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: March 12, 2024 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. Leahy, C. Nuon). M. Rourke presiding. C. Chau requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Sheila Vitale. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of Senior Citizen SC March 5th; City Council Regular Meeting March 5th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. 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 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Ordinance - Amend Salary Grid. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 recusal (C. Gitschier), 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Nuon). So voted. C. Gitschier noted recusal of vote and discussion due to conflict. 5. CITY COUNCIL – MOTIONS 5.1. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. Have Appropriate Department Work With The Lowell Environmental Youth Task Force To Create A Composting Service For The City. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager/Joint Youth Services and Environmental/Flood Issues SC. So voted. Registered speaker, Tyzohn Mbugua, addressed the Council. C. Yem noted the environmental benefits of composting. Motion by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson to refer to Joint Youth Services/Environmental and Flood Issues SC. So voted. 5.2. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Provide An Update Regarding Motion 11.7 Dated July 19, 2023 Referencing A Speeding Study On The Christian And Mt. Pleasant Street Along With Area Around The Reservoir And If The Data Has Been Used To Create A Traffic Analysis Report Available To The Public. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.3. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Provide An Update On Status Of The Eroded Areas Along The Reservoir On Reservoir Street Together With Anticipated Completion Of Repairs.  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. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.4. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Provide An Update On When The Trees Will Be Removed And If There Will Be A Tree Replacement Project At The Reservoir. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted prior discussions and requesting information regarding replacement. 5.5. C. Robinson - Req, City Mgr. Provide An Update On Status Of The Traffic Calming Measures For Billings And West 6th Streets. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted it was a request from neighborhood group. C. Mercier noted concerns of Mr. Forsley over the speeding on Aiken Avenue. 5.6. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Provide A Detailed Report On All Phase 1 ARPA Projects; Including Timelines. In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted many requests regarding the timelines for construction phases. 5.7. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Have The Proper Department Install “Caution Deer Crossing” Signs On Christian Hill Around The Reservoir, Orchard, Mr. Pleasant, East 6th, Methuen Streets And Other Key Locations. In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted that community is noticing a vast increase in the deer population in the area.  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 5.8. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Provide A Detailed Report On What Are Our Options To Provide Animal Control Response 24/7 To Our Residents. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Robert Kanellas, addressed the body. C. Robinson commented on several incidents regarding animals and the need for assistance and that there may be a need to outsource this. C. Gitschier noted that the position is 24-hour position per ordinance. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that there is an on-call element, and that the department is down personnel. C. Jenness requested policies and procedures of the department with the report. 5.9. C. Chau/C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Provide A Report On City Owned Properties, To Include Their Current Status (Tax Title, Etc.) And Any Planned Disposition. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Chau commented on prior report and request. C. Scott noted the number of empty properties and the need for housing. 5.10. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Work With Transportation Engineer To Develop A Better Traffic/Parking Plan On Prince Avenue. In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted the area was deteriorating with traffic and parking. 5.11. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Explore Any Grant Opportunities Or Other Means To Purchase And Install Solar Speed Lights In Known Problem Areas. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted item should be discussed during budget season. C. Robinson noted lighting would assist in a lot of area. M. Rourke noted lighting would resolve many issues.  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 5.12. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Work With Appropriate Department To Determine What Road Improvements Can Be Made To Meadowcroft Street To Fix The Poor Conditions. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted problem area near railroad tracks. C. Yem noted the many heavy trucks on that route cause damage. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. A) Motion Response - Chelmsford St and Cambridge St – C. Gitschier noted report highlights issues on areas that need improving. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on the Safe Streets Planning Grant. C. Yem commented on the problem areas on Chelmsford Street. B) Motion Response - Stevens St – C. Descoteaux commented on the adjusted speed limits and the enforcement by the LPD. Elizabeth Oltman (Transportation Engineer) noted any changes must be done per ordinance. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem to refer matter back to Transportation Engineer to act on recommendations regarding rescinding speed limits in certain areas. Motion failed 5 yeas, 4 nays (C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Mercier, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Nuon). So voted. C. Gitschier noted all changes must be done gradually. Ms. Oltman noted recommendations were supported by State to adjust to universal 25 MPH speed limit. C. Descoteaux noted that such proposed changes would be disastrous.  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 C) Motion Response - Lincoln School Playground Replacement – C. Gitschier commented on time to act on contract must be done quicker in the process. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) indicated that this was the design element of the project and that coordination with schools can be time consuming. D) Motion Response - Bus Shelter – C. Yem commented on the look of the bus shelters. C. Jenness commented on the upkeep of the bus shelters. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that LRTA purchases them and the City must maintain them. C. Jenness commented on prior request for the LRTA to present before Council regarding use of increased funding and was informed that they will be doing that shortly. E) Motion Response - Daley School Restriping – C. Gitschier noted that the whole area will be paved. Shawn Machado (Asst. City Mgr.) indicated that the Bailey School would be part of that paving project as well. F) Motion Response - Air Ducts At Senior Center – C. Mercier noted the updated schedule for cleaning being done by owner of the building. G) Motion Response - DPU Public Hearing – C., Jenness noted hearing would be in Lawrence. C. Gitschier noted the request was to have the hearing in Lowell. Manager Golden, Jr. noted request was made and rejected. H) Motion Response - "Schooldude" Access for Principals – C. Gitschier noted that access is available to all. I) Motion Response - Spaghettiville Bridge – C. Mercier noted the non- response by CSX, owner of bridge and indicated that City should just move forward and make the improvements. C. Robinson commented on the operations of CSX. C. Yem noted the lack of cooperation.  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 J) Motion Response - Equity Stabilization Fund – M. Rourke requested matter be moved to next Council meeting on March 19th. 6.2. Informational Reports Informational Report - 25 mph Update – Manager Golden, Jr. noted that the informational piece is going out. Ms. Oltman commented on roll-out procedure, educational element and the placement of signage. C. Gitschier questioned the sign placement process. C. Jenness commented on the effort and the increased safety with the new limit and that big employers in the City should be notified as well. C. Descoteaux questioned timeframe for the sign placement. Ms. Oltman indicated some signs have already been placed. Informational Report - ARPA CTI - LHA Funding Support to City – Manager Golden, Jr. noted partnership with LHA and CTI and their projects. C. Robinson noted use of ARPA money to improve areas in the community and questioned if Lowell residents were given preference to housing. Renata Rourke (CTI) commented on placement and provided handout entitled “Emergency and Supportive Housing”. C. Scott noted concerns with extending resources beyond City residents. C. Yem noted the efforts of the LHA and their properties. C. Gitschier noted money should be spent on City buildings and not to maintain non-profit properties. C. Jenness commented on the need to assist with maintaining the buildings as it is an increase in housing stock. C. Mercier noted that partnerships are vital to the City. C. Scott noted that smoke detectors are federally mandated and should be paid by federal money. C. Gitschier commented on conditions in City buildings and the need to address them. C. Chau noted the projects were important to address housing but had challenges. C. Jenness commented on funding and that many students occupy these properties.  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 6.3. Communication - Reappointment Of Mary Wambui-Ekop To Sustainability Council. In City Council, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Nuon). So voted. 7.VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $30,000 NEFA Grant – CASE. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted by Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Leahy, C. Nuon). So voted. C. Robinson noted the efforts of CASE. 7.2. Vote - Transfer $2.025 Million - Salary/Wage. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion C. Robinson, seconded by C. Descoteaux to refer matter to next Council meeting, March19th. So voted. 8. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Ordinance - Amend Ch.243-23 - Outdoor Restaurant And Retail Areas. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on March 26, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 9. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 9.1. Veterans SC March 12, 2024. In City Council, C. Yem provided report outlining attendance and discussions regarding the Hometown Heros Program, Memorial Day 2024  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 Parade and decorating veteran sites. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Gitschier to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. 10. PETITIONS 10.1. Claims - (4) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. 10.2. Misc. - Armand Hebert Request Permission To Address Council Regarding Lowell Water Utility. In City Council, Mr. Hebert address the body and was informed to keep within proper discussion before Council on several occasions. Mr. Hebert refused requests and left chamber. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, M. Rourke noted White Ribbon Day Event. 12. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk