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: May 28, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 11 present. C. Leahy arrived at 6:55 PM. M. Rourke presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Arthur John Faneros. 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 City Council Regular Meeting May 21st; Senior Citizens SC May 23rd, For Acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 4. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 4.1. Teleport Communications D/B/A AT&T - Request Installation Of Underground Conduit At University Avenue And Riverside Street.  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, Given second reading, Hearing held. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. 5. CITY COUNCIL – MOTIONS 5.1. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Provide The Council With A Report On The Feasibility Of A Regional Waste And Recycling Program With Other Communities In The Merrimack Valley To Achieve Cost Savings And Provide Service Improvements. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted upcoming contract for the service and that cost need to be addressed. 5.2. C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Provide A Report On Existing Educational Programs By The Solid Waste & Recycling Division Of The DPW To The Lowell Public Schools And To The Residents On Recycling/Sustainability Efforts, And To Explore Feasibility Of Additional Programs With The Schools And The Community. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon commented on prior programs and noted the need for continued educational efforts. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. A) Motion Response - Syringe Exchange – C. Robinson requested that more local options be explored and noted this is a syringe exchange program. Motion to refer to Substance Abuse SC by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. B) Motion Response - Chelmsford Street Repaving Request – 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 Descoteaux noted the work and commented on the work to be done by National Grid. C) Motion Response - Localized Paving – None. D) Motion Response - Meadowcroft Street – C. Scott noted the thorough work being done in the area. E) Motion Response - Reservoir St Erosion Repair Update – C. Scott noted response was effective. F) Motion Response - Rockdale Ave – C. Yem commented on the report and requested information regarding the engineering. Ting Chang (City Engineer) commented on the engineering being done on the road. C. Gitschier requested street be added to the crack seal list. G) Motion Response - Yard Waste Collection Status – C. Robinson noted the creation of a site would be beneficial. C. Jenness noted the need to have assistance for customers. Shawn Machado (Asst. City Manager) noted the DPW has a call center for this purpose and that the vendor has caught up with the demand. C. Gitschier commented that a private vendor should not be encountering these delays and that the new contract should have penalties for same. C. Descoteaux commented on current contract terms. Motion by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson to take Item #6.3 out of order. So voted. H) Motion Response -Leaf Removal Operations – C. Robinson noted the need for better planning. I) Motion Response - Commercial To Residential Conversion – C. Robinson noted that if commercial space is not being used then they should look towards residential use. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on review of other communities and noted that Lowell would have some challenges with some conversions. C. Robinson noted developers must be assisted for developing upper floors of buildings downtown.  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 - Baseball Tournament LeLacheur Park – C. Robinson noted the use of the space was successful. C. Yem commented on the use of Clemente Park as well. 6.2. Informational Report Informational - Petition Response - Handicapped Parking 5-28-2024 – C. Leahy questioned response. Manage Golden, Jr. noted that the City could not place sign on private property. 6.3. Communication - Appointment Of Jacquelynn Coles To Veterans Commission. In City Council, Motion to adopt by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted by Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. Ms. Coles addressed the body. C. Gitschier recognized her accomplishments. C. Yem thanked her for her involvement. C. Mercier recognized her service. 7. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote - Approve Exemption Of Michaela Paciulan MGL C.268A S.20. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Jenness. Adopted by Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. C. Gitschier noted the need for the position which was difficult to fill as there is a need for a cook at the Senior Center. 8. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Order - 60 Day Trial. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted by Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted. 9. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 9.1. Senior Citizen SC May 23, 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 In City Council, C. Mercier provided the report outlining the attendance and the discussion regarding with seniors regarding any issues they may have at the Senior Center or with any issues throughout the City. C. Descoteaux noted the meetings would be taking place once per month. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Leahy. So voted. 9.2. Parks And Recreation SC May 28, 2024. In City Council, C. Mercier provided report outlining the attendance and discussion regarding handbook to be used by the Board of Parks as well as adjustments with fees. C. Mercier noted prior meetings and future meetings as well. Motion was approved by the subcommittee to refer handbook to Law Department for review and input. C. Mercier commented on outstanding issues of MIAA not paying their obligated fee to the City and the issue of locked bathrooms. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress and adopted motions of the subcommittee by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 10. PETITIONS 10.1. Claims - (2) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Yem wished Conor Baldwin (CFO) a happy birthday on behalf of the Council. C. Jenness commented on the PWHL championship series at the Tsongas and the success of the women's hockey team.  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 12. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:23 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk