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 20, 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. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for William “Salvi” Woods. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of Zoning SC November 13th; City Council Meeting November 13th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon to suspend rules in order to present proclamation. So voted. M. Samaras presented proclamation to Circle House declaring homecare/hospice month. 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. Mercier. So voted. A) National Grid Citywide Update – C. Leahy commented on problems after meeting with National Grid. Manager Donoghue noted that there would be a process in place to let City know if the company will be out in the community. C. Mercier noted it was important to inform citizens of any company doing work in the community. B) SBC Appointments – C. Elliott commented on the appointments. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 5) C) FERC – C. Mercier commented on request to higher levels. Solicitor O’Connor noted a letter of request had been sent and that there is a settlement agreement with company outlining response and levels that are required. Manager Donoghue noted that they have responded to neighborhood concerns. Chief Winward (LFD) noted compliance with the agreement and that the company is proactive in their responses. C. Leahy questioned the Bladder Dam maintenance schedule. D) Civil Service, LPD and LFD Hiring – C. Nuon commented on informational meetings for prospective employees. 3.2. Communication-Designate Andrew Hostetler as Chairperson of Council on Aging. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. 3.3. Communication-Appoint Linda M. Kilbride to Pollard Memorial Library Board of Trustees. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Ms. Kilbride was present and thanked the Council 3.4. Communication-Appoint Bradley Buitenhuys to Conservation Commission. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. Mr. Buitenhuys was present and thanked the Council. 3.5. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) DPD. In City Council, read, Motion to suspend rules to allow (2) out of state travel request from LPD to come before body for adoption by C. Conway, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. Motion to adopt all by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Vote-Adopt the Minimum Residential Factor for Fiscal Year 2019. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on December 4, 2018 at 7 PM by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 5) 4.2. Vote-Auth. CM Ex. Limited Access Agreement to Perkins Eastman relative to 75 Arcand Drive. 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 7 yeas, 2 abstain (C. Elliott, C. Mercier). So voted. 4.3. Vote-Auth. CM. Ex. Limited Access Agreement to Skanska USA relative to 75 Arcand Drive. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Conway, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 abstain (C. Elliott, C. Mercier). So voted. 4.4. Vote-Authorize Mgr. Ex. License Agreement 1317 Middlesex St at Foster St.- Luke's Roast Beef LLC (overhanging awning). In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Conway. 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. Cirillo, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Leahy commented on Meryl Drive petition. Craig Thomas (DPD) provided information. 5.2. Loan Order-Wastewater Treatment Bond 450,000. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on December 4, 2018 at 7 PM by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. C. Elliott noted support for loan and requested information be provided to the Finance SC. 6. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Ordinance-Amend Ch. 56 entitled Personnel by amending various sections. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on December 4, 2018 at 7 PM by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Public Safety SC November 20, 2018. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 5) In City Council, C. Nuon provided the report noting attendance and discussion regarding Restorative Justice Program outlining the history and the process of program as well as the positive impact it would have in the Lowell school system. C. Nuon noted the subcommittee recommended that program be expanded within the school system. Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier to adopt the recommendation of the subcommittee and explore expansion of the program in the schools. So voted. C. Conway commented on the meeting and the program. C. Mercier noted the recommendation to explore expansion throughout the school district. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. C. Conway - Req. City Mgr. provide a report regarding signage and accessibility at polling locations throughout the City for people with disabilities. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Conway noted the concerns of the Disability Commission. 9.2. C. Nuon - Req. Mayor introduce a motion before the School Committee requesting the LHS social studies department write a more fitting testimonial to display with the portrait of Benjamin Butler in Lowell City Hall. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to Mayor. So voted. Joseph Boyle, registered speaker, addressed the Council. C. Nuon noted that it is time for re- assessment of the biography to ensure historical accuracy. C. Kennedy requested that matter be back before the Council for final approval. 9.3. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. have DPW provide an update regarding upgrading of City street lights to LED. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted the project was underway and will provided additional safe guards. C. Mercier requested review of lighting along Thorndike Street. Manager Donoghue noted they would provide updated reports. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 5) 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, M. Samaras and C. Kennedy noted the Mayor’s Holiday Benefit for homelessness. C. Milinazzo noted Zoning SC for December 18th. Manager Donoghue noted City of Lights Parade. C. Nuon wished all a happy Thanksgiving. Motion to suspend rules by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier to discuss recent event as Shedd Park. So voted. C. Elliott noted recent bike event at Shedd Park left substantial damage to the park and the organizer should be responsible for the damage. Manager Donoghue was aware of the issue and had also spoken with C. Conway on matter. C. Conway noted his motion filed that was also requesting estimates of the damage which was extensive. C. Conway noted event had similar issues at prior venues. C. Kennedy noted that the organization had supported repairs in the past. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov