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: February 25, 2025 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. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem), 1 absent (C. Chau). 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. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Auditor/Clerk Oversight and Personnel SC February 18th; City Council Regular Meeting February 18th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. add the Murkland School driveway and parking lot to this spring and summer paving schedule.  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. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted season was approaching and that work needed to be done. Motion by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #8.4 out of order. So voted. 4.2. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with a report outlining how many water main breaks the City has repaired since July 1, 2023, did a contractor or the City staff make the repair, the date of the repair and the size of the water main repaired. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.3. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with the number of elevators in each facility and school building; the location of each elevator; the age of each elevator; and who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the elevators. (Refile 4/9/24) In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier commented on prior filing noting the need for the report regarding the status of the elevators. C. Gitschier requested that parking garage elevators be part of the report and that should be done quickly in case that money would need to be budgeted. C. Jenness requested inspection information as well regarding the elevators. 4.4. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department (Engineering/Wastewater) provide the City Council with the process to tie into the City sewer system; and report requirements for builders, City staff and anyone else to investigate the capacity before being permitted to tie into the system. (Refile 9/18/24) In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted the number of larger development projects in the City and that there needs to be capacity in the system to handle these  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 projects. C. Robinson noted the projects, and that capacity should be addressed during development planning. 4.5. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with a report on all training/professional development attended by City maintenance staff (Land and Buildings) over the last five years; outline courses taken, employees and dates. (Refile 1/14/25) In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted the need to ensure training is in place and available throughout employment. 4.6. C. Nuon/C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. work with the DEI officer to provide summary report of activities, training/workshops and opportunities made available to City employees and how these have increased engagement; what policies and practices are currently in place and how are they monitored ; who collaborates to develop said polices and practices. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted the need for DEI and that the Council recognized that. C. Nuon requested data to ensure that the programs are being implemented and used to enhance the policies throughout the City. C. Jenness noted progress in the City and that data is needed to show results. 4.7. C. Nuon/C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. update the City Council on the implementation of maintenance of vacant commercial properties in downtown. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Nuon noted owners of buildings need to be engaged and do what they are supposed to do under the ordinance. C. Jenness noted efforts towards economic development by going block by block in these areas. C. Robinson noted incentives available to property owners. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that letters have been sent to owners and that vault issues in  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 sidewalks need to be addressed. C. Robinson commented that the use of codes could be used to address sidewalk vaults. 4.8. C. Nuon/C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. explore replicating the “Deep Energy Retrofit ” Program that was completed at the Stoklosa Middle School to other municipal buildings. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Stephen Malagodi – commented on the benefits of the program and that City should put it to use, addressed the body. C. Nuon noted the work at the school and that it should be replicated, and that land use boards in the City should make it part of permitting process. 4.9. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. provide a report on improvements at the Shedd Park Field House. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.10. C. Yem/C. Chau - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department explore and report on a potential ordinance allowing residents to own and raise chickens, similar to regulations in other municipalities, for review and discussion by the entire Council. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier for discussion as C. Chau was absent. Defeated per Roll Call vote 1 yea (C. Yem), 9 nays (C. Belanger, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott), 1 absent (C. Chau). So voted. C. Yem read letter of Deb Price and made it part of the record with no objections and noted requests of residents. C. Mercier noted prior attempt at this and that it was not a good fit for the City. C. Robinson noted City was not zoned for housing livestock and requested a roll call. C. Scott noted it was a good idea but not for this City. C. Yem noted motion only asking for preliminary review. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER  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 5.1. Motion Responses . In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. A) Motion Response - Butler School Driveway And Catch Basin – C. Gitschier noted the report and questioned future work at the schools. Ting Chang (City Engineer) noted that schools could be done which would extend the shelf life of the work. C. Gitschier noted the need to maintain all the work being done and requested condition report of the schools. C. Scott noted the work being done on the catch basins. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated the need to have a mobilization plan in place. C. Robinson noted damage to basins during the plowing season and that inventory should be done during the cleaning. B) Motion Response - Tree Committee – C. Gitschier noted the need for volunteers to be involved as it would come at no costs. Katherine Moses (DPD) noted the need to build capacity in the area through the grant. C. Gitschier noted the need to develop committee separate from the capacity plan. C. Mercier noted that personnel were available in DPW to assist with tree care. C) Motion Response - Fire House Repairs – C. Nuon noted movement in addressing the issues at fire houses. Manager Golden, Jr. recognized the owner project manager at the meeting (Colliers) who addressed the Council and responded to questions surrounding priorities. Chief Charron (LFD) noted the report and moving forward with it. Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Descoteaux to refer to Municipal Facilities SC. So voted. C. Robinson noted the need to address priorities. C. Gitschier noted the amount of work to be done and the added costs of that and that City should address what needs to be addressed first with current money available as the matter is in subcommittee. C. Descoteaux noted priority and the need for work to begin immediately. C. Yem noted need to put employees in a safe building. C. Jenness noted need to move as it is in subcommittee. D) Motion Response - Fraud Alert System Middlesex County Registry of Deeds – C. Robinson noted the system was in place and that it should be  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 advertised to residents. C. Yem noted the benefits of the program. C. Robinson noted that it could connect with our 311 system. 5.2. Informational Report Informational Report - 2025 Roadway Projects – Manager Golden, Jr. noted the improvements with horizontal construction in the City commenting on the effort and procedure. C. Gitschier noted that there are several CSO projects being done in the City as well. C. Gitschier noted importance of inspection after vendors do the work. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the staffing in the engineering department and the use of UML engineer interns. C. Descoteaux questioned status of Chelmsford Street corridor. Ms. Chang noted that the area was scheduled for gas work and that upgrade would be done then. C. Robinson noted that cold patch was not effective during this time of year. Ms. Chang noted new product being used. 6. ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Ordinance - Amend Chapter 9 - Sustainability Council . In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to City Manager for further review by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. C. Jenness noted concern with public participation in the ordinance. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 7.1. Auditor/Clerk Oversight and Personnel SC February 18, 2025. In City Council, C. Scott provided report noting attendance and discussion regarding evaluation process of City Manager, City Auditor and City Clerk. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson. 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. Mercier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. 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 8.2. Misc. - Maria Feliz request installation of handicap parking sign at 245 Moody Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 8.3. National Grid - Request installation of (1) SO Pole on Hayes Avenue. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on March 11, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 8.4. Misc. - Dennis McCarthy request permission to address Council regarding saving Smith Baker Center. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. Mr. McCarthy commented on recent report for the facility and the prior RFP, noting the next RFP should be catered to the condition of the building. Mr. McCarthy provide a video and slide presentation of the property. 9.CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 9.1. Executive Session - Regarding Litigation Update, Pursuant to the Provisions of City of Lowell Code of Ordinances §50-7, Public Discussion Of Which Could Have A Detrimental Effect On The City ’s Position; And Further, To Consider and Discuss Ongoing Negotiations Relative To HCID Parcels 2,3,4,5 (Lupoli Companies, LLC), Public Discussion Of Which Could Have A Detrimental Effect On The City ’s Position; And Further, To Consider and Discuss Ongoing Negotiations Relative To HCID Parcels 11,12 ( WinnDevelopment Company, LP); And Further, To Consider And Discuss The Possible Acquisition Of 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 HCID Parcel 15, Public Discussions Of Which May Have Detrimental Effect On Negotiating Position Of The City. In City Council, M. Rourke stated purpose of the session, Motion to enter executive session and adjourn from that session by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. (8:05 PM). Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem), 1 absent (C. Chau). So voted. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted upcoming Dominican Republic flag raising event. C. Jenness recognized the efforts of those involved with the WinterFest. 11. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn from Executive Session by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. Meeting adjourned from Executive Session at 8:40 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk