IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY APRIL 11, 2006

TIME 6:33PM

Roll call showed 9 present.

Mayor Martin presiding.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of April 4th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Ramirez, seconded by C. Milinazzo. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Ordinance-Amending the Code of Ordinances Section 16 False Alarm Ordinance. In Council, Given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on May 2nd. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Milinazzo, Chairman of the Economic Development Sub/Committee said they met last evening relative to the proposed development of the Hamilton Canal District Parking Facility. C. Milinazzo said the Division of Planning and Development has exhausted avenues in which to proceed in order to close the gap of $4.5 million for the construction of the facility. C. Milinazzo said the Committee was informed that the Administration is recommending the Council move forward with a bond authorization in the amount of $4.5 Million the cost of which would be subsidized by a parking rate/fine increase. C. Milinazzo said there was healthy debate and questioning relative to the recommendation, concerns were raised at the conclusion of which, the Committee, in a unanimous vote, recommends the City Council move forward with the recommendation of the Administration.

At this point, Mayor Martin read the Loan Order.

Loan Order-To borrow the amount of $4,500,000 for the purpose of financing construction and reconstruction of public parking facilities in the City of Lowell and costs incidental and related thereto. In Council, under Sub/Committee Reports given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on April 25th. So voted.

C. Milinazzo said the Committee recommends the Council move forward with the Ordinance adjusting the parking rates as well.

Mayor Martin then gave the 1st reading for an Ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances Ch. 13, Sections 321, 322, 336, 337, 341 and 371 relative to Schedule of Parking Rates and Schedule of Parking Fines. In City Council, under Sub/Committee reports, given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on April 25th. So voted.

C. Milinazzo said the Committee would continue to meet as necessary and would continue to report the progress to the full council. Report adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. R. Mercier, seconded by C. A. Mercier. So voted.

C. Broderick, Chairman of the City Auditor/City Clerk Oversight Sub/Committee said they met last week and discussed the Free Cash Certification issues, which arose in December. C. Broderick said the Auditor along with the Administration said the City has taken steps in making preparations for this year's certification to insure that such issues do not arise again. C. Broderick said short term borrowing notes will be in place, if necessary, in order to satisfy the requests of the Department of Revenue. C. Broderick said the Committee also discussed the discovery of a surplus in the School Department's Suspense Account and said, the Committee requested the Mayor to request the School Department for make a full report on the account, it encumbrances and expenditures, given the forecast of a restrained fiscal year. C. Broderick said the Committee will continue to meet and will report further to the Council.

Adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. Elliott, seconded by C. Donoghue. So voted.

PETITIONS

Misc.-Resident of vicinity of Border Street requesting the city abandon the remaining portion of Border Street. In Council, Read and referred to the City Manager for a report and recommendation. So voted.

MOTIONS

BY C. R. MERCIER, seconded by C. Ramirez

“Request the City Manager report on the policies and procedures for the collection of Yard Waste”. In Council, Read and referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager have the Law Department take the necessary action to allow city Youth Organizations to place advertising on ballpark fences”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Donoghue

“Request the City Manager insert a $75,000 line item in the Public Works Budget for the Brady School”. In Council, amended to “Request the City Manager meet with the architect and the city labor unions to discuss possibilities of renovations to the Brady School and prioritize the expenditure of funds to do so”. In Council, Read and referred to the City Manager, as amended. So voted.

Speaking in favor were:

Jay Mason Friends of Tyler Park

Rene Galsey Co-Chair Highlands Neighborhood Assoc.

Brenda Price 98 Tyler Park

Dennis McCarthy Friends of Tyler Park

Will Winslow

Michael Ready 750 Wilder St.

By C. RAMIREZ/BRODERICK, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City Council allow the University of Mass at Lowell make a presentation relative to the $266 Million Capital Improvement Plan”. In Council, Read and Diana Prideaux-Brune made a brief presentation to the Council.

BY M. MARTIN, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager have the proper departments repair the tree grates in the downtown area”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY M. MARTIN, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager have the proper department repair the existing lights at the Ecumenical Plaza near the Holy Trinity Church”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY M. MARTIN, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager have the proper department repair the lights on Lewis Street in the vicinity of the Holy Trinity Church”. In Council, Read and referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 8:21 PM, C. A. Mercier moved, seconded by C. Ramirez “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk