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 MUNUTES Date: November 5, 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. Yem). M. Rourke presiding. C. Chau requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Siamphone “Kam” Xaiyavong. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Cannabis Control SC October 29th; City Council Regular Meeting October 29th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item #7.1 out of order. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS  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 4.1. C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have proper department investigate Sidewalks on Prescott Street for tripping hazards and develop a plan to remediate. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Jenness noted safety concerns of the residents in the area. 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. Jenness. So voted. A) Motion Response - LPD Warning Regarding "Brushing Scam" - C. Nuon commented on the scam and the rapid response to it. Det. Gendreau (LPD) outlined the response action of the department. B) Motion Response - Public Safety at LHA Properties – Motion by C. Chau, seconded by C. Gitschier to refer to Public Safety SC along with prior items of LHA housing projects (River’s Edge, Merrimack Corridor, Highlands) forwarded for discussion. So voted. C. Robinson commented on the five-year plan and that it did not include the South Common. C. Robinson noted the need to assist the LHA. C. Gitschier noted the need to ensure shifts for police are lined up properly and that the one-strike policy should be enforced for the units. C. Gitschier noted that problem tenants must be removed. C. Descoteaux questioned security measures with the facilities. Rep. Rodney Elliott commented on the process and the challenges with safety protocol and that the LHA puts forth their best efforts. M. Rourke relinquished chair to C. Mercier at 7:46 PM and was returned by C. Mercier at 7:59 PM. C. Descoteaux noted the need to ensure police shifts are in line with right times. Det. Gendreau commented on the split shift coverages. C. Belanger noted the resident complaints and that the South Common is at the root of the problem. Dennis Mercier (LHA) noted that Bishop Markum Housing is the most problematic site. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on contact with the LHA and that funding needs to be identified. C. Robinson noted the need to work collectively to resolve  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 the issues and that there should be quicker evictions. Mr. Mercier commented on the eviction process. M. Rourke noted the eviction was lengthy and that the court made the final decision where they show some leniency. C. Mercier commented that one’s rights ends when they violate another’s rights. C. Gitschier noted the need to develop a more robust five- year plan through a public safety subcommittee. M. Rourke noted prior items regarding LHA being discussed. C. Nuon noted the need to partnership. C) Motion Response - 2024-2025 Warming Center Protocols – C. Jenness noted the need for tighter language in the protocol, so it limits the decision-making process. C. Jenness noted some small issues need to be addressed as the process moves forward there must be ability to adjust. C. Nuon noted clear procedures need to be in place. Motion by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item # 7.2 out of order. So voted. 5.2. Informational Reports INFORMATIONAL REPORT - HERO Act - Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Exemption – Manager Golden, Jr. commented on the exemption and the review by the Assessors Department. Ellen Brideau (Assessor) outlined the parameters of the exemption. C. Jenness noted it was a good step for veterans and that information should be disbursed. C. Scott commented on those in active service. Ms. Brideau commented on the language in the Hero Act. INFORMATIONAL REPORT - Front Runner Community Initiative Invitation to Toronto – M. Rourke noted the grant application and the reasoning for the trip. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) outlined the history and the parameters of the grant and how it could benefit Lowell. M. Rourke noted the need to have a strong showing of support by the Council and that the travel request would be revised. C. Descoteaux noted it was worth the effort to secure the grant as it could be a game changer. C. Jenness noted it was a worthy pursuit. C. Robinson noted the importance of viewing other communities.  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 5.3. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel 1 (City Council; City Mgr.; DPD). In City Council, M. Rourke withdrew the request with no objections. Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier to bundle and waive second reading Items #6.1; 6.3; and 6.4. So voted. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Accept MGL c. 59 s. 22G & H . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Belanger, C. Yem). So voted. 6.2. Vote - Accept/ Expend $11,500 Address Verification Program Grant . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 1 recuse (C. Nuon), 2 absent (C. Belanger, C. Yem). So voted. C. Nuon recused self from discussion and vote. 6.3. Vote - Accept/ Expend $420,000 FLAP Grant . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Belanger, C. Yem). So voted. 6.4. Vote – Transfer $78k from Sale of City Property Account . In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 absent (C. Belanger, C. Yem). So voted. C. Mercier questioned the amount set and where the remediation would be done. Ms. Baez-Rose commented on the amount and where the work is being done.  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 7. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Ordinance - Amend Zoning Ext TTF Zone - 684 Westford Street . In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer Planning Board for report and recommendation and to Public Hearing on December 10, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 7.2. Ordinance - Amend Zoning Ext TTF Zone - 71 North Billerica Road . In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer Planning Board for report and recommendation and to Public Hearing on December 10, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Chau. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas, 2 nays (C. Gitschier, C. Scott), 1 absent (C. Yem). So voted. C. Scott requested roll call. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 8.1. Cannabis Control SC October 29, 2024. In City Council, C. Robinson provided report outlining the attendance and the discussion regarding zoning changes for cannabis industry as well as discussion regarding drafting a delivery ordinance and compliance with changing regulations from the Cannabis Commission. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Nuon to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. 8.2. Non-Profit Organization SC November 5, 2024. In City Council, C. Gitschier requested to provide report at next meeting (11/12/24) with no objections. 8.3. Wire Inspector Reports:  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 1) Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request installation of rectifier and anode bed for gas main protection along and near 69 Melrose Avenue; 2) Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request installation of replacement gas main on Vernon Street, from Sixth Street to Bennett Street; and 3) Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request installation of gas service line for parking garage at 330 Jackson Street. In City Council, Motion “To accept and adopt the accompanying orders” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 9. PETITIONS 9.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 9.2. Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request upgrade of existing gas main along Barasford Avenue. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on November 19, 2024 @ 7 PM by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier commented on upcoming veterans’ event and coat drive by Coats From Ann Above (Larry Finn). C. Robinson noted productive neighborhood meeting discussing the number of infrastructure projects in the neighborhood. C. Chau noted effort of the Elections Department for this Election Day. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Mercier. 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 Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk