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: December 20, 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. M. Chau recognized the Youth Adult Program from MassHire. 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. Mercier, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 2.2. Citation - Veteran. In City Council, M. Chau requested citation be moved to a later date. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of Cannabis Control SC December 13th; City Council Regular Meeting December 13th; Finance SC December 15th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 2 of 6) 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Ordinance - Create Position ARPA Administrate Assistant. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted. C. Gitschier questioned length of appointment and how salary was established for both positions. Brendon Flynn (ARPA Administrator) noted it was a four year term and described how salary was calculated. C. Gitschier noted that process was not fair to current employees and displayed poor management. C. Rourke noted position were not filled and open to all applicants including City employees. 4.2. Ordinance - Create Position ARPA Grant Fiscal Coordinator. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted by Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 nays (C. Gitschier, C. Leahy). So voted. 5. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 5.1. Boston Gas D/B/A National Grid - Request Replacement Of 2,230 Feet Of Gas Main On Wellesley Avenue, W. Albert Street, Walton Street And Preston Street. In City Council, Given second reading, hearing held, no remonstrants. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. C. Rourke questioned costs of extra work needed to repair area on Wellesley Avenue. Manager Golden, Jr. noted there are discussions with the utility surrounding that issue. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. A) Motion Response - Complete Streets – C. Nuon noted streets are safe and convenient. C. Gitschier questioned how consultant was awarded contract. Elizabeth Oltman (Transportation Engineer) outlined the process. C. Gitschier was concerned with the selection process. C. Nuon noted benefits of an RFP process. B) Motion Response - Greenhalge School Playground – C. Robinson commented on resident concerns and costs of project as well as identifying funds. C. Robinson questioned if work done would be included as a maintenance of effort cost against the schools. Manager Golden, Jr. commented that they were reviewing that matter. C. Leahy noted many school committee motions looking to have it done and questioned the delay. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that money was available. C. Robinson suggested green space be installed with the project. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 3 of 6) C) Motion Response - Petition Signatures – Motion by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier to refer to Rules SC. So voted. 7. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $14,500 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Rourke. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 7.2. Vote - Accept/Expend FY23 Municipal Staffing Grant – LPD. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 7.3. Vote - Accept/Expend FY23 Shannon Community Safety Initiative Grant – LPD. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Jenness. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 8. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Order - 60 Day Trial. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived with no objections. Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. C. Yem noted resident’s concern being addressed. 9. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 9.1. Ordinance - Amend Chapter 266 Vehicles And Traffic - Commercial Parking. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Gitschier to refer to Transportation SC. So voted. C. Gitschier suggested fines be increased from current amount. 9.2. Ordinance - Amend Fee Schedule - Weights And Measures. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to Public Hearing on January 3, 2023 at 7 PM by C. Yem, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 10. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 10.1. Subcommittee Reports: 1) Finance SC December 15, 2022. In City Council, C. Scott provided report noting attendance and discussion regarding emergency expenditures and parking enterprise. C. Scott noted motions calling for no action on expenditures at this time and costs to reorganize parking systems were City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 4 of 6) adopted by the subcommittee. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress and adopt motions of the subcommittee by C. Yem, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 2) Parks and Recreation SC December 20, 2022. In City Council, C. Mercier provided report noting attendance and discussion of rules and regulations for dog park. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress and adopt motions of the subcommittee by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 11. PETITIONS 11.1. Claims - (4) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. C. Nuon noted claims for flooding and recognized outstanding efforts of all partners. 11.2. Misc. - Kha Hua Request Installation Of Handicap Parking Sign At 18 Lewis Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. 12. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 12.1. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Provide A Detailed Plan On Maintenance And Treatment Of Pedestrian Walkways And Bridges In Inclement Weather. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted areas need to be treated for all kinds of weather and downtown needs to be cleared for safety. C. Jenness noted DPD has worksheets to tract work being done so they should be disbursed to various vendors and residents should be informed. 12.2. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. Have The Appropriate Department Maintain Decatur Way; Including Installing Trash Receptacles, Empty Them And Police Patrol. In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Betsy St. Onge, addressed the body. C. Yem recognized the speaker and noted area needs a good cleaning. C. Jenness commented on the site and that it needs to be brought back to life and the residents support that. C. Robinson commented on the community involvement with the area. C. Mercier noted the many people involved with the project and the City should assist. C. Yem noted security should be enhanced as well. 12.3. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Provide A Report On The Citizens’ Advisory Committee; Including Members And Activity/Accomplishments To Date. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 5 of 6) In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted committee formed over one year ago as part of diversity approach and just requesting progress reports. 12.4. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Provide A Report On 131 Middlesex Street, Formerly Occupied By Garcia Brogans, Regarding Status Of New Tenant. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon commented on prior space and litigation involved. C. Nuon noted litigation may be resolved so that space can generate revenue once opened. 12.5. C. Jenness/C. Nuon/C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Prepare A Detailed Breakdown Of Parking Pass Holder And Group Agreement Quantities By Garage And By Rate Class To Inform Decision Making On The Parking Rates Going Forward. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Jenness note the need for a full picture. 12.6. C. Jenness/C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Provide City Council With A List Of Agencies, Churches And Social Service Organizations Who Provide Homeless Individuals With Winter Outreach/Shelter/Services. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Noun commented on Health Department efforts and that information is important to ensure proper services. 12.7. C. Jenness/C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Provide City Council With A Report Detailing Response Protocols For Emergency Disaster Events; Further, Request Said Report Include Information Relative To Feedback Provided By Residents On Where Improvements Can Be Made To Said Protocols. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted resident input is important and helpful. C. Jenness noted great effort and is perfect time to make improvements. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke to refer to Public Safety SC. So voted. 12.8. C. Drinkwater/C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Direct The Appropriate Department To Provide A Report On Funding Opportunities For Energy Efficiency And Solar Energy Projects On Public Buildings Through The Federal Inflation Reduction Act And The Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Drinkwater commented on support to invest in solar and that legislation provides benefits with those investments. City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov  (Page 6 of 6) 13. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Yem recognized M. Chau birthday. M. Chau wished all a happy holiday. 14. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. Meeting adjourned 8:02 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk City of Lowell • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 • www.lowellma.gov