IN CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY OCTOBER 12, 2010

TIME 6:34PM

Roll call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Martin who arrived at 6:36 PM)

Mayor Milinazzo presiding.

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Milinazzo requested a Moment of Silence, in a darkened chamber, for Albert Aucella, Father of Peter Aucella of the National Parks, who passed recently.

C. Caulfield then moved, seconded by C. Murphy “To Suspend the Rules in order to allow David Keane, President of the Firefighters Local to address the Council”, So voted.

Mr. Keane then read a letter addressed to the City Manager and Citizens of Lowell expressing concerns with budgetary cutbacks and closings of fire stations as it relates to the fighting of fires. Mr. Keane said as a result of the Sunday Morning Fire, the men and women of the Lowell Fire Department were in danger as they performed there duties with a reduced staff of 24%, therefore creating a very difficult situation. Mr. Keane asked the City Council and the City Administration to work along with the Fire Department to minimize the implementation of station closings as well as reductions in manpower in efforts to address budget shortfalls.

Mr. Keane also commended the Lowell Fire Department and its men and women for the heroic efforts in this devastating Sunday Morning Fire.

City Manager Lynch said he would provide a comprehensive report with respect to strategies used and to be used in addressing shortfalls in the Fire Department Budget. The City Manager, along with all the Councillors, credited the Lowell Fire Department for their truly heroic efforts in fighting this terrible fire.

Communication was then accepted and placed on file. So voted.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of October 5, 2010 for acceptance. In Council, read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Elliott, seconded by C. Mendonca. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From City Manager, responses to Council Motions/Requests. In Council, C. Descoteaux moved, seconded by C. Broderick “To refer the report from the City Manager relating to Legacy Costs, to the Finance Sub/Committee for report and recommendation”. So voted. The remainder of the communication was placed on file. So voted.

Communication-From City Manager requesting the City Council to appoint Adam Baake as Acting City Manager from October 16th to October 21st”. In Council, accepted and placed on file. C. Martin then moved, seconded by C. Mendonca “To appoint Adam Baake as Acting City Manager from October 16th to October 21st”. So voted 9 yeas.

Vote-Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Lease Agreement with US Wireless Inc. for a 5 year term with option for 5 year renewals for a total of 25 years, for property located at Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility, 451 First Street Boulevard and 1313 Gorham Street. In Council, after discussion, C. Caulfield moved, seconded by C. Mendonca “To delay action for 1 week and await further information”. Defeated on roll call vote 3 yeas (C. Mendonca, C. Broderick, C. Caulfield), 6 nays (C. Mercier, Mayor Milinazzo, C. Murphy, C. Descoteaux, C. Elliott, C. Martin). So voted.

Vote was then adopted on roll call vote 6 yeas (C. Mercier, Mayor Milinazzo, C. Murphy, C. Descoteaux, C. Elliott, C. Martin) 3 nays (C. Mendonca, C. Broderick, C. Caulfield). So voted.

Order-60 Day Trial, Traffic Regulations, various locations. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

REPORTS

Wire Inspector-Verizon N.E. conduit in River Place and National Grid conduit in Lincoln and Maple Streets. In Council, Read, accepted and accompanying orders adopted on motion of C. Murphy, seconded by C. Mendonca. So voted.

PETITIONS

Claims-There was 1 claim for property damage, which was read and referred to the Law Department. So voted.

MOTIONS

BY C. CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Descoteaux, amended by C. Elliott

“Request the City Council Public Safety Sub/Committee meet and request the Superintendent of Police to report on strategies for addressing concerns with elevated crimes involving the use of guns”. In Council, as amended, referred to the Public Safety Sub/Committee, who has a meeting scheduled for 5:00 PM on October 19th. So voted.

BY C. CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Mercier

“Request the City Manager to provide a status report on flood prevention efforts on New York Street”. In Council, after discussion, referred to the City Manager.

Speaking on the motion were Donald and Diane Ahearn 102 New York Street.

BY MAYOR MILINAZZO, seconded by C. Mendonca

“Request the City to take the necessary steps to assist the Armenian Community in the erection of a Monument in the City Hall Plaza area”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 7:46 PM, C. Mercier moved, seconded by C. Martin “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk