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 15, 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. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Clarissa Samuels (City Credit Union). C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Lucy Martinez, mother of Jennifer Ponte (Clerk’s Office). Motion to suspend rules to allow Chris Porter to address the Council regarding upcoming festival in Lowell. So voted. Mr. Porter outlined upcoming The Town and The City Festival. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting October 8th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3.1. Order-Vacate, Discontinue and Abandon portion of Father Morissette Blvd. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. C. Mercier noted busses would be parked on opposite side of street from apartments. 4. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 4.1. National Grid / Verizon NE - Req. permission to relocate (1) JO pole at 493 Market Street. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was Michelle Stacey (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. C. Elliott questioned if pole could be eliminated. 4.2. Crown Castle NG East, LLC - Req. permission to extend existing fiber network on Westford Street down Technology Drive. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was Bill Conway (Crown Castle). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 4.3. National Grid - Req. permission to install SCADA system to comply with latest safety standard at the intersection of Hale and Chelmsford Streets. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was Chris Morrow (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. A) Motion Response - Stedman St. – C. Nuon noted the response and questioned the width needed for road. Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) commented on the width of the road and noted second lane would not fit. C. Elliott noted the challenges with the area and that a traffic signal may be needed. C. Mercier noted similar issues along Westford Street. C. Leahy noted possible solution of use of signage and lining. B) Motion Response - Lowell Walking-Freedom Trail – C. Conway commented on the importance of knowing the history of Lowell for citizens and visitors alike. C) Motion Response - Update to Crime Stoppers Program – C. Conway noted the history of the program and its effectiveness. Manager Donoghue noted funds were still available and a new board had to be established. Manager Donoghue commented on process of getting information to the public and how the program operated. C. Elliott questioned if a text option would be available. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) 5.2. Informational Reports D) Informational Report - Monument Committee Update – Manager Donoghue commented on efforts to establish the committee and indicated members’ field of expertise. C. Elliott noted there were qualified members and that filling these committees can be difficult. Manager Donoghue noted that there were several motions prepared to be brought forward to the body. C. Milinazzo questioned process the committee would be using. Manager Donoghue noted that first meeting would be organizational for purpose of setting procedures. C. Elliott noted the success of the Veterans Commission. C. Mercier commented on the importance of the committee to streamline the procedure. Manager Donoghue provided the Council with names of members. C. Nuon noted the new members and their expertise. E) Informational Report -Municipal Lien Auction – Manager Donoghue provided updated report and noted that individuals are paying the outstanding balances to avoid the auction. C. Kennedy commented on the success and that the goal of collecting these outstanding balances is being met. C. Mercier noted how the auction was performed. City Solicitor O’Connor noted the auction was generating revenues through sale of liens and payments of outstanding balances. F) Informational Report - National Grid Presentation and Legal Decision on Gas Modernization Project – Manager Donoghue introduces team from National Grid to provide the presentation. Sue Scarcella (National Grid – Complex Capital Delivery) opened presentation entitled “Lowell Area Gas Modernization Project” indicting it was a 40 Billion Dollar safety project. Matthew Hayward (National Grid – Project Manager) outlined the scope of the project indicating timeline; safety inspections; and information website. C. Mercier questioned construction process. C. Milinazzo questioned oversight of workers and subcontractors. M. Samaras noted importance of safety protocol. C. Kennedy questioned length of the project and what streets would need to be opened. Manager Donoghue commented on the next steps before the City. 5.3. Communication-Appoint Amy L. Pessia to Council on Aging. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. Ms. Pessia was present and thanked the Council. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote-Accept.Expend Grant from Greater Lowell Health Alliance for Lowell 2020 Vision Program. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Leahy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. 6.2. Vote-Auth CM Ex. License Agreement with UMass Lowell for banners on light poles at various locations. 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 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Misc. - Broadway Pizza (Steve Xigoros - Owner) request City Council remove recent "Tow Zone" designation in front of 651 Broadway Street (Broadway Pizza) as well as removing parking ban from School Street to Wilder Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Conway, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Mr. Xigoros was present and addressed the Council. C. Mercier noted the need to protect small businesses from hardship with different approaches to solving issues. C. Leahy requested report. Manager Donoghue noted they would provide a report and indicated that changes are due because of Tiger Grant construction happening. C. Nuon noted need to help small stores. C. Kennedy noted the need to seek alternate solutions. C. Elliott questioned who would be monitoring bridge construction. C. Leahy noted that there should be more pressure on contractors to follow time lines. M. Samaras called for creative approaches to assist small stores. 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. C. Conway - Req. City Mgr. explore feasibility of developing a partnership between the City, Regional Business Community and LRTA to identify satellite transportation sites for the purpose of mitigating the traffic in the City. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. Conway noted traffic issues are a constant in the City and the more approaches to mitigate it the better. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 9.2. C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. provide a report to City Council regarding the possibility of having the City fund a new portable switcher for LTC at an estimated cost of $28,000. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted it was requested by LTC as there is a need for it. Manager Donoghue indicated she would meet with LTC to discuss matter and that the contract with them may need to be amended. C. Elliott noted that one Council member is on the LTC board. C. Nuon noted LTC partnership and the need for the switcher. 9.3. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. forward to proper committee a request for a memorial bench paid for by Jodi Jaillet in memory of her mother, C. Shirley Austin, to be installed by Parks Department to replace an old bench at Shedd Park. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted matter should be referred to new Monument Committee. 9.4. C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. develop a task force on fire safety infrastructure; to develop a strategic plan and identify State and Federal grant funding resources for firefighting equipment/vehicles, fire houses, energy conservation, etc. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott noted the availability of grants and City ability to obtain them and that a task force would assist with that effort. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted upcoming fundraiser at Owl Diner. C. Nuon noted discussion regarding peace in Cambodia. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov