IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2008

TIME 6:32PM

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, a Moment of Silence, in a darkened chamber, was observed for Lorraine Pare, Frances Latham, Mary Romanauskas and Jim Downey, all of who passed away recently.

Mayor Caulfield presiding.

Roll call showed 9 present.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of the May 27th meeting for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. R. Mercier. So voted.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Verizon-Requesting to place conduit in Middlesex Street. In Council, read and hearing held. Robert Grassia spoke for the petitioner. No remonstrants. Hearing closed.

Referred to the DPW Superintendent of Streets and Inspector of Wires. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From City Manager, responses to Council Motions/Requests. In Council, read and C. Milinazzo moved, seconded by C. R. Mercier “To refer the communication on the Trial Court to the Economic Development Sub/Committee. 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.

$50,100 DPW, Various Accounts from DPW, Insurance Premiums, Brady School. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

$30,000 Police, Gas & Motor Oil from Police, Comp Time. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

$6,999 Police, Gas & Motor Oil from Police, Various Accounts. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Order of Taking and Acceptance-Sewer lines on Saratoga Street. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Martin). So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to transfer the proceeds from the sale of 172 Lakeview Avenue to the Home Program Income Account. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Order-60 Day Trial, Motor Vehicles & Traffic, Jackson Street. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Ordinance-Amending Chapter 11, by adding a new Article X, entitled Yard Sales. In Council read and C. R. Mercier moved, seconded by C. A. Mercier “To refer the Ordinance to the Neighborhood Sub/Committee for a report and recommendation”. So voted.

Re-Appointment-John Knox and Cory Belanger to the Board of Appeals. In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorizing the City Manager to accept a deed to Westview Road Extension from Steven Beati. In Council, Read twice and adopted 7 yeas, 2 present C. Milinazzo, C. Kazanjian. So voted.

Vote-To reimburse John Boutselis $7,500 for monies previously paid pursuant to the City accepting Chapter 203, the Acts of 2007. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To Accept the Provisions of Chapter 44, Section 53F ½ of MGL, authorizing the City to establish an Enterprise Fund for the Lowell Regional Water Utility. In Council, C. R. Mercier moved, seconded by C. Milinazzo “To Suspend City Council Rule #28, requiring a Public Hearing to be held 1 week prior to Council Action and allow Council action this evening”. So voted. Vote read twice and adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To Accept the Provisions of Chapter 44, Section 53 ½ of MGL, authorizing the City to establish an Enterprise Fund for the Parking Department. In Council, under the suspension as noted in the previous vote, read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Appointment-Mark Goldman 58 Oakland Street to the Middlesex Canal Commission. In Council, approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Brownfields Tax Abatement Agreement w/Enviro Corp. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

C. Milinazzo moved, seconded by C. Martin “To Suspend the rules in order to introduce a Loan Order”. So voted.

Loan Order-To borrow $35,000,000 for financing the planning , study, design, engineering and construction and installation cost of upgrades and modifications to the Wastewater Treatment Facility”. In Council, under Suspension of Rules, Given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on June 24, 2008. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Flood Sub/Committee said they met last week relative to the letter sent by FERC to Boott Hydropower Inc. informing them of their violations regarding the flashboard system on the river. C. Elliott said the meeting was very productive and the Pawtucketville Citizens Group is to be commended for their tenacity in forcing action to be taken regarding Boott Hydro. C. Elliott said the Committee agreed to make the following recommendations:

Recommendations adopted on motion of C. Kazanjian, seconded by C. Lenzi. So voted.

All Councillors complimented the residents and members of the Pawtucketville Citizens Council for all of the hard work and dedication to this issue and all agreed to continue to move forward in an effort to reduce the possibilities of future flooding.

C. R. Mercier, Chairperson of the Sub/Committee for the naming of Parks, Buildings and Other Public Facilities, said they met last week relative to a request to name a soccer field in the city, in memory of a very dedicated individual. C. R. Mercier said the Committee agreed to recommend the following:

“That the City Council request the Board of Parks to proceed with the naming of a soccer field in the City of Lowell in memory of Lucas Carvalho”. So moved by C. R. Mercier, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted.

C. Milinazzo, Chairman of the Economic Development Sub/Committee said they met recently on several issues, which had been forwarded to the Committee.

First, the leasing of retail spaces in the new Early Garage. C. Milinazzo said the Committee was informed by the Edge Group that an aggressive marketing effort continues and that a lease with a well-established restaurant and pub is in the final stages and should be complete relatively soon. C. Milinazzo said once the anchor tenant has come to agreement and movement takes place, other perspective tenants would likely follow.

The second issue was the traffic configuration concepts that have been introduced in the Hamilton Canal Redevelopment area. C. Milinazzo said the Committee was informed that this process is in the early stages, concerns of local businesses have been heard and taken into account and that planning continues with respect to this issue. C. Milinazzo said the Committee was informed that in fact an independent traffic consultant has been retained in an effort to develop the best possible plan for both the new development and the existing businesses. C. Milinazzo said meetings and public forums would continue and that all will work together to ensure the best plan for all involved.

The third issue was the disposition of city properties. C. Milinazzo said the Manager has been developing a strategy for this issue and would have a plan for the Committee and the Council to review some time in mid August. C. Milinazzo said the Committee would meet when the Manager has submitted his plan.

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

PETITIONS

Misc.-Back Bay Signs for Sovereign Bank 170 Merrimack Street for overhanging sign. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

Pole loc.-National Grid request pole location on Varney Street. In Council, Read and hearing ordered for 7PM on June 24th. So voted.

MOTIONS

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

“Request the City Manager have the Traffic Division remove the No Parking signs @ Father Norton Manor 117-137 High Street to allow for additional tenant parking”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the City Council prohibit the use of cell phones and or any communication devices during the regular, special or other city council meetings”. In Council, after considerable debate, referred to the City Council Rules Sub/Committee for a report and recommendation. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager to have the Library report on the Computer Lab @ the Senior Center and ways of increasing services”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager have the Law Department draw the proper vote for a 60 Day Trial, Handicap Parking 7 Tiffany Drive”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY MAYOR CAULFIELD, seconded by C. R. Mercier

“Request the City to condemn the tenement building adjacent to St. Patrick's Church in the Acre”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 8:40 PM, C. Lenzi moved, seconded by C. Milinazzo “to Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned, Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk