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: November 21, 2023 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA/Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 10 present, 1 absent (C. Robinson). M. Chau presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 2.2. Introduction - Massachusetts Pirates (Jawad Yatim) In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Mr. Yatim commented on the team and thanked Council for their support. C. Rourke recognized the organiaztion and their involvement in the community. Motion to suspend rules to allow Larry Finn to address the Council by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier. Mr. Finn commented on the success of the annual coat drive. C. Leahy noted the efforts for Mr. Finn. M. Chau recognized the success of the whole team. 3. 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 3.1. Minutes Of City Council Meeting November 14th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL – MOTIONS 4.1. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. Have The Proper Department Reach Out To The Railroad Company To Secure And Clean-Up Debris Along The Railroad Tracks Running Throughout The City. In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Yem commented on the need around the Western Avenue Artist Lofts. 4.2. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. Have The Proper Department Create An “Adopt A Veteran” Program. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Yem commented on the other cities with the program and that Lowell should begin that process. 4.3. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. Have Treasurer Report As To How Many Constables We Have In The City; How Much Revenue Is Collected A Year For Services From Them As Civil Process Servers And If The City Is Rightfully Getting 25% Share And Who Is Overseeing That Duty To Make Sure It Is Happening. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier commented on the fee schedule set by statute and requested information regarding constables in the City. 4.4. C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Clean Tree/Brush Area Around The Polish Monument In Front Of City Hall; The Tree/Brush Is Obscuring And Compromising The Condition Of The Monument.  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, seconded by C. Drinkwater, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted work had been completed. 4.5. C. Leahy/C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Explore The Feasibility Of ARPA Payments To Retirees Who Worked For The City During The COVID Period. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted letter from the Retirement Board and requested a reconsideration. C. Leahy requested another look at the issue. 4.6. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr./DEI Officer Conduct Membership Analysis On Boards And Commissions To See Gaps In Terms Of Representation. In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted there would be further comment after the report is issued. 4.7. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr./DEI Officer Provided An Up To Date Posting Of Boards And Commissions Vacancies. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon recognized current efforts and noted further comment after report is reviewed. 4.8. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Updated The City Council On The City-Wide Sidewalk Index Rating Study. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted that the request is over a year old and that it should be responded to as the residents are waiting for information. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated this was moving along with road projects and information will be available. C. Leahy noted residents are waiting to get sidewalks repaired and perhaps the work could be done year-round not just seasonally.  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 4.9. C. Gitschier - Req, City Mgr. Update City Council On The Water Bottle Fill Stations At The Reilly School. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier commented on the obstacles to install them, but they must be installed. C. Yem requested motion cover the entire City. C. Gitschier voiced no objection to the request. 4.10. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Provide The City Council With An Update On The Conditions Of The Pawtucket Memorial School. In City Council, seconded by C. Rourke, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted that the lack of control of heat and HVAC is causing problems in the school and that it is unacceptable, and the work needs to be done immediately. C. Mercier commented on joint meeting with School Committee to discuss the matter. C. Scott requested update of work order system and reports generated from the schools. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the work order system and the on-going issue with the school and that administration is working towards ensuring a healthy school. C. Scott requested information regarding roof replacement. C. Gitschier questioned latest test regarding air quality in the school. Lisa Golden (Health Dir.) reviewed the results. C. Gitschier indicated that City procedures are useless in this situation as the solution is simply installing proper ventilation in the building. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. A) Motion Response - Self Harm – C. Scott commented on tracking data. Ms. Golden commented data; specifically with needles.  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 B) Motion Response - DEI Goals – Registered speaker, Tara Huong, addressed the body. C. Nuon commented on the position. Ineabelle Dominguez (DEI Dir) provided outline of the goals and programs. C. Nuon commented on the partnership with Middlesex Community College. Ms. Dominguez outlined the programs available in the City. C. Nuon indicated that there were new ordinances being brought forward regarding diversity, as well as an updated employee handbook. C. Nuon requested further reports. C. Drinkwater commented on the progress, drawing attention to Middlesex Community College and the on-boarding process. C. Jenness requested quarterly reports and noted the continuing efforts towards established goals. C. Gitschier noted gains from last year. C) Motion Response - Funding Cooling-Warming – Registered speaker, Stephen Malagodi, addressed the Council. Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier to allow Brooke Forgetta to address the body. So voted. Ms. Forgetta commented on power lines throughout the City as part of petition she had filed just prior to meeting which was referred to City Manager. C. Jenness requested recommendation to accompany the report. C. Leahy suggested a request go out to State regarding using the migrant hotel as a homeless hotel as well. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that request was forwarded, and the issue may be housing homeless with families. C. Jenness requested guidelines regarding implantation of stations. C. Nuon noted to continue practice of sharing information with partners and that the UML Inn and Conference Center should be used for homeless as well. D) Motion Response - Crosswalk Painting – C. Gitschier questioned if three-year contracts being used in Ciy. Manager Golden, Jr. Indicated that was the practice and that all contracts are out for bid. C. Gitschier suggested work be done in spring as it will generate better results. C. Yem noted Thorndike Street painting was more prevalent and that stop signs may be placed in safer positions.  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 E) Motion Response - 32 Union Street – C. Jenness recognized the efforts and requested timeline for completion. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on the project. 5.2. Informational Reports Informational Report – HRC – Manager Golden, Jr. outlined the report and the improvements made through efforts of the administration and that further maintenance of effort will be done. C. Jennes noted great improvement and the continued effort. 5.3. Communication - Appointment Of Chanmony Huot To Cultural Council. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on the applicant. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote – Accept/Expend $200,000 Safe Streets For All Grant. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Robinson). So voted. 7. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Ordinance - Amend Chap 56 By Adding Article VI. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to Public Hearing on December 5, 2023 at 7 PM by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 7.2. Ordinance - Amend Chapter 9 By Creating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Belonging Committee. In City Council, Given 1st Reading, Motion to refer to Law Department for further review and drafting by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted.  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 Registered speaker, Yun-Ju Choi, addressed the Council. C. Jenness commented on make-up of committee and noted concerns. C. Gitschier suggested expanding group. C. Leahy noted the effort and that some changes are warranted. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 8.1. Special Events SC November 2, 2023. In City Council, no report provided. 9. PETITIONS 9.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted the Council on Aging dinner/dance. C. Gitschier noted the opening of new football field at Greater Lowell Voke. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the City of Lights Parade and upcoming concerts. Ms. Baez-Rose noted opening of latest pop-up establishment. C. Yem wished all a happy Thanksgiving. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk