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: February 14, 2019 (Postponed from February 12, 2109) Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 7 present, 1 absent (M. Samaras). C. Nuon was absent after discussion regarding Item #5.3. C. Mercier presiding per Council request. No objections. Motion to suspend rules by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item #5.3 out of order. So voted. Motion by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leahy to remain under suspension of rules to allow discussion regarding Winterfest 2019. So voted. Henri Marchand (Special Events Coordinator) provided details regarding Winterfest 2019. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of Transportation SC February 4th; City Council Special Meeting February 5th; City Council Meeting February 5th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. 2.2. Vote-Cancel Council Meeting of February 19, 2019. 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 absent (M. Samaras; C. Noun). So voted. 3. AUDITOR BUSINESS 3.1. Vote-Reappoint Bryan Perry to the position of City Auditor. In City Council, Motion to refer to City Council meeting February 26, 2019 by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. C. Elliott questioned reason for referral. C. Milinazzo note it was a courtesy to M. Samaras request. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. A) Motion Response - Voting Equipment – C. Leahy commented on the report. Eda Matchak (Elections Department) provided report regarding voting equipment. B) Motion Response - No Parking Zones on Pawtucket Blvd. – None. 4.2. Communication-Reappoint Aurora Erickson to Historic Board-Historical Society Rep. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (M. Samaras, C. Nuon). So voted. 4.3. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) Career Center; (1) Law Dept. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (M. Samaras, C. Nuon). So voted. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Vote-Accept MGL c.40 s.5B 4th paragraph. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on February 26, 2019 at 7 PM by C. Conway, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 5.2. Vote-Auth CM Ex Temp Access Agreement-150 Douglas Road-surveying services.docx. 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 7 yeas, 2 absent (M. Samaras, C. Nuon). So voted. 5.3. Vote-Authorize Submission of Schematic Design to MSBA. 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 8 yeas, 1 absent (M. Samaras). So voted. Perkins Eastman (Consultants) provided report entitled “City City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) Council Lowell HS Project” which outlined the following aspects of the project: Educational Program; Schedules; Cost Estimates; and Next Steps. Following registered speakers address the Council: Ken Woodrow (Cobblestones) and Ricard Healy. C. Kennedy requested to look at Cobblestones’ concerns. Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway to request City Manager have discussions with Cobblestones regarding their concerns and work towards resolution of those concerns. So voted. Manager Donoghue noted there have been long discussions with the business and they will continue to engage Cobblestones. C. Elliott noted he had spoken with the owners of Cobblestones and commented on the concerns; especially with parking. C. Elliott questioned the design and owners contingency funds and how the operate. C. Leahy commented on the number of entrances for the high school. C. Leahy commented on the selection of the construction management team as well as the concerns of Cobblestones. C. Milinazzo noted the need to work with established businesses in the community. C. Milinazzo commented on MSBA construction costs guidelines and if the City were meeting them and further commented regarding projected costs as well as possible increase of the reimbursement rate. C. Mercier relinquished Chair to C. Elliott at 7:15 PM. C. Mercier questioned if MSBA would change the latest projections and noted that she supports the process going forward though it was not her ideal choice. C. Conway commented on Cobblestones’ concerns as well as costs per square foot of the project. C. Elliott returned Chair to C. Mercier at 7:20 PM. 6. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Order-60 Day Trial (various). In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Leahy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (M. Samaras, C. Nuon). So voted. 7. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Ordinance-Quarterly Traffic-January 2019. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on February 26, 2019 at 7 PM by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. C. Elliott questioned certain items in the Ordinance. Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) commented on the identified sections. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 8. RESOLUTIONS 8.1. Resolution-Support Veterans Commission by affording them notice, decisions or actions and opportunities to be heard on issues affecting vets. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Cirillo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (M. Samaras, C. Nuon). So voted. 9. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 9.1. Public Safety SC February 12, 2019. In City Council, Matter postponed to February 26, 2109 at 5:15 PM. C. Mercier relinquished Chair to C. Elliott at 7:40 PM. 10. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 10.1. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department consult with the gas utility company to see if possible to install gas pressure relief valve safety whistle to alert customers if gas line is over pressurized. In City Council, seconded by C. Conway, referred to City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (M. Samaras, C. Nuon). So voted. C. Mercier commented on recent explosion and the need for increased safety and outlined the product and its use and requested the City Manager explore options with National Grid. C. Cirillo noted the product was not on the market or patented and as such would have problem with support. Gerard Whitman, product inventor, replied to questions before him and outlined the use of his product. C. Kennedy noted that product had not hit the market but the motion is appropriate as it should be part of a discussion. C. Cirillo noted her support based upon further discussion. 10.2. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have proper department provide a report regarding the status and progress of all sewer, water, gas and electricity tie-ins for parcels located in the Hamilton Canal Innovative District; report to include name of contractors and other interested parties as well as time lines for each utility. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted that she did not need lists of contractors and just requesting update as to hook ups with services. C. Elliott returned Chair to C. Mercier at 7:55 PM. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 10.3. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. work with Middlesex North Register of Deeds, Richard Howe, Jr., to compile a report regarding amount of money paid to the Community Preservation Acts (CPA) by Lowell residents. In City Council, Motion by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy to refer to Council meeting on February 26, 2019. So voted. 10.4. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. provide update regarding renovations at the Lowell police department headquarters. In City Council, seconded by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy requested update and status report on project. C. Elliott noted prior funding earmarked by the State. Manager Donoghue commented on prior earmarks. 10.5. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. provide an update regarding the previous motion to allow retired policemen to work details. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy requested update and noted that program was successful in other communities. 10.6. C. Milinazzo - Req. City Mgr. have the CFO prepare a report highlighting costs associated with salary and wages for the school department budget for the last 2 contract periods (6 years) including teachers, administrators, and custodial staff. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Milinazzo noted frustration with Teachers Union representative going before various boards and not providing accurate information. C. Milinazzo noted that information would illustrate the City’s effort with the schools. Manager Donoghue noted the response by the City regarding the petition of the union. C. Leahy commented on the number of repairs being done. C. Elliott noted that information should also be provided with the response regarding the Maintenance of Effort by the City. 10.7. C. Milinazzo - Req. City Mgr. prepare a list of work items that could potentially be completed by an outside contractor for both maintenance and custodial work throughout our municipal and school buildings. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Milinazzo commented on contracted services of prior budgets and noted that pressure must be relieved on the part of City workers as the work needs to be completed. C. Kennedy noted that list should be reviewed as to who can do the work; costs to do the City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) work; and time line to complete the work. Manager Donoghue noted difficulty in hiring personnel. C. Leahy noted that second shift workers could supplement appropriately. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Kennedy noted Winterfest. 12. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov