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: January 28, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 9 present (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Mercier). M. Rourke presiding. C. Robinson requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Miguel Angel “Mickey” Gonzalez. 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 City Council Regular Meeting January 21st, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 4. GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS 4.1. Ordinance - Amend Chapter 266-43 Special Speed Regulations.  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 2nd Reading, Hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion “To adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Mercier). So voted. 4.2. Ordinance - Quarterly Traffic - January 2025. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Hearing held. No Remonstrants. Motion “To adopt” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Mercier). So voted. Motion to take Item #5.11 out of order by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 5. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 5.1. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. work with proper department and/or utility company to address overgrown trees along Andover Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted calls from residents regarding the overgrown issues causing safety concerns. C. Gitschier questioned status of tree ordinance and department. 5.2. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. outline the process in which City funds are deposited into local financial institutions and current balances. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted the goal of transparency to the taxpayers. 5.3. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. update Council as to the relocation of the Lowell Transitional Living Center.  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, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger requested update on conversations regarding relocation. 5.4. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. update Council on the Lord Overpass as to busses and public safety vehicles using emergency lane as well as light synchronization. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Descoteaux requested Item #6.1D be discussed with this motion. No objections. C. Belanger commented on the issues with lanes and lights on the overpass. M. Rourke suggested taking Items #5.5 and #5.6 together. No objections. 5.5. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department provide the City Council on Smith Baker ’s containment, remediation and demolition costs along with timeline. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, , C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 2 nays (C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Mercier). So voted. Registered speakers for both Items #5.5 and #5.6: Bruce Macaulay (commented – restoring possibilities are significant) and Dennis McCarthy (commented – on importance of what demolition involves) addressed the Council. C. Yem noted it was to be demolished so the costs must be assessed to ensure City could afford it without outside funding. C. Yem noted the historic significance of the building and that some item must be preserved. C. Gitschier noted all request would be done through the RFP process. Yovani Baez-Rose (DPD) commented on the RFP process and how costs are calculated and that artifacts would be identified. C. Gitschier requested roll call on both items. C. Belanger commented on the report and the number of structural damages but that items could be salvaged. C. Chau spoke to artifacts and how they could be saved. C. Robinson requested timeline for demolition. Ms. Baez-Rose indicated that there are many parties involved so timeline would be difficult at this juncture. M. Rourke noted vote had been taken to  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 demolish site and is binding. C. Nuon noted a fair decision was made and must follow through in best fashion. C. Gitschier noted concerns with salvaging a retaining wall and how that may hinder future development. C. Yem noted his concern is with saving artifacts and if partial walls could be saved then that would suffice. C. Descoteaux commented on saving the retaining wall. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated grant funding to assist with demolition and salvaging. C. Scott noted the need to preserve what you can. C. Nuon noted the City should follow any recommendations regarding salvage. C. Gitschier commented on possible ethics violation regarding speakers on this motion. City Solicitor Williams commented on possible violation and that each Councilor can act as they see fit. 5.6. C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department provide the City Council with any plan to save historical artifacts or retaining walls of the Smith Baker Center. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. Adopted per Roll Call vote 6 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, , C. Nuon, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 3 nays (C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Robinson), 2 absent (C. Jenness, C. Mercier). So voted. See discussion under Item #5.5. 5.7. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department explain the current winter operations plan including the citywide parking ban component . In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted that public should understand parking ban process. Manager Golden, Jr. provided a brief synopsis of the parking ban. C. Chau noted the importance of the parking ban. 5.8. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department explore any potential opportunities to create a public outdoor ice-skating facility for our residents.  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, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted it could be a simple structure at a simple location. C. Descoteaux noted prior flooding of Hadley Field for a rink. C. Yem noted prior motions and the benefit to the community. C. Gitschier noted the Town of Lexington use of waiver to shield liability of the City. 5.9. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department explore offering the free property fraud watch alert system to the City of Lowell property owners in partnership with the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds, similar to that offered in Salem, Ma. In City Council, seconded by C. Chau, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted the benefits of the volunteer program. C. Belanger commented on title theft. 5.10. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. inquire with Congresswoman Trahan ’s office on any potential impacts on federally supported infrastructure projects due to current change in administration, e.g. Rourke Bridge. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted that there could be some impact due to federal lack of funding. C. Nuon commented on possible freezing of federal funds. C. Yem noted per Congresswoman Trahan that funding is committed to existing projects. C. Scott requested that motion expand to all federal funding with no objections. C. Gitschier requested that motion include sending to all of the federal delegation with no objections. 5.11. C. Robinson / C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. and City Council provide a letter of support in conjunction with our state delegation for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell ’s Believe & Become Project to the Governor and/or Lt. Governor to authorize 5 million- and 2-million-dollar amendments from the Mass Leads Economic Bond Bill in her capital spending plan.  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: Joe Hungate (commented – updated on project and improvements as well as the need for added funding) addressed the Council. C. Robinson noted the effort of the club and the need for continued support. C. Gitschier noted the entire support of the Council for the needs of the club. C. Yem noted the many benefits of the club. C. Chau commented on the leadership with this project. 5.12. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with the policy for all school dude requests (work orders); what is the structure for submitting a request, what positions actually receive the requests, what is the structure for answering the requests, what is the structure for distributing the work request (to what area), what is the policy for updating the person who submitted the request and what is the policy for responding to the requests and closing them out. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier requested policy update. 5.13. C. Descoteaux - Req. City Mgr. investigate the feasibility of establishing a Facilities Department for maintenance of buildings. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Descoteaux noted the need for serious movement on this department. C. Robinson noted all partners must be involved in this development. C. Gitschier noted prior motions and that move must be made and parties together would make that easier. C. Robinson noted the City owns the building and that comes with costs. C. Nuon noted the importance of the department and that all parties need to be involved. C. Belanger noted maintenance needs improvement. C. Robinson noted that it is time to take action and not to continue discussion. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Descoteaux to develop Facilities Department. So voted. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses .  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 accept and place on file” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. A) Motion Response - Anti Bullying – M. Rourke read statement of C. Jenness indicating support of the response. Motion by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott to have Anti Bullying police included with HR packet to City Councilors. So voted. B) Motion Response - LPD LFD Recruitment – C. Robinson commented on the career fairs and how helpful they are. C. Yem noted the effort of the Superintendent and the LPD and the impact they had. C. Nuon noted in- house promotion and the identifying of proper candidates. C) Motion Response - LPD Cell Block Mold and Dirt Cleaning – M. Rourke noted item would be on for following week upon return of C. Mercier. No objection. D) Motion Response - Bus Lane – C. Descoteaux noted frustration with report in terms of emergency vehicles and synchronization of lights. Elizabeth Oltman (Transportation Engineer) noted that design changes may be needed if synchronization of lights were changed. Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Descoteaux to take Items #6.1 E-J as one. So voted. E) Motion Response - Hollis, 495 and Woburn, Boylston – C. Scott noted all responses were from resident requests and noted the many improvements in the area as well as increased enforcement. F) Motion Response - Hollis Street Speed Tables – See #6.1E above. G) Motion Response - Hollis Street No Truck Traffic – See #6.1E above. H) Motion Response - Hollis Street No Through Traffic – See #6.1E above.  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 I) Motion Response - Hollis and Billerica Road – See #6.1E above. J) Motion Response - Hollis Street and Billerica Road – See #6.1E above. K) Motion Response - Tour LHS Project - C. Gitschier noted the date. L) Motion Response - LHS Gym Update and CO – None. 7. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote - Accept/ Expend $50k FY25 FSE Grant Award . In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Nuon, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 3 absent (C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Robinson). So voted. 7.2. Vote - Apply/Accept/ Expend $45k MassDevelopment Grant . In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 8 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Nuon, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 3 absent (C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Robinson). So voted. 8. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Order - Taking and Acceptance of Delaware Avenue . In City Council, withdrawn per Law Department request. No objections. 9. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 10. PETITIONS  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 10.1. Misc. - Patricia Camara and Marybeth Bue request to discuss status and safety issues regarding Doherty Court. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department/City Manager for report and recommendation by C. Scott, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. Ms/ Bue noted the road and the need to plow. Ms. Camara noted road as always been plowed. City Solicitor Williams noted that the road has not been accepted by the City which is a problem that could be resolved if City accepted the road. C. Gitschier noted safety reason to plow and that it should be on the plowing list. C. Scott noted this may have been an oversight that can be corrected. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the area and would work on the request. 10.2. New Cingular Wireless (d/b/a AT&T) request installation of 1 wireless small cell facility on existing pole near 11 Crowley Street. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on February 11, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Chau noted the Lunar New Year. C. Yem also noted the Lunar New Year along with Council birthday wishes for Shawn Machado (Asst. City Mgr.). C. Gitschier recognized Black History Month. 12. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.  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 ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk