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: April 23, 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 William Rizos and to all those who have passed since the last Council Meeting. C. Milinazzo requested a moment of silence in darkened chamber for Dr. Denis W. King. C. Conway requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for William Perry Lunetta. M. Samaras requested a moment of silence in darkened chamber for John “Jock” Howard Pearson, Jr. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Proclamation - National Community Development Week. In City Council, M. Samaras read proclamation. 2.2. Presentation - Walgreens Community Pharmacy. In City Council, M. Samaras introduced new company that opened in Lowell recently to make presentation. Samantha Picking, Healthcare Specialty Supervisor explained that they are a community pharmacy and provide care for complex patients with chronic health conditions. Amanda Bowman, Pharmacy Manager briefly spoke regarding the services offered. The Site Manager also spoke briefly about the benefits offered. 2.3. Presentation - International Institute of New England 100th Anniversary. In City Council, M. Samaras introduced Jeff Newman, CEO of the International Institute of New England who provided a review of the institute. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council April 9th; Transportation SC for acceptance. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So Voted. 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Ordinance-Amend Chapter 39 Library, specifically s.39-1 entitled Board of Trustees. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No remonstrants. Motion “To adopt” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. A) Motion Response - School Playground Equipment – C. Leahy thanked the City Manager for the report and the action. C. Milinazzo noted that we need to pay attention to maintenance issues at parks and fields. B) Motion Response - Little League Fields – M. Samaras thanked the City Manager for the report. City Manager Donoghue noted they will be ready for opening day. C. Mercier asked the City Manager if they council could get a list of opening day for the various parks/fields. City Manager Donoghue said that she would try to get a list. C) Motion Response - Potholes Update – C. Cirillo thanked the City Manager for the report. C. Nuon questioned what residents should do when they see a pothole has not been filled. City Manager Donoghue said they could go to the website to report or contact DPW directly. C. Conway applauded individuals for doing an excellent job. D) Motion Response - Paving and Trench Work Warranty - C. Leahy asked to receive a list of streets that have been dug up or trenches that have sunk and to have them addressed. C. Milinazzo questioned means and methods mandated in the bid documents. C. Conway questioned bonds. C. Kennedy questioned warranty of the streets. E) Motion Response - Madonna Circle – C. Mercier thanked the City Manager for the report. F) Motion Response - Broadway and Pawtucket Signal – C. Mercier thanked the City Manager for the report. G) Motion Response - Festival Fees – C. Leahy thanked the City Manager for the report. 5.2. Informational Reports City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) H) Informational - LHS Board Action Letter – City Manager Donoghue the MSBA board did approve LHS Project and it also laid out overall cost of project as well as the commitment from the MSBA. I) Informational - National Community Development Week – City Manager Donoghue explained the informational packet about what will be taking place during National Community Development Week. 5.3. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) LPD. In City Council, read, Motion “To adopt” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote-Accept Chapter 44 s.64 Payment of Bills in Excess of Appropriations. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion “To refer to Public Hearing on May 7, 2019 at 7PM” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Elliott. So Voted. 7. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Loan Order-343,399,220 to pay cost of designing constructing equipping and furnishing an addition and reno project at LHS. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion “To refer to Public Hearing on May 7, 2019 at 7PM” by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Conway. So Voted. 7.2. 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. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. C. Leahy moved to Suspend the Rules with no objection to take his motion 10.4 out of order. C. Leahy asked to allow 2 registered speakers to speak on his motion. Speakers Elizabeth Silva and Freda McLeod spoke. Councillors voiced concern for the neighbors regarding the street issues. Natasha Vance, Transportation Engineer explained that parking on both sides of street with two way traffic is not feasible as the street is not wide enough. After further discussion C. Leahy moved, seconded by C. Conway “To have the street revert back to two way whole length of the street” roll call vote 3 yeas, 6 nays (C. Kennedy, C. Mercier, C. Milinazzo, C. Nuon, M. Samaras, C. Cirillo). Motion defeated. So Voted. Order – 60 Day Trial then read and adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 8.1. Technology & Utilities SC April 23, 2019. In City Council, C. Leahy provided the report commenting on attendance and discussion regarding Municipal Aggregation Options. C. Leahy noted they had a presentation provided by Katherine Moses, DPD Energy Manager. C. Leahy noted there was discussion about starting a process where we could have multiple rates. C. Leahy explained that right now the City is locked into a contract for last 3 years and that the contract is up in November. C. Leahy noted that right now we are gathering information and rate options as well as how much green rate we want to include. C. Leahy noted there was a motion made “To amend the aggregation program to allow for greener rate which includes Class I REC’s”, seconded by C. Cirillo. So Voted 3 yeas. C. Leahy asked for the City Council to vote to start the amendment process for petitioning to get a multi rate classification for the City. C. Cirillo noted it gives our community choices, and that it is greener energy and also inexpensive. C. Elliott explained that the process requires approval from the Dept. of Public Utilities and in order to amend the aggregation plan and contract we have to go to the state and it takes 9 to 12 months. C. Elliott also noted the current contract is going to expire in about 5 months. After further discussion Motion “To adopt motion of subcommittee” on roll call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. Motion “To accept as a report of progress” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. 8.2. Disability Commission. In City Council, M. Samaras report is withdrawn till next week. 8.3. Wire Insp. - National Grid - Replacing new gas main line 37 Greendale Avenue. In City Council, Motion “To adopt and to accept the accompanying report” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. 8.4. Wire Insp. - National Grid - Replacing new gas main line Douglas Road. In City Council, Motion “To adopt and to accept the accompanying report” by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 9. PETITIONS 9.1. Claim - (2) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion “To refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Conway, seconded by C. Cirillo. So Voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 9.2. Misc. - Vilmona Maldonado request to address City Council regarding National Prayer date May 2, 2019. In City Council, Motion “To refer to City Manager for report and recommendation” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. So Voted. Vilmona Maldonado and Pastor Rafael Najem addressed the City Council. 10. CITY COUNCIL – MOTIONS 10.1. C. Mercier - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper dept. put a crosswalk across Chelmsford St. to Buck’s Bar at 165 Chelmsford St. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.2. C. Mercier - Req. the City Mgr. make possible naming the North Common Roberto Clemente Park at North Common. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.3. C. Leahy - Req. the City Mgr. update the City Council on the budget for street line painting and also update City Council on a schedule for the upcoming year for painting lines and streets throughout the City of Lowell. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.4. C. Leahy - Req. the City Mgr. have the Traffic Engineer update the City Council on Perry Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.5. C. Cirillo - Req. the Arts and Culture Sub/Committee meet to have COOL make a presentation. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to Arts and Culture Sub/Committee. So Voted. 10.6. C. Conway - Req. the City Mgr./DPD set up meeting with area Chamber of Commerce organizations and the Lowell Plan to develop strategies to attract new business and jobs (Commercial and Industrial) to the City. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.7. C. Elliott - Req. the City Mgr. work with Portuguese community leaders, to discuss options to recognize and honor Deolinda Melli director of International Institute for 30 years. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) In City Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.8. M. Samaras - Req. the City Mgr. instruct Water Department provide a report on the conditions of the drinking water distribution network in the City of Lowell. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.9. M. Samaras - Req. the City Mgr. instruct the proper department to work with representatives of the Liberian Community on the installation of monument near City Hall/JFK Plaza similar to other ethnic monuments. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 10.10. M. Samaras - Req. the City Mgr. instruct the proper department to develop standard procedures and protocols for community groups wishing to install monuments near City Hall/JFK Plaza. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. So Voted. 11. CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 11.1. Executive Session - Regarding matter of litigation, namely Huot et al. v. City of Lowell, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position. In City Council, Vice Chair C. Nuon stated reason for Executive Session, Motion by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy “To enter Executive Session for stated purpose and to adjourn from Executive Session” (9 :12 PM). Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So Voted. Vice Chair C. Nuon stated that the body would adjourn from the Executive Session. 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS 13. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion “To Adjourn in Executive Session by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Conway. So Voted. Meeting adjourned at 10 :00PM. _____________________________ Angela Gitschier, Assistant City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov