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: January 4, 2022 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 11 present. (C. Leahy – Zoom) M. Chau presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Walter Fernandez (Former City Auditor) and George Cunliffe. 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. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of City Council Regular Meeting December 21st, For Acceptance. In City Council, minutes read, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Ordinance- Create Position And Salary For Bilingual Human Services Coordinator-Council On Aging. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 4) In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Jenness. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. Manager Donoghue noted that they were grant funded positions. 4.2. Ordinance-Create Position And Salary For Bilingual Human Services Coordinator-Council On Aging. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. C. Yem requested description of the positions. Lillian Hartman (Dir. – Council of Aging) noted the differences in the positions. 4.3. Ordinance-Create Position And Salary For Human Services Coordinator- Council On Aging. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 5. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 5.1. National Grid/Verizon- Request Installation Of (1) JO Pole Relocate (2) JO Poles At Tanner And Plain Streets. (Tanner Street Realignment) In City Council, Given 2nd Reading. Hearing held. Speaking in favor via Zoom was Diana Cuddy (National Grid). No Remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Authorize City Manager Request Approval To Change Acre Urban Revitalization And Dev Plan In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Misc. - Ilia Cintron Request Installation Of Handi-Cap Parking Sign At 440 Central Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 4) 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier to suspend rules to allow Manager to comment on current covid testing sites throughout the City. So voted. Manager Donoghue commented on the current challenges with the testing as the number of cases has increased dramatically over past month. Manager Donoghue noted that they would be increasing hours at sites and hopefully adding sites; indicating however the issue is staffing at each location. Manager Donoghue noted there would be changes in traffic patterns to increase efficiency at the sites and that they are exploring a site dedicated to Lowell residents only. Manager Donoghue noted that vaccination sites are up and running currently. Manager Donoghue noted the high demand for rapid tests and that the State will be supplying additional ones to the municipalities. C. Jenness noted the report and requested status of local hospitals dealing with pandemic. Manager Donoghue noted numbers at hospitals are fluctuating. Lisa Golden (Health Director) commented on the number of patients and type of patients at Lowell General Hospital and the staff shortages they face. Ms. Golden noted there is no need at this point for field hospitals and that LGH has protocol in dealing with pandemic. Manager Donoghue noted the issue with any field hospital is staffing. C. Rourke commented on the reliability of home testing. Ms. Golden noted is less reliable but still a useful resource for everyday testing as they are best when used during highly contagious periods. C. Yem commented on plan for schools and school children. Manager Donoghue noted that she had spoken with Supt. Of Schools and that they are still in person and are monitoring the situation. C. Mercier questioned plan if departments become understaffed due to absences. Manager Donoghue noted that they had not reached that point but alternative plans would be made to have coverage. C. Nuon noted it was informative update and should be put out on website and social media in multi-languages. C. Drinkwater noted home testing was a valuable asset during holiday for planning and safety purposes. C. Drinkwater commented on valuable assistance from partners and non-profits in the City. Manager Donoghue outlined the use of community partners throughout the City. C. Scott noted the at home test was an effective screening test and that the increase in hours at sites will be helpful. C. Gitschier noted the importance of essential maintenance by employees in the City so to ensure safe air quality and protection for employees; noting it was an important part of any protocol. C. Mercier noted the importance of the Inauguration Ceremony and commented her displeasure in the technical coverage by LTC. Manager Donoghue noted that they had some complaints as well. C. Yem commented on past election and presented gift to each Councilor to honor same. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 4) 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov