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: September 26, 2017 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. M. Kennedy presiding. M. Kennedy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Hope Gurney Hamblet. C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Christine Dunlap. M. Kennedy requested to bundle and take Items #3.2 to #3.6 out of order. No objections. So voted. Motion to accept and adopt items #3.2 to #3.6 by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call Vote 9 yeas. So voted. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of Economic Development SC September 12th; City Council Meeting September 12th; Ad Hoc Charter Review - Voting District Representation SC September 20th, for acceptance. In City Council, 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. Rourke, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. A) Street Sweeping – None. B) Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) – M. Kennedy requested summary of the response. Nicolas Bosonetto (City Engineer) outlined the act and the City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 7) process need to be followed as well as time elements. M. Kennedy questioned time and if procedure was mandatory. Solicitor O’Connor commented on the time process and the requirement of public participation. Manager Murphy spoke to the process and meetings with the Department of Environmental Protection which would establish the scope of the impact study after design approval. M. Kennedy questioned time need to complete any study. Solicitor O’Connor noted that the State would need enough information to enable the process to begin and that any item that was marked to be addressed must be addressed. C. Elliott noted that there is a threshold to begin process and that the process is placed upon all construction projects. C. Milinazzo noted that there are several different elements to the legislation and that information should be made available to the public. 3.2. Communication-Appoint Andeth Vann to Veterans Commission. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Ms. Vann was present and addressed the Council. 3.3. Communication-Appoint Olu Ibrahim and Fru Nkimbeng to Lowell Cultural Council. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Mr. Nkimbeng and Ms. Ibrahim were present and addressed the Council. 3.4. Communication-Appoint Philip J. Jamina to Board of Appeals (Assoc. Member). In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Mr. Jamina was present and addressed the Council. 3.5. Communication-Accept resignation of Francisco Ramos-Veterans Commission. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 3.6. Communication - Resignation of the City Historian Mehmed Ali. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Mr. Ali was present and addressed the Council outlining the work City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 7) that was done creating archives and noted where the documents were located. C. Elliott noted the tremendous effort put forth to organize the documents. 3.7. Communication - City Mgr. request Out of State Travel (1) LPD. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Belanger. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Vote-Auth Manager Ex. Temporary Access Agreement Broadway Street Holdings, Inc. Parcel 5. 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 9 yeas. So voted. 4.2. Vote-Auth Manager Ex. Temporary Access Agreement WinnDevelopment Company Limited Partnership Parcels 8 and 9. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4.3. Vote-Transfer 127,550.00 to fund costs for Training for this Fiscal Year. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Leary, seconded by C. Leahy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 5. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Order-60 day trial (various). In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6.1. Ad Hoc Charter Review - Voting District Representation SC September 20, 2017. In City Council, C. Leary provided report noting attendance and discussion regarding possible changes in form of government. C. Leary noted that there was public participation and that information was being gathered and presented to see what effect, if any, changes in the form of government have upon the electorate. C. Leary noted future subcommittee meetings would coincide with neighborhood group meetings. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 7) Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Leary, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. Claim - (1) Property. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. update City Council regarding bids for corporate sponsorship of parks and open spaces. In City Council, second by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted the RFP that was presented and commented that it was a possible new revenue source for the City. 8.2. C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. contact UMass-Lowell Engineering Department to conduct study on school busing in the City, similar to MIT study conducted for Boston schools that improved bus times and saved millions in costs. In City Council, second by C. Mercier, referred, as amended, to City Manager/School Department. So voted. C. Elliott commented on study done by MIT and how effective it was. C. Elliott noted that such a study in the City would have to include all schools and that costs of such a study would be minimal to produce. M. Kennedy suggested that the School Committee be involved with the endeavor as well. C. Elliott did not object to the suggestion. C. Leahy noted that such a study should be under the School Department oversight. C. Elliott noted need to move forward on matter and it does not matter who would be involved. C. Belanger welcomed and independent study of the issue. C. Milinazzo commented that it would provide more information to the public and questioned costs of such a study. M. Kennedy noted report of Manager would ensure school involvement and any possible costs involved. C. Elliott noted amendment to include School Department. 8.3. C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. have Supt. of LPD provide a report on efforts to increase enforcement to address drug dealing. In City Council, second by C. Leary, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott noted the strides made in the City but commented that efforts should always be increased and that there may be a need for added resources. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 7) 8.4. C. Leary/C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. review the feasibility of placing a four way stop sign at Liberty and Smith Streets. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted constituent concerns in the Highlands. 8.5. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. have Verizon or the appropriate utility company remove the steel bar at the corner of Crowley Park and Campbell Drive/Wedge Street. In City Council, second by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary noted the company promised to remove structure and have yet to do same so City should take matters into own hands. 8.6. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. provide an update regarding property at 156 Wilder Street. In City Council, second by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary noted that there have been many discussions over property and that there are many issues still to resolve. 8.7. C. Leary - Req. City Mgr. review the feasibility of implementing a city-wide ordinance requiring the installation of additional conduit in the public right of way whenever a street opening or trench permit is processed on behalf of telecommunication providers, utility service providers, communication carriers and other similar providers; the review should include if there is an economic benefit to the city/tax payer for creating such an ordinance. In City Council, second by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leary commented on system used in Boston and that it could be good revenue source and that administration have taken a look at this procedure. 8.8. C. Mercier/C. Ellliott - Req. City Mgr. look into the feasibility of having a USA Flag Drop box located on the grounds of Lowell City Hall; and have City Council support the program. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted the involvement of the Veterans Commission and outlined program to properly dispose of flags. C. Elliott described the box and the process to dispose of flags. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 7) 8.9. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department complete work done in July of 2016 at 392 Princeton Blvd. by installing retaining wall as promised to resident before onset of winter frost. In City Council, second by C. Leary, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the condition of the property. Manager Murphy stated that work has begun and will be completed. M. Kennedy referenced the need to complete work at 131 Princeton Boulevard. 8.10. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department post two (2) “No Parking Here To Corner” signs up at the corner of Bowers and Fletcher Streets on both sides of Bowers Street; in addition address speeding issues on Fletcher Street by placing radar speed display device on that street. In City Council, second by M. Kennedy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the parking issues and that the display signs were up and present. 8.11. C. Milinazzo - Req. City Mgr. provide an updated report regarding the number of trash violations issued and funds collected year to date. In City Council, second by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted motion spoke for itself. 8.12. C. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. have LPD set up speed radar display on Beacon, Mt. Pleasant and Reservoir Streets. In City Council, second by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Samaras noted motion was in response over safety concerns from Centerville Neighborhood Association. C. Mercier questioned the number of display devices. Manager Murphy noted that there should be enough to cover requested areas. C. Leahy commented on different types of displays. C. Samaras noted different types of signs and their effectiveness. M. Kennedy relinquished Chair to Vice-Chair Rourke at 7:30 PM. 8.13. M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. and appropriate personnel from DPD meet with adjoining Greater Lowell communities to discuss the potential for responding to the recent Amazon request for proposals. In City Council, second by C. Samaras, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy noted other communities’ interests and that the City should be engaged in the City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 7) pursuit as there would be nothing to lose and much to gain. M. Kennedy outlined possible approach to such an endeavor. C. Mercier noted efforts have begun as there are deadlines present. C. Elliott noted the need to put effort into this and commented that is the tasks of this body. C. Leary noted it would be a great exercise for future projects even it was not successful. C. Samaras noted that Middlesex Community College should be involved as well because of their employee training programs. C. Milinazzo suggested that project may fall into the Ayers City Renewal Plan. 8.14. M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. instruct the proper department to look into pedestrian crossing signal at the intersection of School Street and Branch Street. In City Council, second by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy noted motion came about through constituent requests. 8.15. M. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. instruct the proper department to look into the installation of speed limit and/or “Slow Down Children At Play” signs on School Street and on Laurel Street. In City Council, second by C. Samaras, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Kennedy noted the need to send a slowdown message to drivers. C. Mercier questions what type of signs City has to put out into the neighborhoods. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier commented on success of recent Kinetic Sculpture Race in the City and how City assisted in that success. C. Belanger further commented on the success. M. Kennedy noted it was such an unique event that was well attended. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by M. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 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