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: June 13, 2017 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Samaras). Mayor Kennedy presiding. C. Elliott requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Chou Family (victim of Salisbury boating accident). 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Presentation - Pyne Arts School. In City Council, M. Kennedy noted matter would be put off until meeting on June 27, 2017. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Council Meeting May 30th; Council Special Meeting June 6th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. (A) Special Event to Showcase the Hamilton Canal Innovation District – C. Belanger made note of the event. Kevin Coughlin (DPD) outlined event noting date and who would be attending as well as discussion points. Manager Murphy commented on construction time line. C. Leary commented on Lowell Connector (Lord Overpass) design. Diane Tradd (DPD) noted the design and how it was to be done in phases. C. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 5) Leary requested information on parking lot swap with the National Parks. Manager Murphy noted it was going to happen but not needed for project to move forward. C. Leahy questioned the expansion of Mill No. 5. Ms. Tradd noted work being done in the district. C. Elliott questioned status of Master Developer for the Hamilton Canal District. Manager Murphy noted an RFP is out there for that purpose. 4.2. Communication School Building Committee recommendation vote relative to the preferred site for Lowell High School. In City Council, matter withdrawn. 4.3. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) HHS (Library). In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Samaras). So voted. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Vote-Auth City Manager Ex. Temporary Access Agreement 350.4 Dutton Street. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Samaras). So voted. 5.2. Vote-Renewing the Lowell Canalway Cultural District in the City of Lowell. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leary. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Elliott, C. Samaras). So voted. 5.3. Vote-Approve a preferred site for Lowell High School. In City Council, matter withdrawn. Motion to have special meeting regarding choice of high school location vote on June 20, 2017 at 6:30 PM by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted that the School Building Committee would have to meet beforehand. C. Elliott noted that meeting would take place on June 20th as well and be at 10:00 AM. 5.4. Vote - To endorse a five year financing plan relative to the acquisition and repair of the TIGER grant bridges. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 5) In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Samaras). So voted. C. Belanger requested information regarding the vote. Manager Murphy commented on the vote and noted the need to cover shortfall in funding and how that would be done. C. Belanger noted that the University should be giving more in funding. C. Leahy noted that Umass-Lowell benefits from the bridges as well and that there should be a greater contribution. C. Milinazzo noted the need to ensure federal money is protected. Manager Murphy commented on the assurances he has from the Federal Government. 6. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Order-60 day trial (various). In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Samaras). So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Wire Insp. - Verizon NE - Request installation of underground conduit at Market and Hanover Streets. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying order by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 7.2. Wire Insp. - National Grid/Verizon NE - Request installation of 1 new JO pole located at 174 Jewett Street. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying order by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Misc. - Saleh Alini (Abo Alezz Market) request installation of loading zone sign at 226 Appleton Street. In Council, Motion to refer to Traffic Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Leary, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. M. Kennedy relinquished Chair to Vice Chair Rourke at 6:57 PM. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 5) 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. instruct the proper departments to look into ways to reduce speeding on East Merrimack Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy noted motion speaks for itself. 9.2. M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. provide a report to the City Council regarding status of the Tiger Grant to include how many bridges would be covered by the grant and how many would not be covered by the grant; costs estimate for bridges not covered by grant and steps to be taken to secure additional funding to cover such costs. In City Council, M. Kennedy withdrew motion with no objections. So voted. 9.3. M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. update City Council on any potential funding for an Environmental Impact Study for the Rourke Permanent Bridge. In City Council, seconded by C. Leary, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy noted importance of project and commented that the feasibility study is growing old and could not be used for environmental impact study. M. Kennedy noted all parties must be involved and be aggressive in their pursuits. C. Leary noted the importance to engage surrounding towns in this effort. C. Belanger, representative on NMCOG, noted shelf life of prior study. C. Elliott stated that there must be action so as not render that study useless. M. Kennedy noted all avenues should be pursued. C. Belanger noted full community effort would be helpful. C. Leahy questioned why studies are so expensive. C. Elliott noted studies are mandated by law. Manager Murphy noted Resolution should be sent to Legislature. C. Milinazzo noted that money in budget should be protected. M. Kennedy noted that the money is always at risk if not being used. 9.4. M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. reconcile the FY18 Budget with regards to the school department. In City Council, seconded by C. Leary, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy noted need for more constant approach. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, M. Kennedy noted fundraiser of residents of Lowell who will be participating in Asian Games for the Cambodian basketball team. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 5) 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by M. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:12 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov