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 27, 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. C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Robert Leighton, Jr. C. Leary requested that Item # 8.1 be taken out of order. So voted with no objections. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of Special Meeting City Council June 8th; City Council Meeting June 13th; Special Meeting City Council June 20th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 3. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 3.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. A) LPD Summer Strategies – C. Samaras noted that crime rate was dropping and that there would be occasional spikes that were present. Supt. Taylor (LPD) commented on crime statistics noting the reasons for some spikes. Supt. Taylor noted focus of forces would be on suppression, investigation and prevention. Supt. Taylor commented on the Gang Unit, crime analysis, disbursing grant money and the use of grant money. C. Samaras noted the use of grant money in the neighborhoods. C. Leahy requested more foot patrols for the downtown during the night. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 7) B) FY18 School Appropriation – M. Kennedy requested written communication be sent to the school administration for their record. C. Leahy noted the need to discuss potential use of buildings that would be available for school administration. C. Leary discussed time frame of State budget finalization. Manager Murphy noted that it would be pushed into new fiscal year. C) Vurgaropulos Memorial Bridge – C. Mercier noted it was a fitting tribute that the City and State worked together on. D) Status of Property at 53 Third Street – C. Belanger commented on history of the property and the concerns of the neighborhood. C. Belanger noted the City leaned on the property owners who are absentee landlords. C. Samaras noted the criminal activity at the premises and that the LPD should track such actions and chronicle their responses. E) Speeding on Draper Street and Arbor Road – C. Leahy noted that a 4-way stop sign may be needed. C. Belanger commented on monitoring by the LPD and the number of violations issued. Supt. Taylor outlined surveillance methods. 3.2. Communication-Reappoint Dennis Mercier Cemetery Commission In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Leary, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 3.3. Communication-Reappoint Gerard P. Largay Cemetery Commission In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. 3.4. Communication-Reappoint-Joseph W. Mullen-Election Commission In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leary. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Vote-Accept MGL Ch 44 s. 53F three fourths-PEG Access and Cable Related Fund In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on July 11, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 7) 4.2. Vote-Accept MGL c.40 s.13E Establish Reserve Fund-SpEd In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on July 11, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Leary, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 4.3. Vote-Auth City Mgr Ex. Lease with Main Street Massachusetts, LLC dba the Lowell Spinners In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Leary, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Manager Murphy commented on the importance of the lease as it leaves the Spinners in Lowell for another ten years. Manager Murphy noted the efforts of Bob Healy in negotiations with Spinners and Umass-Lowell. Manager Murphy commented on debt service and revenue sources which include advertising and naming rights. C. Mercier noted the need to recognize the Webers (prior owners) in some fashion. C. Samaras recognized the importance of lease and the ten year commitment. Mr. Healy commented on the need to upgrade the facility and the importance of putting revenue back into the site. C. Belanger noted the new ownership will be aggressive and favored the ten year commitment by the parties. C. Elliott noted Spinners were an important part of the community and that this deal is good for the taxpayers. C. Milinazzo noted support of lease and questioned what would be counted as net revenue. C. Leahy noted the Umass-Lowell contribution. 4.4. Vote-Auth Mgr. Ex. Permanent Easement from City to LRTA to Access Way and Billboard Area In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Belanger. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4.5. Vote-Auth Mgr. Execute Access Agreement 350.4 Dutton St. (Walker Parking Consultants, Inc.) In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Belanger questioned if this was part of garage design for Hamilton Canal District. Manager Murphy noted the vendor needs access to City land for testing. C. Leary questioned time frame to bid on garage. Diane Tradd (DPD) outlined the time line and noted completion in 2019. C. Leary questioned location of garage. Manager Murphy noted location could not change but there would be a second garage constructed. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 7) 4.6. Vote-Authorize Continuation of Departmental Revolving Funds FY18 In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4.7. Vote-Auth City Mgr. Ex. Bon Marche Trust c.o Nicholas Sarris Tr Lease-155 Merrimack St In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Mercier commented on money being paid on the lease and noted that there may be empty school buildings coming up for use. C. Belanger noted amount of rent. Manager Murphy noted that there is a consolidation and that a separate lease for another building will be terminated. C. Milinazzo noted that the lease amount per square foot is very reasonable. C. Leahy noted that there are still many school buildings in need of repair. M. Kennedy requested that Items # 8.8 to 8.13 inclusive be bundled and second reading waived on each. So voted without objections. 4.8. Vote-Transfer 1,786,600.56-Balance Snow and Ice Deficit In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Elliott noted the amount and questioned remaining deficit. Conor Baldwin (CFO) noted that there is still a deficit from 2015 only. 4.9. Vote-Transfer 206,095.03 to provide funding for medical expenses for active police.fire In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Elliott noted it was an end of fiscal year close-out. 4.10. Vote-Transfer 20,000.00-Disability Commission Annual Funding In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 7) 4.11. Vote-Transfer 26,035 Spinners Capital Fund In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4.12. Vote-Transfer 64,463.89 Year End Payroll In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4.13. Vote-Transfer 748,893.03 MSBA Lump Sum In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 5. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Ordinance-Amend Zoning Extend LI Zone to include 25 Olney Street In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer Planning Board for report and recommendation and to public hearing on July 25, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Leary, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 5.2. Ordinance-Create Working Foreman Cemetery Manager-Parks, Cemeteries- DPW In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on July 11, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Leary, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6.1. Parks & Recreation SC June 27, 2017. In City Council, C. Mercier provided report noting attendance and discussion Veterans (Knott) Park on Douglas Road being updated with public and private money. C. Mercier noted discussion of dedication of Pyne Arts School picnic area (cross-country fitness route) at Shedd Park in memory of Amber Zapatka. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress and refer matters to Board of Parks and Parks & Recreation SC by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 7) 6.2. Technology & Utilities SC June 27, 2017. In City Council, Motion to refer report to the meeting on July 11, 2017 by C. Leary, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. Misc. - Nicholas Speros (Lowell Burger Co.) request installation of overhanging sign at 143 Merrimack Street. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leary. So voted. Manager Murphy noted the new business and how upscale it would be. 7.2. National Grid/Verizon New England - Request installation of pole and anchor located at 144 Chelmsford Street. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on July 11, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 7.3. National Grid/Verizon New England - Request installation of 1 JO and SO pole located at Gorham, 1 SO stub pole at Newhall and 1 JO pole at Ellsworth Street. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on July 11, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. C. Leahy questioned status of removing double poles. Manager Murphy noted parties would be before Council next meeting. 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Leary - Req. City Council work with Parks Commission to dedicate a monument at Tyler Park in the name of Walter Bayliss. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager / Parks & Recreation SC. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. The following registered speakers addressed the body; Nancy Judge, Fred Healy and Jim Campbell. 8.2. C. Leary/C. Leahy - Req. Municipal Facilities SC meet monthly to review the list of outstanding school maintenance tickets and determine a timeline for completion. In City Council, no second needed, referred to Municipal Facilities SC. So voted. C. Leary noted the need for tickets to be addressed and if resources are needed then they City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 7) should be provided. C. Leahy noted the need to discuss matters and come up with a different more efficient way to approach issues. C. Milinazzo questioned if software is used to track items. 8.3. C. Leary/C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. review the feasibility of hiring an outside consultant to maintain and repair city/school departments HVAC and boilers. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the need for different approach in handling a constant issue. C. Leary noted the need for discussion as well as overhaul of current maintenance department for schools so that there may be a successful maintenance of effort. C. Milinazzo questioned Amerisco was still involved with issue. Mr. Baldwin spoke to current involvement. 8.4. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. update City Council regarding needle pick-up program. In City Council, seconded by C. Leary, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted need for update. C. Belanger noted problem is growing and must be addressed. Manager Murphy commented on union negotiations and would see if there would be in- house savings involved. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov