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: January 8, 2019 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 Robert J. Clark and Richard V. Gervais. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of Cannabis Control SC December 18th; City Council Meeting December 18th, 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. Petition Response In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. A) Dalton and Fisher St. - Four Way Stop – Manager Donoghue noted the report stating it was based on citizens’ petition. 3.2. Communication-Accept resignation of Caitlin Nover from Conservation Commission. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) 3.3. Communication-Appoint Perry Downs to Conservation Commission. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Mr. Downs was present and thanked the Council. 3.4. Communication-Appoint Muriel Parseghian to Pollard Memorial Library Board of Trustees. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Ms. Parseghian was present and thanked the Council. 3.5. Communication-Reappoint Marieanne Gries to Pollard Memorial Library Board of Trustees. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Vote-Accept Gift from LHA's nonprofit affiliate Operation Returning Veterans, Inc. of 995.00 to Veterans Commission. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 4.2. Vote-Amend TIF Agreement between Kronos Inc and CP Assoc. LLC by amending property owner to CH LH Crosspoint Owner LLC-900 Chelmsford St. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Conway, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Elliott questioned if assessment would remain on building and that the agreement has not changed regarding hiring of new employees. Manager Donoghue noted report concerning the TIF. Maria Dickinson (DPD) commented on the report filed by Kronos which outlined number of jobs that are available. 5. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Order-60 Day Trial-South Street. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections, Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) C. Mercier noted early concerns that were addressed and noted the effort of Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) in resolution of the issues. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 6.1. Transportation SC January 7, 2019. In City Council, C. Elliott provided the report commenting on attendance and discussion regarding MassDot project along Rt. 38 corridor. C. Elliott noted motion that was adopted by the subcommittee which requested the Manager inquire of MassDot to separate the Boylston Street intersection of the project; to explore traffic restrictions if congestion needs to be eased on Sycamore and Birch Streets; and explore was to ease increased traffic on Fairmount Street. C. Cirillo noted that she was unable to attend the meeting. C. Mercier commented on notice procedures for these projects and that they must be improved perhaps by use of APPS. C. Kennedy noted that the Manager informed body that she was developing improved plans regarding notification to citizens. C. Kennedy noted that the Transportation SC would be reviewing the many traffic projects being done in the City. C. Kennedy questioned the number of vehicles using Laurel Street. Ms. Vance noted number during peak hours. C. Elliott noted Rt. 38 project and the need for the overhaul. Ms. Vance commented on the use of City website to receive various notices. Manager Donoghue commented on Rt. 38 project and provided update regarding Kittredge Park. C. Elliott noted future meeting of the Transportation SC. C. Leahy commented on the Boylston Street redesign. Ms. Vance noted area was a high crash site and project would improve lighting. C. Mercier commented on Phoenix Avenue intersection. Motion to adopt motion and to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. Claims - (2) Property Damage. In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 7.2. Misc. - Garibaldy Cruz (Infante Grocery) request installation of "15 Minute Parking" sign at 198 Broadway Street. In Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 7.3. Misc. - Enterprise Bank (Luke Bouchard - Facility Mgr.) request installation of two overhanging signs; one at the Merrimack Street elevation and one at the Palmer Street elevation. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) In Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7.4. Misc. - Linnett Vega (For benefit of Silvia Flores) request installation of handicap parking sign at 22 North Street, #2. In Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7.5. FirstLight (Joyce Consulting Group) - Request permission to install underground fiber optic conduits at intersections of Lawrence and Billerica Streets. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on January 22, 2019 at 7 PM by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. C. Elliott noted that street needs to be re-paved upon completion of project. 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. establish a working group to examine Judicial Center parking in the Hamilton Canal District, over the short and long term, and provide policy and planning guidance and coordination; advisory body should include representatives from DPD, DCAM, LRTA, parking authority, courts, HCD commercial and residential communities and any others as determined by the City Manager. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call Vote 6 yeas, 3 nays (C. Conway, C. Elliott, C. Mercier). So voted. C. Nuon commented on working group to assist with issues and seek alternative locations if needed. C. Kennedy noted that parking will coincide with the building opening and that there may be some delay in the opening and that moving into the building will take some time. Manager Donoghue noted keeping in contact with Trial Court schedule. C. Elliott noted concern of working group setting policy and commented that was the under the purview of the Manager. C. Nuon noted the intent of the motion was for information input and not to set policy. C. Kennedy noted that the motion allows Manager to establish working group as she pleases. C. Milinazzo noted that land swap could not happen then a use easement may be a solution. Kara Keefe-Mullin (Asst. City Manager) noted that they are still working the issue and are waiting on documents from the MBTA. C. Leahy noted that the Manager and DPD are basic working group on the project. C. Mercier requested that Item #8.6 be taken with this matter as they are making similar request. No objection. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 8.2. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. provide update regarding progress on the Hamilton Canal Innovative District and schedule a tour of the newly installed signature bridge. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon commented on the bridge and what an asset it is. 8.3. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. explore establishing pay maternity and family leave policy. In City Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon requested reviewing benefit as a possible enticement for hiring. 8.4. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. explore possibility of using revenues from recreational marijuana sales to repair municipal buildings. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted the State control of the money and commented that money could be used to repair municipal buildings. C. Conway noted money should be used to repair buildings. C. Elliott commented on the criteria for the designation of money. Manager Donoghue commented that fee generated from businesses are earmarked and the remaining revenue goes to General Fund for budget distribution. 8.5. C. Milinazzo - Req. City Mgr. have a Handicap Parking sign installed at 438 Central Street for the benefit of Maria Menessis. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted the request. 8.6. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. provide a report regarding the Hamilton Canal Innovative District parking garage; outlining time line/time table. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Mercier commented on parking concerns as the building comes on line. C. Mercier questioned status of land swap with the Federal Government. Manager Donoghue noted they were moving through that process and it has been slow. C. Mercier questioned hard costs of the new high school. Manager Donoghue noted that project was in schematic design phase and moving towards hard costs. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Milinazzo commented on Zoning SC meeting and meeting with participants before that meeting. C. Cirillo noted that possible joint Neighborhoods and Zoning SC meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov