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 22, 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. John Power - Cross River Center. In City Council, Mr. Power commented on recent electrical fire in his building at 1001 Pawtucket Boulevard recognized the fire department and other departments for their assistance throughout the ordeal. Fire Chief Winward noted the firefighters involved and the effort put forth. Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Milinazzo to take Item #4.1 out of order. So voted. 2.2. Discussion - Interviews/Appointment of City Auditor. In City Council, Mary Callery (HR) noted position was closed and that the top three choices can be scheduled for interviews. C. Leahy recommended dates and the Council agreed upon interviews and selection of the Auditor on October 30, 2019 at 6:00 PM. 2.3. Discussion - Interviews/Appointment of Greater Lowell Technical School Committee Member. In City Council, M. Samaras noted position was closed. Council agreed upon interviews and selection of the candidate at a joint School Committee and City Council meeting on November 6, 2019 at 5:30 PM. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 4) 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting October 15th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. The University and the City - A Partnership to Advance Lowell Presentation given by UMass Lowell Leadership. In City Council, Manager Donoghue noted that UMass-Lowell was present along with Chancellor Jacquie Moloney to make presentation entitled “The University And The City: A Partnership To Advance Lowell”. Chancellor Moloney provided and overview of the University; partnership with the City in terms of police, transportation, expansion and community engagement; economic development; business and government partnership; and sustainability. Manager Donoghue commented on expansion of the University and the positive partnership with them. C. Nuon commented on the sustainability programs at the University. Diane Tradd (DPD) noted partnership. Andrew Shapiro (DPD) noted teams involved with the partnership. C. Elliott noted the need to update community on the achievements at the University. C. Elliott questioned future housing for the school. Chancellor Moloney noted that there are no plans to expand housing at the University. C. Leahy commented on the presentation. C. Conway noted it was important to inform public of the growth of the University. C. Mercier commented on the UMass-Lowell efforts. C. Milinazzo commented on the success of the business incubator program. C. Kennedy commented on the number of startups in the City. 4.2. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. A) Motion Response - Adopt an Island Program Manager Donoghue provided an update regarding program noting that some volunteers left the program while others joined leaving open twenty sites. C. Leahy noted the need to outreach and to provide guidelines for the participants. Shauna Forcier (Neighborhood Liaison) commented on the guidelines. C. Elliott noted the importance of upkeep of City property. C. Kennedy questioned the process to adopt an island. C. Nuon thanked all who managed the sites. B) Motion Response - Subsidized Ride Program for Seniors – C. Nuon noted costs associated with the program and indicated that seniors were getting most of the City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 4) services and that the Council of Aging director would ensure that transportation services be continued. Lillian Hartman (Director) outlined current transportation services to seniors. C) Motion Response- Election Systems Outreach Efforts – C. Nuon noted the spread of information must continue. Manager Donoghue commented on different presentations to the public as well informational mailings going out to voters. Asst. City Solicitor Rachel Brown commented on meetings regarding ballot questions as well as information available on the website. C. Kennedy commented on LTC programing. C. Elliott noted that information mailed was important. C. Leahy noted the need to let voters know at the polls of questions. Manager Donoghue commented the more information the better. 4.3. Informational Reports D) Informational Report - Syringe Collection Program Infographic - Q1 FY20 – Manager Donoghue commented on the updated report providing back round of the program. Manager Donoghue noted that there is now a proactive approach. Andres Gonzalez (HHS) outlined report entitled “Syringe Collection Program”, commenting on training, safety, outreach, partnerships, future endeavors, hot spots, community involvement and outside agencies. C. Elliott noted the importance of the program and how it operates. C. Leahy noted the better the program will reduce the number of syringes. C. Conway noted the need for the program and further noted the effort being put forth. C. Mercier commented on the efforts being made to rectify the problems. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Vote-Authorize City Manager Execute Non-Binding Preliminary Agreement. 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. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. 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. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 4) 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. meet with 911 Memorial Monument Committee and the Monument Committee to decide on a location for the 911 memorial in an effort to keep the process moving. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the proposed site. 8.2. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have proper department begin developing a plan for the restoration of Cawley Stadium; including funding same. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the facility needs to be kept up. C. Conway noted facility was in tough shape with safety issues. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Milinazzo noted events as part of Friends of Library Week as well as an article about the City in the Connecticut Mirror. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Conway, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov