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: December 16, 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. C. Chau requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for James Morris Kamara. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Environmental and Flood Issues SC December 9th; City Council Regular Meeting December 9th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Belanger. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Belanger - Req. City Mgr. work with proper department to facilitate a Workforce Housing Development Program in order to assist residents on a path to home ownership focused on first time  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 home ownership opportunities as well as down payment assistance and rent-to-own initiatives. In City Council, seconded by C. Gitschier, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Cathy Mercado (MVHP) - (comment – noted the importance of the partnership with the City). C. Belanger noted motion was made to move forward commenting on the importance of home ownership in the community. C. Chau noted the need to provide people opportunities for ownership. C. Robinson noted the success of the first- time homebuyers' program and commented on the City of Baltimore example. C. Gitschier noted the importance of establishing generational wealth through home ownership and that the money from these programs must get to the participants. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Yem, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. A) Motion Response - Municipal Fossil Fuel – C. Jenness noted the response and that the City should become part of this program when possible and further stated that a letter to the state delegation should provide possible pathways to get into such a program. C. Yem commented on prior presentation by Katherine Moses (DPW-Sustainability). Ms. Moses noted the issues with the program and that some changes could be made so that it would be available to cities such as Lowell. C. Yem noted the need to expand the grid in some neighborhoods as a step towards this. C. Mercier recognized the recent award bestowed on Ms. Moses for her work in the energy area. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the WISE Award given to Ms. Moses and commented that she was one of the most knowledgeable professionals in the country. Ms. Moses thanked the body and noted the team effort involved with sustainability. B) Motion Response – Bicentennial – C. Yem commented on the use of  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 banners and noted continued work of the committee and the Chamber of Commerce. C. Gitschier commented on areas of placement for the banners. C) Motion Response – Flags – C. Yem noted the number of flags that will be displayed will be impressive. D) Motion Response - FY26 Update and FY27 Budget Book – Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Yem to refer matter to Finance SC. So voted. C. Scott noted report showed stable position and that some school items were to be flagged. C. Yem noted concern with debt level regarding capital projects. Conor Baldwin (CFO) commented on the debt schedule. C. Yem noted fixed retirement and insurance costs. Mr. Baldwin commented on established trust which would be fully funded by 2037. E) Motion Response - Outsourcing Irrigation Services – C. Gitschier noted the recommendations in the report should be followed going forward. C. Gitschier noted there must be a practical approach due to short staff of plumbers in the system. F) Motion Response - Life-Saving Treatment – C. Robinson requested letter be sent and that any sort of help is needed. 5.2. Communication - Reappointments to Various Boards and Commissions. In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. 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. The following reappointments were made Joanie Bernes (Lowell Housing Authority); Judith Davidson (Pollard Library Board of Trustees); Helen Littlefield (Pollard Library Board of Trustees); Christine O’Connor (Pollard Library Board of Trustees); and Donna Richards (Pollard Library Board of Trustees). Judith Davidson was present in the Chamber and thanked the 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 M. Rourke requested to bundle and waive second reading for Items #6.1 through #6.4. No objections. 6. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $2,500 Mass State Police Grant – LPD. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, 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, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. 6.2. Vote - Accept/Expend $210k Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Grant. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, 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, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. 6.3. Vote - Accept/Expend $674.50 Walmart Grant – Fire. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, 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, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. 6.4. Vote - Transfer $35k - Census Form Printing. In City Council, Given 2nd Reading, 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, M. Rourke, C. Scott, C. Yem). So voted. 7. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY)  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 7.1. Non-Profit Organizations SC December 15, 2025. In City Council, C. Gitschier provided report outlining attendance and discussion regarding federal entitlement funding. C. Gitschier outlined the discussion of the public and the non-profits that were present at the meeting. Motion to accept the report as a report of progress by C. Scott, seconded by C. Yem. So voted. 8. PETITIONS 8.1. Misc. - Robert Burcham request installation of handicap parking sign at 75 Lincoln Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Yem wished C. Chau a happy birthday on behalf of the Council. C. Yem provided final remarks commenting on his service with the Council, noting they were a family whose goal was to make Lowell better. C. Yem thanked staff and residents of the City. C. Jenness recognized the efforts of his wife and her assistance with him being a Councilor. He thanked his employer for being flexible with him so that he may serve. He thanked past and present members of the body as well as the staff and NMCOG. He recognized the administration and staff and noted the Council employees, the Clerk and the Auditor. C. Belanger noted the great journey with this Council. He commented on the administration and that future looks bright for the City. C. Chau commented on the passionate work of the members who are leaving. C. Descoteaux noted their service and courage it takes to run and hold a public office. C. Gitschier noted their love of service and the passion they had in their position. C. Mercier commented on letter she gave to each member and that it was an honor serving with them and getting to know them. C. Nuon noted the four years of hard work and commitment by the group. C. Robinson noted it was an honor working with them and that they help move the City in the right direction. C. Scott noted they were special people and it was an honor working with them and  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 becoming friends. M. Rourke noted the members and their service and recognized Vice Chair Yem for his assistance. Manager Golden, Jr. thanked the outgoing members for the great job they did noting it was not an easy position and further recognized the efforts of his administration. 10. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Belanger, seconded by C. Jenness, C. Yem. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk