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: December 10, 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. Elliott). M. Samaras presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Charles Pastourakos. C. Kennedy commented about Mr. Pastourakos. C. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for George Alcorn. C. Milinazzo requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Pete Fratus. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Cambodian Genocide Day – None. Cleanup Day – None. Youth Commission – None. 2.2. Recognition - ePROPELLED - new business in City. In City Council, Nick Grewel (CEO) commented on the company and how they established themselves in Lowell. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) 2.3. Recognition - Enterprise Bank. In City Council, M. Samaras presented a citation recognizing the band for being noted as one of the best places of employment in the Commonwealth. Jack Clancy of Enterprise commented on the honor regarding best workplace environment. Chet Szablak of Enterprise commented on operations and history of the bank. M. Samaras noted the presence of the new City Auditor, Tina Masiello. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting November 26th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Vote-Establish Minimum Residential Factor FY 2020. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Elliott). So voted. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. A) Motion Response - Cawley Stadium Complex – C. Mercier noted the report and the need to start the process as there is a lot of work to be done. Manager Donoghue noted the need for a feasibility study in order to have a plan for attention site needs and funding any upgrades. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on the scope of the project and the need for proper planning. C. Leahy commented on the report and the approach. C. Conway noted the importance of the facility and the use of coaches to pin point needs. B) Motion Response Update - Dangerous Intersection Speed Calming – C. Nuon noted the areas and commented on long and short term plans. C. Leahy noted that enforcement should be sharpened concerning parking near intersections. C) Motion Response - LFD Working Group – C. Nuon requested Councilors should City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) tour fire department facilities to understand the issues. Chief Winward (LFD) outlined the task force. D) Motion Response - Lowell General – C. Kennedy commented on the report that provided adequate information. Manager Donoghue noted that there were no plans to close emergency services at Saints Memorial. E) Motion Response - Board of Parks Meetings – C. Nuon noted it was an important board and that the meetings should be televised. 5.2. Informational Reports F) Informational - GoLowell - Presentation Slides – Chris Hayes (DPD) provided a presentation entitled “GoLowell Complete Streets Planning Project” outlining the history and purpose of GoLowell. Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) commented on funding for the project through various specific grant as well as Uber/Lyft fees. C. Kennedy questioned the number of bus trips throughout the City. Mr. Hayes noted the need to gather data to study means to increase usage. C.Nuon questioned partnership with LRTA. Ms. Vance noted that the LRTA has been effective partner. C. Milinazzo noted that there should be deep analysis of the provided data. Manager Donoghue noted the need to gather information about current system. G) Informational - 2019 Holiday Open House Invitation – Manager Donoghue recognized the efforts of all involved with the Open House; noting contributions of Ms. Baez-Rose and the COA Choir and Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra. 5.3. Petition Responses G) Petition Response - Parking at Broadway Pizza – Manager Donoghue commented on the petition noting it was part of a 60 Day Trial. C. Mercier questioned if owner was involved with solutions. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote-Accept Gift of two portable room dividers for Senior Center from The Friends of Lowell Council on Aging. 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. C. Mercier commented on the efforts of the Council of Aging board. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 6.2. Vote-Apply.Accept.Expend 56,000 from MassDEP SMRP Grant. 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. C. Mercier questioned when the grant originated. 6.3. Vote-Auth. CM Petition Legislature for Electoral System Change for Municipal Elections. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Elliott). So voted. 6.4. Vote-Petition Leg. to repeal Ch. 46 Acts of 2017 where parcels were transferred for construction of new LHS. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Conway. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Elliott). So voted. 7. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Order-60 Day Trial (Various). In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Milinazzo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas, 2 absent (C. Cirillo, C. Elliott). So voted. 8. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Ordinance-Smoking in Playgrounds Prohibited. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on January 7, 2020 at 7 PM by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. 8.2. Ordinance-Amend. Ch. 150 Fees re Smoking in Playgrounds Prohibited. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on January 7, 2020 at 7 PM by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 8.3. Ordinance-Quarterly Traffic-December 2019. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on January 7, 2020 at 7 PM by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Conway. So voted. 9. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 10. PETITIONS 10.1. Misc. - 71-73 Mammoth Road, LLC (Atty. Catherine Flood) request installation of "30 Minute" parking sign at corner of Mammoth Road and Third Avenue. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Kennedy. So voted. 10.2. Misc. - Envirotrac request installation of (2) environmental monitoring wells at 558 Pawtucket Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 10.3. National Grid - Request installation underground electric conduits and a new heavy duty hand hole at 160 Middlesex Street. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on January 7, 2020 at 7 PM by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 11. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 11.1. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. look into providing a school crossing guard on Boylston Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Milinazzo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted issue had been resolved. 11.2. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have proper department install a “Loading/Unloading” sign at Immaculate Conception Rectory on Fayette Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy stated motion speaks for itself. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Kennedy noted that the Mayor’s Holiday Festival would be this week. M. Samaras commented on the money raised and matched. C. Mercier noted upcoming Salvation Army Radiothon. C. Nuon noted the 35th Anniversary of the CMMA. 13. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Kennedy, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov