IN CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

CITY HALL, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2011

TIME 6:30PM

Roll call showed 9 present.

Mayor Milinazzo presiding

Prior to the meeting, at Councilor Martin's request, a Moment of Silence in a darkened chamber was observed for Robert Gilroy.

CITY CLERK

Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Murphy, to accept minutes of December 13th. So voted (voice vote).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Vote - Accept sections 21, 22 and 23 as provided in sec. 21(a) of MGL Chapter 32B, as amended. Motion by C. Mendonca, seconded by C. Martin to defer matter until after the scheduled Public Hearing. So voted (voice vote). After Public Hearing Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Martin to withdraw matter from agenda. Roll call 9 yeas. So voted.

PUBLIC HEARING (Scheduled for 7PM)

Vote - Accept Section 19 of MGL c.32B (Health Care). In Council, Given 2nd Reading and hearing held. City Manager Lynch provided a brief presentation about the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Lowell and the Lowell Public Employee Committee. Speaking in favor: Thomas Fleming Chairman of Lowell Public Employee Committee and also representing 17 union presidents. Speaking in opposition: Anne Marie Page, 26 Fremont Street, Lowell reading a statement from her husband Robert Page. Hearing closed. There was a motion to Suspend Rule 28 of the City of Lowell Council Rules by C. Descoteaux, seconded by C. Broderick. So voted (voice). Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Elliott to invoke the Rule of Necessity. Roll call 9 yeas. So voted. Each Councilor disclosed facts that may create a conflict pursuant to letter dated December 20, 2011 by City Solicitor Christine O'Connor regarding the Rule of Necessity. Motion to approve vote by C. Broderick, seconded by C. Descoteaux. Roll call 9 yeas. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From City Manager, responses to Council motions/requests. In Council, accepted and placed on file Motion by C. Caulfield, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted (voice).

Communication - From City Manager, request approval Out of State Travel (1) Health Dept. Motion for approval by C. Caulfield, seconded by C. Elliott. Roll call 9 yeas. So voted.

Communication - From City Manager request City Council Meeting for December 27, 2011 be cancelled. Motion for approval by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Caulfield. Roll call 9 yeas. So voted.

Appointments - Appointments to Insurance Advisory Committee, George Ryan and James Malloy. In Council, accepted and placed on file Motion by C. Martin, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted (voice).

Vote - Apply/Accept/Expend Grant ($2,500,000) Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes Interventions. In Council, Read twice and Motion for approval by C. Broderick, seconded by C. Elliott. Roll call 9 yeas. So voted.

Order - 60 Day Trial (Willie St.). In Council, Read twice and Motion for approval by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Mendonca. Roll call 9 yeas. So voted.

Ordinance - Create one Outreach Coordinator (grant funded) and establishing the salary therefore in the Police Department. In Council, Given 1st Reading and a Motion to refer to Public Hearing 1/10/2012 by C. Caulfield, seconded by C. Descoteaux. So voted. (voice vote)

Vote - Dedication to Ken Harkins. In Council Read twice and Motion for approval by C. Caulfield, seconded by C. Martin. Roll call 8 yeas, 1 nay (C. Mendonca). So voted.

REPORTS (Sub/Committee, if any)

Ad/Hoc Clerk Oversight S/C Meeting December 15, 2011. C. Mendonca said they had met last Thursday and reviewed the final report of Acting Clerk Eric Slagle. C. Mendonca said that the interim Clerk's report provided the sub/Committee with an update on progress that has been made in the office with respect to record keeping, computerization, space for storage, Boards and Commissions, written policies and procedures and cross training of the staff etc. C. Mendonca and the sub/committee thanked him for his service. All members of the sub-committee were in attendance as well Acting Clerk Slagle and Clerk Elect Michael Q. Geary. Accepted as a report of progress upon Motion by C. Martin, seconded by C. Murphy. So voted (voice)

MOTIONS

BY C. MENDONCA, seconded by C. Caulfield.

“Request the City Manager have the Traffic Engineer determine if intersection of Walker and Grove Sts. can be made into a 4 Way Stop”. In Council read and referred to the City Manager. So voted. (voice vote)

BY C. DESCOTEAUX, seconded by C. Murphy

“Request the City Manager have the appropriate department create city wide local economy educational and marketing program, similar to the national Local First Program”. In Council read and referred to the City Manager. So voted. (voice vote)

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. Mercier

“Request the City Manager have the State Inspector General's Office conduct on-site physical review of un-inspected housing units at LHA”. Councilors and the City Manager discussed the C. Elliott's motion and the reports that were in the council packet regarding the units at the LHA. In Council, C. Caulfield moved, seconded by C. Mercier to amend the motion to “Request the City Manager request the State Inspector General's Office conduct on-site physical review of un-inspected housing units at LHA”. Consent of C. Elliott. So voted on amendment (voice vote). Motion as amended. So voted (voice vote).

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. Caulfield

“Request the City Manager obtain and provide copies of all construction contracts and change orders for North Common Village renovation”. In Council read and referred to the City Manager. So voted. (voice vote)

Motion by C. Caulfield, seconded by C. Mercier to Suspend the Rules to relinquish chair to C. Caulfield. So voted (voice). C. Caulfield, C. Descoteaux and Mayor Milinazzo addressed the chamber in their final meeting.

At 8:45 PM, C. Caulfield moved, seconded by C. Descoteaux “To Adjourn”. So voted. (voice vote)

Adjourned

Michael Q. Geary

City Clerk

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