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: December 3, 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 (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott), 1 absent (C. Yem). M. Rourke presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Nancy A. Cavanaugh. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Housing SC November 26th, City Council Regular Meeting November 26th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. Motion by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Mercier to suspend the rules to discuss the closing of Mill No. 5. So voted. C. Belanger commented on the  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 closing and noted the resident concerns and that there should be an attempt to assist businesses with relocation. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that there has been beginning conversations regarding that and noted the possible use of Project Pop Up in the City. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Belanger to call an Executive Session when information is made available regarding relocation. So voted. City Solicitor Williams indicated that if leases and negotiations are to be discussed that they should be done in Executive Session. C. Jenness noted that the facility will remain open through January and that patrons should continue to support it, and that City should assist these businesses moving forward. C. Nuon questioned if closing could be pushed off to allow added time for relocation of the businesses. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that preliminary conversations have begun regarding that issue. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. update the City Council on plans to deal with the Governor’s changes to the State’s Emergency Assistance Family Shelter System, that will include phasing out of the emergency use of hotels and motels in communities around the Commonwealth. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted the current use of the hotel and commented on the housing issue which will be worsened once the migrants must vacate that hotel. C. Gitschier noted that the State plan for phasing out current emergency use is an issue for the City in terms of housing and that the administration should be involved with formulating a better solution. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the conversation with the State and will keep Council informed. C. Robinson requested that all community groups be involved. C. Descoteaux questioned how long contract with UMass-Lowell regarding hotel would last and any possible extension. C. Scott noted that long-term solutions must be sought. 4.2. C. Robinson/C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. work with the Eliot Church to explore the installation of a fence similar to the Lowell Judicial Center to assist them with safeguarding their property.  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, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Charles Ott (Zoom) (comment – Eliot Church would assist with any plans of the City regarding property), addressed the Council. C. Robinson commented on the work of the Eliot Church and that there should be communication with them to assist. C. Gitschier noted that the fine was a one-time thing after months of requesting area be cleaned. C. Gitschier noted the motion was made to help the Eliot Church. C. Mercier noted that the patrons of the Eliot Church need to be responsible regarding cleaning of area after free meals. C. Belanger noted the property was a mess. Motion to suspend rules to allow individuals to address body who did not register to speak by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. Elliott Church representatives, Carol Kierstad and Joyce Hughes, addressed the Council each noting the work being done by the Church and the issues they face regarding addiction and mental illness. C. Scott noted the need to develop other feeding programs. 4.3. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. provide an update, complete with timeline, on current status of the 311 implementation. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted the length of time to implement this program and that it might be time to hand it over to vendor if department fails to do so. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that it will be launched internally within two weeks. 4.4. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department require quarterly inspections of the condition of all flags at our parks and municipal buildings. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott commented on the many complaints from residents and that this should be addressed without having to file a motion. C. Gitschier noted this should be done as a matter of course.  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. Descoteaux - Req. City Mgr. have the Transportation Engineer update the Council on the progress of the signalization of bus lanes on the Lord Overpass. In City Council, seconded by C. Chau, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Descoteaux noted the concern of motorists and that this bus lane should be eliminated if not used as there are unnecessary delays going through the overpass. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. A) Motion Response - Reservoir Tree Removal – C. Robinson commented on the presentation regarding the removal of trees and requested further updates as the program moves forward. B) Motion Response - Lucy Larcom – C. Jenness noted the report and that the City should be proactive in the upkeep of the park. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Authorize CM Request Approval to Change Acre Urban Revitalization and Development Plan. In City Council, Read twice, full reading waived without objection. Motion to adopt by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott), 1 absent (C. Yem). So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Housing SC November 26, 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, M. Rourke requested moving item to next meeting due to absence of C. Yem. No objections. 7.2. Non-Profit Organization SC December 3, 2024. In City Council, C. Gitschier requested to report at next meeting with no objections. 7.3. Wire Insp. - Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request upgrade of existing gas main along Barasford Avenue. In City Council, Motion to accept and adopt the accompanying order by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8.2. Misc. - Daniel Kimmel request address City Council regarding safety issue at the corner of 4th Avenue and Mammoth Road. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Jenness noted opening game for the women's professional hockey team at the Tsongas Arena. C. Mercier noted upcoming Salvation Army Radiothon. C. Gitschier noted upcoming toy drive at the Blue Shamrock. C. Robinson noted fundraiser for Sun Santa. Melissa Desroches noted upcoming culinary fundraiser. 10. ADJOURNMENT  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, Motion to Adjourn by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk