IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY MAY 20, 2008

TIME 6:36PM

Roll call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Broderick).

Mayor Caulfield presiding.

Recognition-Mayor Caulfield recognized Sandy Collins and Nancy Burns from the Merrimack Valley Reserve Corps for Emergency Preparedness.

Citation-Mayor Caulfield read and present a Citation to Michael Cruz for earning the Eagle Scout Badge.

CITY CLERK

The minutes of May 13th for acceptance. In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. R. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to apply for, accept and expend a grant in the amount of $25,000 from Mass. Historical Commission for staff support for Historic Board. In Council, from May 6th, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Broderick). So voted.

CITY MANAGER

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

Communication-From City Manager requesting approval of Out of State Travel. In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Broderick). So voted.

Vote-Authorizing the City Manager to execute a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Montgomery L'Energia Power Partners for plant on Tanner Street. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Broderick). So voted.

Vote-Establishing the JAM Façade and Lot Improvement Program (FLIP). In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Broderick). So voted.

Vote-Exempting Michael Jarvis under MGL Chapter 268A, Section 20(b). In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Broderick). So voted.

Vote-Ratifying the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Unit C. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Broderick). So voted.

REPORTS

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Environmental Sub/Committee said they met this evening jointly with the Neighborhood/Recycling Sub/Committee relative to the removal of refuse in the city. C. Elliott said last week, the Administration provided the Committees with proposed options for instituting changes to Refuse/Recycling Removal as an effort to eliminate or close the gap between revenues generated from collections and costs to the city for removal/disposal of refuse/recycling. C. Elliott said the Committees reviewed the proposal and is in agreement that some type of recycling/refuse removal strategy should be initiated soon. C. Elliott said the Committees agreed that they would visit the City of Worcester to get a first hand look at the success of their program. C. Elliott said the visit would take place the first week of June and following the visit, the Committee would be making a report and recommendation to the full council.

Adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. Martin, seconded by C. A. Mercier. So voted.

C. Milinazzo, Chairman of the Housing Issues Sub/Committee said they met last week relative to the assistance available to Lowell residents who are in or close to foreclosures. C. Milinazzo said the City of Lowell is not experiencing the number of foreclosures as other similar size communities as a result of the work of agencies such as the LDFC and others. C. Milinazzo said the LDFC has assisted a significant number of individuals and has contributed greatly to preventing the large numbers seen elsewhere. C. Milinazzo said the Committee would continue meet and discuss this issue and would report further at that time.

Adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. A. Mercier, seconded by C. Martin. So voted.

C. Martin, a member of the Committee said local banks have been instrumental in this difficult time as well.

PETITIONS

Misc.-Atty. James Flood Jr. for Trinity Development Corp. requesting the city to accept Oberlin Avenue, Carly Way and Bridget Lane. In Council, Read and referred to the Law Department and to the City Manager. So voted.

Conduit Loc.-Verizon to place approx. 10 ft. in Middlesex Street. In Council, hearing ordered for 7PM on June 10th. So voted.

Claims-There was 1 claim for property damage. In Council, Referred to the Law Department. So voted.

MOTIONS

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

“Request the City Manager to report on the snow and ice deficit”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the City Council Environmental and Neighborhood Sub/Committees meet relative to the environmental impact on the Concord River and any and all traffic issues effecting South Lowell resulting from the proposed power plant in Billerica”. In Council, Referred to the Environmental and Neighborhood Sub/Committees. So voted.

BY MAYOR CAULFIELD, seconded by C. R. Mercier

“Request the City Manager to furnish the Council with a financial breakdown and report of the $100,000 allocated to the COOL Budget last fiscal year, first, who is performing the study, second, who is being paid for the study and lastly, the purpose of the study”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY MAYOR CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City Manager have the Board of Assessors present at the Auditor/Clerk Oversight Sub/Committee on May 27th”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. MILINAZZO, seconded by C. Martin

“Request the City Manager to have Planning & Development make presentation to the Council on Form Based Codes and how they differ from Traditional Zoning Codes, before the Hamilton Canal Form Based Code is brought forward”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 8:12 PM, C. Martin moved, seconded by C. A. Mercier “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk