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 16, 2021 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA /Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Chau). M. Leahy presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Raymond Desmarias and noted the passing of C. Chau’s mother, Hem Hay. C. Elliott requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Eileen McKenzie and Dorothy Turcotte. M. Leahy requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Hem Hay and read statement prepared by C. Chau honoring his mother. 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. Elliott, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of City Council Meeting November 9th, For Acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Conway, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 4) 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. A) Motion Response - Census Impacts on Elections – C. Elliott commented on the impact of the census on the next election. Manager Donoghue noted the approval of precinct maps based upon the new information for the next election. C. Elliott noted the increase in population in the City which will bring added federal funding. B) Motion Response - Pawtucketville Master Plan – C. Elliott commented on the changes in the neighborhoods and that they all will be covered in on master plan for the City. Manager Donoghue noted that there would be one plan for the City and each neighborhood will be addressed within that plan. Christine McCall (DPD) noted the process to develop the plan and the input from all stakeholders to finalize the same and that it will be an extended length of time to accomplish this. C. Rourke noted the master plan will place emphasis on neighborhoods throughout the City. C) Motion Response - D'Youville Conservation Restriction – C. Rourke noted the history of the site and the current activity. Manager Donoghue noted recent activity may have been marking of wetlands and that they know of no further action proposed for the site. Ms. McCall commented on the conservation work and that the site is not permitted for any development. C. Rourke noted neighborhood will be proactive with this site and the use of land. D) Motion Response - Starbird, Andover and Mt Vernon St Properties – C. Mercier noted report and recognized the efforts of the DPW to clean the properties and further noted each site and the improvements made. M. Leahy noted the Andover Street site may have new ownership. C. Rourke questioned demolition status of Starbird site. Eric Slagle (Inspectional Services) noted the demolition permit was not complete as property has new ownership doing remedial work on site. E) Motion Response - Rodent Issues – C. Rourke commented on the vast ideas contained in the report and noted that they are being used around the State as the issue is widespread. C. Rourke noted importance of providing information to the public. Manager Donoghue noted that information should be distributed and that it is important for the City to receive information to establish data. C. Nuon noted use of data to correct problems. F) Motion Response - Construction and Traffic Management Coordination – C. Nuon noted report and need to manage. M. Leahy commented on construction start times and how the regulations need to be enforced. G) Motion Response - Crosswalk Request at Fairfax and Stevens – None. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 4) H) Motion Response - DPW and League Coordination – C. Samaras noted the leagues being under common leadership will assist with any coordination. C. Rourke requested Supt. of Parks set up meetings with leagues to set guidelines and work to be done well before start of seasons. C. Rourke questioned the use of grant money. Manager Donoghue commented on the procedure and how the funds are distributed. I) Motion Response - Detectible Tile Replacements throughout the City – C. Rourke commented on the areas of concern. Manager Donoghue noted that plastic would be replaces with iron and that will extend time to repair but will be more permanent. M. Leahy questioned the regulations regarding work. Ting Chang (Eng.) noted the work is governed by ADA requirements. M. Leahy noted and inventory should be produced so that all sites are addressed. J) Motion Response - Vegetation Overgrowth Clearing along VFW – C. Rourke noted the report furnished. 5. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) None. 6. PETITIONS 6.1. Misc. - Rita Barry Request Installation of A Handicap Parking Sign In Front Of 24 Hampshire Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. 6.2. Boston Gas - Request Installation Of Replacement Of Existing Cast Iron Gas Main With 6 Inch Plastic Gas Main On Rivercliff Road From Geana Lane To Andover Street. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on December 7, 2021 at 7PM by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 7. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 7.1. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Provide Update Regarding Replacement Of Director Of Coordinating Council On Homelessness And Sustainable Housing (Formerly Director Of Homelessness Initiatives). In City Council, seconded by C. Samaras, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted request in the motion. C. Elliott commented on the importance of the petition and requested time frame on the matter. Manager Donoghue noted position was posted and that Ms. McCall was covering the meetings in the interim. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 4) 7.2. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Work With Election Office And Election Commission To Provide An Assessment Of Operations For The 2021 Election; Pre-Election Communication To The Public; Sufficiency And Efficiency Of Early Voting Locations; Election Day Processes, What Worked And What Needs Improvement. In City Council, seconded by C. Elliott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon commented on all of the requests and the importance to study information as a means of improving. 7.3. C. Chau - Req. City Mgr. Review And Update Signage For Speed And Parking Along Stevens Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. 7.4. C. Chau - Req. City Mgr. Report To Council Regarding Snow Plowing Plans For The Coming Winter; Including Appropriate Signage For Plowing And Street Cleaning In The Neighborhoods. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, Manager Donoghue noted that the rate for snow plowing has increased and the need still exists. Manager Donoghue noted upcoming City of Lights Parade on November 27th. 9. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov