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: November 19, 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. 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 Economic/Downtown Development SC November 12th; City Council Meeting November 12th; Senior Citizen SC November 14, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 4. UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING 4.1. Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request upgrade of existing gas main along Barasford Avenue. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Hearing held. Steve Conant, resident on Barasford Avenue, questioned the project timing and paving. Dianna Cuddy (National Grid) commented on timing and what the company would pave after work was completed. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on  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 discussions between National Grid and the Engineering Department regarding resurfacing roads. C. Gitschier noted that best result is a curb-to- curb repaving. Motion to refer to Wire Inspector for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 5. CITY COUNCIL – MOTIONS 5.1. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. explore and provide a report back on utilizing Massachusetts Pre-Apprenticeship and Vocational School Training Program to supplement city workforce. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson commented on the programs and the many opportunities it will afford. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses / Informational Report. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. A) Motion Response - MBTA Communities – Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) outlined the program that the City adopted some time ago and that it is compliant with State regulations. Ms. Baez-Rose noted the many projects in the pipeline and that there are great opportunities there. C. Belanger noted program highlights positive aspects of the City and the housing initiatives of the Council. C. Nuon noted the additional housing with the many projects in the pipeline. C. Robinson commented on additional tax revenue due to increase in housing stock. B) Motion Response - Public Pools – C. Robinson noted the commitment to preserve pool space in the City. C. Gitschier noted the need to have resources to be able to teach swimming to youngsters. C) Motion Response - Petition State Delegation - Expansion Of Mental Health Service At State hospitals – C. Belanger commented on the letter and the request. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the letters have been  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 delivered to appropriate parties. C. Descoteaux questioned timeframe for a response. C. Gitschier noted it was a long overdue partnership. 6.2. Informational Report. Informational Report – MonsterBash – Peter Crewe (CASE) commented on the success of the event and plans for its future. C. Jenness noted the effort of the team and CASE commenting on the attendance at the event. C. Robinson noted that future locations are in good areas for the event. C. Belanger noted these events are good for the community and should be done regularly as they help businessess. 6.3. Communication - Appointment of Roland Beauchesne to Citizen Advisory Committee. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 6.4. Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel 1 (City Council; City Mgr.; DPD). In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Yem). So voted. 7. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Order - 60 Day Trial. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Scott, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Yem). So voted. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 8.1. Subcommittee Reports: 1) Non-Profit Organization SC November 5, 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. Gitschier provided report outlining the attendance and discussion of presentations made by non-profit groups, Lowell Youth Leadership and Coats From Ann Above. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 2) Economic/Downtown Development SC November 12, 2024. In City Council, C. Jenness provided report outlining the attendance and discussion of parking regulations in terms of expanding two hour limit, outreach and altering size of parking spaces. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 3) Senior Citizen SC November 14, 2024. In City Council, C. Mercier provided a report outlining the attendance and discussion of aggregate energy contract and information that is being provided to the citizens regarding changes to contract which involves more selection options for residents. C. Mercier indicated further discussions regarding warming station at the Senior Center, District Court House, homeless at Whistler House and speed bumps on Boylston Street. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 4) Rules & Elections Law SC November 19, 2024. In City Council, C. Chau requested to do report next week with no objections. 9. PETITIONS 9.1. Misc. - Revival Aesthetics (Victoria Costello) request installation of an overhanging sign at 45 Palmer Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. 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 10. CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 10.1. Executive Session - Review/Accept/Release of City Council Executive Session Minutes Calendar Year 2024 (1/1/24 to 11/19/24). In City Council, M. Rourke entertained request to have motion to accept these Executive Session minutes during open session. Motion to accept Executive Session minutes for Calendar Year 2024 (1/124 - 11/19/24) by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Gitschier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas, 1 absent (C. Yem). So voted. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, none. 12. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk