On the agenda: Lowell meeting — Data Center (Jul 14)

Agenda - 07/14/2026

Date:         July 14, 2026
Time:          6:30 PM
Location: City Council Chamber, 375 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor, Lowell, MA / Zoom (Hybrid)

1.

ROLL CALL

2.

MAYOR'S BUSINESS

2.1.

Communication Remote/Zoom Participation:

Meetings Will Be Held In Council Chamber With Public Welcome And By Using Remote Participation As Follows:  Members Of The Public May View The Meeting Via LTC.Org (On-Line; Live Streaming; Or Local Cable Channel 6).  Those Wishing To Speak Regarding A Specific Agenda Item Shall Register To Speak In Advance Of The Meeting By Sending Email To City Clerk Indicating The Agenda Item And A Phone Number To Call So That You May Be Issued Zoom Link To The Meeting.  Email Address Is  [email protected] .  If No Access To Email You May Contact City Clerk At 978-674-4161.  All Request Must Be Done Before 4:00 PM On The Day Of Meeting.   For Zoom -  HTTPS://SUPPORT.ZOOM.US/HC/EN-US/ARTICLES/201362193-JOINING-A-MEETING

3.

CITY CLERK

3.1.

Minutes of Non-Profit Organization SC June 30th; City Council Regular Meeting June 30th, for acceptance.

Documents:

2026 June 30 non profit sc minutes.pdf

2026 June 30 CC Minutes.pdf

4.

GENERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS (Scheduled for 7PM)

4.1.

Ordinance - Amend Chapter 125 - Canvassers and Solicitors

Documents:

Ordinance - Amend Chapter 125 - Canvassers and Solicitors.pdf

5.

UTILITY PUBLIC HEARING (Scheduled for 7PM)

5.1.

National Grid - Request permission to relocate 1 JO pole on Meadowcroft Street across from Exchange Place.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35254?fileID=99685

5.2.

National Grid - Request installation of a recloser at 88 Wood Street.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35255?fileID=99686

5.3.

National Grid - Request installation of sidewalk guy wire on Ricardson Street at McPherson Park.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35256?fileID=99687

5.4.

National Grid - Request installation of a heavy-duty handhole and conduits on Meadowcroft Street at the entrance to 52.1 Bolt Street.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35257?fileID=99688

5.5.

Boston Gas - Request replacing existing gas main on Saunders Street.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35258?fileID=99689

5.6.

National Grid - Request installation of underground electric conduit from 240 Central Street to rear of 278 Central Street.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35430?fileID=101521

5.7.

Boston Gas - Request replacement of existing cast iron gas main with low pressure gas main at 31-52 Queen Street.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35431?fileID=101522

5.8.

Boston Gas - Request replacement of leak-prone gas main from Jackson Street to Central Street.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35432?fileID=101523

5.9.

Boston Gas - Request replacement of existing coated steel 3-inch gas main from 230 to 245 Seventh Avenue.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35433?fileID=101524

5.10.

Boston Gas - Request replacement of existing leak-prone gas main from 214 to 221 Sixth Avenue.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35434?fileID=101525

5.11.

Boston Gas - Request replacement of existing steel gas main with plastic main at 190-261 Seventh Avenue.

https://www.lowellma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/35435?fileID=101526

6.

CITY COUNCIL - MOTIONS

6.1.

C. Mercier - Req. City Mgr. have City Solicitor and License Commission re-visit the law concerning “Bar Licenses” (re: no bars in Lowell) that allow minors to be in said establishments and change this policy, establish a cut off time for minors, look at Curfew Ordinance, call it a bar and revert back to the way it was for the sake of our children.

6.2.

C. Mercier/C. Scott/C. Juran - Req. City Mgr. have the appropriate dept. look into creating a Passive, Bicentennial Park in the area of Middlesex and Jackson Sts. that would be a salute to women, marking the 200th Anniversary of the City of Lowell.

6.3.

C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Provide an Update on ICC Status.

6.4.

C. Nuon - Req. City Mgr. Work with DPD to Identify a Plot of Land for Cambodian American Club.

6.5.

C. Liang - Req. that the City Mgr. and the relevant department conduct a walk audit of (1) Columbus Avenue and (2) Samuel Street regarding street safety. Provide approximate timelines and both immediate and long-term solutions to address any identified issues.

6.6.

C. Liang - Req. that the City Mgr. have appropriate departments provide a comprehensive list of advertisement vendors, including news outlets, media organizations, and social media platforms, that have been contracted by the City for various programs and services, how they were selected, along with the total expenditure associated with each agency or company over the past 24 months.

6.7.

C. Liang - Req. that the City Mgr. and the relevant department conduct an investigation into the complaints regarding the use of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (Quad Bikes) from Swan Street to Boston Road, particularly in the vicinity of Edson Cemetery and Ventura Field.

6.8.

C. Liang - Req. the City Mgr. work with the appropriate department to clear debris and dirt from the sidewalks at 230 Mount Vernon and 498 Broadway (the former Muldoon Gas Station) to ensure pedestrian safety. Additionally, conduct a thorough inspection of the property for any violations, including fencing issues, parking concerns, or sanitation problems that could adversely affect the values of the neighborhood and surrounding properties, particularly the corner store and Stoklosa Middle School.

6.9.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department provide a copy of the St. Louis Park renovation project contracts to the council as well as update on opening.

6.10.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department provide a draft of re classifying establishments that serve alcohol and provide a pathway forward to regulating age requirements.

6.11.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department provide an update on swapping out volleyball surface material at Gage as well as potential pathway to install a seasonal restroom facility.

6.12.

C. Robinson - Req. the City Mgr. have the proper department provide a detailed report on reason for delayed opening of McPherson Pool.

6.13.

C. Juran - Req. City Mgr. have the proper department(s) describe what happens to yard waste materials, and how residents can ensure that they're not spreading invasive plants through yard waste.

6.14.

C. Scott - Req. the City Mgr. have the appropriate department install mobile surveillance cameras at the Lundberg Street Bridge to deter illegal dumping. 

6.15.

C. Scott - Req. the City Mgr. provide a report on the feasibility of using Community Preservation Act funds for improvements, including the completion of the original O'Donnell Park renovation plans, the renovation of the restroom facilities and the installation of shade structures for the splash pad at O'Donnell, benches and basketball court improvements, as well as the installation of new playground equipment and other eligible park upgrades, including at Oliveira Park which has no equipment.

6.16.

C. Scott - Req. the City Mgr. provide the City Council with an update on the flooding issues on Bourne Street.

6.17.

C. Scott/C. McDonough - Req. the City Mgr. have the appropriate department provide a report explaining why demolition and hydrant permits have been issued for the property located at 2 Tanner Street while the City's data center moratorium remains in effect.

6.18.

C. McDonough/C. Scott - Req. the City Mgr. have the appropriate department draft regulation to prohibit the construction and/or installation of new diesel generators at any site or enterprise with a production capacity of 30 or more megawatt hours. 

6.19.

C. McDonough/C. Descoteaux - Req. the City Mgr. work with the appropriate department and license commission to, as quickly as possible, take all necessary steps to create separate licensing requirements for bars/taverns/nightclubs and restaurants. 

6.20.

C. McDonough - Req. that the City Mgr. work with the appropriate department to make all necessary changes to allow resident parking along Richmond Ave. and Hudson St. on the perimeter of Rotary Park. 

6.21.

C. McDonough - Req. the City Mgr. work with the appropriate department to explore the installation of an e-bike share location at the Leo Roy garage as a continuation of the partnership with a state funded initiative and the LRTA. 

7.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER

7.1.

Motion Responses

A) Motion Response - 25MPH
B) Motion Response - E Merrimack
C) Motion Response - Prism
D) Motion Response - W Albert
E) Motion Response - Riverside
F) Motion Response Concord St
G) Motion Response - MBTA Installation Fencing Barriers and Other Safety Measures
H) Motion Response - Vacant Lot Hildreth St
I) Motion Response - GLWFB
J) Motion Response - Fire House Repairs

Documents:

A) Motion Response - 25MPH.pdf

B) Motion Response - E Merrimack.pdf

C) Motion Response - Prism.pdf

D) Motion Response - W Albert.pdf

E) Motion Response - Riverside.pdf

F) Motion Response Concord St.pdf

G) Motion Response - MBTA Installation Fencing Barriers and Other Safety Measures WORD.pdf

H) Motion Response - Vacant Lot Hildreth St.pdf

I) Motion Response - GLWFB.pdf

J) Motion Response - Fire House Repairs.pdf

7.2.

Informational Report

Informational Report - Traffic Calming

Documents:

Informational Report - Traffic Calming.pdf

7.3.

Communication - City Manager request approval of Out of State Travel (1) MIS.

Documents:

2026 July 14 OST 1 MIS.pdf

7.4.

Communication - Appointment of Rithy Uong to License Commission

Documents:

Communication - Appointment of Rithy Uong to License Commission.pdf

7.5.

Communication - Resignation of Andrew Taing from License Commission

Documents:

Communication - Resignation of Andrew Taing from License Commission.pdf

8.

VOTES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

8.1.

Vote - Accept/Expend $117,645 Tobacco Control Grant FY27

Documents:

Vote - AcceptExpend 117,645 Tobacco Control Grant FY27.pdf

8.2.

Vote - Transfer $1,026,000 - Various Year End

Documents:

Vote - Transfer 1,026,000 - Various Year End.pdf

8.3.

Vote - Transfer $172k - Wastewater Energy

Documents:

Vote - Transfer 172k - Wastewater Energy.pdf

8.4.

Vote - Authorize CM to File Special Legislation - Vincent Fernandez

Documents:

Vote - Authorize CM to File Special Legislation - Vincent Fernandez.pdf

8.5.

Vote - Confirm Executive Session Vote for Smith Baker Center

Documents:

Vote - Confirm Executive Session Vote for Smith Baker Center.pdf

9.

ORDINANCES FROM THE CITY MANAGER

9.1.

Ordinance - Amend Zoning - Curb Cuts

Documents:

Ordinance - Amend Zoning - Curb Cuts.pdf

10.

REPORTS (SUB/COMMITTEE, IF ANY)

11.

PETITIONS

11.1.

Misc. - Tracy Smith request installation of a handicap parking sign at 24 Pollard Street.

Documents:

2026 July 14 Tracy Smith Req HP Sign 24 Pollard St.pdf

11.2.

Misc. - Jaime-Lyn Norton Request Installation of a Handicap Parking Sign at 32 Griffin Street.

Documents:

2026 July 14 Jaime-lyn Norton Req Handicap Parking Sign at 32 Griffin St.pdf

11.3.

Misc. - Monica Swaida - Req. 15 Minute Parking Sign at 219 Central Street

Documents:

2026 July 14 Monica Swaida Req 15 Minute Parking SIgn 219 Central Street.pdf

11.4.

Misc. - James Morgan request No Parking Sign, on Orford St. and 2nd Ave. from the last driveway on Orford St. up to 2nd Ave.

Documents:

2026 July 14 James Morgan Req No Parking Sign on Orford St and 2nd Ave from last driveway on Orford up to 2nd Ave.pdf

11.5.

Misc. - Raul E. Velez, D.C. (The Chiropractic Healing Center) Req. to install overhanging sign at 45 Palmer St.

Documents:

2026 July 14 Raul E. Velez D.C. The Chiropractic Healing Center Req. to install overhanging sign at 45 Palmer St (1).pdf

11.6.

National Grid - Request installation of conduit to energize new transformer at 1365 Middlesex Street.

Documents:

2026 July 14 National Grid Req to install conduit 1365 Middlesex St.pdf

12.

CITY COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE SESSION

12.1.

Executive Session – To Consider And Discuss The Purchase, Exchange, Lease, Or Value Of Real Property (40 Market Street; HCID Parcels 11, 12; Acre Urban Renewal Parcels; UHC-TIF Plan), Public Discussion Of Which Could Have A Detrimental Effect On The City’s Position.

13.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

14.

ADJOURNMENT

Office of the City Clerk - 375 Merrimack Street - Phone: 978.674.4161