Agenda 80 Percent
 
 
 Date:
        February 7, 2023

Time:        6:30 PM
Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA/Zoom (Hybrid)

1.

ROLL CALL

2.

MAYOR'S BUSINESS

2.1.

Communication Remote / Zoom Participation:

Meetings Will Be Held In Council Chamber With Public Welcome And By Using Remote Participation As Follows:  Members Of The Public May View The Meeting Via LTC.Org (On-Line; Live Streaming; Or Local Cable Channel 99).  Those Wishing To Speak Regarding A Specific Agenda Item Shall Register To Speak In Advance Of The Meeting By Sending Email To City Clerk Indicating The Agenda Item And A Phone Number To Call So That You May Be Issued Zoom Link To The Meeting.  Email Address Is MGEARY@LOWELLMA.GOV.  If No Access To Email You May Contact City Clerk At 978-674-4161.  All Request Must Be Done Before 4:00 PM On The Day Of Meeting.  For Zoom - HTTPS://SUPPORT.ZOOM.US/HC/EN-US/ARTICLES/201362193-JOINING-A-MEETING

2.2.

Citation - Black History Month.

2.3.

Informational - Cultural Exchange - Montreal, Canada.

3.

CITY CLERK

3.1.

Minutes of Veterans SC January 31st; City Council Regular Meeting January 31st, for Acceptance.

4.

GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS

4.1.

Ordinance - Create Position Digital Evidence Specialist – LPD.

5.

UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING

5.1.

Boston Gas D/B/A National Grid - Request Moving Gas Main At Meadowcroft St. And Exchange Pl. To Enable Work By The City.

5.2.

National Grid/Verizon NE - Request Installation Of (1) JO Pole At 114 Burnside.

6.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER

6.1.

Motion Responses

A) Motion Response - Menorah Lighting
B) Motion Response - Hale Street Paving - Meadowcroft Sink Hole
C) Motion Response - Reilly School Playground Repair
D) Motion Response - Rourke Bridge Repairs - Support Letter with Attachments
E) Motion Response - SafetyNet System Program
F) Motion Response - Fines and Tows Snow Event Jan 23
G) Motion Response - Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Update
H) Motion Response - Fire Vehicles ARPA 2023
I) Motion Response - IRA and Infrastructure
J) Motion Response - Central Street
K) Motion Response - Signal Changes
L) Motion Response - Stop Signs

6.2.

Informational Reports

Informational Report - ARPA with Attachments
Informational Report - Social Media

6.3.

Communication - City Manager Request Out Of State Travel (1) DPD.

7.

VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

7.1.

Vote - Accept Gift of $15,000 from Hartford Foundation - Career Center

7.2.

Vote - Accept Gift of $3,000 from Lowell Five

7.3.

Vote - Accept/Expend FY23 Earmarked Funds - Shedd Park

7.4.

Vote - Amend FY19-20 Annual Action Plan - ESG-CV

7.5.

Vote - Amend FY21-22 Annual Action Plan - CDBG

8.

ORDERS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

8.1.

Order - 60 Day Trial

9.

ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

9.1.

Ordinance - Amend Chapter 9 by Creating Sister City Committee

9.2.

Ordinance - Amend Zoning - Marijuana

10.

REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY)

10.1.

Neighborhoods SC February 7, 2023.

10.2.

Wire Insp. - Verizon New England Inc. - Place one new (4") conduit approximately 46' in a southwesterly direction from existing pole Lakeview Ave.

11.

PETITIONS

11.1.

Claims - (4) Property Damage.

11.2.

Misc. - Wings of Lowell (Hartford Sign & Design Req. installation of overhanging sign @ 26A Market St.

11.3.

Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request installation of 12 inch plastic gas main on Chelmsford Street to gas regulator station at 83 Doane Street.

11.4.

National Grid - Request revision of previously approved petition for added installation of 75 feet of underground electric conduit along Boulevard Street.

12.

CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS

12.1.

C. Gitschier - Req. the City Mgr. report on all unpaid invoices for Parks and Facility Rentals, the group who owes the funds, the date of rentals, and the policy for renting City Parks and Facilities.

12.2.

C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with a legal opinion as to why the City and not the School Department is financially responsible for School Department law suits.

12.3.

C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide an update on the water and wastewater enterprise accounts current revenue for FY23 and where they are with respect to the projections for FY23.

12.4.

C. Nuon - Req. the City Mgr. provide City Council with an update regarding the 2023 Spring Sweeping Program, including additional equipment purchases with ARPA funds.

12.5.

C. Nuon - Req. the City Mgr. have Superintendent of Police make presentation in the Executive Session regarding the body camera program’s implementation and training.

12.6.

C. Nuon - Req. the City Mgr. update City Council on status of adopting an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, pursuant to MGL c. 44 s. 55C.

12.7.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. facilitate a meeting with the LTLC (Lowell Transitional Living Center) and the City Council, as well as, provide copies of all policies, procedures, that are relevant to City contracts.

12.8.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. provide an update on what the administration’s Summer Youth Employment hiring goals are.

12.9.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. work with proper department and the public to identify potential improvements to youth transportation to bolster programming similar to the LPD Lowell Youth Service Program.

12.10.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. work with the proper department to evaluate and adjust existing parking ban policy to ensure it is fair and equitable citywide.

12.11.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. explore alternative parking options, as well as, potential transportation programs in areas of the City without garages during Winter parking bans.

12.12.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. work with proper departments and the LTLC (Lowell Transitional Living Center) to provide a report on IPM (Integrated Pest Management) programs, as well as, what routine maintenance practices are in place.

12.13.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. work with the community stakeholders to consider replicating a program similar to “Bugs and Scrub” that has been implemented in Toronto’s unhoused shelters.

12.14.

C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate City department meet with the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership to explore current homebuyer assistance programs offered through MVHP to see if there can be an increase in access an opportunities for potential first-time home buyers in the City.

12.15.

C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. review that all City owned buildings, schools, parks and gyms have updated AED Defibrillators on site.

12.16.

C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. have DPD present plan/timeline for upgrades to Father Maguire Park.

12.17.

C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate department along with Utile Design incorporate Smart City concepts in Lowell Forward Master Plan.

12.18.

C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. look into all Archdiocese property in the City for possible municipal or school use.

13.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

14.

ADJOURNMENT

Office of the City Clerk - 375 Merrimack Street - Phone: 978.674.4161