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 13, 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 John Rose, Jr. 2. MAYOR'S BUSINESS 2.1. Communication Remote / Zoom Participation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Scott, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 2.2. Presentation - UNESCO Learning City Designation. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. Motion by C. Chau, seconded by C. Mercier to take Item #4.3 with this discussion. So voted. C. Juran noted disclosure filed with Ethics Commission regarding discussion of this Item. Professor John Wooding provided presentation entitled “Lowell City of Learning – UNESCO". Professor Wooding thanked all those involved with the endeavor including all of the organizations that helped with the effort. Professor Wooding described the program. Pat Shanahan commented on the efforts of all, including C. Juran. C. Chau described the operations 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 noted effort on the part of the City. C. Rourke noted the beginning concept of the program and noted that it provided a global footprint for the City. C. Nuon commented on past and present efforts. C. Liang commented on the organization and its cultural importance. C. McDonough commented on the efforts of Professor Wooding to bring plan to fruition. 3. CITY CLERK 3.1. Minutes of City Council Inauguration Ceremony 2026-2027 January 5th; City Council Regular Meeting January 6th, for acceptance. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted. 4. CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS 4.1. C. Scott - Req. City Council approve a temporary moratorium on the permitting and approval of new or expanded data center facilities in the City of Lowell until zoning and planning regulations are updated to protect residents, including required buffer zones, noise standards, screening and protections against water and electric rate impacts. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager / Law Department. So voted. Registered speakers, Mary Wambui (comment – moratorium needed to understand impact); Jonathan Grossman (comment – noted the need to be a good corporate neighbor), addressed the Council. Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Robinson to allow Nancy Castle to address the Council. So voted. Ms. Castle commented on the Markley property. Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. Mercier to refer to Law Department to prepare proper draft language. 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. Nuon noted the need for a better understanding. C. McDonough noted the need for more information regarding data centers. C. Liang commented  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 on pollution and energy costs for data centers. C. Juran noted the need for law department to draft language to protect residents. Motion by C. Scott, seconded by C. McDonough to take Items #5.2 and #4.7 out of order. So voted. 4.2. C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department investigate the long-term feasibility of relocating polling places currently located in public schools to alternative, accessible community locations, and to report back to the Council with findings and recommendations. In City Council, seconded by C. Mercier, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. McDonough recuse self from discussion and vote. C. Scott noted the concerns of the parents and that there may be better locations than the schools. 4.3. C. Chau / C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. create a Lowell Learning City Task Force to ensure that Lowell actively participates as a UNESCO Learning City; The Task Force shall include members of the Lowell City of Learning organization and representatives from Lowell Public Schools, UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, cultural organizations, the City administration, and a member of the City Council; The Task Force shall coordinate citywide learning initiatives, promote community engagement, and provide regular progress reports to the City Council. In City Council, no second needed, referred to City Manager. 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. See discussion under Item #2.2. Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Nuon to take Item #9.3 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 4.4. C. McDonough - Req. City Mgr. work with appropriate department to provide a detailed report on winter operation procedures in high pedestrian traffic locations throughout the City. In City Council, seconded by C. Robinson, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. McDonough commented on the confusion and concern regarding winter operations downtown in a high-density area. C. Robinson noted the need for clarification of responsibility. 4.5. C. McDonough - Req. City Mgr. reach out to the University to explore the feasibility of a land swap within the LINC Project. In City Council, seconded by C. Liang, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. McDonough commented on the number of parcels owned by the City and the need to keep open green space in the area. 4.6. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department provide a detailed report on percentage as well as dollar amount increases for all ordinance employees over the past 4 years. In City Council, seconded by C. Nuon, referred to City Manager. So voted. C. Robinson noted upcoming lean budgets and just need a snapshot of where the City is. C. Rourke noted the increase in retaining employees and that was important. Manager Golden, Jr. indicated the vast turnaround in that area as well as increased interest in employment. 4.7. C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. work with the Lowell Folk Festival Foundation to explore how our Council and administration may be able to assist with fundraising efforts. In City Council, seconded by C. Descoteaux, referred to City Manager. So voted. Registered speaker, Lee Villiesin (comment – efforts for future funding), address the Council. C. Robinson noted the efforts of the organization and the need to work with them in fundraising. C. Descoteaux commented on the work of the foundation and the need to partner with  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 them. Manager Golden, Jr. noted current funding and that the City will continue to be involved. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER 5.1. Motion Responses. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Chau, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. A) Motion Response - Update on 809 Stevens St – C. Descoteaux noted it was a safety issue with some resolution. Shawn Machado (Asst. City Manager) noted work of inspectors got the owner to cooperate with securing the site. 5.2. Communication - Appointment of Kristin Ross-Sitcawich to Conservation Commission. In City Council, Motion “To accept and place on file” by C. Juran, seconded by C. McDonough. So voted. C. Scott recognized the appointment and noted her work on the School Committee. 5.3. Communication - City Manager request approval of Out of State travel (1) DPD. In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Mercier. 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. VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER 6.1. Vote - Amend JAM Plan. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Nuon, 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.  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 - Apply/Accept/Expend $3k MA Economic and Workforce Developers Fellowship Program Grant. In City Council, Given 2nd reading. Motion “To Adopt” by C. Juran, seconded by C. Descoteaux. 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. 7. CONSTABLE BONDS 7.1. Communication - City Mgr. Request Approval of Constable Bonds. In City Council, Motion “To Adopt” by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Juran. 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. The bonds were approved for Steven Brouillette and Steven DeRosa. 8. REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY) In City Council, none. 9. PETITIONS 9.1. Claims - (6) Property Damage. In City Council, Motion to refer to Law Department for report and recommendation by C. Scott, seconded by C. Rourke. So voted. 9.2. Misc. - Carolynn Bennett request installation of a handicap parking sign at 7 Arthur Street. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Liang, seconded by C. Juran. 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 9.3. Misc. - Johanna Monsalve request permission to address City Council regarding condition of Smith Avenue. In City Council, Motion to refer to Transportation Engineer for report and recommendation by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Chau. So voted. Ms. Monsalve commented on the condition of the street and that it needs attention. C. Mercier noted it was a one-way street. Manager Golden, Jr. noted the delay was due to current federal mandate of updating combined sewer water flow and that the City has spent millions of dollars on roads. C. Chau commented on the area. C. Robinson questioned if possible temporary stop gaps could be done. C. Liang noted the importance of residents voicing their concerns. C. Scott questioned status of information on the website. 9.4. Misc. - Peter Astorian request permission to address the Council regarding installation of a handrail on side entrance steps to City Hall. In City Council, Motion to refer to City Manager for report and recommendation by C. Robinson, seconded by C. McDonough. So voted. 10. CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION 10.1. Executive Session - To Consider And Discuss The Purchase, Exchange, Lease, Or Value Of Real Property (The Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street), Public Discussion Of Which May Have A Detrimental Effect On The Negotiating Position Of The City. In City Council, M. Gitschier stated purpose of the session, Motion to enter executive session and adjourn from that session by C. McDonough, seconded by C. Chau. (7:50 PM). 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. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS In City Council, C. Mercier noted upcoming hockey event for Bridge Club.  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 12. ADJOURNMENT In City Council, Motion to Adjourn from Executive Session by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. Meeting adjourned from Executive Session at 8:45 PM. ___________________________________ Michael Q. Geary, City Clerk