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: October 8, 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. Cirillo). M. Samaras presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Proclamation - Henri Marchand - City Magician. In City Council, M. Samaras presented Proclamation to Mr. Marchand, who addressed and performed before the Council. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting October 1st, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Order-Vacate, Discontinue and Abandon portion of Father Morissette Blvd. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was Craig Thomas (DPD) who noted order was needed to complete a land swap with the National Parks. No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Clerk’s Office for seven days by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. C. Nuon noted need for the land swap and that traffic would not be impacted. C. Leahy questioned times the busses would be parked. Manager Donoghue commented on the land swap and the need for same as well as acquiring additional parcels for development. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. A) Motion Response - Burnham Rd Trash – C. Mercier noted the area and stated she would be watching over it. Manager Donoghue noted the clean-up effort done by residents of the area. B) Motion Response - Hurd St Status – C. Conway questioned the feasibility of using the space noting the square footage of the building for possible police station. Manager Donoghue outlined process to obtain the site. C. Conway noted need to be proactive in approach and commented on the parking needs for the police. C. Nuon questioned DCAM position regarding the site. Manager Donoghue noted the efforts towards DCAM siting the number of meetings to date. C. Milinazzo commented on DCAM process. C. Elliott questioned time frame for Trial Court to move location. Manager outlined possible dates for moving into new building. C. Elliott commented on future use of the Superior Court House. Manager Donoghue noted that the building would have some historic restrictions. Eric Slagle (Insp. Services) commented on zoning restrictions on each location. C. Milinazzo questioned what can be done with the sites once under City control. Manager Donoghue referenced possible DCAM regulations. C) Motion Response - Expanded Boards and Commissions – C. Nuon noted the need for community involvement with the boards and commissions. Manager Donoghue commented on the capacity of current boards and commissions. Solicitor O’Connor noted boards were at full capacity with the exception of Conservation Commission. C. Kennedy noted the difficulty on serving on the boards and that there should be expansive community outreach including pastors in the Latino community. C. Milinazzo noted efforts of the board and signaled out attendance issue with the Zoning Board of Appeals. C. Elliott noted that residents must know what is available and posting positions is important. Manager Donoghue commented on posting being done through Human Resource Department. 5.2. Informational Reports D) Informational - Election System Panel Event - Monday October 7th – Manager Donoghue commented on event and information provided to voters regarding referendum questions. C. Kennedy noted the output of information. C. Elliott noted the need for the information. C. Conway recognized the handout and the information it provided. Manager Donoghue noted the costs and the translation of the information to different languages. E) Informational Memo - Pavement Marking – Manager Donoghue commented on the updated report. Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) commented on process City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) and time frame for project and the weather impact on same. C. Leahy noted that costs should be established early and work should begin earlier. F) Informational - Bond Sale and Budgetary Savings – Manager Donoghue commented on the latest bond rating. Conor Baldwin (CFO) commented on the savings resulting from refinancing of bonds mostly with Hamilton Canal Innovative District. Manager Donoghue commented on the remarks of Standard & Poor’s regarding financial position of the City. C. Elliott commented on the efforts of the administration and the cost savings. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leahy to refer matter to Finance SC. So voted. Mr. Baldwin commented on the funding for new high school. Manager Donoghue commented on funding for certain liabilities which indicated appropriate financial planning. C. Conway noted the efforts of administration and how it affected the bond rating. Mr. Baldwin outlined the bond rating system and how important it is to City funding. C. Leahy commented on the financial strength of the City. C. Milinazzo noted actions of administration will act favorably for future bonding. G) Informational - MCWT Loan Forgiveness – Mr. Baldwin commented on the grant program funded by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust which would forgive some principal along with low interest loans culminating in cost savings. C. Mercier questioned the process used to obtain grants. Mr. Baldwin noted it was an application process. Manager Donoghue noted effort of Mark Young at the Water Department. H) Informational - YTD Budget Report FY2020 Q1- Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Nuon to refer matter to Finance SC. So voted. 5.3. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (1) Library; (1) DPD. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote-Accept and Expend Green Communities 2019 Competitive Grant. 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 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. C. Elliott requested explanation of savings. Katherine Moses (DPD) commented on the grant funds going to upgrades and other projects. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 6.2. Vote-Accept.Expend FY19 Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site Based Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. C. Mercier commented on the grant and how it would be used. C. Nuon noted the efforts of the Lowell Police and commented on how the grant would be used. 6.3. Vote-Accept.Expend FY19 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Prog. Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. So voted. C. Mercier noted the importance of the program and that it should monitored for success. Maryann Bellotta (LPD) noted the tracking procedures. C. Nuon commented on focusing on mental health issues. C. Elliott noted it was an important component in the LPD. C. Conway recognized the importance of the grant to combat mental health issues. 6.4. Vote-Apply.Accept.Expend PARC Grant for renovation of Hovey Field. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Elliott). So voted. Manager outlined the project and the use of grant money. C. Mercier recognized efforts of the Disability Commission in the process. 6.5. Vote-Declare Surplus 20 Favor St and seek proposals under MGL c.30B. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Elliott). So voted. 6.6. Vote-Transfer funds to continue cemetery projects. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Elliott). So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Wire Insp. - National Grid/Verizon NE - Request relocation of (2) JO Poles on Varnum Avenue at Old Ferry Road. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt the accompanying order by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claims - (2) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8.2. Misc. - Cote's Market (Kevin Dong) request installation of (2) 15 minute parking signs in front of 175 Salem Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8.3. Misc. - 5 Gen 30, LLC d/b/a Chowder Factory (Flood Law Office, P.C.) request City Council abandon paper street adjacent to 101 Phoenix Avenue. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 8.4. Misc. - Elba Rivera request installation of "Autistic Child" child sign at 86 Wood Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8.5. Misc. - Michael Paron request installation of additional public restrooms throughout the City. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, none. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov