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: October 22, 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. 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. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Transportation SC October 15th; City Council Regular Meeting October 15th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. have the Law Department draft an ordinance banning second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides from being used in the City of Lowell Municipal Buildings And/Or Parks. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred as amended to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Emily Taranto (comment – represented Lowell Loves Wildlife noting the effects of the chemicals and that the use of rodenticides should be reduced), addressed the Council. 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 Gitschier amended motion without objection at end of motion “Municipal buildings and/or parks”. C. Gitschier noted the best means should be used to lessen hazards to animals and environment. C. Jenness noted that it would be best to move quickly on matter. 4.2. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. have the Law department provide the City Council on the legality of repairing potholes on unaccepted streets that could potentially damage emergency vehicles and/or plow trucks. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted the number of calls on the matter and was exploring doing less work on those roads so that it can limit liability of the City. C. Gitschier noted Chapter 90 funds are based upon accepted streets in the City. 4.3. C. Scott/C. Robinson/C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. invite the delegation to come before the Council in Chambers to discuss and update the Council on important State issues affecting the City. (Prior motion filed 1/23/24) In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted prior motions and noted upcoming legislation that would impact the lives of residents. C. Robinson noted the need to partner and communicate with delegation. C. Nuon noted the importance of partnering and communicating regarding projects and funding in the City. 4.4. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. request an update from the delegation on S.2470 legislation regarding the Rivers Edge Project. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted project needs to move forward and that this legislation would be helpful. C. Yem requested Lowell Housing Authority come before body to update on project.  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. Jenness - Req. Mayor invite NMCOG Executive Director to a future Council meeting to provide updates on current projects and future goals. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Jenness noted the many projects of the organization and as an appointed board member he indicated it was important to come and update the Council on same. 4.6. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. provide an update on 311 implementation. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.7. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. explore providing all past mayors a free parking placard. In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, defeated per Roll Call vote 1 yea, 7 nays (C. Belanger, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 3 present (C. Chau, C. Mercier, C. Nuon). So voted. C. Robinson noted request of former mayor William Samaras. 4.8. C. Robinson/C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. have the Law Department draft necessary language to facilitate residents’ ability to select our mayor via ballot, before the 2025 City Council election cycle. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted prior discussion and need time to establish what process would be. C. Gitschier noted the non-binding referendum in support of resident selection of the Mayor and commented that should be imposed. C. Jenness noted by way of substitute motion the need to send to Rules SC to get input surrounding the process. C. Descoteaux noted the impact on the referendum. City Solicitor Williams outlined procedure to move forward noting there must be approval from Federal Court to amend the Consent  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 Decree. C. Yem noted concern regarding who would be eligible to seek the position. C. Mercier commented on the Consent Decree noting any process must be fair. C. Nuon indicated best approach would be through the subcommittee. C. Scott commented on prior motions and the referendum. C. Gitschier noted prior attempts to resolve all went nowhere so now is the time to put in place. Atty. Williams note options to amend Consent Decree and follow with Home Rule Petition for special legislation. C. Robinson noted opportunity to gather input and move forward. M. Rourke indicated current system work well and should be left in place. Substitute Motion by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Nuon to refer selection of mayor to Rules & Election Law SC to develop process in the selection of the mayor. Adopted per Roll Call vote 6 yeas, 5 nays (C. Belanger, C. Gitschier, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. 4.9. C. Belanger - Req. Mayor establish an ad-hoc subcommittee regarding homelessness. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to Mayor. So voted. C. Belanger noted work should be done in subcommittee for better working conditions and results. C. Jenness noted better approach would be to put members on the Hunger/Homeless Commission. C. Belanger did not object to the suggestion. M. Rourk noted work should not be done on Council floor. C. Nuon noted that there is a housing element involved. Substitute Motion by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier to have Mayor add two additional members to the Hunger/Homeless Commission that are sitting members of the City Council. So voted. 4.10. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. investigate if Commonwealth has accepted the City’s TOD (Transit Oriented District) for MBTA communities on September 30th; and further work with DPD and all stakeholders to advertise and market that district. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted the expanse of the area and that it could benefit housing and income in the City.  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 4.11. M. Rourke - Req. the City Council endorse and send letter of support to state delegation for House Bill 5077. (Appropriations) In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager/Mayor. So voted. M. Rourke noted that six million dollars is sitting in pending legislation to benefit LeLacheur Park. 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. Robinson. So voted. A) Motion Response - CO-OP – C. Robinson noted the limited options in relocating and also there is a need to be supportive of downtown businesses. C. Gitschier indicated that current location is not suitable and questioned the plans of the Sherriff's Department. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on effort to find location and was awaiting response of Sherriff regarding their plans. C. Mercier noted the need to place the program as the work is important. C. Belanger noted work of program and the entire Task Force. C. Robinson noted it was the City’s responsibility to find proper location. Lisa Golden (HHS) noted the current location has many benefits for the program. B) Motion Response - O'Donnell Bathhouse – C. Scott commented on the report and proposed usage. C) Motion Response - 535 Pawtucket Street – M. Rourke noted the quick clean-up of the property and questioned future plans for the site. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on renovation plans. C. Descoteaux questioned if taxes and fines up to date. 5.2. Informational Report. Informational Report - Capital Improvements at Cawley – Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Nuon to refer matter to joint Parks and Recreation SC with Finance SC. 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 6. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Ordinance - Amend Chap 222 - Unlawful Camping on Public Property. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on November 12, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. Registered speaker, Joan Beeson-Healy (comment – noted concern with the site and safety of her son who owns establishment in the area), addressed the Council. 6.2. Ordinance - Amend Chap 227 - Motion Detector Lighting. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on November 12, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Transportation SC October 15, 2024. In City Council, C. Descoteaux provided report outlining discussions regarding the infrastructure of Andover Street, French Street and Father Morrisette Boulevard and best possible solutions for the changing area. C. Descoteaux noted upcoming neighborhood meetings to discuss best solutions with the residents in that area. Motion by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. 7.2. Non-Profit Organization SC October 22, 2024. In City Council, C. Gitschier requested to do report on next meeting, October 29, 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 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Jenness noted ribbon cutting at AG Hardware renovations. M. Rourke commented on Urban Economic Forum in Canada which outlined possible grant money available to the City and that members would be invited to Toronto in pursuit of that. C. Gitschier noted upcoming “Red Ribbon Week”. C. Yem noted Parker Lecture Series with Admiral Gilday. Manager Golden, Jr. noted Admiral Gilday appearance; the Monster Bash; and the Pumpkins and Pints events. 9. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk