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: January 6, 2026 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. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). M. Gitschier presiding. C. Mercier requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Philip Shea. C. Nuon requested moment of silence in darkened chamber for Jean Marie (Henderson) Holmes. C. Chau recognized the contributions to the community by former Senator Phil Shea. 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. Descoteaux. So voted. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of Non-Profit Organization SC December 15th; City Council Regular Meeting December 16th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Juran, seconded by C. Liang. So voted. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Scott to take Item #9.1 out of order. 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 Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item #9.2 out of order. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Descoteaux - Req. City Mgr. provide an update on the status of 801 Stevens Street. In City Council, seconded by C. Chau, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Descoteaux noted the building was an eyesore that needs improvement. 5. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 5.1. Vote - Accept/Expend $1k Walmart Grant – Fire. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Juran, seconded by C. Liang. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted. C. Juran requested information regarding the grant. Conor Baldwin (CFO) outlined the uses for the private grant funding. Motion by C. Chau, seconded by C. Robinson to bundle and waive second reading of Items #5.2; 5.3; and 5.4. So voted. 5.2. Vote - Authorize CM Ex. Agreement with Solect Energy Development, LLC. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted. Registered speaker, Stephen Malagodi (commented – on the benefits of the use of solar energy and that this vote is a step in the right direction) addressed the body. 5.3. Vote - Authorize CM Ex. Easement with Boston Gas Company.  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, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted. 5.4. Vote - Authorize CM Ex. License Agreement with Lowell Festival Foundation. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted. 6. ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Loan Order - Amend High School Project. In City Council, Given 1st Reading. Motion to refer to Public Hearing on January 20, 2026 @ 7 PM by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Liang. So voted. C. McDonough recused self from discussion. 7. CONSTABLE BONDS 7.1. Communication - City Mgr. Request Approval of Constable Bonds. In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas (C. Chau, C. Descoteaux, M. Gitschier, C. Juran, C. Liang, C. McDonough, C. Mercier, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Rourke, C. Scott). So voted. Jose Navano and Juan Garcia bonds were approved. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 9. 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 9.1. Misc. - Naomi Scott request reimbursement for veterinary visit and medication for injuries to her dog. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted. 9.2. Misc. - John Ianucci request permission to address Council regarding installation of speed bumps on London Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. McDonough, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. Mr. Ianucci addressed the body commenting on the need to slow traffic in that area as it is populated with children. 9.3. Misc. - Andronike Angelopoulos request installation of a handicap parking sign at 54 Clare Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. McDonough, seconded by C. Juran. So voted. 9.4. Misc. - Guillermina Rivera request installation of a handicap parking sign at 28B Cork Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Scott, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 9.5. Misc. - Sophia Gallagher request installation of a handicap parking sign at 16 Newhall Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon. So voted. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted upcoming event for the Bridge Club of Lowell. M. Gitschier noted Golden Gloves opening night.  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. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Scott. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk