This week’s City Council meeting has a packed agenda, which concludes with another Executive Session to discuss “matter of litigation, namely Huot et al. v. City of Lowell, public discussion of which could have a detrimental effect on the City’s position.”  This will be the 6^th Executive Session this year.

UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING

National Grid is requesting to replace existing gas main with plastic pipes in two locations: part of Douglas Avenue in Belvedere and Greendale Avenue in Lower Highlands.

MOTION RESPONSES

LOMR Letter Motion by Councilor K. Cirillo (3/29/2019) “Request City Manager provide an update to Council regarding Status of the LOMR (Letter of Map Revision) process with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency.”

The response was submitted by Mark Young, Executive Director of the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility. He writes that Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) has been prepared and was scheduled to be sent out last week to “appropriate citizens impacted.”

A copy of the accompanying memo is included in the response and it states “Once these flood map revisions are in effect, certain mortgage holders may relax their requirements for flood insurance. If so, property owners may have the option to voluntarily maintain flood insurance at a significantly lower premium, or reconsider the need for continuing to purchase flood insurance in order to protect their property’s value.”

Spring Street Cleanup Motion by Councilor K. Cirillo “Request City Manager provide City Council with City-Wide Spring Cleaning Schedule.”

“Spring cleanup efforts in the City of Lowell are underway in collaboration with DPW, neighborhood groups, and community organizations.” The response includes the time and date of the park cleanups organized by the neighborhood groups as well as the City’s Street Cleaning Schedule divided into 9 sections and it covers the dates from April through November.

Parking Pay Station Motion by Councilor V. Nuon (4/02/2019) “Request City Manager direct the Parking Department instruct their staff to check Pay Stations during daily routes and report any malfunctioning meters each day.

The two-page report was submitted by Tobias Marx, Parking Director. He provides an extensive detailed status report on the state of the parking stations and the maintenance system in place.  The Parking Director writes “Maintaining Pay Stations is a top priority for the Parking Department and is a multi-facet team approach. We utilize the Meter Technician to respond to error messages during the day. The technician usually responds to error reports within 30 minutes, and in most cases is able to restore pay station functionality within minutes.”

He concludes his response by cautioning the City Council “The hardware for our on-street parking system is aging and as with every mechanical machine, errors and failures will happen. A pro-active preventative maintenance protocol with a sufficient replacement part inventory will ensure that our pay stations are functioning properly for more years to come. The hardware for our on-street parking system is aging and as with every mechanical machine, errors and failures will happen. A pro-active preventative maintenance protocol with a sufficient replacement part inventory will ensure that our pay stations are functioning properly for more years to come.”

There are two vote requests under the City Manager’s agenda items.  The first is to “Accept gift of car seats and booster seats from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Toyota for Fire Department.” The second is to “Transfer $10,000 for a software upgrade in the Cemetery Division of Department of Public Works.”

ORDINANCE

Amend in the City’s Code of Ordinance, Chapter 39 Library, Specifically S.39-1 Entitled Board of Trustees. The current Board of Trustees has 9 members, including the City Manager who is ex officio President of the Board.  The revised ordinance adds 2 Associated Members and allows the City Manager to appoint a designee.

PETITIONS

There are 2 petitions on the agenda, both requesting to address the City Council.  The first one is from Rocky Morrison, President (Clean River Project) who will speak on Environmental Update for Merrimack River. The second is from Harry Kortikere (Green Community Choice Power Program) and he will speak on the  Community Choice Power Program.

MOTIONS

Councilor D. Conway/Councilor R. Elliott “Request City Manager meet with appropriate department heads to explore the feasibility and appropriateness of developing a decorative median strip for Andover Street.”

Councilor R. Mercier “Request the City Manager have Development Services address neighborhood concerns @ 85 11th Street such as boarding house, occupants & status and give full report to the City Council. “

Councilor K. Cirillo “Request the City Manager have the proper department contact MassDOT to request the State’s Inmate Labor Program come to Lowell and remove litter along our State- owned roads.”

Councilor K. Cirillo “Request the City Manager have the proper department provide an update to the City Council as to the addressing of potholes throughout the City.”

Councilor K. Cirillo “Request the Mayor establish a City Councilor Annual Lowell Cleanup, #Trashtag Challenge for the City Council to clean an area of Lowell.”

Councilor R. Elliott “Request City Council discuss developing a Rental Property Registry to track rental properties in the City.”

Councilor R. Elliott “Request City the City Manager/Health Director report on E-Cigarettes/Vaping Regulations and outreach programs to inform public of health risks.”

Councilor J. Leahy “Request City Manager provide update regarding pest control in the Lowell Public Schools.”

Councilor V. Nuon/Councilor J. Leahy “Request City Manager provide update regarding repairs to Fire Houses in the City and the Police Headquarter.”

There will not be a Council meeting next week.