IN CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY AUGUST 10, 2010

TIME 6:32PM

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 Former State Representative Edward LeLacheur, Ralph Lawson and all of those who have passed away since the last City Council Meeting.

Proclamation-Mayor Milinazzo read a proclamation declaring the week of August 8th to the 14th as National Health Care Week and presented it to representatives of Lowell Community Health Care Center.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of July 27th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Elliott, seconded by C. Broderick. So voted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Order-Demolition Orders for 51 Payne Street and 11 So. Whipple Street. In Council from July 13th read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Accepting Chapter 26, Acts of 2010 (Collection of Unpaid Municipal Fines). In Council, Read and adopted on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Conduit loc.-Phoenix Communications requesting conduit in Appleton Street and Middle Street. In Council read and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed.

Referred to the Superintendent of Wires. So voted.

Pole loc.-National Grid to place 2 poles First Street Boulevard. In Council, read and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed.

Referred to the Superintendent of Wires. 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 approval of Out of State Travel . In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Resignations-From City Manager, resignations from Historic Board and the Conservation Commission. In Council, Read, accepted and place on file. So voted.

Vote-Accepting the proposal of Robert Muldoon in the amount of $52,000 and convey the property located at 78 Perry Street. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-To enter into License Agreement w/U Mass Lowell for signage throughout the City. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 nay (C. Mendonca). So voted.

Resolution-Establishing a Sister City Relationship with Winneba, Ghana. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

At this point, Mayor Milinazzo entertained a motion by C. Broderick, seconded by C. Mendonca “To go into Executive Session, at the conclusion of the Regular Meeting, for the purpose of :

1. To discuss strategies for negotiating a Successor Contract between the City of Lowell and the current City Manager in preparation with negotiations of non-union personnel, public discussion of which would be detrimental to the City's position;

2. To discuss matters, subject to litigation, as it relates to Grand Manor Condominium Complex on Willard Street, public discussion of which would be detrimental to the City's position;

3. To discuss ongoing Union Negotiations as it relates to strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation, public discussion of which would be detrimental to the City's position;

And further that the City Council will adjourn from Executive Session”. So voted 9 yeas.

REPORTS

Wire Inspector-Report of National Grid to place 1 pole on Lundberg Street and Greener Excavating to place conduit at 133 Clark Road. In Council, Read, accepted and accompanying orders adopted. So voted.

Sub/Committee Reports

C. Caulfield, Chairman of the Neighborhood/Traffic Sub/Committee said they had met last evening relative to the proposed water tank on Christian Hill. C. Caulfield said this was the third of such meeting and again was very well attended. C. Caulfield said after hearing testimony from the Administration, the Consultants and the Fire Chiefs of both Lowell and Dracut, the Committee agreed to recommend the City Council support the 123 foot water tank as proposed. C. Caulfield said the Committee agreed that the height of the proposed tank was the difficult issue, however, after hearing from experts it was the only option of the 3 available, which would provide adequate water pressure without the use of a mechanical pumping station.

C. Caulfield then moved, seconded by C. Mercier “To recommend the Council adopt the recommendation of the Committee”. So voted.

C. Mendonca, Chairman of the Education/Collegiate Partnership Sub/Committee said they met this evening with Representatives of the University of Mass at Lowell and were updated on the University's commitment to Career Services. C. Mendonca said the Committee was informed that the University, through its Continuing Education and Career Services Department, is making connections with local employers and students by providing opportunities for full time internships and co-op positions. C. Mendonca said with the University's excellence in sciences, engineering and technology, working with local employers is a benefit to the University, the Students and the City. C. Mendonca said the University continues to grow its campus and its area of studies and together, with the City of Lowell, will make available, more of these partnership opportunities. C. Mendonca said the University will gather more information and will meet with the Committee, at a later date, to share that information.

Adopted as a report of progress by C. Broderick, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted.

PETITIONS

Claims-There was 2 claims, 1 for property damage and 1 for personal injury, which were read and referred to the Law Department. So voted.

Misc.-Lowell General Hospital 295 Varnum Ave Request increase of 20,000 gls. Diesel fuel. In Council read and hearing ordered for August 24th. So voted.

Kimberly Liliedahl 254 Concord St. requesting Handicap Parking Sign. In Council, Referred to the Traffic Engineer for a report and recommendation. So voted.

Patrick O'Connor 38 Foch St.-Request to address Council re:Excise Taxes. In Council, Read and referred to the City Manager. So voted.

MOTIONS

BY C. CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Mendonca

“Request the City Manager find ways and means to address the stairwell issues as well as other issues at Lowell High School”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. Caulfield

“Request the City Manager have the Law Department draw language to require muzzling of Pit Bulls involved in incidents”. In Council, Referred to the Public Safety Sub/Committee. So voted.

BY C. MERCIER, seconded by C. Martin

“Request the City Manager to have the proper department enforce regulations and remove the trash from property located at 24 Lane Street”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. MERCIER, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager have the proper vote drawn fro a 60 Day Trial, Fifteen Minute Parking Spaces in front of DLKV 447 Central Street”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. MARTIN, seconded by C. Mercier

“Request the City Manager proceed with action to either repair or demolish the property located at 491-493 Concord Street”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. MURPHY, seconded by C. Elliott

“Request the City Council and the City Manager discuss the use of Fiscal 2010 Snow & Ice Deficit assumed in the Fiscal 2011 Budget”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager and the Finance Sub/Committee. So voted.

BY MAYOR MILINAZZO, seconded by C. Broderick

“To request the City Manager address traffic concerns on Florida Street”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 7:48 PM, C. Mendonca moved, seconded by C. Broderick “To recess the Council Meeting and meet in Executive Session as previously voted”. So voted

Recessed

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk