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 15, 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. 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. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 2.2. Presentation - General Consul Of Greece (Boston)(Symeon Tegos) In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. M. Chau noted prior meeting with parties. Mr. Tegos addressed the Council regarding relationship with sister city. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of Transportation SC November 8th; City Council Regular Meeting November 8th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) Motion to take Item #8.2 out of order by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 3.2. Vote - Cancel Council Meeting 11.29.22. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Drinkwater. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 4. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 4.1. TC Systems Inc. (AT&T) (Giomare Group) - Request Installation Of 2 Inch Conduit And Pull Box At Riverside Street And University Avenue. In City Council, Given second reading, hearing held, no remonstrants. Speaking (Via Zoom) in favor of the petition was Chris Murray from Giomare Group. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott to take Item #5.2 (DEI) out of order. So voted. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Robinson seconded by C. Yem. So voted. A) Motion Response - Wireless Emergency Alerts – C. Yem noted other communities with emergency notice systems in which users do not have to register to get messages. Chief Charron (LFD) noted that is the goal to have such a system and are working toward it. B) Motion Response - Social Services Button – C. Jenness requested button be placed on homepage of the website. C) Motion Response - Hunger and Homeless Commission C. Jenness commented on the commission getting going again noting the need for outreach and identifying the make-up of the commission. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on the upgrade in putting the information to the public and the assistance of MassHire. C. Nuon requested that a member should have actual experience of homelessness. C. Rourke requested report indicating money the City has extended to groups to combat the homelessness crisis. Conor Baldwin (CFO) indicated that such a report can be generated. D) Motion Response - Incidences in Parking Garages – C. Robinson commented on the issues and steps being taken to correct them. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that vendor was having difficulty staffing the garages. Terry Ryan (Parking Dir.) noted they City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) are daily working thorough a lot of simple issues and that there must be heightened communication with the vendor. C. Jenness noted the efforts and questioned contract with the vendor. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that there would be upgrade with technology to ensure better communication with patrons. C. Mercer noted it was LAZ Parking who was the City’s parking vendor. C. Mercier questioned staffing procedures for the garages. Mr. Ryan outlined staffing procedures and needs. C. Mercier noted late billing is an issue with customers. Dave Edwards (LAZ Parking) noted update in billing software will resolve that issue. C. Gitschier questioned terms of contract with vendor and if they are in compliance. C. Gitschier noted vendor is responsible to adhere to terms of contract and it not there should be consequences to their failure. C. Scott questioned cleanliness of the garages as well as contract issues. C. Drinkwater noted the actions and steps to improve, especially at Lowell High School. C. Gitschier requested copy of current contract with vendor. C. Robinson commented on need to have control over the contracts. Manager Golden, Jr. noted increased meetings with the vendor. C. Leahy commented on the cleanliness issue. Mr. Ryan noted maintenance is done each morning. Manager Golden, Jr. noted deep cleaning is beginning on some facilities. E) Motion Response - 110 and 1 Street – C. Robinson commented on the scope of the project and noted prior report suggested some changes could be done. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Nuon to request Transportation Engineer review prior report regarding this area. So voted. F) Motion Response - Rt 38 and Fairmount – C. Rourke requested Manager engaged the delegation to assist with possible changes. C. Nuon commented on prior report and that residents are not pleased with traffic pattern in the area and that State delegation should be involved. C. Scott noted the number of vehicles passing through area. Elizabeth Oltman (Transportation Engineer) commented on the number of vehicles in the area and the substantial reduction in accidents in that area. C. Scott noted business owner is in need of some relief. 5.2. Informational Reports Informational - Intro to City of Lowell's Energy Advocate – Katherine Moses (DPD) introduced Victor Vargus as the energy advocate and outlined his position and how he would assist citizens in Lowell. Mr. Vargus addressed that Council and thanked them for the opportunity. C. Leahy noted information should be placed on website. Informational - DEI Education and Training - Update on MCC Partnership Philip Sisson (President Middlesex Community College) commented on recent program’s success and plans moving forward. Holoisa DaCunha and Jennifer Bauer presented citations to employees completing the program. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on the class and its benefits. Ineabelle Dominquez (Mgr. Adm. Asst.) commented on the program recognized those who developed it and those who attended it. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $49,993.67 Complete Streets Technical Assistance Grant. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. C. Mercier questioned distribution of money under the program. Yovanni Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on current plan in place. C. Gitschier questioned development of priority plan. Ms. Oltman commented on the procedure to develop such plan with the assistance of consultant. 6.2. Vote - Apply/Accept/Expend $22,500 Community Compact Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 6.3. Vote - Approve Exemption Of Timothy Hovey MGL C.268A S.20. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Finance SC November 15, 2022. In City Council, C. Scott requested matter be referred to November 22nd Council meeting with no objections. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claims - (2) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 8.2. Misc. - Marie Farrah Request Permission To Discuss Improvements At The Lowell Dog Park. In City Council, Motion to refer to Parks and Recreation SC for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. Ms. Farrah addressed the body. 8.3. Misc. - Fr. Leonard Faris, Eric Hassey, Martha Stuart Request Installation Of Flashing Stop Sign At Intersection Of Bowers And Fletcher Street. In City Council, M. Chau referred matter to November 22nd Council meeting with no objections. 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Look Into Feasibility Of Installing Lights At Hadley Park Baseball Field. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. 9.2. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Update The City Council On The Traffic Signal Located At The Intersection Of Merrimack And Worthen Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. 9.3. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Have Appropriate Department Provide An Update On Paving Time Line For Hale Street And Repairs To Sink Holes/Paving On Meadowcroft Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott commented on the area and the need to complete projects regarding traffic. 9.4. C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. Provide Update On Tax Title Auction Progress. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Jenness commented on the update being in progress. 9.5. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Provide Update On The Greenhalge Playground. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson requested report to include all school properties with playgrounds and who is responsible for their upkeep. C. Gitschier questioned process where school administration builds on school sites. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that there needs to be communication and cooperation with the City which has not always happened. C. Gitschier requested regarding building of modulars at school sites. 9.6. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Provide An Update On Verizon Utility Option For Lowell Residents And Estimated Timeline. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. 9.7. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Update This Year’s Completed Street Sweeping Schedule, Remaining City-Wide Street Sweeping Schedule And Plans For Next Year. In City Council, seconded by C. Drinkwater, referred to City Manager. So voted. 9.8. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Look At Area Of Fulton And West 6th Street For Issue With Water Pooling (Potential Ice Hazard), As Well As, Missing Street Sign. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. 9.9. C. Robinson/M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. Provide Update On The LPS Bus Stop Location On Barker/Billings Street For Signage And Stop Sign. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted it was a resident concern. 9.10. M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. Establish A Standing Committee To Assist With The Implementation Of The Sister Cities Program In Lowell. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Leahy commented on success of recent blood drive. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Scott, 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