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 30, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 8 present, 1 Absent (C. Kennedy). M. Samaras presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Joseph Khalil El Kareh and Ronald Close. Mary Jo El Kareh, daughter, thanked the body for the recognition and spoke of her father. C. Milinazzo requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Helen LeDoux. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Recognition - Lowell Veterans' Commission Veteran of the Month – Eric LaMarche (Veteran Commission) noted Justine Spencer as veteran of the month. 2.2. Recognition - Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office: SoarMA Program – M. Samaras commented on the program and its success. Kenan Cruz, Nicole Lynch and Jonathan Hughes each commented on different aspects of the program. 2.3. Recognition - Cork Ireland Learning City Delegation – Prof. Wooding commented on the progress of the program an introduced Dennis Barret and Paul Moriarity from Cork, Ireland to comment on the program in their country. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Cirillo to establish sister city relationship regarding the Learning City Program. So voted. 2.4. Recognition - Hoops for Hope – Jay Grasso and Phil Arsenault outlined the program. C. Elliott noted the program and its success. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Technology & Utilities SC April 23rd; City Council Meeting April 23rd, for acceptance. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 7) In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. Motion by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Elliott to take Item #12.2 out of order. So voted. 4. AUDITOR BUSINESS 4.1. Communication - FY19 Budget Report YTD (March). In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #12.6 out of order. So voted. 5. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 5.1. Siena Engineering Group Inc. (TC Systems Inc.) - Req. to install telecommunication underground conduit on Gorham St. intersection of Dix St. and Moore St. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was Adam Miller (Siena). No remonstrants. Christine Clancy (City Engineer) commented on repair and repaving of project sites. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Mercer, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. 5.2. Siena Engineering Group Inc. (TC Systems Inc.) - Req. to install telecommunication underground conduit on Gorham St. intersection of Manchester St. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. 5.3. Axis Engineering Group - Req. to place fiber line to service 2 Prince Ave. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was Shelly Cullen (Axis). No remonstrants. David Roucher (resident) questioned notices to homeowners when there is work being done. Ms. Clancy commented notice would be given during work. C. Elliott questioned paving to be done. Ms. Clancy noted streets would be paved upon completion of project. C. Mercier questioned lighting along Thorndike Street. Ms. Clancy noted work would begin once easements over property are in place. C. Leahy noted information should be supplied during whole process. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 7) 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. A) Motion Response - Kerouac Partnership – C. Cirillo commented on the program. B) Motion Response - Tour de Lowell – C. Cirillo commented on the program. 6.2. Informational Reports C) Informational - VeoRide Update – Jared Alves (DPD) provided update report. C. Cirillo noted good start of the program and benefits to the City. C. Conway commented on the positive stats and brought forward an issue with bicycles on sidewalks from the Disability Commission. Mr. Alves noted that issue would be resolved by the company and the bicycles should not be blocking sidewalks. Manager Donoghue noted company’s directive to ensure bicycles are picked up and further noted upcoming bike to work/school event. D) Informational - Water Gate Exercise – Mark Young (Water/Wastewater) commented on upcoming testing of the gate system for the City and noted that public will be informed beforehand and that if water is discolored just run it cold for a short while. 6.3. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) HHS. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Kennedy). So voted. 7. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote-Approve and Accept FY14 Earmarked funds 15,000,000 from MassDot for design and construction of Lord Overpass reconfiguration 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 7 yeas, 1 nay (C. Mercier), 1 absent (C. Kennedy). So voted. C. Mercier questioned if money would be earmarked to the Lord Overpass of which she was not in agreement with current design and therefore could not support the vote. C. Elliott noted that the site has been studied many times and experts have finalized this design and it is time to move forward. Manager Donoghue noted that further presentation will be made to the public so that City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 7) there is a full understanding of the project. M. Samaras noted the need to keep updated. 8. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Order-60 day trial (various) 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 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Kennedy). So voted. 9. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 9.1. Ordinance-Amend Chapter 9 Boards, Commissions, Committees by establishing a Monument Committee. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on May 14, 2019 at 7 PM by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Nuon to refer to Rules SC. So voted. 9.2. Ordinance-Amend Zoning by extending LI District to include all of 264, 266 Plain St and 58 Montreal St. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Planning Board for report and recommendation (May 20, 2019) and to Public Hearing on June 11, 2019 at 7 PM by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 9.3. Ordinance-Create one new full-time grant funded position entitled Project Manager and establishing salary in the Career Center. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to refer to Public Hearing on May 14, 2019 at 7 PM by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 10. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 10.1. Housing SC April 30, 2019. In City Council, C. Milinazzo provided the report commenting on attendance and discussion outlining the Community Preservation Act process for adoption as well as applicable exemptions and use by other communities. C. Milinazzo noted that a motion was adopted by the subcommittee to review recent Capital Plan in order to determine if such projects would benefit from CPA funds. Motion to adopt motion of subcommittee and to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 7) 10.2. Disability Commission. In City Council, C. Conway provided the report commenting in the discussion regarding work of the Disability Commission in terms of compliance with ADA standards throughout the City; including closed caption, Lowell High School and by-law review. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Leahy for point of personal privilege. So voted. C. Mercier commented on condition of garbage in First Street as well as in the parks in the City noting lack of cleaning the area of the garbage. C. Mercier noted Sherriff’s Department will be assisting with clean-up. Manager Donoghue noted that vendor is contracted to pick up garbage in the parks and should be doing that. C. Elliott noted need for spring cleaning. C. Milinazzo noted the field conditions in the parks were good but the garbage needs to be collected. 11. PETITIONS 11.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 12. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 12.1. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. have proper department review ways to improve traffic and pedestrian safety along Salem Street corridor. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted neighborhood concerns for safety and need to enhance safety elements for vehicles and pedestrians both long term and short term. 12.2. C. Cirillo - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department work with the LRTA to find ways of accommodating our community who take public transportation and are in need of carts for their groceries and strollers for their children, while adhering to the 220 CMR 155.2(25) Seats and Aisles - Aisles and Doorways kept clear of obstructions. In City Council, seconded by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speakers, Marijane Bujold and Charles Vegados, addressed the body. C. Cirillo noted the request for accommodations for necessities and for policy to be delayed. C. Elliott noted the need to clear aisle so alternate space needs to be available. Manager City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 7) Donoghue noted they would reach out to LRTA on the matter. C. Mercier noted board member, Phil Shea, should be informed of the issues. C. Conway noted need to inform public and that the Disability Commission was not informed of changes. C. Cirillo noted LRTA should be community partner. 12.3. C. Cirillo - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department contact the community stores which are adhering to the plastic bag ban and request that they provide paper bags with handles. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Kennedy). So voted. C. Cirillo noted attempt to make it easier on the consumer. C. Leahy commented that administration should not be involved in the matter. C. Conway noted that the City should be in that position to assist. M. Samaras noted the role of the Council. 12.4. C. Cirillo - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department look into providing a concrete base for the monument that is leaning/sinking at Lemieux Park on Mill Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Cirillo commented on the need for fix. 12.5. M. Samaras/C. Nuon - Req. City Council pass a resolution in support of Congresswoman Trahan’s efforts to urge US Census Bureau include Khmer, Hmong, and Lao among the languages supported by the Internet Self-Response and Census Questionnaire Assistance options for the 2020 Census. In City Council, no second needed, referred to Law Department/City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Kennedy). So voted. C. Nuon noted the need for language with such a large population in order to get proper count. M. Samaras noted the need for resources. C. Milinazzo noted that there should be a discussion with other communities with large minority population such as Long Beach, California. C. Mercier requested matter be referred to Law Department to draft language of the resolution. 12.6. M. Samaras/C. Nuon/C. Elliott - Req. City Council have City of Lowell recognize April 17th as Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day. In City Council, no second needed, referred to Law Department/City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker Vanna Howard addressed the Council. C. Elliott noted recognition of the day is important. M. Samaras noted his office would develop the City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 7 of 7) plan. C. Nuon commented on the efforts of the current Council in the community and that day would be important to survivors. 13. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, noted Sustainability Council event and Point of Light Lantern Festival. 14. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov