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: October 2, 2018 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. M. Samaras presiding. C. Kennedy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Robert Duffy. M. Samaras commented on life of Mr. Duffy. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for George Skrekas. C. Milinazzo requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Atty. Richard Noon. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of Arts and Culture SC September 25th; Finance SC Joint with School Committee Finance SC September 25; City Council Meeting September 25th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. 3. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 3.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. A. Bicycle Safety – Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) provided report regarding budget costs of maintaining and painting bike lanes and making lanes safer. Ms. Vance noted the need for a bike master plan to ensure connectivity in the City. C. Cirillo questioned the use of grants to assist with costs. Ms. Vance commented on the grants as well as participation in the Complete Street Program. C. Leahy noted that City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) narrow streets in the City cause problems for bike lanes and that there needs to be an education component to bike use in the City. Ms. Vance noted the need for a lot of right of way for a bike lane. B. Complete Streets Policy – Ms. Vance commented on the Complete Street Program’s policy and goals and the process for advancing those goals. C. Elliott commented on the performance measures in place. Ms. Vance noted there is a meeting to outlined procedures for setting up the measures. C. Conway questioned the sidewalk painting protocol. Manager Donoghue noted there was a painting plan for sidewalks. Ms. Vance noted sign department of the LPD go neighborhood to neighborhood to inspect signage. C. Conway questioned use of durable paint to last longer. C. Conway commented on bike sharing plan for the City. Ms. Vance noted that the plan is about to be rolled out and it will include an education element to it. C. FEMA Flood Zone Update – C. Cirillo commented on upcoming meeting with residents. Manager Donoghue noted the changes to FEMA regulations which would affect flood zone insurance. Mark Young (Ex. Director Water Dept.) commented on the FEMA schedule. D. Double Poles Update – C. Leahy noted report and commented on hanging wires throughout the City. Christine Clancy (City Engineer) noted the current meetings with National Grid and commented on the reduction in the number of double poles as well as the reason for hanging wires. C. Leahy noted that the wires should not be present on the pole or at the very lease be secured if not being used. C. Kennedy questioned the policy of National Grid regarding double poles. Ms. Clancy noted that there is a data base in place for the poles and that a discussion regarding hanging wires will be done during their weekly meetings with the utility. C. Mercier voiced her disappointment with safety protocol of National Grid. E. Clemente Field – C. Nuon noted there should be ongoing attempts to improve the area and that the use of grants should be explored. Manager Donoghue noted the possible use of grants as well as CBDG money. C. Nuon noted immediate need is the lighting. C. Elliott commented on fundraising for installation of a concession stand at the park. M. Samaras noted effectiveness of fundraising and grants. F. Jackson St. Trash Barrels – C. Cirillo noted that there may be a separate trash contract for limited areas. C. Kennedy question procedure for placing barrels in the City. Gunther Wellenstein (Recycling Director) commented on pick up and placement of barrels. C. Kennedy questioned use of vacuum truck downtown. James Donison (DPW) commented on the area they patrol. C. Kennedy questioned who was responsible for cleaning of garages and who oversees that. Manager Donoghue noted City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) the Parking Director would be responsible for that. C. Elliott questioned number of barrels on Branch Street and noted the area looked good. Mr. Wellenstein noted there may be a pilot program for “carry in carry out” in parts of the City. Manager Donoghue noted that there may be two separate contracts for trash pickup. C. Kennedy commented on trash barrels in the business districts. C. Leahy commented on the effectiveness of the vacuum truck downtown. G. Senior Discounts on Trash Barrels – Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway to refer to Environment & Flood Issues SC to include in drafting of proposed ordinance. So voted. H. Solid Waste and Recycling Update - Gunther Wellenstein (Recycling Director) provided presentation entitled “State of Solid Waste & Recycling (SW&R) in Lowell”. The presentation included map of City; trash metrics; recycling contamination; recycling issues and costs associated with same; actions to reduce contamination (inspection, education and fines); new trash/recycling contract; and goals. C. Milinazzo commented on proposed ordinance being crafted through subcommittee. Manager Donoghue commented on financial constraint caused by contaminants in recycling. C. Leahy questioned if vendors were involved with any possible solutions including the use of clear bins. C. Kennedy questioned what percentage the City recycles. Mr. Wellenstein noted it was about twenty percent. C. Kennedy noted the need to forecast the costs. C. Elliott noted the issue is not new to the City regarding contamination in the recycling and questioned the use of drop off centers to assist with the issues. C. Conway commented on possible use of transfer stations as well as specialized collection vendors as well as education to reduce contaminants. C. Cirillo commented on drop off centers. 3.2. Informational Reports I) Capital Planning Needs – C. Elliott questioned if the Collins Report recommendations were included in the assessment. Manager Donoghue noted that they were not included in the report but will report out once figures and put with the recommendations as well as them being prioritized. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy to refer to Finance SC. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the Council of Aging need for transportation and requested that an inquiry be made to possible use of federal money to assist with that need. Manager Donoghue noted awareness of the need and that there should be attempt to enhance transportation in the department. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Elliott to suspend rules and take Item #6.4 out of order. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 3.3. Communication - Accept Resignation of Thel Sar - Election Commission. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. C. Elliott questioned if open seat would be posted and noted that there is an election around the corner. Manager Donoghue noted that the position will be posted and that by law it needs to be filled with a Democrat. 3.4. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) DPD; (2) Career Center (MASSHIRE); (1) LPD. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Vote - Accept donation of bike racks from UML. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4.2. Vote - Transfer 156,435 to outfit Creegan Studio van. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leahy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Kennedy questioned if there was sufficient staff to operate the van once completed. Manager Donoghue commented on the history of the transfer and noted that there were currently two employees in that department to operate van. 5. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 5.1. Environment & Flood Issues SC October 2, 2018. In City Council, C. Cirillo provided the report noting attendance and discussion regarding plan to promote solar energy for homes in Lowell. C. Kennedy noted that the program is suitable for all homeowners in the City and that it should be promoted by the City via the website and mass mailings. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Conway, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 6. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6.1. C. Leahy/C. Conway - Req. City Mgr. investigate the feasibility of installing wide speed bumps at school locations. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy requested that costs be investigated as well as installation options. C. Conway noted City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) the need for safe streets around our schools. C. Mercier noted that administration meets after City Council meetings to review request. 6.2. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. have LPD and LFD host a community workshop regarding job opportunities in each department as well as outlining application process for those jobs. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted outreach would be helpful to those seeking employment in these departments. 6.3. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. update City Council, in a future scheduled Executive Session, regarding contract negotiations with fire and police unions. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted he would wait to be informed of possible dates for the session. Mayor Samaras relinquished Chair to Vice Chair Nuon at 8:39 PM. 6.4. C. Mercier/C. Cirillo - Req. permission for the Lowell Firefighters Association to move the Lowell Doughboys Statute to the North Common to make way for the Monument Committee to construct an 911 monument on City property at the corner of Fletcher and Willie Streets. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager/Parks & Recreation SC. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the monument noting possible movement with no costs to the City. C. Mercier read letter by Joseph Assenza noting his opposition to the move. Motion to refer to Parks & Recreation SC for review by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. C. Cirillo was in agreement with C. Mercier and thought move was a good idea. Registered speakers: Bill Derosiers and Dave Ouellette. C. Kennedy noted subcommittee is the proper venue to work out any issues involved and further noted that all first responders should be recognized as well as funding sources. C. Kennedy noted Manager and DPD should be involved with process as well. C. Milinazzo noted subcommittee should be involved and question if a 911 memorial should be on that site. 6.5. M. Samaras - Req. City Mgr. work with National Grid to develop a presentation to the City Council on the steps and procedures that are taken by National Grid and the City to ensure safety for residents of Lowell. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Samaras noted the need to inform public and provide further safety information. Manager Donoghue noted weekly meetings with National Grid and commented on City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) recent finding that National Grid has some federal safety violations in Lowell. C. Mercier noted it was this Council responsibility to get National Grid before them for safety updates. C. Milinazzo requested without objection to include a representative of DPU to be present at meeting as well. 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 8. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov