January 2017 Minutes

January 23rd, 2017 7 PM, LTC

 

Present:

Carolyn Alphen, Co-Chair

Jack Moynihan, Co-Chair

Stephen Greene, VP/Treasurer

Corey Sciuto Secretary

 

Begin Meeting

Stephen moves; Corey seconds

 

Annual Re-Elections

All officers re-elected

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

Police Report, Lt. Crawford

Higher-than-normal crime this month, related both to increased activity due to Christmas and New Years, including higher police presence. An individual who committed many of the elevated rate of car breaks was arrested this month as well. Discussions around improved lighting, vagrancy, etc.

 

Neighborhood Services Subcommittee is present

 

Supt. Bill Tailor, LPD

3rd consecutive year with double-digit reduction in crime. Includes 15-18% reduction in shots fired.

 

Maryann Ballotta, Director of Research and Development, LPD

Application for grant for downtown neighborhood (potentially $1M over three years, includes mandatory nine-month planning period, being submitted soon with grant beginning early 2018). Maryann has reached out to and is working with Jack Moynihan. Potential goals include increased lighting, addressing panhandling (change program). Self-watering flower pots. Partnership with Lowell Transitional Living Center to help them better serve their population downtown. Increased lighting in Kerouac Park as it’s a known crime hot-spot. Potentially coordinating with Mill City Grows to open a community garden downtown.

 

Council expresses interest particularly in working more closely with Lowell Transitional Living Center, especially around keeping their clients occupied with programming during the day.

 

City Manager Kevin Murphy

We have 252 police officers, highest count since the Clinton era. Most uniformed firefighters in two decades. $4.5M under net school spending at the beginning of Murphy’s tenure; $9.5M over currently. 90% ground-floor occupation level citywide.

 

Kathleen Marcin asks for highest and best use study re: Lowell High School.

 

  • City will provide LDNA with highest and best use study.

 

Wayne Jenness asks what will happen to the courthouses when the new one opens.

 

  • They’ll be sold on the private market.

 

Discussion around art gallery shuttles

 

David Ouellette, Inspectional Services

 

Over 100 food establishments downtown. About 10 closed food establishments.

 

Nick Navin, Parking Dept

 

Lower Locks garage repair work is done, Market St is nearly done.

 

The closing of Market St during City of Lights blocking the garage was in error.

 

Surface Parking Lot next to Canal Place III will not be built until they end up developing Hamilton Canal District 2 and 4, which are currently surface lots.

 

Call the Parking Dept. if your car was damaged during the garage repair process.

 

Discussion around 1 East Merrimack St and Parking. They can’t fit that many cars in the Davidson St lot unless a garage is built there.

 

Overall, there is interest increasing the number of parking spaces downtown.

 

Motion to ajourn

Carolyn moves, Stephen Greene seconds.

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