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 19, 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. Milinazzo requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Worcester firefighter Lt. Jason Menard in recognition of efforts of the Lowell Fire Department. M. Samaras noted rededication of Christos Rouses monument in the JFK Plaza and the awards for police that were recognized at the event. Supt. Richardson (LPD) noted the event and recognized the many achievements of his officers. C. Conway noted the efforts of first responders. C. Mercier noted it was important to let public know all of the good work police officers do in the City. 2. CITY CLERK 2.1. Minutes of City Council Special Meeting joint with School Committee November 6th; City Council Meeting November 12th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. Motion by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Elliott to take Item #3.2 out of order. So voted. 3. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 3.1. Vote-Auth CM ex Lease w Nicholas Sarris Trustee of 107 Merrimack Street Realty Trust for 107 Merrimack St- Health Human Serv Recreation Dept. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 5) 3.2. Vote-Select Electoral System. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mercier. District & At-Large Election System (Hybrid) was adopted per Roll Call selection 8 in favor, 1 absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. C. Mercier noted she would support the majority and was in favor of the hybrid system which was less complicated than rank system. C. Elliott supported the hybrid system has district representation favors neighborhoods. C. Nuon noted best option was the hybrid and that the neighborhoods would benefit. 4. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 4.1. Order-60 Day Trial. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, absent (C. Cirillo). So voted. 5. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 6. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 6.1. C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. direct the executive director of the wastewater treatment plant to provide a report to the City Council on the number of entities that provide wastewater for treatment at the Lowell wastewater treatment plant; the report should include (1) the number of entities, (2) the volume and frequency of wastewater from each entity, and (3) the location of from where the wastewater originates. In City Council, seconded by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted he had commented on the matter at a prior meeting. C. Elliott questioned if legislation was pending. C. Kennedy noted that there was legislation pending and that it was important for all communities, including New Hampshire to work together to keep the Merrimack River clean. Manager Donoghue noted the regulations regarding the pollutants. C. Kennedy noted that the Lowell water plant does not take pollutants from other communities. 6.2. C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. direct the Traffic Engineer to provide an update of the efforts to curtail traffic volume and speed on Maryl Drive and Fairmount Street in the vicinity of Maryl Drive. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 5) In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy commented on the speeding and ignoring of traffic signs in the area. C. Leahy questioned types of different complaints coming from the neighbors. 6.3. C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. provide City Council with a report regarding the current and future plans of Lowell General Hospital; especially as they pertain to the Saints Campus. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted if plan is to shut down facility it would cause a lack of medical coverage in the area. Manager Donoghue noted she would be discussing plans with the hospital. 6.4. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. provide update regarding negotiations with SIFI. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy requested update on the negotiations. 6.5. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. provide an updated regarding City’s Aggregate Energy Agreement. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the need to provide new information to those who opted out of the program earlier. 6.6. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. provide City Council with an update from the State regarding rehabilitation of the Rourke Bridge. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted the need to follow up with State delegation. C. Kennedy noted that the project was still being studied but construction would start within one year. C. Kennedy noted Council should support upcoming Transportation Bond Bill. Motion by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Kennedy to have Law Department draft resolution in support of transportation bond bill. So voted. 6.7. C. Conway - Req. City Mgr. meet with appropriate departments to explore the feasibility of developing a plan that will help to mitigate and expedite the building permit process. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 5) In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Conway noted contractors were looking to speed up permitting as well as inspections involved with permitting. 6.8. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. provide a list of sites for “Adopt An Island” and identify those islands that have been abandoned. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted if islands were not being kept up another organization should be given opportunity to care for the area. 6.9. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. have proper department update Master Plan as is required every five years. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon requested status update of what has been done and needs to be done on quarterly basis. 6.10. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. put out RFP for “Expert” to do redistricting. In City Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted that the district hybrid system would be used so there is a need for expert help in developing those districts. C. Elliott questioned process in which the lines are drafted. Manager Donoghue noted the need for experts and that data would be taken from 2020 Federal Census to assist with districting. City Solicitor O’Connor noted the 2020 census would be used to redefine districts. C. Mercier noted that there would a need for other adjustments as two new councilors will be added, including exploring new manner in which a Mayor would be chosen. Solicitor O’Connor currently noted that change for that process was not part of the settlement agreement in the voting rights litigation. C. Milinazzo noted that North Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) could assist with redrafting efforts. 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier made note of the refurbishing of the manger and statutes in the manger. C. Elliott commented on recent efforts to increase safety at the City Hall crosswalk. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 5) 8. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov