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: November 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 11 present (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). Mayor Rourke presiding. M. Rourke introduced Mayor of the Day, Rowan Murphy, who attended to the remainder of the meeting. C. Belanger offered moment of silence in darkened chamber for Lorraine Langlais Latulippe. C. Mercier offered moment of silence in darkened chamber for Attorney William C. Geary, Jr. Clerk Geary commented on the life of his uncle. C. Gitschier offered moment of silence in darkened chamber James Smith. 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 presented citation to Acting Mayor Murphy. Mayor Murphy thanked the body. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Meeting November 18th, for acceptance.  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. Gitschier, seconded by C. Jenness. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with a complete audit of all sick time usage broken down by department. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. 4.2. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with a report on all work and testing from the Washington School over the last two months. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier noted the need to check the work product to get an accurate picture. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated that they would produce a thorough report. 4.3. C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with an outline of the services rendered for the two payments of $257,600 on August 21, 2025 and $144,900 on October 9, 2025 to the Frontrunner City group. In City Council, seconded by C. Scott, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Gitschier commented on the amount of the expenditures and the objective time frames in the memorandum of understanding. Manager Golden, Jr. noted that there were some push outs at outset the effected timelines. 4.4. C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have the Law Department draft a shadow conduit ordinance for adoption by the 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 In City Council, seconded by C. Yem, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Jenness noted the reason for the ordinance is to prepare for possible changes in the Comcast contract with the City. 4.5. C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. prepare letter to our State House delegation requesting expansion of the Municipal Fossil Fuel Free Building Demonstration Program with outreach, encouragement and priority for environmental justice communities and gateway cities such as Lowell to join the program. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Jonathan Grossman (comment – need to prevent climate change due to methane gas), addressed the Council. C. Jenness noted the legislation that will need to expand to gateway cities like Lowell. C. Robinson noted that this may impact some development projects in the City. C. Jenness noted that City could craft a home-rule petition to protect interests. M. Rourke noted costs of pilot program and that the State should be responsible for those. Motion by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Belanger to refer matter to Environmental and Flood Issues SC. So voted. 4.6. C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. provide City Council with a report on options to limit future construction of new gasoline filling stations within the City of Lowell. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Jenness noted this was a forward-looking motion as there could be a better use of land other than a filling station. C. Yem voiced concern for local businesses. 4.7. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. provide update regarding upgrades/repairs to firehouses. In City Council, seconded by C. Jenness, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted the need to update and develop fiscal planning for projects.  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 4.8. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. provide update regarding upgrades/repairs to upper field concession stand at Shedd Park. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Belanger noted the importance of the stand in the park. C. Robinson noted project was along the way and commented that in-house costs would be less. Acting Mayor Murphy noted the resources at her school, Greater Lowell Voke. Manager Golden, Jr. commented on the restraints of state legislation. Motion by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #9.1 out of order. So voted. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. A) Motion Response - Speed Monitoring E Merrimack St – C. Mercier noted the date for speeding after paving which would indicate continued monitoring and enforcement. Supt. Hudon (LPD) noted area and upcoming changes as well as commenting on the collected data. B) Motion Response - Prohibiting Distribution of Needles – C. Robinson requested item #8.1 be discussed with this item. No objections. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $193,581.76 FY25 State Aid to Public Libraries Program Award. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Jenness. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. C. Gitschier noted the staff at the library for their efforts on this matter.  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 6.2. Vote - Amend Julian D. Steele Public Housing Development Plan. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Chau, 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, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. Atty. John Geary, representing the developer, outlined the history of the project and the approvals gathered and needed to complete it. Atty. Geary commented that the scope of the project correlates well with zoning vision of the City. Registered speaker, Gerald Barnes (comment – on prior agreement with developers and that Atty. Geary has been helpful with ironing out some differences), addressed the Council. C. Gitschier requested information regarding agreement and Atty. Geary indicated that the lot in question was not a part of this vote. C. Yem voiced his support of the vote as it benefits housing needs in the City. C. Scott noted it was a long overdue project and noted the concept of the housing that was established. C. Nuon noted the efforts of the state delegation indicating work of Representative Elliott and the Lowell Housing Authority. 7. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 7.1. Order - 60 Day Trial. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. Adopted per Roll Call vote 10 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem), 1 absent (C. Nuon). So voted. 7.2. Loan Order - 2025 MSBA Accelerated Repair Program. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on December 9, 2025 @ 7 PM by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. C. Robinson noted the need to be a part of the program. 8. 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 8.1. Ordinance - Amend Chap 222.24 - Needle Exchange Program. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to remove from agenda by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. Registered speakers, JoAnn Keegan (comment – noted these services provide outreach and treatment as well as Narcan, in addition to needle exchange) and Erin Gendron (comment – noted Board of Health meeting with state and information provided would indicate further review with them) addressed the Council. C. Mercier questioned the exchange element of the services and was not happy that the exchange would not be even between used and new needles. Ms. Keegan noted goal of program is to stop the spread of disease. C. Gitschier noted concern with changing the size of the school zone and questioned if anyone has come in contact with discarded needle. Lisa Golden (HHS) noted the schools would have to report such incidents. C. Robinson noted Board of Health meeting was very informative with the state and that would be a good venue for further review. Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier to refer to Public Safety SC for meeting with Board of Health and state health officials to review and amend ordinance. So voted. 9. RESOLUTIONS 9.1. Resolution – Support Paint Stewardship Legislation - H.886 and S.647. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Belanger, C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. 10. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) 10.1. Environmental and Flood Issues SC November 25, 2025. In City Council, M. Rourke noted report would be provided at next meeting on December 2, 2025. No objections. 11. 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 11.1. Claim - (1) Property. (Water) In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Gitschier noted upcoming Festival of Lights. C. Robinson noted event at East End Social Club. M. Rourke noted ribbon cutting at public market. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the effort of decorating City Hall. 13. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Gitschier, seconded by Mayor of the Day Murphy. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk