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: February 23, 2021 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Pursuant To Governor Baker's Emergency Order Modifying The State's Open Meeting Law Issued March 12, 2020, Meetings Will Be Held Using Remote Participation As Follows: Members Of The Public May Not Participate In-Person And May View The Meeting Via LTC.ORG (On-Line; Live Streaming Or Local Cable Channel 99) And Zoom. 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Conway). Meeting held via Zoom and LTC. ORG (On-Line; Live Streaming or Local Cable Channel 99). M. Leahy presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Leo J. Sheridan and Thomas Hebert. C. Mercier recognized the number of Covid deaths in the Country. M. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Thomas McCabe, Sr. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation: Pursuant To Governor Baker's Emergency Order Modifying The State's Open Meeting Law Issued March 12, 2020, Meetings Will Be Held Using Remote Participation As Follows: Members Of The Public May View The Meeting Via LTC.Org (On-Line; Live Streaming; Or Local Cable Channel 99) As They May Not Participate In-Person. Those Wishing To Speak Regarding A Specific Agenda Item Shall Register To Speak In Advance Of The Meeting By Sending Email To City Clerk Indicating The Agenda Item And A Phone Number To Call So That You May Be Issued Zoom Link To The Meeting. Email Address Is MGEARY@LOWELLMA.GOV. If No Access To Email You May Contact City Clerk At 978-674-4161. All Request Must Be Done Before 4:00 PM On The Day Of Meeting. For Zoom - HTTPS://SUPPORT.ZOOM.US/HC/EN-US/ARTICLES/201362193- JOINING-A-MEETING In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Samaras seconded by C. Chau. So voted. 2.2. Recognition - Retirement Of Nancy Spenard And Diane Tradd From The Department Of Planning & Development. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. M. Leahy recognized the retiring employees and noted that proclamation would be sent to them. Ms. Tradd commented on her tenure with the City noting the many accomplishments. Ms. Spenard thanked the body for the recognition and noted she was proud of her time with the City. Each Councilor present thanked the employees for their dedicated service and noted that they would be missed. Manager Donoghue commented on the excellent performance by these employees. Supt. Richardson (LPD) noted the assistance of each of these employees to his department. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of Finance SC February 9th; City Council Regular Meeting February 9th; City Council Meeting (Executive Session) February 10th; Auditor & Clerk & Personnel Oversight SC February 16th; And City Council Special Meeting February 16th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 4. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 4.1. TC Systems Inc. (AT&T) (Giomare Group) - Request Installation Of Underground Conduit For Small Cell Antenna On Pole #5 On Abbott Street. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. No Remonstrants. Speaking in favor was Chris Murray (Giomare Group). Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. M. Leahy noted that Item #5.2D would be taken out of order. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. A) Motion Response - Riverwalk Improvement Projects – C. Drinkwater commented on the number of ongoing projects noting the number of partners involved with river walk along VFW Highway. B) Motion Response - Parking Enforcement during Declared Snow Emergencies – C. Chau noted the difficulty of the task but stated it was important to notify citizens of procedures. Supt. Richardson commented on the process and the friendly approach in notice to residents. C) Motion Response - Letter Regarding Vaccinations for School Staff – C. Elliott noted the letter hit all the important elements. C. Mercier commented on the need to get teachers back into the classroom and further commented on the needs of the many City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) seniors for assistance with the vaccination process. Manager Donoghue stated that Council will get a report regarding that assistances and noted outreach to seniors regarding technical assistance and transportation. Manager Donoghue noted that the City is not receiving enough of the vaccination and are working to secure additional doses. C. Nuon noted the need for multilingual outreach. Manager Donoghue commented on the many resourced being used including those used for translations. 5.2. Informational Reports D) Informational - Rourke Bridge Presentation – Manager Donoghue noted response to motion and introduced individuals involved with the project. Steve McCloughin, Topher Smith, Mark Kolonoski and Kyle Olsen provided information about the project through a presentation entitled “MassDOT – Rourke Bridge Lowell City Council Update dated February 23, 2021”. The presentation outlined the following areas: project purpose; schedule; alignments; traffic; safety analysis; safety operations; travel times; environmental (wetlands, open space); impact summary; vertical geometry; temporary traffic impact; right of way impacts; walking times; pedestrian connections; watercraft; construction schedule; costs; and summary. The following registered speakers addressed the body: Senator Edward Kennedy; Representative Rady Mom; and Beverly Woods (NMCOG). Manager Donoghue noted Council would be updated throughout the process. C. Mercier noted major concern was the ability of emergency vehicles to cross the bridge without delay. C. Rourke noted that Option 3 was preferred by many individuals and groups. C. Rourke questioned if Council should indicated their preference for Option 3. C. Samaras commented on funding and noted the assistance of the City moving forward. C. Elliott commented on funding and when final costs can be calculated. C. Elliott questioned the design process and schedule. 