City Council

Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4162 www.LowellMA.gov Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Angela M. Gitschier Assistant City Clerk CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Date: October 3, 2023 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present, 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Scott). M. Chau presiding. C. Nuon requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Bonna Sam Mai. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Frances Brunelle. C. Robinson commented on the passing. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Edward J. Early, Jr. (former Mayor and City Councilor). Clerk Geary recognized the passing of Mr. Early. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote/Zoom Participation . In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 2.2. Communication - Mahoney Family Fund - Rethinking Discipline: A Workshop For Families. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Maureen Mahoney (via Zoom) commented on the upcoming event. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of City Council Meeting September 26th, For Acceptance.  Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4162 www.LowellMA.gov Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Angela M. Gitschier Assistant City Clerk In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. Motion by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Yem to take Item #5.1 out of order. So voted. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 4.1. Motion Responses . In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Drinkwater. So voted. A) Motion Response – LTC – C. Robinson noted that LTC should be used as a valuable partner with the City. B) Motion Response - Homeless Summitt – Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Robinson to refer matter to Housing SC. So voted. C. Nuon commented on the report that captured the opinions of all partners and their contributions. C. Gitschier commented on the lack of attendance by surrounding communities and that they must be engage fully in the process. C. Robinson noted the need for more regional involvement as well as an increase in State support. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the areas of involvement from State would be increase in 40B housing stock and creating transportation overlay districts both of which have not achieved desired results. Maura Fitzpatrick (Homeless Coordinator) commented on report focusing on State involvement, education and adjustments to workforce. Manager Golden, Jr. noted City was building up its housing stock. Motion by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson to suspend rules to allow Joe Hungler (Boys & Girls Club) to provide information regarding “Believe & Become” program. So voted. Mr. Hungler provided presentation of program which combats poverty. C. Yem noted importance in supporting club as it is a safe place in the neighborhood. C. Robinson noted it was an important program and that the upgraded to the club enhance the neighborhood. C. Gitschier commented on the neighborhood and the  Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4162 www.LowellMA.gov Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Angela M. Gitschier Assistant City Clerk importance of the club. C. Mercier noted club was a gem in the City and that it shapes the youth of Lowell. C. Drinkwater noted club was a good partner with the City and that their private fundraising is impressive. C. Leahy commented on the effort of the club. M. Chau noted the club makes a difference in peoples’ lives. C) Motion Response - House of Hope – C. Gitschier recognized the report. D) Motion Response – HCID – Motion to refer to Economic/Downtown Development SC by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. C. Robinson commented on the report and the need to move forward on development. C. Gitschier noted there may have to be discussions within executive session at some point. E) Motion Response - Tanner Street – Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that the matter would be put forward next week as C. Scott is not present. F) Motion Response - Branch Street – C. Gitschier commented on the issues with the building and the productive response of the City to protect the neighborhood so that residents could enjoy it. Manager Golden, Jr. noted process was in courts who have their own timeline, but City will pursue aggressively. C. Gitschier indicated that it was a failure of government to allow the building to be in such disrepair and used for illegal purposes. Manager Golden, Jr. summarized the work and approach to address this building. C. Mercier noted illegal operations may just be moving to another site. 4.2. Informational Reports Informational Report - CASE-ARPA Cultural Organizations and Public Art – Peter Crewe (CASE) commented on the use of ARPA funds for art and cultural purposes. C. Robinson noted the recipients of the grants and the work of the administration. C. Rourke noted positive approach by the City with the assistance of all departments. C. Leahy commented on the wide variety of applicants. C. Gitschier noted efforts of CASE. C. Yem commented on City being a cultural destination point. M. Chau noted the  Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4162 www.LowellMA.gov Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Angela M. Gitschier Assistant City Clerk efforts of Mr. Crewe to expand grant programs. C. Mercier noted large selection of grants and that the City should be promoting the arts. Informational Report - Amendments to CC Rules – Conor Baldwin (CFO) noted that the vote would be placed on next week agenda per Council rules. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Vote - Amend FY22-23 Annual Action Plan . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted by Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Scott). So voted. C. Gitschier questioned why the Lowell Housing Authority expenditure for boilers was not use on schools. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on expenditure and the time element to release the funds. C. Gitschier could not support that expenditure. Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Robinson to remove the $550,000 expenditure for Lowell Housing Authority boilers from the vote. Defeated by Roll Call vote 2 yeas, 7 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Leahy, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Rourke, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Scott). So voted. C. Rourke outlined the process for the action plan and noted that the MSBA program is adequate coverage for schools. Mr. Baldwin noted the MSBA loan orders. C. Gitschier noted schools could still use the money and it is the Council responsibility to protect the schools. C. Nuon noted school needs are being met by the MSBA program. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the need to spend down the money and the partnership with the Lowell Housing Authority. C. Robinson questioned if money could go to fire houses and that the housing authority has available federal and state money. Ms. Baez-Rose noted money could go to fire equipment but was not sure if it could go towards buildings. C. Leahy noted the greater good would go to the housing authority. C. Yem agreed with the use of funds. C. Drinkwater noted that the allocations are well thought out.  Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4162 www.LowellMA.gov Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Angela M. Gitschier Assistant City Clerk Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Gitschier to take Item #4.2 - ARPA funding out of order. So voted. 5.2. Vote - Authorize CM To File Special Legislation . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 6 yeas, 3 nays (C. Gitschier. C. Mercier, C. Robinson), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Scott). So voted. 6. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Ordinance - Amend Zoning - Accessory Dwelling Units . In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to Public Hearing on October 17, 2023 at 7 PM by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claims - (2) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 8.2. Misc. - Luis Nieves Request Installation Of A Handicap Parking Sign 29 Ash Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 9. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 9.1. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. Have The Transportation Engineer Find Ways And Means To Improve Safety With Traffic Lights On The Corner  Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4162 www.LowellMA.gov Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Angela M. Gitschier Assistant City Clerk Of Arcand Drive And Merrimack Street, I.E., Left Turn Arrow So Cars Can Turn Towards Downtown On Merrimack Street From Arcand Drive. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted costs may be high, but it is a safety issue. 9.2. C. Jenness/M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Investigate And Resolve The Senior Center Parking Lot Lighting Outage. In City Council, seconded by Gitschier due to absence of C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. M. Chau noted the lighting issue in the area and the need to replace and repair the lights. Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Nuon to add review of cameras in the area as well. So voted. C. Mercier noted owner of building would assist with lights and that there are cameras available for the site. C. Yem questioned if solar power could be used. C. Leahy noted area needed clean up as well. C. Mercier questioned status of bus for the center. M. Chau noted the need to work with the owner of the property. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Robinson noted opening of splash pads and registration for youth basketball. Manager Golden, Jr. Commented on upcoming Boys & Girls Club event. C. Yem wished C. Mercier a happy birthday on behalf of the Council. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk  Office of the City Clerk City Hall • 375 Merrimack Street • Lowell, MA 01852 P: 978.674.4161 • F: 978.970.4162 www.LowellMA.gov Michael Q. Geary City Clerk Angela M. Gitschier Assistant City Clerk