IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY MAY 27, 2008

TIME 6:31PM

A roll call showed 9 present.

Mayor Caulfield presiding.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of May 20th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Broderick, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Ordinance-Amending Chapter 2, creating the Office of Cultural Affairs, establishing the position of Director and salary therefore. In Council Given 2nd reading and hearing held.

Speaking in favor was:

Rosemary Noone Lowell Cultural Council

Thomas McKay Manager, Lowell Memorial Auditorium

Deb Belanger Director, Visitors and Convention Bureau

Eileen Donoghue 257 Andover Street

Kathleen Herman 172 Middle Street

Sharon Sawyer 38 Methuen Street

Anna Harrison 47 Prospect Street

Mark Goldman 58 Oakland Street

David Blackburn National Historical Park

Michael Herman 172 Middle Street

No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. After discussion, Ordinance adopted on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 nay (C. Kazanjian). So voted.

CITY MANAGER

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

Communication-From City Manager requesting Council discuss and set dates for Public Hearings for deliberation of proposed Fiscal 2009 City of Lowell Budget. In Council, after discussion, C. Broderick moved, seconded by C. Elliott “To hold public hearings for the consideration of the proposed Fiscal 2009 City of Lowell Budget. The first hearing will be on Monday June 9, 2008 at 5:00 PM and the second hearing will be on Tuesday June 10, 2008 at the conclusion of the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting and on such other dates to be publicly announced by the City Council”. So voted.

Communication-From City Manager requesting approval of Out of State Travel. In Council, read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Constable Bond-David Lamagna Andover, Ma. In Council read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To ratify the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Lowell and MVEA Inspectors. In Council, Read and adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

$10,734 Various Departments from Overlay Account Surplus. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

$2,503 Various Departments from Overlay Account Surplus. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Broderick, Chairman of the City Auditor/Clerk Oversight Sub/Committee said the met this evening on several issues. The first issue was the Overlay Account and the possibility of utilizing surplus for the Fiscal 2009 Budget Deficit. C. Broderick said after discussion with the City Manager, he is confident that the city can and will utilize funds to close the shortfall in the budget. The Committee agreed unanimously as all efforts to close the gap will need to be exercised in order achieve a balanced budget.

The remaining two issues were the evaluations of the City Auditor and the City Clerk. C. Broderick said the Committee agreed to request the City Solicitor advise the Committee on the process as it relates to the Auditor with respect to the Contract and as it relates to the City Clerk. C. Broderick said an additional meeting would be scheduled to begin the evaluation process.

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

PETITIONS

Misc.-ATC Associates of Woburn Ma. Requesting to place antennae, an ice bridge and gps system on Phoenix Avenue. In Council, Referred to the Law Department. So voted.

Daley Designs 58 Prescott Street requesting overhanging sign. In Council, Referred to the Law Department for the proper vote. So voted.

Eddie Santiago 84 Agawam St. request Handicap Parking sign. In Council, Referred to the Traffic Engineer for a report and recommendation. So voted.

MOTIONS

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

“Request that the Tabitha Potter Memorial be moved from the Riley School to a location at Shedd Park and that the matter be forwarded to the Board of Parks for appropriate action”. In Council, Referred to the Board of Parks. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager designate an area for the creation of a Community Garden”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY MAYOR CAULFIELD, seconded by C. R. Mercier

“Request the communication from French Excavating relative to renewable energy be forwarded to the Environmental Sub/Committee”. In Council, after discussion, C. A. Mercier moved in substitution, seconded by C. Martin “To refer to the communication and the issue to the City Manager for review”. So voted.

BY MAYOR CAULFIELD, seconded by C. A. Mercier

“Request the City Manager to have the DPW Commissioner place Mt. Hope Street on the repaving list”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. KAZANJIAN, seconded by C. Elliott

“Request the City Manager to report on the contract with the Arena as it relates to naming rights”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. KAZANJIAN, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City Manager to report on the activity of leasing the retail spaces in the Edward Early Garage”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager and the Economic Development Sub/Committee. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager report on the JAM Plan roadways, including the lord Overpass”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager and the Economic Development Sub/Committee. So voted.

BY C. BRODERICK, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request that the City Council adhere to the City Council Rules”. In Council, adopted favorably. So voted.

At 8:12 PM, C. Elliott moved, seconded by C. Lenzi “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk