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: April 2, 2024 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. Chau). M. Rourke presiding. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 2.2. Recognition - National Public Health Week. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Leahy, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Lisa Golden (HHS) commented on the week and introduced her staff. M. Rourke provided a statement on behalf of the City proclaiming, “National Public Health Week”. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of Economic/Downtown Development SC March 26th; City Council Regular Meeting March 26th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. Prepare A Comparison Regarding City Health Plans With Other Major Providers.  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. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Leahy noted costs are rising and a comparison may be useful. 4.2. C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. Work With The State Delegation To Expediate The Hurd Street Court House Project In Order To Create More Housing. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Yem requested matter be addressed in Executive Session. C. Nuon commented on all the prior discussions with this item and that Ad Hoc Superior Court SC was discussed in depth. C. Gitschier requested opinion regarding request for Executive Session. City Solicitor Williams indicated that matter could be discussed in public. M. Rourke indicated that once report is completed then a decision can be made regarding Executive Session. C. Robinson questioned if there are even any negotiations happening at this point. 4.3. C. Descoteaux - Req. City Mgr. Include Chelmsford Street From Stevens Street To The Chelmsford Town-Line For The 2024 Spring/Summer Repaving List. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Descoteaux commented on the areas and the concerns. C. Gitschier commented on the information regarding claims and how is it communicated regarding repair of streets. 4.4. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. Have The Appropriate Department Provide Quarterly Reporting To The Council Showing Progress Toward Meeting Master Plan Goals. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott commented on the work in developing the plan and that City should keep moving on implementing it.  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 4.5. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Update The City Council On The Status Of The River Walkway. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted that the area was not cleared and that there needs to be pressure on owner to do so. 4.6. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Have The Proper Department Look Into Moving The Playground At The Bailey School To The Area Around The Jack Bowers Monument That Is Currently Paved For Activities; Also Look Into Making Extra Parking Out Of The Current Playground. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier commented on attached pictures and that area should be used for children and not parking. C. Robinson indicated that the area needs to be addressed. 4.7. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Provide A Detailed Report On Impact Of Culvert Situation In The Area Of Circuit Avenue And What Programs Are Available To Assist Our Impacted Residents. In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson requested motion be moved to Council Meeting on April 9, 2024. 4.8. C. Robinson/C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Provide An Update Status With Detailed Assessment Of Work Needed To Be Done On All City Owned Fire Houses. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Walter Hurley, addressed the Council. C. Robinson noted that the buildings were old and in need of an assessment regarding scope of work and costs. C. Gitschier commented on work done and that need planning for what remains.  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. Robinson/C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Explore Conveying Interest To DCAMM In Regard To A Partnership To Put Out An RFP For The Redevelopment Of The Superior Court House. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Dennis McCarthy, addressed the Council. C. Robinson noted that DCAM was involved and that a different RFP approach for mixed use may best serve the neighborhood. C. Nuon indicated that the neighborhood does not want housing and that mixed use would be more suitable. 4.10. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Provide An Update On The Conditions Of Fire Stations In The City, Including Priority Repairs For Each Station. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted work needs to be done and quickly. C. Leahy noted work has been done and that quicker action could be accomplished if firefighters could get involved with bidding for work. 4.11. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Work With The Pollard Memorial Library To Provide A Schedule And Locations Where The Book-Mobile Can Get Books To Children In The Neighborhoods. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted need to bring resources to the neighborhoods. C. Robinson noted possible partnership with the Recreation Department. C. Scott noted the need to make if more available to all organizations. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. 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 A) Motion Response - Dog Waste Stations – C. Robinson noted success of the stations early on and that it should expand. C. Jenness noted the program could expand into areas where there is a need. B) Motion Response - Jet Ski Operation Enforcement – C. Nuon noted the need for safety rules. C. Yem commented on float planes landing on the river. C) Motion Response - Mass Pirates Practice – M. Rourke recognized the assistance of the Board of Parks with scheduling. C. Jenness noted public should be invited to practices. Shawn Machado (Asst. City Manager) noted that the organization is amendable to that. C. Yem noted assistance to the group. C. Mercier commented on the efforts of the City to ensure practice facility. D) Motion Response - School Playgrounds – Manager Golden, Jr. requested matter be put over to April 9, 2024 when C. Chau will be present. E) Motion Response - Sun Sign – C. Robinson recognized multiple parties involved and that work is ongoing. F) Motion Response – Acre – C. Yem requested timeline for projects like Suffolk Crossing, Acre Crossing and bus shelters. Yovanni Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on the scope and timeline of the projects. G) Motion Response - 355 Market St. - C. Yem noted City should look to reduce carbon footprints in all projects to keep in line with thier stated goals. H) Motion Response - Page Monument – C. Mercier noted the need to honor people who have a long commitment to the community and noted upcoming event.  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. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Ordinance - Amend Fee Schedule - Residential Parking Signs. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on April 23, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 6.2. Ordinance - Amend Parking Rates FY24. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on April 23, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Rules & Election Law SC March 19, 2024. In City Council, M. Rourke put matter over to April 9, 2024 when C. Chau would be present. 7.2. Transportation SC April 2, 2024. In City Council, C. Descoteaux requested that matter be put over to April 9, 2024. No objections. 7.3. Wire Insp. - National Grid - Request Installation Of Underground Conduit From Pole 37 To Feed New Transformer Onto Property At 735 Broadway Street. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt the accompanying order by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claims - (6) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. C.  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 Mercier question validity of a claim which happened on the Lowell Connector. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Nuon noted upcoming Cambodian New Year. C. Yem wished C. Gitschier a happy birthday on behalf of the Council. M. Rourke noted LTC new look with high definition. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:22 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk