council packet

LOWELL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY AUGUST 10, 2010 TIME 6:30 PM CITY CLERK

1. Minutes of July 27th for acceptance.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. Order-Demolition orders for 51 Payne Street & 11 So. Whipple St.(from 7/13).
3. Vote-Accepting Chapter 26, Acts of 2010 (Collection unpaid Municipal Fines).

PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. Conduit Loc.-Pheonix Communications req. conduit in Appleton/Middle Sts.
5. Pole Loc.-National Grid to place 2 poles First St. Blvd. CITY MANAGER

6. Communications-From City Manager, responses to Council Motions/Requests.
7. Communication-From City Manager, requesting approval Out of State Travel.
8. Resignations (3)-2 From the Historic Board and 1 Conservation Commission.
9. Vote-Accept proposal of Robert Muldoon $52,000 & convey 78 Perry St.
10. Vote-Enter into License Agreement w/U. Mass. Lowell for signage.
11. Resolution-Establishing a Sister City relationship w/Winneba, Ghana.

EXECUTIVE SESSION **Council meet in Executive Session relating to Strategy Sessions for City Manager Contract in preparation with negotiations of non-union personnel.

**Update ongoing Union Negotiations-meet in Executive Session as it relates to strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation.

REPORTS (sub/Committee, if any)
12. Wire Insp.-National Grid 1 pole Lundberg St. & Greener Excavating 133 Clark Rd. Conduit.

PETITIONS
13. Misc.-Lowell General Hospital 295 Varnum Ave. req. increase of 20,000 gls diesel fuel 50,000 gls total. 14. Kimberly Liliedahl 254 Concord St. req. HP Sign.
15. Patrick O’Connor address Council re:Excise Tax.
16. Claims-2 claims, 1 property damage, 1 personal injury.

MOTIONS
17. C. Caulfield-Req. Mgr. find ways/means to address stairwell/other issues at LHS.

18. C. Elliott-Req. Law Dept. draw language to require muzzling of Pit Bulls involved in incidents.

19. C. Mercier-Req. Mgr. have proper dept. enforce regulation & remove trash from 24 Lane St.
20. C. Mercier-Req 60 Day Trial, (2) fifteen min. parking spaces DLKV 447 Central St.

21. C. Martin-Req. Mgr. proceed with action to repair/demolish property @ 491-493 Concord St.

22.C. Murphy-Req. Mgr/Council discuss use of FY10 Snow/Ice Deficit assumed in FY11 Budget.

23. M. Milinazzo-Req. Mgr. address traffic concerns on Florida Street

Before the regular meeting there is a City Council neighborhood Sub-Committee Meeting to address the Water Tank on Christian Hill at 5:00 pm

According to the Lowell Sun’s Breaking News, The Boston Herald and other media Outlets, former Lowell State Rep Ed LeLacheur has passed away at age 85.

The Sun has this to say: LOWELL — Edward LeLacheur, the former state representative from the 17th Middlesex District in Lowell, has passed away.

LeLacheur was a product of the city’s Sacred Heart neighborhood, and before enjoying a career in politics, ran a small variety store. At the store, his was famous for his generosity and allowing his customers to pay when they had the money.

For more on this story read Saturday’s Sun or click on http://www.lowellsun.com

GERRY: Over on the Dracut Politics Blog, Brian Flaherty has his thoughts on some campaign literature for the Senate Race that he received from the Finegold and Wilson Campaign.

Brian states: “They both tout themselves as an “Independent Voice”, “with Finegold promoting his vote to do away with Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day as Suffolk County holidays (he called them Hack Holidays), giving up his 2009 pay raise and per diems, and his vote for term limits for Speaker of the House. He also points out that Finegold never, not once mentions that he is a Democrat in his piece” trying to appeal to the Scott Brown voters in Dracut.

It appears to me that Barry in this piece is trying to distance himself from the Leadership and a Speaker he lobbied hard for and supported and who in my opinion is a terrible leader. He is /has been considered close to the Speaker and part of his leadership team and the Speaker has appeared at Fundraisers for Barry.

So I was wondering how often Barry and other local Reps. have voted with or against the Speaker and found this article from Feb of this year in the Boston Phoenix Titled: “Votes Off” Under DeLeo

“Here are the Democratic state reps with the most and fewest total “votes off” — opposite DeLeo — cast on 214 roll call votes since DeLeo became speaker, that were examined by the Phoenix. (Quorum calls and routine land-taking measures were not included.)” I’M ONLY LISTING THE LOCAL REPS

Most votes off: 58 Jim Miceli – 30 William Greene
28 Colleen Garry – 20 David Nangle

Fewest votes off : 1 William Lantigua – 3 Cory Atkins
3 Barry Finegold 4 Barbara L’Italien

It appears that Barry may have to answer how he can claim to be “independent” when up through Feb. of this year he was only opposed to the Speaker on 3 occasions. Brian points out that Barry didn’t mention supporting the Sales Tax (twice) or any response to Jack Wilson’s question on the need for a Financial Control Board in Lawrence. Nor I’m sure did Barry mention his opposition to the Casino Bill.

Jack Wilson has no record to run on but he is certainly trying to make Barry own up and answer for his record and his ties with the Speaker but Barry refuses to answer questions that are uncomfortable.(See his non-answer / response to me on if he would support the City of Lowell Home Rule petition).

If these two take part in a debate before the primary where Barry has to answer some tough questions on his record, things could be very interesting on Primary Day.

Colleen has been the more independent Rep. from the Lowell/Dracut group with Dave Nangle close behind.