IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2008

TIME 6:32PM

Roll call showed 9 present

Mayor Caulfield presiding

Prior to the beginning of the Meeting, a Moment of Silence was observed for Alvin Lutkus, Thomas Murphy and Daniel Gannon, all of who passed away recently.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of November 4th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Broderick, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Vote-Establishing the Minimum Residential Factor for Fiscal 2009. In Council, Given 2nd reading and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. After questions by the City Council, the Vote was adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

The Board of Assessors was present and answered questions of the Council.

Ordinance-Amending Chapter 9, Waste and Recycling. In Council, Given 2nd reading and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. Adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Order of Taking by Eminent Domain certain portions of Factory Street Manufacturers Street and Angle Street. In Council, Given 2nd reading and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. In accordance with City Ordinance, the Order of Taking was ordered to remain in the Office of the City Clerk for 2 weeks. So voted.

Pole loc.-National Grid 1 pole location Coburn Street and 1 pole Chelmsford Street. In Council, read and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed.

Referred to the DPW Superintendent of Streets and Inspector of Wires on motion of C. Lenzi, seconded by C. Kazanjian. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From the City Manager, responses to Council motions and requests. In Council accepted and placed on file. So voted.

Communication-From City Manager accepting the resignations as Library Trustee and the Council on Aging. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file. So voted.

Vote-Authorizing the City Manager to incur liability for the Removal of Snow & Ice. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorizing the City Manager to apply, accept, and expend a grant in the amount of $18,000 for the Senior Center Lunch Program. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept a gift of Utility Poles for use at Callery Park for lighting. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept a gift of Software from Adpax for use in the Division of Planning & Development. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Approving the application for Commercial Revitalization Deductions (CRD) for Roca's Realty, John Ho, CVS Caremark and Butler Ventures. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Execute an agreement for the property at 28 Aiken Avenue for use by the Lowell Police Department. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 present (C. Kazanjian). So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $5,000 from Blue Cross for the Wellness Program. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Resolution-Authorizing the City Manager to submit communication to Secretary Paulsen in the United States Department of Treasury. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Ordinance-Amend Section 2.123, Lowell Commission on Disability. In Council, Given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on December 9th. So voted.

Ordinance-Amend Zoning Regulations, extend DMU District at 26-28 Lawrence Street. In Council, Read and referred to the Planning Board for a report and recommendation. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Milinazzo, Chairman of the Public Safety Sub/Committee said the met recently relative to the issue of dangerous and vicious dogs in the city. C. Milinazzo said in the wake of several incidents which have taken place recently, the Committee recommended the Law Department draw an Ordinance amending its existing Ordinance, to address the dangerous and vicious dog issue. C. Milinazzo said the Law Department had submitted a proposal, which the Committee reviewed, after review the Committee supported the recommendation of referring the Amendment to Public Hearing.

Recommendation of the Committee was adopted and Ordinance was ordered advertised for a Public Hearing on December 23rd on motion of C. Broderick, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

C. Kazanjian, Chairman of the Neighborhood Sub/Committee said they met recently relative to the issue of break-ins and other crime activities in the highlands. C. Kazanjian said the meeting was attended by the Police Department, City Administration and Representatives of the Highlands Betterment Council. C. Kazanjian said Superintendent Lavalee and his Command Staff have implemented several initiatives to address this issue and will continue to work to assure the residents of their safety. C. Kazanjian said the Committee recommended the Council adopt a motion to request the City meet with the District Attorney's Office to discuss the issue of arrest and release of those accused of committing such crimes to tighten the loop holes in order to address this issue. Recommendation of the Committee was adopted on motion of C. R. Mercier, seconded by C. A. Mercier. So voted.

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Environmental Sub/Committee said the met recently on the Power Plant being constructed in Billerica. C. Elliott said Joe Fitzpatrick of DG Clean Power was present and provided the Committee and those present with information relative to the facility. C. Elliott said Mr. Fitzpatrick assured all present that there would be minimal impacts on the neighborhood, both during construction and operation of the facility. C. Elliott said the Committee would continue to monitor this issue and would report further at that time.

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

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Finance Sub/Committee said they met recently relative to the fiscal issues and the upcoming Fiscal Year. C. Elliott said the Administration informed the Committee of the difficult financial issues the city will face in the coming fiscal year. C. Elliott said the city has taken steps to reduce the economic impact, however, difficult choices will have to be made for the 2010 Budget. C. Elliott said the Committee will continue to meet with the Administration and will keep the Council informed. C. Kazanjian, a member of the Finance Sub/Committee requested the Manager to provide the Council with regular reports relative to the steps being implemented by the city and report of vacancies/filling of positions and he so moved, seconded by C. Lenzi. So voted.

Report of the Sub/Committee was adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. Lenzi, seconded by C. Martin. So voted.

C. Broderick, Chairman of the Zoning Sub/Committee said they had met relative to the Council's request on the issue signs and reader boards. C. Broderick said the Planning & Development Department had provided the Committee with possible options the Council could act upon, to amend the Zoning Ordinance as it relates to this issue. C. Broderick said the Committee was unanimous in its request of DPD to come back to the Committee with recommendations which will address the Councils concerns and the Committee would then make recommendations to the Full Council.

Report adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. Elliott, seconded by C. Lenzi. So voted.

PETITIONS

Pole loc.-National Grid to place 1 pole on Hall St. In Council, Read and hearing ordered for 7PM on December 9th. So voted.

Claim-There was 1 claim, which was read and referred to the Law Department. So voted.

MOTIONS

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

“Request the City Council to review the new meeting schedule and vote to keep the same schedule or revert back to the previous meeting schedule”. In Council, after discussion, the motion was referred to the City Council Rules Sub/Committee for report and recommendation. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager to develop a policy to notify city businesses of impending construction”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager to provide information on the restructuring of the Health Department and the Inspectional Services Department”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager to provide the Council with status report on Spinners Contract”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager have proper department prepare a report on the status of the city loans for assisted housing programs, 2 For Lowell, Project Genesis, First Time Homebuyers etc.”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. KAZANJIAN, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager to report on the financial status of Trinity Development and the Hamilton Canal Project”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the city Manager to develop a strategy for immediate action for the city homeless”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

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

“Request the City Manager to look into additional street lighting on Douglas Road in the vicinity of Cawley Stadium”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. MILINAZZO, seconded by C. Martin

“Request the City Manager to have the Law Department review the Somerville Responsible Employer Ordinance and report on possible use in the city”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 9:20 PM, C. Lenzi moved, seconded by C. Kazanjian “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk