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: April 1, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid) 1. ROLL CALL Roll Call showed 11 present (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem). M. Rourke presiding. C. Mercier requested a moment of silence in darkened chamber Raymond E. LeLacheur and Raymond R. Bourassa. C. Yem requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Katharine “Kitty” Dukakis. 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. M. Rourke then recognized C. Nuon who read a proclamation declaring the month of April Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Technology and Utilities SC March 25th; City Council Regular Meeting March 25th, 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  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. Ordinance - Amend Fee Schedule - Body Art License. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Hearing held. Motion “To adopt” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted. 5. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 5.1. C. Jenness/C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. provide quarterly summary updates to the City Council from data within the 311 system to give information to the Council about what kinds of issues are being reported and how they are being addressed. C. Jenness requested City Council to receive regular updates now that 311 is up and running regarding how system is being used by the public, what kind of issues are being reported, what the resolutions are. C. Robinson agree with colleague and also to have as part of the report, average response times to the categories. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.2. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department provide information on what erosion control methods should be in place a the Centralville Apple Orchard Project and who is enforcing these requirements. C. Robinson mentioned receiving calls regarding this and that we should have methods in place as spring is here and also questioned who is enforcing city or state. In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.3. C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department explore putting the worst sections of By and Barker Street on the localized paving list for FY25/26.  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. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.4. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. look into benefits of outsourcing irrigation start up and shutdown due to staffing levels. C. Gitschier commented on staffing and the easiest way to help the department out with the services by lessening the load so that they can get to the other areas. C. Belanger commented that his research shows they are understaffed in that department and the motion is well worth exploring. C. Robinson commented on that this may be covered under plumber’s titles. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.5. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with all open positions and how long they have been vacant. C. Gitschier questioned if positions are needed and how long they have been vacant and if we should look at cutbacks where they have been vacant. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.6. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department provide an update and timelines on the upcoming Andover Street project. C. Belanger commented constituents have been calling and would like an update as Andover St is the worst he has seen. City Manager Golden explained they will provide update soon and they are working on keeping concrete and looking into 10year plan for future. M. Rourke commented that they could have C. Jenness bring that to NMCOG. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.7. C. Scott/M. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. send a letter to the Joint Committee on Education, with copies to our state delegation, 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 support of the City Council’s endorsement of the following bills: S.447, S.456, H.570, H.556 and H.572. C. Scott mentioned all 5 bills were brought to their attention by students who asked for support. C. Scott also did some research and the main thing is there is minimum cost to teaching CPR in school with little impact to classrooms. C. Scott mentioned Massachusetts is behind in adopting and is requesting the adoption by sending letter to the joint Education Committee. M. Rourke added that at the next School Committee meeting he will bring forward the same motion. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. So voted. 5.8. M. Rourke/C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. work with proper department to provide the Council with a report on the feasibility and process required to raise the income threshold for senior property tax exemptions. C. Mercier commented senior property tax emptions are important in reducing the financial burden on our most vulnerable older homeowners. C. Mercier noted she would like the City Council to go on record in support of such an initiative. M. Rourke commented the threshold is very low. C. Scott commented that it was an excellent motion. City Manager Golden will report back and send for Special Legislation to Legislature asking for the increase and could tailor it just for the City of Lowell because maybe other cities and towns may not want to participate. C. Scott questioned if there was any type of adjustment for the seniors built in. C. Mercier commented that it was increased in 2001. C. Scott asked that an inflationary piece be part of the letter. C. Belanger commended his colleagues on this thoughtful motion. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. 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 5.9. M. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. negotiate a contract with the City Auditor for consideration and approval by the City Council, to continue her term which expired in 2024. C. Gitschier questioned if this was a City Council function and if so, shouldn’t it be referred to the Personnel Sub/Committee to negotiate. C. Gitschier questioned if the City Auditor was an employee of the City Council. CFO Baldwin explained 5 or 6 years ago the City Council gave administrative oversight of the City Auditor to the City Manager due to personnel issues at the time and not with current auditor. CFO Baldwin commented the motion would delegate the negotiations to the City Manager and that it would still come back before the appointing authority for approval. C. Gitschier noted that it was just day to day stuff in overseeing that position and not contract negotiations. C. Gitschier questioned why the City Council evaluates that position. M. Rourke commented that the position does work for the City Council. M. Rourke stated that it would still come back before the council for changes and to vote. C. Gitschier stated he believes it should be sent to Personnel Sub/Committes where it should be negotiated. M. Rourke requested roll call. Adopted on roll call vote 8 yeas (C. Chau, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem C. Belanger), 3 nays (C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Robinson). So Voted. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. 6. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 6.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. A) Motion Response - Ideal Tape C. Descoteaux asked that this be tabled till next week to get more information from Ms. Golden.  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 B) Motion Response - Exit Interview C. Gitschier questioned City Manager Golden on what happened to the data from October 2022 to June 2023. Neil Osborne (HR Director) explained he does not have that in his records but provided what he did have. C. Gitschier questioned on the ones we do have June 2023 to 2025 and if we actually have them come in and do a personal exit interview or we just email. Mr. Osborn explained his procedure has been to email them or sometimes they are in person as well as provide opportunity to tell us something we would be available. C. Gitschier stressed the importance of sitting with employees to find the reasoning for separation. C. Gitschier then noted that this is probably first time this has been done and congratulated Mr. Osborne. C) Motion Response - Lotus House C. Scott thanked the City Manager for the update. D) Motion Response - LTLC Relocation C. Belanger thanked the City Manager for the response. E) Motion Response - 477 Varnum Ave C. Gitschier thanked the City Manager for the response. F) Motion Response - Shedd Park C. Belanger questioned lower and upper fields with respect to concession stands and restrooms. C. Belanger thanked Yovanni Rose Baez. C. Belanger would like to see this done before next spring. G) Motion Response - Skanska And Perkins Eastman - LHS Project Delays C. Gitschier noted we would see this on Agenda next week. 6.2. Informational Report Informational Report - 5 Year CIP Water Enterprise Fund City Manager Golden thanked the finance team and Mr. Duchesne (Executive Director of Water Department), and Mr. Fox and noted that they  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 are trying to prioritize their best practices of capital expenditures over the next 5 years with assistance contracted engineer services. City Manager noted projects and costs associated. C. Gitschier questioned if the usage of water is going down, leveled off, used more. Mr. Duchesne noted we have been able to keep unaccounted for water down with improvements to infrastructure. C. Gitschier then questioned accounted for water. C. Nuon questioned the 99.8 million and questioned if it was because of the new and updated capital plan. CFO Baldwin noted yes that the 99.8 million dollar represents the next 5 years of capital improvements for the water utilities. C. Descoteaux commented that is something that needs to be done but asked for some clarification on language in the Loan Order. CFO Baldwin explained there are 2 Loan Orders on Agenda tonight one is rescinding, and the other is to authorize new monies. CFO Baldwin further explained the line that C. Descoteaux questioned is section 1 Chapter 29 C. C. Mercier noted we are lucky to have employees with the education to make the city a better place to live. C. Robinson thanked the City Manager for the report. C. Gitschier thanked administration for the report. 6.3. Communication - Appointment of Courtney McSparron to Library Board of Trustees. In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted. At this time C. Robinson, seconded by C. Nuon made a Motion “To bundle 7.1-7.4”. So voted 7. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $117,645 Tobacco Control Grant FY25/26. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C.  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 Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted. 7.2. Vote - Apply/Accept/Expend $1M EOHLC Grant. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted. 7.3. Vote - Transfer $118,750 from City Manager Contingency to DPW. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted. 7.4. Vote - Transfer $250k for Perpetual Care. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, M. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted. 8. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 8.1. Loan Order - Rescind Water Loan Order. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on April 15, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 8.2. Loan Order - Water Infrastructure Improvement. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on April 15, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 9. ORDINANCES FROM THE 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 9.1. Ordinance - Amend Chapter 104 – Kennels. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on April 15, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 10. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 10.1. Technology and Utilities SC March 25, 2025. In City Council, C. Jenness provided report noting the attendance and the discussion regarding renewal of existing Comcast contract. C. Jenness noted the presentation by Miran Fernandez (MIS) entitled “Comcast of Southern New England Community Antenna Television System Franchise Renewal License” and indicated that the City Manager has the sole authority to renew this contract. Motion by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Chau to accept the report as a report of progress. So voted. 11. PETITIONS 11.1. Claims - (6) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Gitschier congratulated Greater Lowell Tech sophomore wrestler Antwoine Jackman who went to nationals and came in 4th in the country. C. Nuon noted April this year is year of the snake, and it is 3rd Annual Cambodian New Year Celebration, Saturday April 5, 2025 @ 6PM to midnight and that all proceeds from event will be donated to Southeast Asian Water Festival and the Ankor Dance Troup and would like to invite everyone. C. Yem thanked the City Manager and Mayor’s Office for this past Thursday celebration Tuskegee Airmen. C. Yem also wished C. Gitschier a Happy Birthday. 13. 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. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM. ___________________________________ Angela Gitschier, Assistant City Clerk