For the third week in a row and for the ninth time this year, the City Council agenda will end with an Executive Session to discuss the election lawsuit.

The first item to be presented and discussed are FY 2018 Audited Financial Statements; FY2018 Management Letter from the auditors Powers and Sullivan; and  FY12018 SEFA (Reports on Federal Award Program.

The management letter points out one material weakness, one that is already being addressed: the deficiencies in the internal control of the School Department. There are a number of recommendations as well as an update on the status of last year’s recommendation, some of which have been addressed and others that were incomplete.

GENERAL PUBLIC HEARING

Amend Ordinance, Chapter 9 Boards, Commissions, and Committees by Establishing a Monument Committee.

Amend Ordinance; Create One New Full-Time Grant Funded Position in the Career Center, Project Manager and Establish Salary.

MOTION RESPONSES

Bucks Bar Crosswalk Motion (4/23/19) by Councilor Rita Mercier “Request the City Manager have the proper Department put a crosswalk across Chelmsford Street to Buck’s Bar at 165 Chelmsford Street.  The response explains the Traffic Engineer’s decision that she “does not recommend installing a mid-block crosswalk at this location, without performing a speed and traffic study to determine if this would be a safe location to cross Chelmsford Street.”

Neighborhood Impact Team Motion by Councilor Karen Cirillo “Request City Manager re-establish the collection of city officials who meet with Neighborhood Groups to tour neighborhoods to identify areas that need restoration in order to revive the integrity and vitality of the area.”

The Neighborhood Groups have been notified and the schedule has been set: May 18, Centralville – Bridge St. Area; June 1, Back Central; June 15, Acre – Fletcher St and Broadway; June 29, Highlands – Cupples Square.

INFORMATION REPORTS

Tobias Marx, Parking Director, wrote that the City has received Pre-Approval from National Grid for install Massachusetts Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations. The five locations: City Hall; Leo Roy Garage, George A. Ayotte Garage and Lower Locks Garage. The City is now coordinating to complete the installation by May 31 to be able to receive the full rebate.

Conor Baldwin, Chief Financial Officer, provides a 7-page memo, the response letter from the City’s Finance Department to the outside auditors’ reports.

VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Three of the four votes are funds transfers that usually begin to occur this time of the year and the fourth is a request “to apply for, accept and expend Funds in the form of a Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP) under the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) for use in the City of Lowell Recycling Program administered through the Department of Public Works.

CITY COUNCIL MOTIONS

Councilor Rita Mercier “Request to authorize City Manager hire an expert in construction and procurement methods, including construction industry labor relations, to conduct and submit to the Council a Comparative Study Analyzing the lawfulness, usefulness and propriety of utilizing a Project Labor Agreement in connection with the Lowell High School Project in order that it be accomplished on budget, on schedule, and with reduced operation and maintenance costs; study should evaluate the adoption of a Project Labor Agreement , to the extent it might satisfy the underlying goals of the Massachusetts Public Bidding Law (Ch. 149, Sect. 44A-44H).

Councilor Rodney Elliott/Councilor David Conway “Request City Council Discuss Project Labor Agreement to ensure local trades are hired for Lowell High School Construction Project.

Councilor Jim Milinazzo “Request City Manager prepare a report on the status of the bridge reconstruction project on Newhall Street which spans the River Meadow Brook.

Councilor Karen Cirillo “Request City Manager have the proper Department install a “15 Minute Parking” Sign at 262 Middlesex Street.

Councilor Karen Cirillo “Request City Manager have the proper Department replace the, “No Left Turn ” Sign for Elm Street in front of the X-Tra Mart Gas Station on Gorham Street.

Councilor Karen Cirillo “Request City Manager have the proper Department work with the theater and arts community to have a Lowell “Letter Reading” Event.

Councilor Vesna Nuon “Request Mayor present Citations to 2019 Teacher and Paraprofessional of the Year at selected Council Meeting.

Councilor John Leahy “Request City Manager provide an update regarding program for Police Details to be filled by LPD Retirees.