5.3. Communication-Reappoint Suzanne Frechette. In City Council, Read, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. 6. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Ordinance-Amend Ch 28 Entitled Wetlands In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on March 9, 2021 at 7PM by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Subcommittee Reports: 1. Auditor & Clerk & Personnel SC February 16, 2021. In City Council, C. Samaras provided report outlining the attendance and process used to select new Auditor commenting on CPA requirement, posting and salary grid. C. Samaras noted the subcommittee adopted motions regarding salary range and a 30 day posting and requested full body adopt those motions. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress as well as adopt motions of the subcommittee by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 2. Finance SC Joint With School Committee Finance SC February 23, 2021. In City Council, C. Elliott provided report outlining the attendance and discussion regarding school and City budget. C. Elliott commented on the proposed use of school surplus in the budget in terms of improved infrastructure; use of federal and state money; covering learning loss costs. C. Elliott noted that the schools should make that information available to parents. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Motion to bundle and accept Items #7.2 to #7.6, inclusive by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7.2. Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request Installation Of 24 Feet Of Underground Electric Conduit At Bridge Street At Mass Mills Drive. In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept accompanying order by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7.3. Wire Insp. - National Grid/Verizon NE - Request Installation Of Two (2) Jointly Owned Utility Poles On Varnum Avenue At Elene Street. In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept accompanying order by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7.4. Wire Insp. - Verizon - Request Permission To Install (1) JO Pole At 190 Butman Road. In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept accompanying order by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7.5. Wire Insp. - National Grid / Verizon NE - Request Installation Of (1) JO Pole And Relocate (6) JO Poles Along Andover Street. In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept accompanying order by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7.6. Wire Insp. - Crown Castle NG East, LLC - Request Installation Of 55 Feet Of 4 Inch Fiber Conduit To Existing Customer At 650 Suffolk Street. In City Council, Motion to adopt and accept accompanying order by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claims - (3) Property Damage. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. Have Transportation Engineer Install A Handicap Parking Sign At The Corner Of 7th Street And Methuen Street Per Request Of Laura Lebrecque (Disable Veteran). In City Council, seconded by C. Chau, referred to City Manager/Transportation Engineer. So voted. C. Mercier requested sign be posted on the Methuen Street side. 9.2. C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. Provide A Report Regarding Reorganization And Streamlining Department Of Inspectional Services From Department Of Planning And Development. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott commented that there was a prior consolidation which may not be so effective currently and that Inspectional Services should be a stand-alone department. 10. CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 10.1. Executive Session - Pursuant To Exemption 10 For The Purpose Of Considering A Land Swap Agreement On Property In The Hamilton Canal Innovation District, Public Discussion Of Which May Have Detrimental Effect On The City's Bargaining Position. In City Council, M. Leahy stated reason for Executive Session, Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Elliott to enter Executive Session for stated purpose and adjourn from Executive Session (8:35 PM). Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. M. Leahy stated that body would adjourn from the Executive Session. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, Manager Donoghue announced Tele-City Hall meeting and that City Hall would be open to public during regular hours beginning next week. C. Mercier questioned when body could get back in Chambers. C. Mercier noted the beginning of sports programs in the City. C. Rourke recognized efforts of all involved to get fields prepared for programs. C. Rourke noted the City Parking study is still accepting public input. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 12. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn in Executive Session by C. Chau, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Adjourned at 9:01 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov