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 6, 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. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Anna Aslanian. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of Finance SC Joint With School Committee Finance SC October 30th; City Council Meeting October 30th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy. 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. Cirillo. So voted. A) Ellis Ave Projects and Notification Process – C. Leahy noted report and signaled out work done at 51 Ellis Avenue. Eric Slagle (Insp. Services) commented on the structure and that it was zoning complaint with State code and local code. Mr. Slagle noted it was compliant with State Building Code for a two units. C. Elliott questioned review process for the building at the State level. Mr. Slagle noted that the State code cannot be altered at the local level. C. Milinazzo noted that the property would be discussed at upcoming Zoning SC meeting and further noted that properties in that area are being bought by outside investors and that needs to be addressed. B) Welcome to Lowell Sign – C. Mercier commented on signage and that there needs to be some replaced and that the replacements can be simple in nature. C. Mercier City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 4) commented on street signs on Andover Street as well as an island sign on Central Street. C. Elliott requested information regarding sign poles on Middlesex Street. C) Speed Bumps – C. Leahy commented on the report. Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) noted the costs associated with the bumps. Christine Clancy (City Engineer) commented on using in-house laborers for the projects. M. Samaras introduced question regarding FCC changes as to PEG funding through the LTC. Manager Donoghue noted they would provide report once information is finalized. C. Kennedy noted that it will be a state wide change so that any action could be done by communities joining together. 3.2. Communication-Accept resignation of William D. Sheehan from Council on Aging. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 4. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Vote-Accept gift of 7,500 from Digital Federal Credit Union for the Pollard Memorial Library. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Conway, seconded by C. Cirillo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 5. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Order of Taking-75 Arcand Drive. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 nays (C. Elliott, C. Mercier). So voted. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) None. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Conway, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 4) 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Conway - Req. City Mgr./Supt. of Police develop an inclusive plan and strategies that will address and help solve the violence in the City; in particular, the recent shootings. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager/LPD. So voted. C. Conway noted the need to look at best practices and review procedures to ensure that nothing is left out. C. Conway noted the need to reinstate the Safety Task Force as well as possibly using the ATF Task Force. C. Cirillo commented on recent shooting incident. C. Elliott noted the need to reassure the citizens about their safety and commented on the Halloween incident noting LPD efforts and resources to resolve matter. C. Mercier commented on new Superintendent at the LPD and the resources being used. C. Kennedy noted the response of the LPD to the neighborhoods and the use of superior officers in the matter. Manager Donoghue noted the efforts of the LPD and that such behaviors would not be tolerated. C. Elliott noted the pro-active position of the LPD. M. Samaras noted the amount of people who enjoyed the City on Halloween. 8.2. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. along with Engineer Department get an explanation from National Grid regarding various repairs being done throughout the City. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted some incidents with construction and gas management and the company’s approach in the neighborhood. Ms. Clancy noted that construction season was complete for this year. 8.3. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. look into the need of replacing the Senior Center bus. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted the condition of the bus and the need for new one. C. Mercier noted the campaign beginning to achieve that goal and requested assistance from City and the possibly the federal government as well. C. Elliott commented on the costs. Manager Donoghue noted she would review the situation and look for solutions. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, none. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 4) 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov