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 SPECIAL MEETING (M. KENNEDY) Date: June 6, 2017 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. Mayor Kennedy presiding. 2. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 2.1. Motion Responses In City Council, Manager Murphy outlined meeting and made comments on following motion responses. (A) Request of MSBA for Repayment of Past Projects – Manager Murphy noted that there would be no need to reimburse money regarding earlier renovation of high school as time as elapsed, commented that roof would involve reimbursement. C. Elliott questioned the amount City was reimbursed for the projects and noted that they were much greater rates than amount for current project. Manager Murphy noted that MSBA formula to reimburse falls short of current construction costs. C. Leary noted that being a gateway city should afford Lowell a greater percentage of reimbursement. (B) Transportation – Manager Murphy noted a traffic consultant prepared report and that the Nicolas Bosonetto (City Traffic Engineer) summarized the findings and also commented on possible added infrastructure for Cawley site. C. Milinazzo noted that Cawley site imposes greater traffic issue and that sidewalk improvements would have to be made and in addition there would be parking concerns as well as acquisition costs for right of way access. C. Mercier noted current traffic downtown is problematic and commented that sidewalks are on required on site and would not have to be extended into the neighborhood. C. Leary noted that costs are also associated with downtown regarding traffic assistance. Mr. Bosonetto noted improvements need to be made in that area regardless where high school will go and that the costs would be about City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) $400,000. Mr. Bosonetto noted that all sidewalks on site are included in costs analysis. C. Leary commented on busing routes. Mr. Bosonetto outlined the routes. C. Leary questioned access to the site. Ashley Iannuccilli (Birchwood Design Group) commented on the access to the site. C. Leary noted access to site could be further explored. C. Belanger questioned busing on Village Street access and the significant increase in traffic. Mr. Bosonetto noted the procedures used to get a traffic study and count. C. Samaras noted the report was in a nice readable format and commented on land taking especially on Route 38. Mr. Bosonetto outlined possible taking in terms of accommodating the number of busses. C. Rourke commented on the use of streets surrounding the Cawley site. C. Rourke questioned use of restricted access on Douglas Road. Mr. Bosonetto noted that such a procedure could raise issues. C. Rourke noted the increase in traffic when all the additional projects happening in City are online. C. Mercier noted any takings in Cawley area would be minimal as they would just be part of lawns and also commented in increased busing costs that could be decreased by forward thinking as provided by John Descoteaux of the school department. Mr. Descoteaux outlined his presentation and the process he used to calculate a reduction in transportation costs. C. Milinazzo commented on the number of busses as well as takings of land off of smaller lots to expand the right of way. C. Leary commented on busing routes and land takings. C. Leahy noted that width of the lanes needed to accommodate the busses. Mr. Bosonetto noted that MDOT has regulations regarding size. Ms. Iannuccilli commented on bus and car access into the Cawley site. C. Elliott noted Route 38 alignment as well as capacity after it was upgraded some years ago. C. Elliott noted other access areas could be used as well on the site. C. Elliott noted that discussions of takings must be consistent on whatever site is chosen. C. Elliott commented on the need to bus the students. C. Samaras commented on changing school starting time to save on transportation costs. C. Milinazzo noted his stance has been consistent regarding land takings. C. Leary commented on Route 495 access into Cawley site. (C) Busing Costs – Manager Murphy referenced prior discussion. (D) Article 97 Update – Manager Murphy noted approval at State level and that minor language changes are being developed. C. Milinazzo questioned use of Centralville Reservoir in replication plan. Manager Murphy noted that location was being use to cover open space requirements and that there are grants being processed to make it into a passive park. C. Belanger recognized the administration and State delegation for their efforts in this process. Manager Murphy commented on the upgrade in the fields in the City. (E) Anticipated Costs Due to Infrastructure Improvements for Cawley Site – Manager Murphy noted Mr. Bosonetto had addressed in prior discussion. C. Rourke City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) commented on right of way changes. Manager Murphy noted that additional engineering would be needed to determine any right of way issues near site. C. Milinazzo noted that right of way costs are not part of costs analysis. (F) Conservation Preservation Issues for Downtown LHS Site – Manager Murphy noted that Conservation Commission, Historic Board and National Parks would be involved in a downtown site review. C. Elliott questioned what type of tunnels would be used at the site. Manager Murphy noted that the airspace will be unaffected so there would be no issues. (G) Economic Potential for the Lowell High School Site – Kevin Coughlin (DPD) commented on the economic potential of high school site. C. Mercier commented on report and noted it was a creative response which will help downtown and also treat it like a neighborhood. C. Samaras commented on the report. Mr. Coughlin commented on the report and his process for gathering information. C. Leary noted the need to fill void if Lowell High School should leave that site. (H) Asbestos Remediation – Manager Murphy commented on prior report given clarifying some information regarding removal of asbestos. C. Belanger noted the need to financially project this process correctly so that you would not face overruns in the project. C. Rourke noted unknown costs are a concern. Sarah Brown (DPD) commented on the estimates. Ammar Dieb (UEC) commented on the extensive testing done and the accuracy of the estimates. C. Elliott commented on costs for the whole project. Ms. Brown outlined all of the building costs. C. Belanger recognized the testing done and that it should be an accurate estimate of the remaining work. C. Leahy questioned what safeguards are in place if problems arise. (I) Drainage and Sewerage Infrastructure – Manager Murphy introduced Mark Young (Water/Sewer Ex. Dir) who noted that sensors were placed on sewers to identify any potential issues. C. Belanger noted the neighborhood has some drainage issues. Mr. Young noted that placing new high school in area would have little effect on the issue and that he just needs some time to collect data and analyze. C. Leary noted drainage issues need to be addressed regardless of high school project. C. Samaras noted that it has been an ongoing issue that will now get addressed. Mr. Young outlined different options that may be available to relieve the situation. C. Milinazzo noted the problem and commented that a project of this size will affect surrounding areas. C. Mercier noted wetlands area and beaver dam problems from earlier. C. Elliott questioned the impact of the footprint for the Cawley site. Perkins/Eastman noted civil engineers nullify any impact from construction of site. C. Leahy noted any impact stays on construction site. M. Kennedy questioned why there would be no impact. Perkins/Eastman noted drainage is designed to stay on site. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) (J) LHS Project Impact on Property Values – Manager Murphy introduced Susan LeMay (Assessor) who commented on report and process she used to gather information. C. Belanger noted response. C. Milinazzo noted values would be impacted and that assessed value would remain level but market value of homes will decline. C. Leary noted a comparative market analysis would be useful. C. Belanger noted the need for market value analysis. (K) Conservation Commission Votes Regarding Wetlands and Endangered Species – Manager Murphy noted letter indicating that there are no endangered species on Cawley site but there are wetlands which would have to be regulated by Conservation Commission. (L) Tewksbury Article 97 and Conservation Issues – Manager Murphy noted that the Town of Tewksbury does not own land so there is no standing however parking and wetlands would need town input because of the location. C. Milinazzo questioned variance for parking. Eric Slagle (Inspectional Services) noted that there would need to be relief from some Tewksbury boards on this project. (M) LHS Field Replication – Manager Murphy introduced Tom Bellegarde (DPW) who noted updated fields as well as added turf fields. C. Mercier questioned if sponsorships would be available for the fields. Manager Murphy noted sponsorships will lessen costs. C. Rourke questioned use of fields. Mr. Bellegarde commented on soccer field being done over with turf and how that will improve usability. C. Milinazzo questioned funding source for replica fields. Manager Murphy noted it would part of LHS bond. C. Belanger noted gain in replication fields. C. Leahy commented on Manning Field and the Town of Chelmsford. Manager Murphy noted that Chelmsford would have to be involved in process and that he does not foresee any issues. C. Leary commented on Cawley site softball field. Ms. Iannuccilli noted use of trees and fencing to enhance site. C. Leahy commented on fencing and lighting. M, Kennedy noted lighting currently exist on site. Mr. Bellegarde noted no current plans for lighting. (N) Schematic Design for LHS Options 3 and 4 – Manager Murphy noted schematic designs will be available during the presentation. (O) Parking Solutions at Cawley – Manager Murphy noted information will be provided during presentation. M. Kennedy questioned why Cawley had two options. Michael McGovern (Asst, City Manager) noted the addition of second option and the decreased foot print with that option to enable added parking and address field issues. C. Leahy questioned parking and green space. C. Samaras commented on five story building and that it was not conducive with campus element of the school. M. Kennedy questioned number of parking spaces. Mr. McGovern noted extra story will generate City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 100 spaces. C. Elliott noted the need to have extra spaces. Mr. Bosonetto commented on process to get number of spaces needed for the Cawley site. C. Belanger questioned number of spaces currently on site and that there is a need for additional parking. C. Rourke commented on the survey to get number of spaces needed. Mr. Bosonetto outlined survey process. (P) Questionnaire Downtown Survey – Manager Murphy introduced Allison Lamey who reviewed the survey and spoke to results. C. Belanger commented his visits to businesses and that they would be impacted by the move. C. Samaras commented on the findings and the need to help downtown businesses. C. Milinazzo commented on positive impact on downtown if construction is being done on the site. C. Mercier noted there were several businesses that did not bother with survey and noted new projects that would replace the high school. C. Leahy questioned follow-up on survey and process for obtaining information. C. Belanger noted faith in administration to replace void if high school left site. C. Samaras noted the need to help downtown businesses as they are pressed for time and do not required knowledge to improve their business. C. Rourke noted responses and that many did not respond as well. C. Leary noted the need to get people downtown with money to spend. C. Elliott noted the need for different approach to downtown and that report was inconclusive. (Q) Additional Cost Outside of Scope – Manager Murphy noted costs have been discussed. C. Belanger questioned use of Freshmen Academy. Manager Murphy noted it would probably be used for educational purpose. C. Leary noted the need for special education space and such a move would cut those costs down. (R) Cost Summary – Manager Murphy outlined the costs summary. C. Milinazzo noted that Cawley was smallest size building. C. Belanger commented on reimbursement policy of MSBA and that there should be an increase in that reimbursement. C. Belanger questioned bonding capacity after high school bond. C. Rourke commented on debt. C. Samaras questioned costs analysis. Manager Murphy noted that the MSBA does not fully reimburse for construction costs which creates a divide. C. Mercier noted value on some options. C. Leary commented on costs and the use of strong fiscal management. C. Leary noted differing approach in terms of PILOT programs to enhance revenue. C. Milinazzo noted Lawrence had a much higher reimbursement as they were in receivership at the time. C. Elliott questioned reimbursement under renovation plan. Mary Ann Williams (Skanka) outlined the reimbursement police for that option. Conor Baldwin (CFO) outlined debt ceiling and bond capacity noting that school bonds are exempt from ceiling. M. Kennedy commented on bonding capacity and debt service. Mr. Baldwin commented on debt service noting cannot borrow if you cannot pay back. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) Motion to waive Rule 5 to continue discussion beyond 10:00 PM by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. The following registered to speak before Council and addressed same: Anastasia Sakellaris; Brian Barry; Tim Blake; Greta Wilensky; Lynne Dailey; Stephen Anstey; Nancy McCarthy; Bob Montgomery; Russell Williams; Dan Shanahan; Mike Dillon; Karen Green; Virak Jey; Matthew LeLacheur; and Chris Meehan. 2.2. Informational - The following informational items to be discussed at Public Forum on June 8, 2017. (S) Geoenvironmental Feasibility (T) HazMat Feasibility (U) Traffic Feasibility (V) Energy Feasibility (W) Security Feasibility 2.3. Presentation - The following presentation to be discussed at Public Forum on June 8, 2017. (X) PSR Presentation 2.4. Questions and Answers - The following question and answer session at Public Forum on June 8, 2017. 3. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk Office of the City Clerk - 375 Merrimack Street - Phone: 978.674.4161 City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov