IN CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY JANUARY 26, 2010

TIME 6:43PM

Roll call showed 9 present.

Mayor Milinazzo presiding.

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, a Moment of Silence, in a darkened chamber, was observed for John Simon, John Tighe, Robert Gauvreau, William McGee, James Silk and all of those who have passed away since the last City Council Meeting.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of January 19th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Caulfield, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

PUBLIC HEARING (Scheduled for 7PM)

Vote-Accepting the provisions of Section 18A of Chapter 32B re: Medicare Extension Plan. In Council, given 2nd reading and hearing opened, C. Martin moved, seconded by C. Mercier “To recess the Public Hearing for two weeks”. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

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

While under Communications from the Manager, C. Elliott moved, seconded by C. Caulfield “To refer the report received from the City Auditor on the FY 2010 Budget to the Finance Sub/Committee”. So voted.

C. Mendonca moved, seconded by C. Martin “To refer the report relative to C. Elliott's motion on UML Start up Companies to the Education/Collegiate Partnership Sub/Committee for a report and recommendation”. So voted.

C. Murphy moved, seconded by C. Mendonca “To refer the report from the Manager relative to the Sustainability of the City to the Environmental/Recycling Issues Sub/Committee for a report and recommendation”. So voted.

Vote-Authorizing the City Manager to accept a gift in the amount of $100 from the Greater of Lowell Chamber of Commerce for the Holiday Reception. In Council, read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Finance Sub/Committee said they met this evening relative to the report received from the Manager regarding the methodologies used in determining the valuations of real estate. C. Elliott said the Administration made a presentation explaining the methods and formulas used in determining the real estate valuations as well as the establishing the Minimum Residential Factor and the actual setting of the tax rate. C. Elliott said the meeting was very informative and that the Committee and the Administration would work along with the taxpayers to assist in any way possible to better understand the process, as well as applying for Abatements/Exemptions. C. Elliott said the Committee agreed that holding the line on expenditures and on the budget is what the Council has done in order to keep the taxes as low as possible.

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

MOTIONS

BY C. CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Descoteaux

“Request the City Manager have the proper department replace the missing Stop Signs on Columbia, Cornell, Baldwin, Hadley Streets and Pratt Avenue”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. DESCOTEAUX, seconded by C. Caulfield

“Request the City Manager to have the proper department replace the missing signs immediately and also review the traffic mitigation issues which could be implemented now in the Middlesex and Wood Street area”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. DESCOTEAUX, seconded by C. Murphy

“Request the City Manager/DPD put together a task force including members from the Lowell Highlands Group to create a Master Plan as the Walgreen's planning process continues”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So Voted.

BY C. MURPHY, seconded by C. Martin

“Request the City Manager to report on plans to increase savings in waste management and support recycling programs in condominium units and multi-family buildings”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager and the Environmental/Recycling Issues Sub/Committee. So Voted.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. Mercier

“Request the City Manager to post all job vacancies on the city's website, career centers website, and the like”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So Voted.

BY M. MILINAZZO, seconded by C. Caulfield

“Request the City Manager convene a meeting regarding immigration issues and to reinstate the Immigration Commission”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So Voted.

BY M. MILINAZZO, seconded by C. Caulfield

“Request the City Manager have the City Solicitor report on the status of the Responsible Employee Ordinance”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So Voted.

At 8:13PM C. Elliott moved, seconded by C. Caulfield “To Adjourn”.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk