IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2005

TIME 6:34PM

Roll call showed 9 present.

Mayor A. Mercier presiding.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of November 29th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Broderick. So voted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Order-To vacate, discontinue, abandon portion of Jefferson St. In Council, from last week, read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

Public Hearing-Mass. Electric Co. request 1 pole location and conduit in 525 Pawtucket Boulevard. In Council, Read and hearing held. Laura Dooney spoke for the petitioner. No Remonstrants.

Referred to the DPW Superintendent of Streets and Inspector of wires on motion of C. Donoghue, seconded by C. Howe. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From City Manager requesting approval of Out of State Travel. In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 9 yeas. So voted.

$12,604 Fire, S&W Permanent from Manager, Contingency. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

$50,000 Manager, Real Estate Appraisals from Manager, Contingency. In Council, after lengthy discussion, C. Howe moved, seconded by C. Elliott “To refer the Appropriation Transfer to the Bridge Construction Sub/Committee for a report and recommendation”. So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to execute a parking agreement with the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell Inc. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept an Easement from Riverfront Development relative to the Riverwalk. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

Order of Revocation-Property located at 411 Bridge St. In Council, Read twice and adopted 9 yeas. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Martin, Chairman of the School Building AD/HOC Committee said they met this evening relative to the next phase of the School Building Program. C. Martin said after deliberations, the Committee agreed to make the following recommendation:

To recommend the City Council authorize the City Manager to take the necessary steps to proceed and bring forward the proper votes and appropriations to continue with the School Building Projects as recommended. Adopted by the City council on motion of C. Caulfield, seconded by C. Donoghue. So voted.

C. Martin also said the School Department informed the Committee that the School Department has agreed to turn back the Varnum School to the City upon completion of the School Building Project and they agreed that a Joint Committee of Council & School Committee be formed to work in the design issues of the projects.

Motion adopted as noted above and report adopted as a report of progress on motion of Caulfield, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Stoklosa School Construction Sub/Committee said the met this evening relative to the construction of the School. C. Elliott said after meeting several times and the sensitivity of the issue, the Committee asked the Manager and the solicitor to provide additional information and further meetings would be scheduled. At the conclusion of the Report, C. Elliott, moved, seconded by C. Howe “To request the City to suspend and further payments as a result of the Contract for the design and construction of the Stoklosa School”. A unanimous voice vote of the Council was recorded.

PETITIONS

Claims-There was 1 claim for property damage, which was read and referred to the Law Department on motion of C. Howe, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted.

Misc.-Arelis Encancion 39 Walnut Street requesting a Handicap Parking Sign. In Council, Read and referred to the Traffic Engineer for a repot and recommendation. So voted.

MOTIONS

BY C. MILINAZZO, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager explore the feasibility of installing Evergreen Screening along the Lowell Connector”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. DONOGHUE, seconded by C. Elliott

“Request the City Manager report on the Community Preservation Act and it's potential for the City of Lowell”. In Council, Referred to the city Manager. So voted.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. Caulfield

“Request the City Manager have the proper department remove the Spaghettiville Signs on the Bridge on Gorham Street and in that area as well”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. R. Mercier

“Request the City Auditor work with the City Treasurer to address the backlog of reconciliations of certain funds and request the Manager address the shortage of staff in the Treasurers Office”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. ELLIOTT, seconded by C. R. Mercier

“Request the City Manger report on the policy relating to the use of City Vehicles”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 8:38 PM, C. R. Mercier moved, seconded by C. Broderick “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk