties. C. Leahy questioned type of property that generates most tax revenue. (D) Noise Complaints at Sampas Pavilion. – C. Elliott noted the recommendations and that the noise carries through several neighborhoods. C. Elliott noted that the permit holder should be held strictly liable for noise on the property. Manager Murphy noted that the City noise ordinance should be revised to reflect better hours of enforcement. Supt. Taylor noted that the City would be more involved with permitting process along with ticketing and concurrent jurisdiction on events. C. Elliott noted the need to revisit ordinance. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger to refer to City Manager to begin process to amend ordinance. So voted. C. Belanger noted the need for relief in the neighborhoods as well as referring ordinance to subcommittee for review as well. C. Belanger questioned paid details for events. C. Samaras noted importance of compliance with permits. (E) Economic Impact of Eastern Bank Closing the Centralville Location. – C. Leary noted the sale of the property and that attention should be brought to that business corridor. (F) Online Payments. – C. Leary commented on vendors’ payment online. Conor Baldwin (CFO) noted restrictions on some payments. C. Milinazzo questioned charges on transactions. C. Leahy questioned process of paying full year of real estate taxes. 3.2. Informational (G) City of Lowell Smart Phone Application. – None. 3.3. Communication - City Mgr. request Out of State Travel (2) Health Dept.; (2) LPD; (1) DPD. In Council, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 9 yeas. So voted. 4. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Vote Vote- Accept Gift $6,197.61 Lowell Plan, Inc. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 5) In City Council, Read twice, waived full reading without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call Vote, 9 yeas. So voted. 5. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 5.1. Technology & Utilities SC February 28, 2017. In City Council, C. Leary issued report noting the attendance and discussion regarding placing wireless canisters in the City by Verizon, FIOS in the City, FIOS use in Boston and negotiations between Verizon and the City. C. Elliott commented on wireless and canisters. Manager Murphy commented on the negotiations. C. Belanger noted the high cable costs in the City and the need for competition. C. Leary commented on the growth of technology and the use of wireless. Motion by C. Leary, seconded by C. Leahy to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. 5.2. Downtown Redevelopment SC March 7, 2017. In City Council, M. Kennedy noted this meeting had been rescheduled for April 4, 2017. 6. PETITIONS 6.1. Misc. - Ursula Knight Harris Turner request permission to address City Council regarding pedestrian safety. In Council, read and Motion to refer to City Manager for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Petitioner was not present. 6.2. National Grid - Request permission to install underground line of electric conduits including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures to service Hamilton Canal District. In Council, Given 1st reading, and Motion to refer to Public Hearing on March 21, 2017 at 7 PM. by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 7. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 7.1. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. have the DPW repair the torn curbing in front of the Daley School on Fleming Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary noted the need for repairs. 7.2. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. have the Traffic Engineer determine the feasibility of a four way stop sign at the intersection of Newbury and Fleming Streets. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 5) In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary commented that area was close to school. 7.3. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. provide a report outlining the Proposition 2 1/2 Debt Exclusion process as it would relate to funding of the Lowell High School project, the report should include the positive and negative aspects of funding the high school project in this manner. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary commented that decisions must be made regarding financing and that information should be available in order to review different plans. 7.4. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. work with appropriate department in order to provide a report making recommendations for changes, if needed, regarding the reported drainage issues on Douglas Road in front of the skating rink and adjacent wetlands. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary noted that issue needs to be resolved as the site is still involved in the process. 7.5. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have Water Department correct the billing for 70 Seventh Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Leary, referred to City Manager as amended. So voted. C. Leahy noted that it was a unique situation and wanted to insure that no lien be recorded. C. Mercier requested an amendment that 54-56 Meade Street be included in the response. No objection to request. 7.6. C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. have proper department inspect crosswalks at Lowell schools for updating. In City Council, seconded by C. Leary, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Rourke noted it was part of school safety. 7.7. M. Kennedy/C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. work with newly formed Diversity Council to set up a series of additional meetings to present the high school project and the options available in different neighborhoods throughout the City with a special emphasis on meetings in Spanish and Khmer. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted the need to reach out to all communities and that the City has done same. Manager Murphy noted upcoming meetings in Spanish and Khmer. M. Kennedy City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 5) relinquished Chair to Vice-Chair Rourke at 7:24 PM. M. Kennedy noted the importance of the issue and the need for more public attendance so that there may be further education on the projects. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Milinazzo questioned upcoming scheduled Loan Order for public hearing. M. Kennedy noted upcoming fundraiser for Cambodian National Basketball Team. C. Rourke noted upcoming Neighborhoods SC in highlands. 9. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn by M. Kennedy, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM. Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov