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: November 12, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 7 present, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Conway). M. Samaras presiding. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting November 5th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Motion to suspend rules to take Item #5.1 out of order by C. Nuon, seconded C. Milinazzo. So voted. 3. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 3.1. National Grid - Req. installation of heavy duty handhole in sidewalk at 15 Pearl Street. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was David Augler (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 3.2. National Grid - Req. installation of SCADA gas pressure system to comply with safety standards in Callery Park area across from 242 Parker Street. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor was Chris Marrow (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 4) 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. A) Motion Response – Hopscotch – Manager Donoghue noted the report which would incorporate the game into some of the City parks. B) Motion Response - Dog Park and Dog Association – Manager Donoghue noted that this was a response to two motions regarding establishing and managing a dog park in the City. Manager Donoghue commented the need for a new dog park and for some entity to maintain it. C. Elliott stated that it would have to be maintained and the Animal Advisory Committee would be taking up the issue. Darlene Wood (Animal Control Officer) noted that these parks need an organization to oversee operations. C. Leahy questioned waste management at the dog parks. C. Mercier noted the importance of pets to certain people. C. Elliott noted need for private entity to be involved. Ms. Wood recognized other communities with successful dog parks. C. Kennedy commented City should follow model of successful dog parks. C) Motion Response - Speed Monitoring Sign Aiken Ave – C. Kennedy noted that there are still several complaints regarding traffic and speed along Maryl Drive and Fairmount Street and requested update regarding prior motion. D) Motion Response - Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra – C. Mercier commented on the effort to assist the orchestra in finding a suitable location. Registered speaker, Bonnie McIsaac addressed the body. Manager Donoghue noted the efforts of all the parties. 4.2. Informational Reports E) Informational - Construction Projects November 2019 – Manager Donoghue noted the quarterly report generated by the City Engineer and the Transportation Engineer. C. Nuon requested minority and residential hires for construction projects. C. Leahy questioned status of work done on the VFW Highway and Beaver Brook Bridge. Christine Clancy (City Engineer) provided updates on those projects. Manager Donoghue commented on costs of clean-up for the sites. C. Leahy recognized recent striping of streets in the City. Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) provided update of striping being done in the City. F) Informational - Neighborhood Walks - Summer 2019 – Manager Donoghue provided summary of inspectional walks noting follow-up work to remediate issues. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 4) G) Informational - PFAS Treatment Update – C. Kennedy commented on reports regarding dumping in the Merrimack River. C. Elliott noted it was important to identify violators and that the City is compliant with all regulations. Manager Donoghue noted that City would not accept any deliveries from communities who do not follow regulations. C, Elliott noted the coordination with Mass. DEP. Mark Young (Executive Director of Water/Wastewater) commented on the combined efforts to identify what is going into the Merrimack River. C. Kennedy noted the need to have a healthy river. Mr. Young commented on various regulations. C. Kennedy noted that litigation has begun on this issue. H) Informational - Election Results Memo – Manager Donoghue noted report contained summary of results of past election. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Vote-Amend Acre Plan by Extending Termination Date. 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 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Conway). So voted. Registered speaker, Brian Martin, addressed the Council regarding extension of plan. 5.2. Vote-Transfer Funds to DPD S&W OT. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Conway). So voted. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) None. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. National Grid/Verizon NE - Req. relocation of (1) JO Pole #1 at 834 Andover Street (on Harland Avenue). In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on November 26, 2019 at 7 PM by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. have Transportation Engineer evaluate traffic calming measures to implement on West Meadow Road. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 4) In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott noted he had speakers on the matter. Jon Hamblet and Al Hebert addressed the body. C. Elliott noted area was in need of sidewalks and/or speed bumps. C. Leahy commented on the use of flashing lights indicating speeds. C. Mercier noted such lights would be needed for in front of City Hall. C. Leahy questioned if fines could fund the improvements. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, M. Samaras noted upcoming conference regarding Learning Cities Program. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov