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 23, 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. Conway). M. Leahy presiding. 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. Chau, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of City Council Meeting November 16th, For Acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Ordinance - Amending Chapter 56-5 Legal Holidays And Vacation. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier. 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 2 of 6) 5. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 5.1. Boston Gas D/B/A National Grid - Request Installation Of 400 Feet Of New 2 Inch Plastic Along Bassett Street. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor, Diana Cuddy (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. 5.2. Boston Gas - Request Installation Of Replacement Gas Main On Woodward, Orchard, Oxford, Wright, Starbird, Courtland, Waterford, W. 5th And Adams. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor, Diana Cuddy (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. 5.3. Boston Gas - Request Installation Of Replacement Gas Main Walker, Bachelder, Litchfield, Ready And Hampton. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor, Diana Cuddy (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted. 5.4. Verizon NE - Request Installation Of (4) Underground Conduits Along 657 Middlesex Street. (Lord Overpass Project) In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Informational Reports. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. A) Informational - Accelerated Repair Program Presentation – Manager Donoghue noted public hearing for loan order on December 7th. Manager Donoghue commented on the process to apply for the grants and how the grants are to be used to fund scheduled construction. Manager Donoghue noted the need for capital school improvements. B) Informational - PACE Program – Manager Donoghue noted the program and recommended it be adopted. Christine McCall (DPD) outlined the program which enables energy improvements for commercial buildings. Ms. McCall noted the benefits for property owners and the protections for the City. Ms. McCall noted that the program must be adopted per Council approval. Registered speaker, Jay Mason, addressed the City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) Council. C. Chau noted it was a good program for Lowell as it moves towards net zero goal. C. Nuon noted it was an environmentally sound program. Motion to C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke to vote to accept program. So voted. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke to authorize the City of Lowell to participate in the Massachusetts commercial property assessed clean energy program (PACE Massachusetts). Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. 7. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote - Minimum Residential Factor FY2022. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on December 14, 2021 at 7PM by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Samaras. So voted. Motion to bundle and waive second reading for Item #7.2 to Item #7.7 inclusive, by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 7.2. Vote- Apply.Accept.Expend Municipal Energy Technical Assist. Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. Registered speaker, Jay Mason, addressed the Council. 7.3. Vote-Accept Donation From DCU. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. C. Mercier noted the gift and requested City provide thank you response. 7.4. Vote-Apply.Accept.Expend Community First Partnership Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. 7.5. Vote-Apply.Accept.Expend EmPower Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. Registered speaker, Jay Mason, addressed the Council. 7.6. Vote-Approve Exemption Of Kyle Van MGL C.268A S.20. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau. 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 4 of 6) 7.7. Vote-Approving Creation Of Police Cadet Program. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. C. Chau commented on the program and the benefits. 8. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Order - 60day Trial. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Elliott, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Conway). So voted. C. Elliott noted parking on Dix Street was in the order and noted the need to compromise and questioned how the spots got there in the first instance. Manager Donoghue noted this was an attempt to be equitable and that the City at one point painted the spaces. C. Mercier noted it was an issue of fairness. 8.2. Loan Order-MSBA ARP Feasibility Study - Various Schools. 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. 9. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 9.1. Wire Inspector Reports: 1. National Grid - Request Installation Of Handhold And 120 Feet Of Conduit For Service To Cell Antenna On Appleton Street Pole #17. 2. National Grid - Request Installation Of Gas Main Extension From 35 To 79 Pratt Avenue. 3. New Cingular Wireless (D/B/A AT&T) - Request Installation Of A Small Cell Antenna On Existing Pole At 84 University Avenue At Riverside Street. 4. National Grid - Request Installation Of 975 Feet Of 12 Inch Plastic Gas Main Along Jackson, Marston, Middlesex, South And Summer Streets. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt accompanying orders by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. C. Elliott noted upcoming Environment & Flood Issues SC with FEMA rep there to outline new flood insurance program regulations. 10. PETITIONS 10.1. Boston Gas - Request Installation Of Two And Four Inch Low Pressure Gas Mains Along Nicole Drive, Stewart Street, Montview Avenue, Monadnock Avenue, Pine Street, Alyssa Drive And Raynor Street. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to public hearing on December 7, 2021 at 7PM by C. Samaras, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) 11. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 11.1. C. Elliott - Req. City Of Lowell Recognize Roland Perron, Jr., Owner Of Rollies Farm, For His Vision To Ensure That His Land Will Be Protected As Conservation Land To Benefit The Residents Of The City And Future Generations. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott commented that individual should be recognized for the contribution. 11.2. C. Elliott - Req. City Council Discuss Appointment Of An Ad Hoc Task Force To Undertake The Restoration And Preservation Of Clay Pit Brook Cemetery In Pawtucketville. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager/Mayor. So voted. C. Elliott withdrew the motion with assent and noted that the better forum with be through a neighborhood friend group in which the City could participate. 11.3. C. Elliott - Req. City Mgr. Have Inspectional Services Provide A Report On The Number Of Abandoned Buildings Owned By Absentee Landlords In The City. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Elliott noted motion was generated by Back Central Street neighborhood group and that these owners must be forced to address the property as it is a blight on the entire area. 11.4. C. Mercier - Req. City Council/Mayor Invite Councilors-Elect To Attend City Council Meeting On December 7, 2021. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager/Mayor. So voted. C. Mercier noted it was a good way to get new members familiar with the procedures. 11.5. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Have The Supt. Of Police Identify Grants To Offset The Costs Of Video Cameras For Businesses, Non-Profits And Religious Institutions; As Well As, Potential To Connect To The Ring Network Or Comparable Video Network For Use By The LPD In Advancing Public Safety Efforts In Neighborhoods. In City Council, seconded by C Mercier., referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted the Back Central Street group and that the cameras will help to stabilize and clean area. 11.6. C. Drinkwater - Req. City Mgr. Contact The Executive Office Of Health And Human Services To Explore The Feasibility Of Establishing Temporary Cottage Housing With Wraparound Services To Provide Additional Shelter Options For Unhoused Individuals In Lowell. In City Council, seconded by C Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Carl Howell, addressed the Council. C. Drinkwater recognized the speaker and noted the need for housing and services. C. Drinkwater noted it was a State City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) program and that possible location could be Tewksbury State Hospital grounds. C. Nuon noted the need for State involvement and that this would be a step towards needed housing and services. C. Rourke requested added information in the report to indicate financial contributions from non-profits to this cause. C. Elliott commented that the service element is needed in any approach. 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted recent bike race at Shedd Park and noted the efforts of Parks Department and Joe Cody in Engineering Department for their efforts in making it a successful event. Manager Donoghue noted upcoming City of Lights Parade. 13. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov