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: November 21, 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. Leahy). M. Kennedy presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication - Veteran of the Month. In City Council, M. Kennedy introduced following veterans for Veteran of the Month program. Don MacPhail (May); Joseph and Jack Machado (June); Kerry Hall (School Dept. – July); and Meghan Harrah (August). M. Kennedy also introduced Councilor- Elect Karen Cirillo. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting November 14th; Economic Development SC November 14th, for acceptance. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 4. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 4.1. ExteNet Systems, Inc. - Request installation of telecommunication wires and appurtenances on pole located at Bridge and French Streets. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor were Daniel Glisson (Atty. representing ExteNet) and Nicolas Bosonetto (City Engineer). No remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Leary, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 5) 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. A) Route 38 Improvements Along Kittredge Park – None. B) Chemical Road Treatments – C. Mercier commented on cost saving measures used for snow and ice removal. C) Snow Plow Contractors – Motion to refer report to Neighborhood SC by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. Manager Murphy noted there would be presentation before subcommittee. D) One-way Traffic on Howe, Ouellette and Rourke Bridges During Peak Traffic – C. Leary requested more information to expand on report. Manager Murphy noted that MassDOT provided information to the response indicating that it would not be feasible. C. Belanger commented on lighting systems on the bridges. Mr. Bosonetto noted the computerization of the lighting systems. C. Elliott noted that the increase in the number of cars is causing traffic issues and that many of these vehicles are coming from surrounding communities. M. Kennedy commented on traffic increase. E) Stop Sign at Intersection of Liberty and Smith Streets – None. F) Needle Pick-up Update – C. Belanger questioned union negotiations. Manager Murphy reviewed process and commented on proposal put forward. C. Mercier noted upcoming Task Force meeting. G) 318 Andover Street – C. Mercier noted City crew cleared lot and that a lien would be placed on the property. H) Mass DOT VFW Highway Project Soil Contamination Delay – C. Rourke noted report and commented on the delay. Sarah Brown (DPD) noted the delay and spoke to future remedial work. C. Rourke questioned payment for work being done. Ms. Brown outlined possible pay scenarios. Mr. Bosonetto commented on delay in construction. C. Elliott questioned the initial approach by the contractor. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leary to refer to City Manager and have contact with State delegation to investigate means to speed process along. So voted. I) Rourke Bridge Update – C. Elliott noted the need for improved bridge as access to City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 5) the City and that future development in the neighborhoods will have impact on bridge traffic. C. Belanger noted involvement of State delegation for increased funding for studies on bridge. C. Belanger noted other communities should be involved in any effort to improve bridge. M. Kennedy noted the need for a regional approach. C. Samaras noted that maintenance costs are high because of age of bridge and that the process should be fast tracked. Manager Murphy noted the constant lobbying for funding for all elements of the bridge. C. Leary questioned the priority of the State with this bridge. Mr. Bosonetto commented on time and costs of the project. C. Elliott noted the need for bigger push at this time to secure funding through Governor’s Office and that potential developers may want to be involved as well. C. Mercier commented on NMCOG involvement with the project. C. Milinazzo noted MassDOT responses have been slow and mixed and questioned temporary bridge safety standards that must be met. Mr. Bosonetto noted bridge was functionally obsolete and structurally sound. M. Kennedy noted efforts and recognized regional approach. 5.2. Informational J) August NIBRS Report – C. Mercier commented on the report noting the favorable statistics. M. Kennedy noted crime is down in Lowell as opposed to it being up throughout rest of country. K) Advisory Bodies Update – C. Mercier noted the report and stated it would be useful. 5.3. Communication-Appoint Bonni L. Dinneen to Conservation Commission. In City Council, read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the appointment. Ms. Dinneen was present and thanked the Council. 5.4. Communication-Appoint Brian Dorrington to Animal Advisory Committee. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Rourke). So voted. Mr. Dorrington was present and thanked Council. 5.5. Communication-Reappoint Jay Mason to Sustainability Council. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Leary, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Rourke). So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 5) C. Elliott requested suspension of rules to put an Out of State Travel for the LPD before the body. No objections. So voted. In City Council, under suspension of the rules, read, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leary. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Rourke). So voted. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote-Adopt Minimum Residential Factor FY 2018. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on December 5, 2017 at 7 PM by C. Leary, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 6.2. Vote-Auth City Manager Ex. License Agreement Crepes and the City 144 Merrimack St. overhanging sign. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Rourke). So voted. 6.3. Vote-Cancel Council Meetings of November 28, December 19, and December 26, 2017. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Leary, seconded by C. Samaras. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Rourke). So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) None. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claim - (1) property damage. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 8.2. Misc. - Plymouth St. Realty Trust, LLC (Tirso Chavez) request zoning amendment to extend Institutional Zone to include parcel located at 39 Plymouth Street. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 5) 8.3. Misc. - SAK Environmental, LLC request approval to install two (2) groundwater monitoring wells on Tanner Street. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Leary, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. investigate whether UMass-Lowell would consider putting a university police officer at the Howe Bridge on the Pawtucket Street side to control traffic from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM while school is in session. In City Council, second by C. Samaras, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Matt LeLacheur, addressed the Council. C. Elliott noted the motion was sensible and would be helpful. C. Mercier noted that Mr. LeLacheur provided the information and that the City and UMASS-Lowell could partner on this endeavor. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, M. Kennedy noted that following events City Hall Open House and the Mayor’s Music Festival to support homeless youth through CTI. C. Mercier noted C. Rourke’s wedding anniversary. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov