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 16, 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. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for George Zaharoolis. C. Yem requested remembrance of Cambodian genocide. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes Of Housing SC April 9th; City Council Regular Meeting April 9th; Technology And Utilities SC April 10th, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. Motion to suspend rules by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon to allow Margaret Perras to speak on “Cherish Act”. So voted. Massachusetts Teachers Association representative outlined presentation entitled “Higher Ed for All” requesting support of a resolution. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Robinson to forward proposed resolution to Law Department to draft in proper form. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1  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 absent (C. Chau). So voted. C. Gitschier need additional information regarding costs of the proposal. Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Robinson to take Item #4.3 out of order. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. Give The City Council An Update On The Installation Of Water Bottle Fill Stations In The Schools. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier commented he was informed that contract was complete, and that work should be beginning. Conor Baldwin (CFO) indicated that contract needed DESE approval and that school administration is responsible for that. C. Gitschier questioned how contract could be done without funding in place. Mr. Baldwin noted ESSR funding was done by DESE approval. 4.2. C. Gitschier/C. Mercier - Req. City Council Senior Citizen SC Meet Once A Month On A Thursday At The Senior Center On Broadway Street To Discuss Any Issues Or Concerns Pertaining To The Senior Center. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Mercier noted that they could handle as if neighborhood subcommittee at outside location only dealing with issues at the Senior Center. C. Scott questioned agendas for such meetings. C. Mercier noted same procedures as other subcommittees. 4.3. C. Gitschier/C. Descoteaux - Req. City Mgr. Add Full Length Sidewalks To Campbell Dr., St. Paul St.; And Fleming St. For Safety Of The Students, Staff And Residents Of The Daley And Bailey Schools. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. The following registered speakers, Fred Bahou, Bob Hunt, Paul Early and Cathy Dillon, addressed the Council. C. Gitschier noted the speakers and  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 commented on the area noting the increase in foot traffic and that furter review of area is warranted. C. Descoteaux noted he toured the area, and the need is not for aesthetic purposes but for safety. C. Mercier noted it was a good proposal and that enforcement of regulations are still vital for any success and that matter should be reviewed by Transportation Engineer. C. Nuon commented on his past experiences in the area and there is a need for action. C. Scott noted other schools have same issue and that there should be a comprehensive approach. C. Scott noted more foot traffic and drop offs at schools. M. Rourke noted past objections to sidewalks in the area as it involves taking of land. C. Gitschier noted it should be part of a Capital Plan for design with no need for traffic study. C. Leahy noted that there was support to move forward this budget season. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the infrastructure issue is given priority aroun the schools. C. Yem noted issue with private paving over sidewalks. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier to take Items #4.6 and #4.5 out of order. So voted. 4.4. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Work With UMass-Lowell, DPD, DPW And Any Other Relevant Entities To Make Areas Of University Significance Highly Visible Throughout Our City. In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson requested that Middlesex Community Colllege and Lowell High School be included as highlighting these institutions would be important for the community. 4.5. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Have The Proper Department Provide A Detailed Update On What Is The City’s Policy On Construction Vehicles Parked On Public Streets, What Are The Recommended Adjustments Needed And What Is Being Done To Enforce Any And All Current Policies Regarding This. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager / Transportation Engineer. So voted. Registered speaker, Bob Hunt, addressed the body. C. Robinson noted that parking of these vehicles in  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 tight neighborhoods is a problem and that regulations need to be tightened. C. Mercier noted that there are many frustrated concerns. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Scott to refer to Transportation SC. So voted. 4.6. C. Robinson - Req. City Administration Work With Community Members To Identify A Location To Re-Establish A City Of Lowell Based Boxing Gym. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speakers, Keith Rudy, Inoz Artz, and James Lucas, addressed the Council. C. Robinson commented on the history and pride for boxing in the City. C. Descoteaux commented that request can go directly to the Manager as there is support out there for this motion. Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Descoteaux to have City Manager move to have National Golden Gloves Tournament back in the City. So voted. 4.7. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. Have The Appropriate Department Update The City Council On Plan To Celebrate 2024 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. A) Motion Response - Fields Leased and Permitted – C. Nuon commented on the permitting process. B) Motion Response - New Overpass Maintenance Plan – C. Gitschier commented on planned maintenance in the area. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) noted costs savings that would be going towards maintenance. C. Gitschier requested costs associated with two-year maintenance contract.  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 Ms. Baez-Rose indicated that if done in-house there would be no need to purchase new equipment and that cost would be heavier the first two years. C. Gitschier questioned if things were progressing correctly. 5.2. Communication - Resignations From Veterans Commission. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. The following resignations were accepted: Latashia White, Ali Zaviv, Walter Bayerle and Brian Gorman. 5.3. Communication - Reappointments To Veterans Commission. In City Council, Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Chau). So voted. The following were reappointed: James Gaffney III, Richard Cote and Walter O’Neil. 5.4. Communication - City Manager Request Out Of State Travel (1) LPD. In City Council, Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Chau). So voted. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $15,000 Cultural District Grant – CASE. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Chau). So voted. 7. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Order - 60 Day Trial.  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, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted by Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Chau). So voted. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 8.1. Technology And Utilities SC April 10, 2024. In City Council, C. Jenness provided report of the meeting noting attendance and discussion of reorganization of the MIS Department identifying new positions and procedures. C. Jenness noted that the meeting would be continued for further discussion. Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. 8.2. Wire Inspector Reports: 1) National Grid - Request Installation Of Upgraded Gas Mains Campbell Dr., Wedge St., Lura St., Rhodora St., Atlantic St., And Ruth St.; 2) National Grid - Request Installation Of Upgraded Gas Mains In Harvard, Stevens, Troy And Nicolett Streets; 3) National Grid - Request Installation Of Underground Electric Conduit For Upgrade At 128 Fayette Street; And 4) National Grid - Request Installation Of Underground Electric Conduit For New Service At 78-80 Middlesex Street. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt the accompanying orders by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 9. PETITIONS 9.1. Claims - (6) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 10. ANNOUNCEMENT  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, none. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk