MassVoter.com← Lowell City CouncilLowell City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Special meeting
June 20, 2023
19 recorded votes, 13 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: Mayor Sokhary Chau presiding.
Present: Sokhary Chau, John Drinkwater, Erik R. Gitschier, Wayne Jenness, John J. Leahy, Rita Mercier, Vesna Nuon, Corey Robinson, Daniel P. Rourke, Kimberly Scott, Paul Ratha Yem
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Communication Remote/Zoom Participation
Accept and place on file: Communication Remote/Zoom Participation
Motion to accept and place of file by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to accept and place of file by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Mercier)
Review budget department by department intergrating corrections as needed
Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke to review budget department by department intergrating corrections as needed. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 nays (C. Gitschier, C. Jenness). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Leahy, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, Scott, YemNo: Gitschier, JennessThe roll call names the no votes and gives 9 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Rourke to review budget department by department intergrating corrections as needed. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 nays (C. Gitschier, C. Jenness). So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: Rourke)
Take Item #3.6 out of order
Motion by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Leahy to take Item #3.6 out of order. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Leahy to take Item #3.6 out of order. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Leahy)
Vote - FY2024 Appropriation Order
Adopt: Vote - FY2024 Appropriation Order
Motion to adopt as reduced by $17,500.00 to the final amount of $493,127,453.00 by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt as reduced by $17,500.00 to the final amount of $493,127,453.00 by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: Yem)
Reduce City Council line item by $12,500.00
Motion by C. Gitsciher, seconded by C. Jenness to reduce City Council line item by $12,500.00. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 nays (M. Chau, C. Yem). So voted.
Yes: Drinkwater, Gitschier, Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, ScottNo: Chau, YemThe roll call names the no votes and gives 9 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Gitsciher, seconded by C. Jenness to reduce City Council line item by $12,500.00. Adopted per Roll Call vote 9 yeas, 2 nays (M. Chau, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Jenness)
Reduce Mayor line item by $5,000.00: Vote - FY2024 Appropriation Order
Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Scott to reduce Mayor line item by $5,000.00. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yays, 4 nays (C. Jenness, C. Leahy, C. Mercier, C. Yem). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Gitschier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, ScottNo: Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, YemThe roll call names the no votes and gives 7 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Gitschier, seconded by C. Scott to reduce Mayor line item by $5,000.00. Adopted per Roll Call vote 7 yays, 4 nays (C. Jenness, C. Leahy, C. Mercier, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Gitschier, second: Scott)
Take 15 minute recess: Vote - FY2024 Appropriation Order
Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke to take 15 minute recess. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Rourke to take 15 minute recess. So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Rourke)
Take Item #3.9 out of order
Motion to take Item #3.9 out of order by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to take Item #3.9 out of order by C. Robinson, seconded by C. Mercier. So voted..” (Motion: Robinson, second: Mercier)
Loan Order - 2023 Capital Plan Loan Order
Refer to Clerk's Office: Loan Order - 2023 Capital Plan Loan Order
Motion to adopt and refer to Clerk's Office for 20 days by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt and refer to Clerk's Office for 20 days by C. Nuon, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted..” (Motion: Nuon, second: Yem)
Loan Order - Legal Settlement Loan Order
Refer to Clerk's Office: Loan Order - Legal Settlement Loan Order
Motion to adopt and refer to Clerk's Office for 20 days by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt and refer to Clerk's Office for 20 days by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Nuon. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Nuon)
Ordinance - Amend Chapter 20 Article III - DPW
Adopt: Ordinance - Amend Chapter 20 Article III - DPW
Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt by C. Drinkwater, seconded by C. Robinson. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted..” (Motion: Drinkwater, second: Robinson)
Ordinance - Amend Chapter 56 Article II
Adopt: Ordinance - Amend Chapter 56 Article II
Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 6 yeas, 5 nays (C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Leahy, Mercier, Rourke, YemNo: Gitschier, Jenness, Nuon, Robinson, ScottThe roll call names the no votes and gives 6 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Yem. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 6 yeas, 5 nays (C. Gitschier, C. Jenness, C. Nuon, C. Robinson, C. Scott). So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Yem)
Motion by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier to adopt ordinance excluding Section 56-8(A)(2)(a). Motion failed 5 yeas, 6 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Leahy, C. Mercier, C. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted.
Yes: Gitschier, Jenness, Nuon, Robinson, ScottNo: Chau, Drinkwater, Leahy, Mercier, Rourke, YemThe roll call names the no votes and gives 5 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier to adopt ordinance excluding Section 56-8(A)(2)(a). Motion failed 5 yeas, 6 nays (M. Chau, C. Drinkwater, C. Leahy, C. Mercier, C. Rourke, C. Yem). So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Gitschier)
Ordinance - Amend Parking Rates FY24
Refer to Finance SC: Ordinance - Amend Parking Rates FY24
Motion to refer to Finance SC for further review by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to refer to Finance SC for further review by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Gitschier. So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Gitschier)
Ordinance - Amend Sewer Rate FY24
Adopt: Ordinance - Amend Sewer Rate FY24
Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, Scott, YemNo: GitschierThe roll call names the no votes and gives 10 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt by C. Yem, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted..” (Motion: Yem, second: Mercier)
Ordinance - Amend Water Rate FY24
Adopt: Ordinance - Amend Water Rate FY24
Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Drinkwater. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted.
Yes: Chau, Drinkwater, Jenness, Leahy, Mercier, Nuon, Robinson, Rourke, Scott, YemNo: GitschierThe roll call names the no votes and gives 10 yeas, which matches the other councilors present; they are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt by C. Jenness, seconded by C. Drinkwater. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 10 yeas, 1 nay (C. Gitschier). So voted..” (Motion: Jenness, second: Drinkwater)
Ordinance - Create New Positions In Various Departments
Adopt: Ordinance - Create New Positions In Various Departments
Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to adopt by C. Rourke, seconded by C. Mercier. Adopted per Roll Call vote, 11 yeas. So voted..” (Motion: Rourke, second: Mercier)
Waive Rule 5: Ordinance - Create New Positions In Various Departments
Motion to Waive Rule 5 by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Leahy (10:00 PM). Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted.
From the minutes
“Motion to Waive Rule 5 by C. Mercier, seconded by C. Leahy (10:00 PM). Adopted per Roll Call vote 11 yeas. So voted..” (Motion: Mercier, second: Leahy)
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn
In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted.
The minutes give the result only (“So voted”, a voice vote), so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“In City Council, Motion to Adjourn by C. Yem, seconded by C. Robinson. So voted..” (Motion: Yem, second: Robinson)
From the Lowell City Council’s official minutes, posted by the City Clerk in the city’s Agenda Center (City Council). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: the City of Lowell’s official councilor headshots, from each councilor’s page in the city’s staff directory (linked from “Meet the City Council” on lowellma.gov).
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