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: October 14, 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. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness (Zoom), C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson (Zoom), C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (M. Rourke). Vice Chair Yem presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Esther Marie Riopelle. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Regular Meeting October 7th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. C. Jenness noted change in minutes to indicate motion to request City Manager begin discussions with Markley Group regarding a community agreement.  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. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Mercier - Req. Parks and Recreation SC meet with the Board of Parks to further discuss the proposed fees. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to Parks and Recreation SC. So voted. C. Mercier noted that date will be set in the future. 4.2. C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have proper department evaluate intersection of Lawrence and Church Streets for pedestrian upgrades. In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Jenness noted that there was a lot of pedestrian traffic and that updates are needed for safety. 4.3. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with an outline of the powers, responsibilities and duties of the Tree Commission. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier outlined the purpose of the commission noting the powers, duties and responsibilities. C. Gitschier commented that ordinances should be drafted to align with request of the commission. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the current size of the focus group which will help develop the commission. C. Scott noted the public need for the commission. C. Robinson requested information be sent to residents to inform them of the focus group. C. Descoteaux noted the interest in the focus group and that the City is losing many trees. Vice Chair Yem indicated the need to minimize heat islands in the City. 4.4. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department provide an update on repairs to fencing at Aiken Street Bridge and the VFW in Centralville. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson questioned ownership of the area. Manager 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 Jr. Noted they were looking into ownership issue, but matter would be resolved. 4.5. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. work with the proper department to explore the feasibility of installing a water fountain feature at the reservoir to assist with oxygenation. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted feature would assist with moving air and cleaning water. 4.6. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. have double poles promptly removed from the Quebec Street substation over to Moore Street and all other areas. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted task may be difficult, but currently it is impeding public. 4.7. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department develop a free subscription text service to provide residents with City updates. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted it was a great communication tool for residents. 4.8. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department implement a localized call-out system to communicate emergencies such as water main breaks. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Scott noted it was important to have information during a time of emergency. Manager Golden, Jr. noted they were exploring different options.  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. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. A) Motion Response - Assisted Living – C. Belanger noted the departments involved with the oversight and that safety is at its highest. B) Motion Response - LPD Walking Routes 10PM-2AM Gorham St – C. Gitschier commented on the improvement for the businesses in the area. C. Jenness commented it was a step in the right direction and noted other areas in need of patrols. C. Belanger commented on the improvements along that corridor. C. Mercier questioned current staffing at the police department. C) Motion Response - Hunts Falls Rotary – C. Gitschier called for maintenance so that it endures over time. C. Descoteaux noted that MassDOT has a maintenance schedule for their properties. C. Robinson noted the Aiken Street ownership. 5.2. Communication - Resignations of Maria Crooker-Capone from Hunger Homeless Commission. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. 5.3. Communication - Appointment of Jack Traphagan to Lowell Cultural Council. In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (M. Rourke). 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 5.4. Communication - Reappointment of JoAnn Howell to Hunger Homeless Commission. In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (M. Rourke). So voted. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $19,600 FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Gitschier, 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, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (M. Rourke). So voted. 6.2. Vote - Accept/Expend $65,000 FY26 Municipal Road Safety Grant – LPD. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (M. Rourke). So voted. C. Mercier commented on the grant writers' efforts and that they should be recognized. C. Gitschier noted grant is from a community request and that it will assist with enforcement. 6.3. Vote - Apply/Accept/Expend $99,040 Mass Technology Collaborative Grant. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Gitschier, 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, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (M. Rourke). 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 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Claim - (1) Property Damage (Towing). In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Scott, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. 8.2. Misc. - Marisol Santiago request installation of a handicap parking sign at 144 Hampshire Street (#1). In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, none. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Chau, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk