First term Councilor Patrick Murphy sure did his share of filing motions. Many of Councilor Murphy’s motions have led to improvements in policies and performance (see this years budget) and resulted in the City receiving grant funding. The Councilor has also done his share of work for constituents.
In his first term between January 2010 and June 2011 he filed a total of 58 motions.
JAN 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on potential of implementing a variant of CitiStat model in Lowell.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore establishing Neighborhood Venture Fund & widen outreach efforts for existing loan programs etc.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on plans to increase savings in waste management & support recycling programs in Condos/Multi Family Bldgs.
FEB 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr./DPD develop maintenance plans for new/renewed public works projects etc.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. adopt fuel-efficient city fleet purchasing policy in accordance w/Mass Green Communities Act.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. develop proposal to secure funding to address flooding under Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on potential of adoption of performance based budgeting
MAR 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on current procurement policy w/regard to the purchase of local and recycle products.
C. Murphy-Req. City Council observe City Council Rules.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. consider conducting Municipal Water Usage Audit & completing a Conservation Plan.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. review data on cost effectiveness of yard waste collection in summer months.
C. Murphy-Req. Council join other cities/towns in support updated Bottle Bill #HB3515-SB1480.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. have DPD provide disaggregated data on Best Retail Practices Program
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on data/calculations re:changes to City’s provision of Health Insurance Plans.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. have proper dept. address issues @ Clemente Park.
April 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. have DPD/Law Dept. provide analysis of greater restrictions on construction in Flood Plain etc.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on progress of Storm Water Compliance Plan
May 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on low impact development practices & potential ordinance changes to adopt the less costly approach.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. have appropriate depts. report on event permitting, fee and invoice policies.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on parking plan for Back Central Neighborhood.
June 2010C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on results of Positive Ticketing Initiative.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on progress toward updated Hazard Mitigation Plan.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on focus of the LowellStat Program during FY2011.
July 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore extension recycling services to LHA.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. have DPD review Historic District Restriction when in conflict w/energy efficiency retrofits.
August 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr/Council discuss use of FY10 Snow/Ice Deficit assumed in FY11 Budget.
Sept. 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore potential for system of bus shelters/bike racks w/LRTA & have DPD review corresponding plan for transit-overlay districts surrounding them.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr/DPD develop formal guidelines w/Council on future use of TIF Plans etc.
Oct 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on short/long term plans for supervision of Lowell Youth Council.
Nov 2010
C. Murphy-Req. Council resolve issue of requirements for preliminary election & consider random ballot order in general.
C. Murphy-Req. Council consider Home Rule Petition to lower voting age to 17 for Municipal Elections.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore possibility of waiving First Time Home Buyer Requirement for Veterans seeking Down-Payment Assistance.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on implementation of Health Care Plan Design in practice & establish guidelines w/Council for use of potential authority.
C. Murphy-Req. Council discuss larger Charter Changes to increase civic participation(including combined districts, at large system, term limits) at Rules S/C.
Jan 2011
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on performance of Single Source Marketing & consider shifting focus toward lower cost, community driven, multiple source marketing strategies
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on plans for greater savings and efficiency in solid waste/recycling programs in upcoming year.
FEB 2011
C. Murphy-Req. Council amend Rule #12 to include electronic communication as acceptable means of delivery of council materials.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. develop formal Complete Streets policy, possibly w/funding through NMCOG Technical Assistance Grants.
Mar 2011
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on maintenance plans for public facilities, including Smith Baker, to preserve current potential for future uses.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. develop budget hearing process to align w/the goals of GFOA Performance-based budget, greater transparency & public participation
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. consider inclusion of tax schedules & performance of current TIF Agreements in FY 12 Budget Document.
April 2011
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on impact of local meals tax option
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. provide analysis Ma. Housing Development Incentive Program & potential guidelines on its local application.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. review visible recycling policy to increase diversion of recyclables from waste stream.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore potential of offering prescription drug discount card based on Gloucester Model.
May 2011
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. work w/LRTA & Youth Council to identify potential adjustments to bus service to increase work opportunities.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. expand city fleet policy to include section on alternatively-fueled vehicles.
C. Murphy/C. Mercier-Req. Mgr. report on status of funding for municipal pools in FY 2012
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. further improve building permitting process for homeowners
June 2011
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore potential of formal economic gardening initiative, GrowLowell, in partnership w/UMass Lowell Management Dept. & others
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on job performance of TIF Agreements and potential policy of reinvestment of new growth due to TIFs into economic development efforts.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on usage of Green Communities grant funding, including participation in stretch code energy efficiency grant/loan program.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on potential ordinance change to require private waste haulers operating in city to provide recycling services at affordable/flat rate & to amend fee schedule for dumpsters to eliminate existing disincentives.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on establishment of short-term revolving loan fund for business, condo & multifamily apt. buildings to more easily access recycling services & corresponding savings.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. review/report on progress towards goals of city tree ordinance, & submit an application for MA DCR Urban & Community Challenge Grant to develop urban forestry plan in compliance w/the ordinance.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. complete an update to Capital Improvement Plan over next year, & more fully intergrate the plan into a formal process preceding annual budge session.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. explore grant application to MassWorks Infrastructure Program for partial support of Speck Plan recommendations & coordinated pilot project for green stormwater infrastructure downtown.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. identify alternative grant funding source for Hale’s (River Meadow) Brook Greenway Plan to provide improved access & environmental enhancements to the adjacent neighborhoods.
C. Murphy-Req. Mgr. report on need for a Fair Housing Commission & on city’s progress in addressing fair housing concerns.
must be too busy motioning (moving?) to shave….
Count this as a vote for Patrick in 2009 that is going elsewhere in 2011. Spent far too much of the first two years fighting for issues that aren’t important to the average resident and showed tremendous disrespect toward colleagues he doesn’t see eye to eye with. You can agree to disagree councilor Murphy, but always show respect, especially to your elders. No matter how wrong they may be.
RIN… you are so right!!! Disagreement is one thing but outright disrespect and belittling is a whole other issue. He lost my vote!
RIN; Im with you on your assesment of Murphy’s motions and issues not being important for the average person. He has been a real let-down. All this “green” stuff and letting kids who dont even care vote, I just dont see the importance right now.
Totally disagree with your opinion of not showing respect for others. I assume you mean Bud, who is the most arrogant and ignorant man I have heard. He did good work for the city years and years ago, but has been a complete clown for years. He has the attitude of being elected for life and somehow thinks he owns the city. I think Murphy, as well as others, are simply giving Bud a taste of his own medicine. What goes around comes right back around!
Don’t cry when Bud gets attacked. If you cant take the heat, dont dish it out.
There’s a certain respect elected officials should have for each other, be they Senators, Representatives or Councilors. They don’t have to agree. They should show mutual respect. If you can cite me an example where Bud showed such personal disrespect toward Patrick, I might be inclined to change my stance. I don’t recall such an incident where it became so personal and not about a dispute over an issue.
You are right about Bud though. He has gone off the deep end. Even if he were running again, he wouldn’t be getting my vote.
Bud vs. “Captain Planet” is kind of like the Iran/Iraq war: Can’t they both lose?
In a battle of wits, they are both unarmed.
What does the average voter want? I think he or she wants his or her tax dollars spent wisely and fairly. Patrick led the way to introduce a new, more efficient way of conducting the city’s business with LowellStat, which will be saving the city millions of dollars over several years. He has pushed for a performance–based budget, which lends transparency to the city administration, as well as giving councilors the opportunity to make informed decisions based on actual data. He tried and was successful in having the city cut its operating costs by going “green.” “Green” isn’t just about preserving the environment—which I actually think most of us do care about—it’s about conserving our resources. In other words, it’s also about saving money.
The fact that the city has been granted over half a million dollars already (and will be given several hundred thousand this year) to do just that speaks to the value of going “green.” Patrick’s also done some important things that have gone under the radar of some. He’s expanded the first-time home buyer’s program to veterans. He’s sought to put the city on track to participate in a prescription drug program to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for city residents. He’s motioned for the city to create a sustainability plan, which he suggested be rolled into an update of the master plan, and which is now under way. He’s motioned for the construction of bus shelters, which will be put up in Lowell soon. Shelters not only function primarily as shields from the elements, but increase ridership and have proven to stimulate neighborhood-scale economies.
Patrick and Rita motioned to keep the pools open this summer, and the manager’s found a way to do so. He’s sought to keep city investments in local banks to increase the multiplier effect of local lending. He’s proposed a new paradigm for economic development in his motion about “economic gardening”, which seeks to cultivate and expand the consumer base for existing businesses. He’s been the leader in fighting foreclosures in the city, with a housing pilot program to start in Back Central next year. He’s made a number of proposals regarding recycling efforts—one which the city estimates will save $190,000 per year. Same for water conservation proposals and a push to change the way the city markets itself. He’s also been the leader in the recent movement on the Cambodia Town project, the renovation of Clemente Park, which has already progressed quite a bit, and the Hales Brook project, seeking grant money in his role as the council’s representative to NMCOG. He is also extremely committed to reading through and analyzing entire packets, in which he has sometimes found opportunities for additional savings, as he did for the Rogers School roof, which ended being several hundreds of thousand dollars less than its original proposed loan order.
I’ll be the first to admit that I need some of these motions explained to me, that on first reading they bore the hell out of me, but I can say that they are having and will have a real impact on how the city conducts itself now and are setting the city up for long-term stability. Some are more easily seen than others, but they do affect us. The fact that he’s worked this hard for the city and still found time to engage young people and marginalized groups makes his work all the more impressive. Their engagement is what makes a true community. Am I saying this because he’s my younger brother and I’m proud of him? Sure. But I think it’s a record anyone could be proud of.
Dan…. take off those rose colored glasses.
Well said Dan, thank you!
I’ve bumped into Patrick on several occasions and much of what he does you won’t find on the Council agenda or in the Lowell Sun. He’s a great advocate for those who are struggling, which is much of Lowell’s population, and the only City Councilor that I’ve noticed working hard “hands on” to help the Lower Highlands neighborhood and the CMAA bootstrap and make progress. He’s a great mentor to youth and young professionals, and is pressing to ensure that the physical plant has an O&M plan. If he doesn’t run, it’ll be a big loss for the City.
Thanks for listing the many accomplishments, we sometimes miss the more important things that are done in the City. The “citizens” have a duty to pay more attention.
And to add one savings that is being overlooked, he neither took the councilor salary nor the health care benefits.
He also didn’t need mega money to get voted in. He took the time to introduce himself, going door to door, not relying on others to do the work for him. He has a vision that brings ideas to the table and his purpose is for everyone to benefit. I wish him the best in the next election.