Agenda 80 Percent
 
 
 Date:        August 22, 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 6).  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.

Proclamation - Opioid Awareness Day - August 31, 2023.

2.3.

Citation - Megan House Foundation.

2.4.

Introduction - Selepak Khmer and Angkor Dance Troupe.

3.

CITY CLERK

3.1.

Minutes of City Council Meeting July 25th continued to August 8th; City Council Finance SC August 9th, for acceptance.

Documents:
  1. 2023 July 25 August 8 cc m inutes1 (1).pdf
  2. 2023 August 9 Fin SC minutes.pdf
4.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER

4.1.

MOTION RESPONSES

Motion Responses:

  1. Motion Response - City Real Estate Portfolio and Surplus Properties (WITH ATTACHMENT)
  2. Motion Response - Superior Courthouse and Restorative Center
  3. Motion Response - Plan for Enforcement of Chapter 176-2 (WITH ATTACHMENT)
  4. Motion Response - Non-Union Contracts on City Website
  5. Motion Response - Bookmobile Launch Update
  6. Motion Response - Boards and Commissions Associate Membership
  7. Motion Response - Letter of Support for the Veterans Equal Access Act
  8. Motion Response - Financial Status Update on the Residential Trash Program
Documents:
  1. (A) MOTION RESPONSE - CITY REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO AND SURPLUS PROPRERTIES (WITH ATTACHMENT).pdf
  2. (B) MOTION RESPONSE - SUPERIOR COURTHOUSE AND RESTORATIVE CENTER.pdf
  3. (C) MOTION RESPONSE - PLAN FOR ENFORCEMENT OF CHAPTER 176-2 (WITH ATTACHMENT).pdf
  4. (D) MOTION RESPONSE - NON-UNION CONTRACTS ON CITY WEBSITE.pdf
  5. (E) MOTION RESPONSE - BOOKMOBILE LAUNCH UPDATE.pdf
  6. (F) MOTION RESPONSE - BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP.pdf
  7. (G) MOTION RESPONSE - LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE VETERANS EQUAL ACCESS ACT.pdf
  8. (H) MOTION RESPONSE - FINANCIAL STATUS UPDATE ON THE RESIDENTIAL TRASH PROGRAM.pdf
4.2.

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

Informational Reports

  1. Informational Report - Lowell Forward Housing Production Plan Update (NMCOG)
  2. Informational Report - LRWWU Sewer System Smoke Testing Program
Documents:
  1. (A) INFORMATIONAL REPORT - LOWELL FORWARD HOUSING PRODUCTION PLAN UPDATE (NMCOG).pdf
  2. (B) INFORMATIONAL REPORT - LRWWU SEWER SYSTEM SMOKE TESTING PROGRAM.pdf
4.3.

PETITION RESPONSES

Petition Responses:

  1. Petition Response from DPD - Business Request for Exclusive Parking Rights - Petition dtd. 5-9-2023
Documents:
  1. Petition Response - Business Request for Exclusive Parking Rights - Petition dtd. 5-9-2023.pdf
4.4.

Communication - Reappointment of Kerry Jenness to Historic Board

Documents:
  1. Communication - Reappointment of Kerry Jenness to Historic Board.pdf
4.5.

Communication - City Manager request Out of State Travel (2) LPD.

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 2 ost lpd.pdf
5.

VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

5.1.

Vote - Accept/Expend $75,000 MCC Grant - LMA

Documents:
  1. Vote - AcceptExpend 75,000 MCC Grant - LMA.pdf
5.2.

Vote - Authorize CM Confirm a 3 Year 4 Month Contact with UpNext LLC

Documents:
  1. Vote - Authorize CM Confirm a 3 Year 4 Month Contact with UpNext LLC.pdf
5.3.

Vote - Authorize CM to File Special Legislation

Documents:
  1. Vote - Authorize CM to File Special Legislation.pdf
5.4.

Vote - Transfer $102,000 - Elections

Documents:
  1. Vote - Transfer 102,000 - Elections.pdf
5.5.

Vote - Transfer $60,000 - Cemetery

Documents:
  1. Vote - Transfer 60,000 - Cemetery.pdf
6.

CONSTABLE BONDS

6.1.

Communication - City Mgr. request approval of constable bond for Jason Burke.

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 const bond burke.pdf
7.

REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY)

8.

PETITIONS

8.1.

Claims - (3) Property Damage; (1) Personal Injury.

8.2.

Misc. - Norma Von Fricken request discussion regarding model city.

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 van fricken model city.pdf
8.3.

Misc. - Michael Tembo (Lady Maria Hair Design) request removal of "15 Minute" parking sign at 688 Merrimack Street (Brothers Pizza).

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 Michael Tembo c_o Lady Marie Hair Design Req removal of 15 in Parking Sign located 688 Merrimack St.pdf
8.4.

Misc. - A.G. Hutchinson request discussion regarding soliciting, city buildings and police response.

Documents:
  1. 2023 Aug 22 A.G. Hutchinson Req to address CC Re Canvassing-Soliciting, renovation of city bldgs, police response.pdf
8.5.

Misc. - Ken Harkins request discussion regarding budget, cemetery, Mark One and homelessness.

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 harkins budget cemetary etc.pdf
8.6.

Misc. - Elizabeth Patino request installation of a handicap parking sign at 239 School Street (Apt. 2).

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 Elizabeth Patino Req HP Sign 239 School St.pdf
8.7.

National Grid - Request installation of handhole and underground conduit at Appleton and Gorham Streets.

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 natl grid handhole conduit appleton agenda.pdf
8.8.

Boston Gas d/b/a National Grid - Request installation of concrete pad (support SCADA box) and conduit at intersection of Bradley Street and 1st Street.

Documents:
  1. 2023 August 22 bost gas dba nat grid pad and conduit bradley st agenda.pdf
9.

CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS

9.1.

C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. provide the City Council with the Police Department policy on driving to endanger unregistered, off-road vehicles and bicycles in the roadways.

9.2.

C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. update the City Council on the status of the computers in police vehicles and precincts since the cyber-attack.

9.3.

C. Rourke - Req. City Mgr. contact the State delegation and MassDOT concerning landscaping along Riverside Street; Varnum Avenue; and Pawtucket Boulevard (Rt. 113 Highway).

9.4.

C. Rourke/C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. look into free parking for Veterans with noted indicator on vehicle license plate.

9.5.

C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. provide a report form appropriate department regarding improvements that can be made to improve flooding issues around South Lowell.

9.6.

C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. work with appropriate department to develop regulations around health and cleanliness of feeding programs for the homeless.

9.7.

C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. provide the plan and timeline for replacing the drain line under Lawrence Street from the cemetery.

9.8.

C. Jenness/C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. provide a report on any plans by the LRTA to provide bus services on Sundays and to keep the full Lowell Senior Center weekend Foodservice available.

9.9.

C. Jenness/C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department report on traffic safety improvement options and implementation plan for the intersection of Elm & Chapel Streets to combat the recent rise in traffic accidents at this location.

9.10.

C. Jenness/C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department explore the possibility of developing a program to partner with local artists to utilize utility boxes on City property around the City as locations for public art as is done in other communities.

9.11.

C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department develop and implement an outreach and education campaign to address bicycles being ridden on City sidewalks.

9.12.

C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department develop and implement signage along the riverwalk noting prohibition of motorized vehicles.

9.13.

C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. provide detailed report (address, permit issue date, permit closed date, HERS rating) on residential building permits issued since January 1, 2023; including those issued in accordance with the stretch regulations in 225 CMR 22 & 23 as promulgated 12/9/2022; and for permits that have been closed out, provide list of HERS ratings obtained.

9.14.

C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. provide update on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail extension project.

9.15.

C. Robinson/C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department provide the Council with a report on what options we have to regulate harm reduction services in our community.

9.16.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. explore the creation of a voluntary DPW/Public Health Department syringe response team to enhance current City efforts.

9.17.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. explore the feasibility of creating a pot of "soft money" aimed at attracting an increase of housing production.

9.18.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have Transportation Engineer examine Grandview and 13th Streets to prioritize corrective measures, if possible.

9.19.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. provide the Council with a detailed report on Lowell's allocations and commitments from the Attorney General's statewide opioid settlement funding stream.

9.20.

C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. have Homelessness Coordinator report on lessons learned and next steps proposed from the summit.

9.21.

C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. provide an update on where Garden Road is on the re-paving list.

9.22.

C. Nuon/C. Drinkwater - Req. City Mgr. work with DEI officer to clearly define the role and goals of the new position; look at city hiring practices with DEI lense; assure DEI education and awareness are brought to all employees in all departments; and assess DEI work in other cities and towns and adopt as appropriate for Lowell.

9.23.

C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. find ways and means to keep the Senior Center open on the weekends.

9.24.

C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have Law Department provide an opinion regarding as to why an elected official can not receive their stipend if they work for a local municipality. reveive

9.25.

M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. have proper department investigate having more lighting in Cambodia Town.

9.26.

M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department explore use of reduction tracks (speed bumps) on Waite Street at the beginning of Powell Street.

10.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

11.

ADJOURNMENT

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