Date: July 12, 2022
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid)
1.
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.
Presentation - Loading Dock Arts, Inc. (Suzanne Hodge) regarding multicultural event entitled "Celebrating Diversity: Lowell Has It".
3.
CITY CLERK
3.1.
Minutes Of Housing SC Joint With Zoning SC June 28th; City Council Regular Meeting June 28th; Parks And Recreation SC June 29th; Finance SC June 30th, For Acceptance.
4.
GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1.
Ordinance - Amend Zoning Section 4.3.3 Home Occupation - As Of Right.
4.2.
Ordinance - Amend Fee Schedule - Accident Report.
4.3.
4.4.
Ordinance - Amend Self-Service Gas Station.
4.5.
5.
UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING
5.1.
National Grid - Request Installation Of Electric Underground Conduit To Service Middlesex Street (Boys And Girls Club).
5.2.
National Grid - Request Installation Of Underground Electric Conduit At Thorndike And Summer Street.
5.3.
National Grid/Verizon NE - Request Installation (1) JO Pole #3 At Pine Hill Street.
5.4.
National Grid/Verizon NE - Request Installation Of (1) JO Pole On Summer Street.
6.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER
6.1.
Motion Responses
A) Motion Response - Greeter City Hall ARPA Language Services
B) Motion Response - Naloxboxes
C) Motion Response - Update On Hiring of Director of Elections
D) Motion Response - Update On Hiring Executive Director of Water Utility
E) Motion Response - Boards and Commissions (With Attachment)
F) Motion Response - School Building Committee Membership (with attachment)
G) Motion Response - Accessory Dwelling Unit Draft & Attachement with Ordinance Draft
Documents:
- A) Motion Response - Greeter City Hall ARPA Language Services.pdf
- B) Motion Response - Naloxboxes.pdf
- C) Motion Response - Update On Hiring of Director of Elections.pdf
- D) Motion Response - Update On Hiring Executive Director of Water Utility.pdf
- E) Motion Response - Boards and Commissions (With Attachment).pdf
- F) Motion Response - School Building Committee Membership (with attachment).pdf
- G) Motion Response - Accessory Dwelling Unit Draft and Attachement with Ordinance Draft.pdf
6.2.
Informational Reports
INFORMATIONAL - Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Project Approval
INFORMATIONAL - Lowell Sustainability Council Heat Island & Attachment
6.3.
Communication - Planning Board recommendation on proposed zoning amendment of Section 4.3.3 Home Occupations - By Right.
7.
VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER
7.1.
7.2.
Vote - License Agreement - Callery Park Little League Baseball
7.3.
Vote - License Agreement - Centralville Baseball League Inc.
7.4.
Vote - License Agreement - Highland Sports Association, Inc.
7.5.
Vote - License Agreement - Pawtucketville Youth Organization, Inc.
7.6.
Vote - License Agreement - Robert Clemente League, Inc.
7.7.
Vote - License Agreement - The Shedd Park Baseball Organization, Inc.
7.8.
7.9.
7.10.
7.11.
8.
ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER
8.1.
Ordinance - Amend C.270 Waste and Recycling
9.
REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY)
9.1.
Subcommittee Reports:
1) Parks and Recreation SC June 29th;
2) Finance SC June 30th; and
3) Municipal Facilities SC Joint with School Facilities SC July 12th.
10.
PETITIONS
10.1.
Claims - (2) Property Damage.
10.2.
Misc. - Kesadarina (Concerned Citizens of Lowell) request Council install four way stop sign at the corner of Westford and Stedman Streets.
10.3.
Misc. - Norman Smith request proper department address speeding on Dingwell Street.
10.4.
Misc. - Brenda Mello request removal of handicap sign 989 Central Street.
11.
CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS
11.1.
C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. assess the feasibility of assigning smaller districts for Trash/Recycling collection and hiring two more companies to perform collections, the goal being to increase efficiency and potentially lower costs.
11.2.
C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. provide a presentation regarding ARPA spending.
11.3.
C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. provide updated status regarding the hiring of the Elections Director.
11.4.
C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Work with Appropriate Department to Assess the Feasibility of Instituting a Policy Regarding Tree Cutting and Tree Removal.
11.5.
C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Work with DPD to Form a Zoning Policy that Requires Residential Property Owners to Designate a Portion of Their Land as Green/Open Space.
11.6.
C. Gitschier - Req. City Mgr. look into the naming the Stackpole St. water pumping station after former 40 year city employee Richard Brassard.
11.7.
C. Gitschier - Req.City Mgr. outline the possibility of off setting the 38 million dollar overrun on the High School project using other funding sources such as the ARPA funds, the Federal infrastructure bill, going back to the state, the MSBA, etc…
11.8.
C. Scott/C. Yem - Req. City Mgr. work with appropriate departments to provide a legal opinion on the applicability of the NY gun law decision by the Supreme Court to the City of Lowell procedures.
11.9.
C. Scott - Req. City Mgr. work with the appropriate department to identify why Baker Commodities located in Billerica, MA has had a resurgence in odor issues and how they will be addressed; Also, that reporting options be provided for residents so that a proper tracking of odor complaints can be maintained.
11.10.
C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. explore options for improving the “WELCOME TO LOWELL” landscaping in the cloverleaf at the end of the connector inbound onto Thorndike St.
11.11.
C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have proper department compile an inventory of all 2 cycle engine powered equipment in use across the city with an eye towards any opportunities for replacement with electric powered equipment where appropriate.
11.12.
C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. have proper department review the current compensation for election poll workers and consider raising rates so workers are making at least minimum wage.
11.13.
C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. initiate a conversation with the LRTA with regard to current service levels vs. pre-pandemic service levels and any plans to return to that level of service.
11.14.
C. Jenness - Req. City Mgr. provide report on current required anti-bias and anti-racism trainings for all city employees and elected officials.
11.15.
C. Jenness/M. Chau/C. Nuon - Req. Mayor Chau create a special commission on DEI issues to include elected officials, city administration leaders, community members and DEI experts to explore and address relevant issues within the city via community engagement, implementation of best practices and continual review and improvement of same.
11.16.
C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have proper department consider McPherson Park stands area as an art installation location.
11.17.
C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have proper department look into painting no parking and install signage at corners of Barker Ave and Ludlum; There has been accidents and parking is creating blind spots pulling out of Barker, heading up Ludlum.
11.18.
C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have proper department provide update on park and business district trash barrel plan; including if any adaptations have been made to accommodate increased volume due to peak season.
11.19.
C. Robinson - Req. City Mgr. have proper department provide update whether the section of Dutton Street Cobblestones sits is part of the LHS improvement plan.
11.20.
C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. find ways and means to hire a person to apply chemicals to kill weeds around the City to beautify the streets.
11.21.
M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. investigate the health and safety of the neighborhoods surrounding the Thorndike Exchange Project area relative to dust and debris in the air.
11.22.
M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. have proper department investigate potential traffic calming measure on Canal St right after Niki Tsongas if possible add stop sign at the curve.
11.23.
M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. have proper department to look into temporary safety measures to help pedestrian cross the Middlesex & Thorndike, Appleton & Thorndike.
11.24.
M. Chau - Req. City Mgr. write a letter to the Lowell State Delegation on behalf of the City Councilors to support H.4720, An Act investing in Future Opportunities for Resiliency, Workforce, and Revitalized Downtowns (Forward Bill) which has a potential earmark of $28,836,955.00 to Lowell.
12.
CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION
12.1.
Executive Session - To Consider And Discuss Negotiations Relative To LeLacheur Baseball Stadium Pursuant To The Provisions Of Mass. Gen. Laws C. 30A Sect. 21(6) (For The "Possible Purchase, Exchange, Lease, Or Value Of Real Property;") Public Discussions Of Which May Have A Detrimental Effect On The Negotiating Position Of The City.
13.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
14.