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: October 12, 2021 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA/Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present. M. Leahy presiding. M. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Robert Furey. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation: Meetings Will Be Held In Council Chamber With Public Welcome And By 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). 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. Rourke, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of City Council Regular Meeting October 5th; Economic/Downtown Development SC October 5th, For Acceptance. , For Acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item #12.3 out of order. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Ordinance-Create Position And Salary - Contact Tracer. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. Manager Donoghue noted it was a grant funded position. 5. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 5.1. Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - Request Installation Of Small Cell Facility On Existing Utility Pole At 7 Whitman Street. (Cont. From 10/05/21) In City Council, Hearing continued. Hearing closed. No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Atty. Dan Klasnik (Verizon Wireless) addressed the body indicating his discussion with an abutter 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. A) Motion Response - DCAM Update – C. Drinkwater noted a further update would be needed. Manager Donoghue noted the Trial Court was in the process of turning over sites to DCAM and there is a need for a short term maintenance plan to be in place. B) Motion Response - Fletcher Street Church Parking – C. Mercier noted the need for the Church and that the DPD provided a safer alternative. C) Motion Response - Transportation Engineer – C. Rourke commented on the recommendation in the report and noted the proper use of funds to address appropriate issues. Manager Donoghue identified the funds and noted that they do not have actual costs to address transportation motions. C. Elliott noted that studies requested are expensive and should be set aside for a more practical approach. C. Mercier noted there are a number of outstanding transportation motions. C. Samaras noted the community has a lot of frustration and concerns with traffic which are always present and suggested exploring hiring a retired engineer to fill the position. Manager Donoghue noted the assistance of the Collins Center to flush out all opportunities. D) Motion Response - Morey School HVAC and Energy Conservation – C. Chau commented on the process and the timeline. Christine Clancy (DPW) commented on improvements and updates to the systems; as well cleaning units and creating a punch list for work needed. Katherine Moses (DPD) commented on current project that is grant funded for energy conservation. C. Chau questioned state function at school. Ms. Moses noted some projects are finished and some need to be started. C. Drinkwater questioned if scope of grant included mechanical failure. Manager Donoghue noted that there is work that needs to be done beyond grant funds. C. Drinkwater questioned City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) time frame for completion of work. Ms. Clancy noted that there is design ongoing as well as finalizing contracts. C. Conway noted that all processes should be tested and repaired if needed before school begins as there are always issues at start up. M. Leahy commented on complete re-haul of system changes. E) Motion Response - Culvert Inspections – C. Rourke noted effort being done and that the report spells out the proactive approach to the problem. C. Elliott noted that the State could provide assistance with effort as it can be described as infrastructure. F) Motion Response - Baystate Marathon – C. Rourke noted the report and preparations being done. G) Motion Response - LeBlanc Field Signage – None. H) Motion Response - Duck Island Odor Mitigation – C. Samaras noted prior subcommittee meeting with Mark Young (Water/Sewer) regarding issue and discussion with Phase II completion which mitigated some odor. I) Motion Council Response - SROs, Sworn and Vacancies – C. Elliott noted need and plan to have presence in schools. Manager Donoghue noted shortage is due to staff issues as there were a large number of retirements from the LPD and many simply leaving the career. C. Conway noted the need to work the plan and be innovative regarding staffing. C. Rourke noted officers protect staff and students in the schools and should explore possible use of retired officers to fill positions. Manager Donoghue noted new academy coming in so that will assist slightly. J) Motion Response - Cyber Security Protocols – C. Conway noted the report and recognized that our voting equipment is protected from cyber-attacks. C. Conway questioned type of training for employees for awareness of such attacks. Manager Donoghue noted the importance of security and training is on-going and if specifics are to be discussed they should be done in Executive Session. 6.2. Informational Reports K) Informational - Resolution Regarding Amazon – Manager Donoghue noted Resolution was on current Agenda for review. C. Drinkwater commented on the many subcommittee meetings to address concerns posed by Law Department regarding the resolution. C. Drinkwater noted he would look to amend the language of the resolution. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Drinkwater to take Item #9.1 out of order. So voted. 7. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote - Transfer 45,000 - Recreation Department. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) 7.2. Vote-Authorize Payment Of Bills Incurred In Excess Of Appropriations. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Drinkwater. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 8. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Order- 60 Day Trial. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. 9. RESOLUTIONS 9.1. Resolution-Urging Community Engagement And Fair Employment Standards For Any Expansion Of Amazon. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Law Department to incorporate amendments adopted by Council and place back on Agenda for vote by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Elliott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas. So voted. C. Drinkwater proposed two amendments by way of motion, seconded by C. Elliott, to the resolution regarding language on community standards et al. C. Drinkwater read language into the record and would forward same to Law Department for incorporation. 10. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 10.1. Finance SC October 12, 2021. In City Council, C. Elliott outlined the meeting noting the attendance and discussion of the updates regarding the American Relief Act funding. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress C. Elliott, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. 10.2. Environment & Flood Issues SC October 12, 2021. In City Council, C. Samaras outlined the meeting noting the attendance and discussion of the Duck Island upgrades and odor mitigation indicating he is awaiting written response to questions posed so that citizens can have clear information regarding these issues. C. Elliott noted effort of the City to improve issues regarding overflow and odor mitigation which comes with much costs and planning. Motion report on this meeting on October 19, 2021 by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 10.3. Wire Inspector Reports: 1) Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - 122 Chapel Street; 2) Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - 57 Court Street; 3) Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - 1 Huntoon Avenue; 4) Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - 1345 Lawrence Street; 5) Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - 119 Holyrood Avenue; 6) Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - 7 Wamesit Street (On Central St.); 7) Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless - 72 Main Street (On West London St.); 8) National Grid - Along Marshall Avenue, West City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) Forest Street And Chelmsford Street; 9) National Grid - Along 4-25 Astor Street; And 10) National Grid - Along Genest Avenue. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying orders by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 11. PETITIONS 11.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Conway, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. 12. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 12.1. C. Chau - Req. City Mgr. Direct The Proper Department To Clean Trash, Cut Grass And Empty Barrels At The Public Parking Lot Near Cupples Square Bordered By Coral, Leroy And Loring Streets. In City Council, seconded by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Chau noted the area and the concerns of the merchants. 12.2. C. Chau - Req. City Mgr. Investigate And Change The Settings For The Two Flashing Traffic Signals (Flashing Yellow And Flashing Red) At The Intersection Of Chelmsford And Cambridge Streets To Full Functioning (Red, Yellow, Green) Traffic Signals. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Chau noted increased traffic causes issue. 12.3. C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr., The State Delegation And D’Youville Life And Wellness Community To Begin The Process To Preserve The Open Space Located In Pawtucketville. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. Registered speaker, Elizabeth Tighe, addressed the Council. So voted. C. Rourke noted the issue has been fluid for a few years and that there has been some work being done on site. C. Rourke noted need to be proactive to protect neighborhood interests. C. Nuon noted need to protect outdoor space and to mitigate traffic that comes with any development. C. Elliott noted concern with recent activity on the site and that any development will stress current infrastructure so there is a need to move cautiously. C. Mercier questioned what next step would be with the City. Manager Donoghue noted it was a private land owner and that they would provide report to investigate options. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 12.4. M. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. Begin Review Of Lowell Firehouses Resulting In Formulating An Action Plan To Go Before The Council To Rebuild, Replace Or Repair The Stations. In City Council, seconded by C. Samaras, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Leahy noted need to continue review process and move forward. 12.5. M. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. Contact Proper Department Of The Commonwealth Which Oversees The Courthouses In The City To Ensure That The Properties Are Kept Clean. In City Council, seconded by C. Drinkwater, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Leahy noted need is obvious. 13. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted St. Patrick’s Church celebration. Manager Donoghue noted Halloween will be celebrated this year in the City. M. Leahy noted candle light vigil hosted by the Alternative House. 14. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. _____________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov