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 Special Meeting Minutes SPECIAL MEETING (RULE 6 LOWELL CITY COUNCIL RULES) Date: March 30, 2022 Time: 5:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA/Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 11 present. M. Chau 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. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 2.2 Special Meeting Per Rule 6 Of City Council Rules Purpose Of Which Is To Meet As The Committee Of The Whole In Order To Conduct Interview Of Thomas Golden For The Position Of City Manager. Mayor Chau opened meeting and read posted notice. M. Chau recognized registered speakers; Paul Gaudet, Jonathan Grossman, and Jay Mason, who each addressed the body. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 3) Mary Callery (HR) escorted Representative Thomas Golden in the Chamber to be interviewed by the body. M. Chau noted that each Councilor would have one or two initial questions for the candidate and in addition would be allowed any further questions once all Councilors finished questioning. M. Chau noted that questions would be done moving left to right in the Chamber. Representative Golden thanked the body for the opportunity and provided an opening statement outlining family; education; work history; economic growth; skill set; and City service employment noting public safety employees. The questions began with C. Drinkwater regarding LHS construction; C. Gitschier regarding management qualities and skill which need improvement; C. Jenness regarding team building and diversity; C. Leahy regarding first 100 days and electric vehicles; C. Mercier regarding full time job and time in State legislature; C. Nuon regarding environment, Covid, broadband and housing; C. Robinson regarding increase services with no tax increase, management style and vision; C. Rourke regarding personal and professional relationship, and diversity within district representation; C. Scott regarding external relationships and adjustment to district changes; C. Yem regarding developing a smart city technology for Lowell, small business creation and use of UML talent; C. Gitschier regarding interaction with school entities in the City, i.e. Lowell Public and Vocational; C. Jenness regarding housing in a gateway city; C. Nuon regarding plans for Smith Baker Center; and M. Chau regarding diversity hiring in public safety departments. M. Chau thanked the candidate. Rep. Golden thanked the body for the interview. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Robinson to offer and appoint Representative Thomas Golden the position of City Manager for City of Lowell. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. C. Mercier noted positive impression of the interview and that the candidate is qualified and skilled for the position. C. Robinson was impressed with interview as it touched on important topics. C. Scott noted candidate has the skill and the energy to be a long term leader in the City. C. Yem noted candidate would be skilled in handling diverse issues in the City. C. Drinkwater noted candidate can build and foster important relationships. C. Mercier and C. Rourke noted that they filed disclaimers with Clerk regarding votes and discussions. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Nuon to request Mayor, City Solicitor and HR representative enter into contract negotiations with Representative Golden. So voted City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 3) 3. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. _____________________________ Michael Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov