IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY APRIL 15, 2008

TIME 6:35PM

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, a Moment of Silence in a darkened chamber, was observed for Tex Texeira, Carol Nangle and Mary Mahoney, all of who passed away recently.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of April 8th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Broderick, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From City Manager, responses to Council Motions/Requests. In Council, accepted and placed on file. So voted.

Constable Bond-Geovanna Ramos 172 Middle St. In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

$60,000 Messenger, Energy/Electricity from Water, Energy/Electricity. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To authorize the City Manager to enter into a License Agreement with Empire Beauty Salon 231 Central Street fro an overhanging sign. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To authorize the City Manager to execute a Crosswalk Easement w/UMass Lowell on Riverside Street. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To authorize the City Manager to accept a gift in the amount of $1,040.80 for use in the Parks & Recreation Department. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to apply for, accept and expend a grant for the Fire Department to purchase a Technical Rescue Vehicle. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to apply for, accept and expend a grant for the Fire Department to purchase a Hose Coupling Machine. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To rescind a previous vote and surplus the property located at 51 Leverett Street. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Flood Issues Sub/Committee said the Committee held an informal meeting as Members were not properly notified and were not present. C. Elliott said they received an update from Congresswoman Tsongas' Office and Senator Kerry's Office that a report from FERC would be completed by May 15th and a meeting would be scheduled w/representatives of FERC at that time to continue discussion on the Flashboard issue. C. Elliott said that all continue to monitor the river's level and remain very concerned relating to possible flooding conditions again this year. C. Elliott said the Committee would meet again on May 20th and would report further at that time. So voted.

Adopted as a report of progress by motion C. Broderick, seconded by C. Martin. So voted.

PETITIONS

Claims-There was 1 claim for property damage, which was referred to the Law Department. So voted.

C. Martin moved, seconded by C. A. Mercier “To Suspend the Rules and refer a petition from National Grid for a property easement at 92 Lisa Lane, to the Law Department”. In Council, under Suspension of Rules, read and referred to the Law Department. So voted.

MOTIONS

BY C. R. MERCIER, seconded by C. A. Mercier

“Request the City Manager to contact the State relative to the timing of the traffic lights on Gorham Street at Highland Street and request the light remain green, on Gorham Street heading north, for an additional amount of time during peak traffic times”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. R. MERCIER, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City Council have the Law Department prepare to proper Resolution supporting the plight of our local Cameroonians”. In Council, referred favorably to the Law Department for the proper vote. So voted.

Speaking in favor was Fru N. Kimbeng 1165 Middlesex St.

BY C. KAZANJIAN, seconded by C. Lenzi

“Request the City Manager take the necessary action to name the Edwards Street Soccer Fields as Edward J. Walsh Lowell Youth Soccer Complex”. In Council, after lengthy debate and discussion, adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City Manager to develop a policy for the naming of Public Facilities”. In Council, after debate, C. R. Mercier moved in substitution, seconded by C. Kazanjian “To request the Mayor appoint a Sub/Committee for the naming of Public Facilities”. So voted 9 yeas.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. Kazanjian

“Request the Environmental Sub/Committee meet relative to refuse disposal and recycling”. In Council, Read and referred to the Environmental Sub/Committee. So voted.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. A. Mercier

“Request the City Manager and the DPD to convene a summit with the Local Delegation, Business Owners and Community Leaders to develop a plan for the Wood Street Corridor and the Rourke Bridge”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. BRODERICK, seconded by C. Lenzi

“Request the City Manager report on Regionalization efforts and the possibilities of cost saving measures in the future”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. MARTIN, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City Manager to report on the status of the new University Avenue Bridge”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. MARTIN, seconded by C. A. Mercier

“Request the Cable TV Sub/Committee meet and report on the Lowell Telecommunications Obscenity Policy”. In Council, Referred to the Cable TV Sub/Committee. So voted.

At 9:00 PM, C. A. Mercier moved, seconded by C. R. Mercier “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk