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 17, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. M. Samaras presiding. M. Samaras requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Ioannis “John” Zarolidis 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Citation - Recognizing Lowell Financial Center. (C. Mercier) In City Council, M. Samaras presented Citation to Lowell Financial Center. 2.2. Recognition - Dr. Mark Romanowsky. In City Council, M. Samaras presented Citation to Dr. Mark Romanowsky. C. Kennedy presented Massachusetts Senate Citation to Dr. Romanowsky. Dr. Romanowsky addressed and thanked the Council. M. Samaras requested suspension of the rules, without objection, to present Citation to Henry Naruszewicz. Mr. Naruszewicz thanked the Council for the recognition. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting December 10th, for acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted. Motion to take Items #5.4 and #5.5 out of order by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Cirillo. So voted City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) 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. Milinazzo. So voted. M. Samaras recognized Councilors-Elect Drinkwater and Chau in attendance. A) Motion Response - 4-way Stop Newhall and Chambers – C. Mercier noted that the Transportation Engineer stated that the intersection under guidelines did not warrant a stop sign. B) Motion Response - Riverside St. Parking and Traffic Issues – Natasha Vance (Transportation Engineer) commented on the report and how to address the issue. C) Motion Response Update - Stedman and Westford St. Intersection – C. Nuon noted the report and the costs as well as the need to make area safer. D) Motion Response - Satellite Parking Opportunities – C. Conway commented on the need to address parking and traffic issues throughout City. C. Nuon noted addressing traffic and parking issues benefit the City economically and with increased construction in City needs must be addressed. E) Motion Response - Hauled Waste Program Overview – C. Kennedy noted the information contained in the report. 4.2. Communication-Appoint Maria Sheehy to Lowell Memorial Auditorium Board of Trustees. In City Council, read, Motion to adopt by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Leahy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Vote-Accept.Expend 30,205.45 from FY20 State 911 Dept Training Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) 5.2. Vote-Accept.Expend 367,060 from FY20 State 911 Dept Support and Incentive Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Cirillo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. 5.3. Vote-Accept.Expend 50K EOPSS FY20 Traffic Enforcement Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Cirillo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Elliott noted success of public safety grants recognizing Maryann Ballotta for her work. Ms. Ballotta outlined the current grants before the Council. Manager Donoghue noted the efforts to obtain grant funding. C. Mercier noted Ms. Ballotta was a valuable asset to the City. 5.4. Vote-Auth CM Ex. Access Agreement Lupoli Companies Jackson St. Parcels 1-5 HCID. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Cirillo. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Registered speaker, Sal Lupoli, addressed the body regarding site selection and work to be done. 5.5. Vote-Auth CM Ex. letter to State Dept providing written consent to initial refugee resettlement per EO 13888. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Conway, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. The following registered speakers addressed the Council: Emma Tobin; Vanna Howard; Gordon Halm; Judith Durant; Keanhuy Sour; Sydney Liang; and Bob Forent. C. Nuon commented on the history of refugees and their role in the City noting the need for continued support. C. Mercier noted support of the vote and recognized speakers commenting that refugees are part of the fabric of the City. C. Cirillo noted speakers and commented on the need for continued support. C. Kennedy recognized the speakers and that support should be a matter of course and not an opt-in choice. C. Milinazzo commented on the many organizations in the City to support refugees and that support needs to continue. C. Conway noted the perspective on education and questioned why there is an opt-in choice and further noted his support. C. Nuon noted correspondence for CTI in support of the vote and wished to put that on record. C. Leahy noted Lowell as a welcoming city. C. Elliott thanked all those in attendance City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) noting a letter from Rep. Trahan in support; noting further the success of all organizations in City which assist refugees. M. Samaras noted vote indicates commitment by the City. Manager Donoghue commented on the procedure to follow the federal directive. 5.6. Vote-Auth CM Ex. License Agreement Powerhouse Juice, LLC 120-122 Merrimack St. overhanging sign. 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 9 yeas. So voted. 5.7. Vote-Auth CM Ex. License Agreement Warp and Weft 197 Market St overhanging sign. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Kennedy. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 5.8. Vote-Transfer 146,000 to cover additional costs associated with retired Public Safety Officers. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the purpose of the vote and supported it. C. Mercier questioned status of negotiations with police patrolmen union. Manager noted vote regards workers compensation for retired workers. Christine O’Connor (City Solicitor) commented on contract negotiations. 6. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, C. Elliott commented on organizational meeting of fire safety task group. 7. PETITIONS 7.1. Claims - (3) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted. 7.2. Misc. - David Pereira on behalf of Eulalia Pereira request installation of handicap parking sign in from of 60-62 Newhall Street. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 8.1. C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. have Law Department prepare vote to increase City Clerk salary grade and step level after a positive evaluation. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo referred to Law Department. So voted. Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Milinazzo to amend to include City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy commented on the evaluation. Solicitor O’Connor questioned evaluation done by body who was working. M. Samaras noted that special meeting to be called for Monday, December 23, 2019 at 6:00 PM for the purpose of vote or other matters to be addressed. C. Kennedy agreed with meeting to move process. C. Nuon noted he supports request and he would send along his recommendation to be part of record. 8.2. C. Kennedy - Req. City Mgr. instruct Supt. of Police to take necessary steps to maintain law and order in the Central Business District during late nights. In City Council, seconded by C. Cirillo, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Kennedy noted the importance of keeping that area safe. C. Nuon commented on the safety of downtown. C. Leahy recognized that there has been much improvement in the area with the addition of the police substation. C. Elliott noted progress made and more progress is needed in terms of shuttering bad establishments. C. Mercier commented on the addition of the substation. Manager Donoghue noted that work is being done concerning downtown safety; including at exploring changing closing times of bars. 8.3. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have the DPD include in any information provided by them to new businesses in the City the opportunity for that business to be recognized at a City Council meeting, if they so choose. In City Council, seconded by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier commented on former City Councilor Tenzar regarding business recognition and noted that businesses should be afforded an opportunity to appear before the Council. 8.4. C. Cirillo - Req. City Mgr. have the law department draft a new resolution stating that all new municipal buildings target a net zero carbon standard; all buildings new and existing must meet a net zero carbon standard by 2050. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Cirillo noted that Boston just adopted a similar motion and that there is an immediate need to City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) combat climate control Registered speaker, Jay Mason, addressed the Council. C. Kennedy noted the need to address environmental concerns. 8.5. C. Cirillo - Req. City Mgr. have proper department draft a required performance standard and also zoning code updates to support municipal building decarbonization city wide. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Cirillo noted similar reasoning as to prior motion. Registered speaker, Jay Mason, addressed the Council. 8.6. C. Cirillo - Req. City Mgr. have proper department review and update the Sustainability Lowell 2025 Plan. In City Council, seconded by C. Kennedy, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speakers, Jonathon Grossman, Joseph Boyle and Jay Mason, addressed the Council. C. Cirillo noted the plan needs to be updated as many features have changed in the community. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, M. Samaras commented on his term as Mayor and the accomplishments of the Council. M. Samaras presented gift to C. Cirillo who thanked the community for the support and noted the effort of the Council in governing. M. Samaras presented a gift to C. Kennedy who commented on his tenures as a member and his service to the community. M. Samaras presented a gift to C. Milinazzo who thanked family, community and body for support throughout years of service. Manager Donoghue noted report for Council regarding marijuana facility decisions. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn C. Cirillo, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov