Agenda 80 Percent
 
 
 Date:
        
January 10, 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

3.

CITY CLERK

3.1.

Minutes City Council Regular Meeting January 3rd for Acceptance.

4.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER

4.1.

Motion Responses

A) Motion Response - City Vehicles with Attachment
B) Motion Response - Animal Control and Vet Services
C) Motion Response - Homelessness Prevention Funding with Attachment
D) Motion Response - Tax Title Auction Update
E) Motion Response - Permitting Process

4.2.

Informational Reports

Informational Report - GFOA Budget Award FY23 with Attachment

4.3.

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

4.4.

Communication - Reappointments of Troy Depeiza and George Villaras to Historic Board

5.

VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

5.1.

Vote - Authorize Payment of Bills Incurred in Excess of Appropriations - LPD

5.2.

Vote - Transfer $201,400 - DPW

6.

ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

6.1.

Ordinance - Create Position IT Manager - Career Center

7.

REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY)

8.

PETITIONS

8.1.

Claims - (4) Property Damage

9.

CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS

9.1.

C. Gitschier - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department provide the City Council with the maintenance schedule and cleaning schedule of each parking garage.

9.2.

C. Nuon/C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have proper department provide a report on potential initiatives to reduce the commercial vacancy rate in the downtown central business district and the neighborhood business districts. Report to include potential funding for business districts from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) or the state’s Massachusetts Vacant Storefronts Program (MVSP).

9.3.

C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. update the City Council on the status of potential help from the State regarding the $38 million dollar overrun on the Lowell High School construction project.

9.4.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department explore the feasibility of acquiring a mobile Snow gun machine to create more opportunities for our residents to enjoy public space in Winter months.

9.5.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department explore the feasibility of extending fence along 1st street to deter illegal dumping.

9.6.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department address overgrowth along 1st street to enable efficient maintenance.

9.7.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department provide a detailed report with focus on cost to bring ALL services included in parking enterprise contract in house.

9.8.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. provide an update on all current and future apprenticeship opportunities within the organization.

9.9.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department provide an update on motion response from June 14, 2022. Wastewater COVID monitoring. Original motion: MOTION RESPONSE – 5/17/22 - C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. Have Proper Department Provide An Assessment Of The Infrastructure And Staffing Needed To Conduct Waste Water Evaluation For COVID As Well As Other Health Related Conditions That May Be Assessed Via Waste Water Surveillance.

9.10.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. explore using Hamilton canal garage (HCID Parking facility), as part of Winter protocol and create seasonal unhoused shelter opportunities working with community partner organizations.

9.11.

C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have proper department examine traffic lights at Bridge and VFW, Bridge and West 6th for possible timing adjustments to mitigate traffic backups.

9.12.

C. Yem - Req. the City Mgr. Have the Appropriate Department to provide Water Sub-metering in residential tenancies according to MGL c.186, § 22.

9.13.

C. Jenness/C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have proper department investigate the procurement and installation of a memorial plaque for Angel Perez on Market St.

9.14.

C. Jenness/C. Leahy - Req. City Mgr. have proper department work to include a public menorah lighting during next year's holiday celebrations.

9.15.

C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have proper department investigate the findings of the Human Rights Campaign's annual municipality equality index, rating LGBTQ+ inclusion in Municipal Law and policy that showed Lowell with the lowest score of the ten Massachusetts Municipalities ranked in this year's report and develop an action plan accordingly.

9.16.

C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. find ways and means of televising the Board of Health Advisory Committee Meetings.

9.17.

C. Leahy - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department place Garden Road on the re-paving list.

9.18.

M. Chau -Req. City Mgr. investigate installing panic buttons in all city departments.

9.19.

M. Chau - Req City Mgr. provide an update on Covid protocol/guidelines for city employees.

10.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

11.

ADJOURNMENT

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