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 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 11 present. C. Jenness via Zoom. M. Rourke presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation: In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of City Council Regular Meeting February 20th; Finance SC February 21st, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Provide The City Council With A Plan For The Lincoln School Playground Replacement. C. Gitschier commented on condition of playground and if there are plans for replacement and asked if report could include how often playground equipment is inspected as well as who is doing inspections. C. Gitschier asked if funding is available FY25 to move this project up quicker due to safety concerns. C. Chau asked if updates regarding all playgrounds were on the website. Ms. Rose Baez explained some are but others that are maintained by the schools are not, but that DPD could reach out to get updates and provide on DPD website. C. Leahy requested that the City and School are on the same page regarding who is responsible for what and to make sure the work gets done. C. Leahy commented that he was told that this would get done 2 years ago. C. Robinson commented on the Greenhalge improvements and stated there was a motion response that  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 came back from DPD that detailed whose responsibility City or School it was for playgrounds on school properties. In City Council, seconded by C. Leahy, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.2. C. Descoteaux - Req. City Mgr. Work With The Transportation Engineer To Install Speed Limit Signs Along The Stevens Street Corridor. C. Descoteaux commented that there is not one speed limit sign on Stevens Street. C. Nuon requested update on where City is at with installing 20MPH signs and how long it will take. C. Chau commented on speed humps along Stevens Street. C. Yem commented on enforcement of speeding during start of school early morning as well as dismissal in school zones to reduce potential accidents. C. Gitschier commented regarding enforcement. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.3. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Prepare An Informational Session On Limiting Factors Around Vertical Construction And Increased Housing Stock. C. Robinson commented on increased housing stock. In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.4. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Place Stop Signs; Explore Feasibility Of Illuminated Crosswalks; And Improve Lighting Around Eagle Park. C. Robinson commented on high pedestrian foot traffic and not well lit, very dark in that area. C. Robinson explained having a illuminating crosswalk would help. C. Chau add if maker of motion would not mind, explore other dark neighborhoods in city that are not well lit to have illuminated crosswalks as well.  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. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.5. C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Provide Comprehensive MIS Update Around Current State And Future Plans To The Technology And Utilities SC. C. Jenness commented on where city is and where the city is going and refer this motion directly to the Technology and Utilities Sub/Committee. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager / Technology and Utilities SC. So voted. C. Mercier moved, seconded by C. Nuon “To Suspend the Rules for a Point of Personal Privilege” So voted. C. Mercier commented on article in newspaper regarding National Grid bucket truck whose fuel tank was punctured which spilled diesel fuel onto Pawtucket Blvd. And Old Ferry Road. C. Mercier asked City Manager Golden what happened, and City Manager Golden said they are still investigating. C. Mercier requested the city send a letter to State to speed up process on fixing the bridge as this is a hazard. C. Mercier stated this is unacceptable. After further discussion C. Gitschier moved, seconded by C. Mercier “To have a 3rd party inspect the bridge after we see the cost and if it is feasible”. So voted. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses . In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. A) Motion Response - Job Fair C. Nuon commented on report. C. Nuon thought it was great and to continue with outreach out as wide as possible. C. Robinson commented on having tables during events would be great opportunity for job opportunities. C. Yem commented on having tables at the city events that they have.  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 - Laying of Wreaths, American Flags, Hometown Banners C. Yem thanked the City Manager for report and said more detailed discussion at the Veterans SC March 12th @ 5:30PM invited all to attend. C) Motion Response - LHS Student SBC C. Gitschier thanked City Manager Golden, and Assistant City Manager Machado for getting this done and asked that a letter of thanks be sent.C. Yem asked if the City and School could appoint 2 students (Male and Female) would be helpful. 5.2. Informational Report Informational Report - Lowell Forward Assistant City Manager Rose provided a presentation to the City Council regarding the Master Plan (Lowell Forward). Councilors thanked Assistant City Manager Rose for the presentation. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Accept $2,000 Gift From Lowell Five Bank . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Nuon). So voted. 6.2. Vote - Accept/ Expend $12,512.09 FY24 FSE Grant – Fire. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Nuon). So voted. 6.3. Vote - FY24 Free Cash Certification And Recommendation . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). C. Gitschier why some of these items were not addressed in the current budget. C. Gitschier said he would not support. 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 7. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Ordinance - Amend Salary Grid . In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on March 12, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Mercier. C. Gitschier recused himself. C. Mercier questioned if this applies to every department. CFO Baldwin explained that it governs employees not covered by collective bargaining agreement more for department heads and confidential employees. C. Robinson questioned why tiers and not just add steps. CFO Baldwin said there are 7 steps to each tier and we are adding new tier to have flexibility and better classify employees. So voted. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 8.1. Finance SC February 21, 2024. In City Council, C. Scott provided report regarding Finance Sub/Committee outlining the attendance and discussion of Preservation Committee, recommendations Free Cash and Cawley Stadium. Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Descoteaux “To accept the report as a report of progress and to adopt motions of the Sub/Committee regarding recommendation of Preservation Commission and use of Free Cash”. So voted. C. Descoteaux commented on Esser monies and that they could not be used on buildings but could be used on modulars and stated he is not in favor of modulars and would rather have the buildings. CFO Baldwin addressed. 8.2. Wire Insp. - Boston Gas D/B/A National Grid - Request Installation Of Geothermal Heat Exchange Along Broadway, Wilder, Walker And Waugh Streets For Service For UML. In City Council, Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Gitschier to approve and adopt the accompanying order. So voted. 9. PETITIONS 9.1. Claims - (5) Property Damage.  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 refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. 9.2. Misc. - Atty. George Theodorou For FTO Realty Trust (Stephen Doherty - Trustee) Request Extension Of Traditional Two-Family (TTF) Zoning District To Include 3.8 Acre Site Owned By Trust At 71 North Billerica Road. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon. C. Gitschier requested roll call. Defeated per roll call vote 5 yeas, 6 nays (C. Scott, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Leahy, C. Robinson, M. Rourke). C. Scott wanted to make sure this was just being sent to the Law Department as she had quite a few people reach out to her regarding petition who wanted to make sure there would be community input. C. Leahy commented that he wished to be recorded no on this petition. 9.3. Misc. - Johnny Arteaga Request Reimbursement For Trash Collection Payments To The City For The Property Located At 73 Aiken Avenue. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. 9.4. Misc. - Samuel Carvalho Request Installation Of A 15 Minute Parking Sign In Front Of Amigos Convenience Store At The Corner Of Lilley Avenue And West Sixth Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Yem commented on Munch Madness which would be March 1st through March 31st.  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 Manager Golden informed council that he received a message from Mass DOT regarding the incident Friday with National Grid truck. City Manager Golden read the message. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM. ___________________________________ Angela Gitschier, Assistant City Clerk