Left In Lowell

I watched the first half of last night’s city council meeting, the important part really. City Manager John Cox was up for his verbal and written reviews to determine if he deserves a 4% raise, and there were plenty of obsequious comments as well as some critiques. Most expected was Dick Howe’s rant and “Unsatisfactory” rating; others had mostly good things to say, and a couple had mixed reviews of the city manager. Jim Milinazzo might - might! - have redeemed his vote from me. Maybe. He rated “Satisfactory” which was the second lowest rating (Howe’s of course was “Unsatisfactory”).

Oh, and Cox made a touching *sniff, sniff, wipes tears away* speech at the end of the review. Maybe he should stop being city manager and run for an office. (Ha!)

I put in the rest of the agenda from last night also, so you can see what else was discussed (I just couldn’t sit still anymore, so I read down the list and nothing seemed really important so I skipped the rest of the meeting). My notes and comments as usual are in brackets []. The rest of this post is on the flip side:

PUBLIC HEARINGS (scheduled for 7PM)
Gas Mains-Keyspan Energy to place mains in Mammoth Rd., Llewelyn St., Westview Rd. & Lawrence St.
(Postponed until after Evaluation of City Manager)

CITY MANAGER
Personnel S/C-Annual Evaluation of the City Manager.

Caulfield: Last Wed Personnel subcommittee met regarding evaluation of City Manager.

A. Mercier: Time for hearing from general public [pause] hearing none, we proceed. [Next year, we gotta show up to this thing, really we do. With lots of testimony on how this guy is bad for our city.]

There are two options here: written evaluation: Howe submitted. Or Verbal evaluation. If no objections. Fairest way to do this is to take roll call order. I will give verbally, I think manager’s evaluated every Tues, but there’s an ordinance in place. Commendable (4). 5 exceeds expectations. Financial management: 5. Personnel management: 4. Relations with city council: 4. Personally: 4. Best quality: leadership. Relationship with public: 3. Other agencies: 4. Overall commendable. [I think I missed some of the sections Mercier listed, so take this as an incomplete list.]

R. Mercier: I too could just say ditto to everything you said. Overall view commendable. I would never rate anyone a five, no one’s perfect, we disagree sometimes. I think city’s movement is in a wonderful direction. Believe city manager makes the right calls. Comments on his ability to talk to people who sweep the floor, etc. Support manager and give Commendable.

Milinazzo: I think City Manager position should be making the most money out of all city employees. Purpose tonight is to evaluate. I evaluate at Satisfactory. Think there are things he could have done better job (Stoklosa school). I think it was responsibility of city manager when 3 classrooms fell mysteriously off budget. Mentions other projects where he has issues with. With plan E form of government, lines of communication have been clouded. CM has been acting like a strong mayor in my opinion [emphasis mine - good observation, maybe Jim can redeem himself]. Is issue for me. 5 years ago, you gave a good interview, said wouldn’t be taking on any mayoral roll such as ribbon cutting, etc, but lately you have been doing those mayoral things. Two more issues: law enforcement issue. Police contract, what’s going on tonight at city hall [the police rally for the 4 and 4 schedule], should have been dealt with earlier, puts us in bad position. [Wah wah, we might actually be held accountable for the City Manager’s choices, gee, isn’t that how it’s supposed to work? I wish the councilors would stop whining they’re being held accountable despite their innocence and actually BE accountable! Like, gee, fire the city manager or get him to do his damn job already.]

Broderick: Not in position to say ditto, haven’t been here that long. Basically, done good job. Private investment downtown. Bond rating lowest ever. City in strong position especially in these economic times. Will give commendable rating.

Caulfield: No matter who was sitting in that position, it’s a very difficult job. What we’re discussing tonight is pay raise. 4%. He works without contract, didn’t want a contract. Hard job. Worked hard on downtown development. [Caufield starts listing buildings.] Developers won’t build in a city unless they feel welcome. Has faith in this administration. This investment in our city increase tax revenue, good for citizens [yeah, except they can’t afford the increases in taxes you ninny].

Two years ago, when people in Pawtucketville came begging for help with flooding, plans have been set in place, that flooding is going to be addressed, people in Pawtucketville extremely happy [really? This took 2 years to even start to address? Seem to me I’d be pretty pissed actually]. Mentions plans, Acre plan, parking garage. Best bond rate in 40 years. A new bridge needs to be made over Merrimack. We need someone to be liaison between us and Beacon Hill, this is being done by CM well. Commendable rating. But before that, asking admin to address plan to address streets and sidewalks, worst streets done first, no politics. I could go on and on, happy with leadership.

Donoghue: what I’ve said previously: am not a fan of this evaluation process and ordinance. Been opposed to this back to last admin. I don’t think it’s accurate as to how to evaluate CM. But this is process we have. I too think should be highest paying job in city. Hard job to keep large city running, answer to 9 bosses. When I look at what we pay CM, he is underpaid. Chelmsford CM pays as high or higher. CM of Cambridge 10s of 1000s of $ higher. We’ve given raises to every city employee across the board. Doesn’t see why CM shouldn’t get raise. [Donoghue blethers on, teamwork, communication important]

More effort can be made so we’re not reading about things in the paper as our first line of notice. Concerned this last year: union contact negotiations took most of last year, which was to be expected, and were fair, retroactive raise was fair, do have problem with police contracts right now, should have been complete contract. Troubled with it, read in paper that unions ratified it (4 and 4 schedule) weeks ago. We don’t have any control. A picket line is out front, is unfair to the council [again with the whining about being accountable! THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! What are you, powerless??]. Not faulting people for using rights to picket, but in fairness to us, would like to see the details of what got ratified.

Intend these as constructive comments. But this should be brought before council. They are under contract, this whole sideshow [the 4 and 4 contract] – we have more important things to do than this. [missed some comments, had to go to bathroom!]

Do support raise, on plus Cox shown up every day, worked hard, not easy job. [Oh good, he shows up every day, that’s really um…commendable. Right.]

Elliot: brought other issue up subcommittee: there is no cost of living increase plus extra for city manager. Everyone else gets at least cost of living, this is no different.

It’s not an easy job. Mr. Manager, I will say when I call, you respond. This evaluation process not easy, to take criticism, that’s part of the job and we know you still want the job. Used the written evaluation because it helps me. Gave you good rating with relationships with other depts. Financial management: good bond rating, balanced budget, I didn’t agree with spending on some things but we have to put disagreements behind us. Need to improve communications and getting requested reports from city manager. Police dept: feel compelled to speak on this: third rail no one wants to talk about. Somehow we all have to get on same page. Gang violence is concern for the city. Doesn’t seem like police is operating on all cylinders, need to get that going.

Neighborhood development: hits people right at home, I know the city works with neighborhood groups, need to promote a positive neighborhood, need to keep fixing zoning code. Stoklosa school, can’t hold manager completely responsible, I think you did the best you could to keep on contract. Sometimes it’s really out of our control and people at home need to know that [”it’s not our fault, wah!”] Need to learn from our lessons.

Accomplishments of CM: gang summit. We learned a lot. Putting some of those into practice. Strong stance to protect park [RE: Spinners’ stadium, Goth rock concert, I think he meant - what a square…get over yourself]. Procurement issues, getting fixed and it’s a good thing. I would say that you and your staff did yeoman’s work getting parking garage. Brought about at reasonable price. Lot of projects we worked on are not flashy projects, but just as important. Staff is excellent responding to calls I make; they get calls from 9 of us to do these little things, tree branches, signs, lines on streets, to your credit that your people respond in timely way.

Didn’t support tax increase, need to be reasonable, I do know we need to spend $$ on services. I filled out this evaluation form, there are 3s and 4s, some 2s, some 5s. I think city is headed in right direction. This is not propaganda: Lowell is far above these other communities [he mentions Brockton, New Bedford, etc].

Howe: My evaluation: not based on generalities. Based on specifics. What I plan to discuss: 5 examples that cause me to conclude, this City Manager ought to go. As far as I’m concerned, gets an Unsatisfactory rating.

Budget: 2005, the budget totaled 259M, 2006 budget 270M. We have given 9% pay raises for most of employees in city. Then 4 and 4, I have never come across such a giveaway. Offers police officers to 53 additional days off. No other city in country except Tampa, etc, that have given this sort of extravagant giveaway. It will come home to roost and we’ll have to pay for it.

Mishandling of Northeastern MA police league [NEMLAC?? not sure] contract with city: initiated 40 years ago, at that time 20 communities in Merrimack Valley signed this contract. When asked, police from other towns would come to aid. Boston had asked this group to send police officers for the Dem convention in ‘04, the police [chief?] sent them, then was reprimanded and Cox said no more NEMLAC, finally Cox rescinded his comment and signed this contract. For CM to create that much havoc with this contract, tantamount to breach of city code, should result in termination.

City Manager interference with boards and commissions: CM made clear: was quoted in Sun, that he wants commissions and boards to discuss decisions with him before making them. There’s not one neighborhood that has not been ill affected by bad development. Can’t change this policy until you change the city administration.

Law Enforcement Trust Fund: manager took from trust fund for overtime at time when chief was sick [didn’t catch all of the comment] - federal government came in for audit, we’re awaiting decision, looks like there will be an issue.

Stoklosa School: disagrees with the others about not blaming CM for lateness of project. S & R was engaged 2002, to do excavating, 90 days to complete work, Feb 2004 finally project was done. CM said S & R was dilatory in performance, sought lowest cost for disposing of contaminated soil, but didn’t get lowest cost, received extra money, CM was going to withhold funds, city paid 425K, paid entire contract price and then some. Per-day penalty should have been imposed as per contract; we have not seen any of that.

Jackson’s contract to build the school: supposed to start July 2003, complete summer 2004. Then contract got extended in Aug to spring 2005, then to June 2005, here we are today, still without a completed school, but we paid Jackson for “settlement” – only explanation CM gave was didn’t want to have them stop work by withholding, I submit we need an audit to find out where this money went. Record on this school project is sufficient alone to fire CM.

Martin: being last, everything’s been said, will be brief. Give overall rating of 4 [Commendable], support raise, city in good shape. Don’t think we’ve have the best year we could have.

Two things stand out as successes: bond rating speaks very well to financial situation for city. [Blethers about how good we’ve had it even through bad times when other towns had it rough.] Tax rate fairly stable, setting reevaluations aside. Then development downtown. [Blethers with praise for a bit.]

Areas that need improvement: Stoklosa school. Filed motions going back to last year, every report back from CM said yes it was going to be ready on time. CM has taken responsibility for it in subcommittee meetings. Would have liked to see better progress on Hamilton Canal development project plan as well.

Caulfield: wanted to point out that this evaluation has been done in the public forum in front of viewing audience. [Yes, thank you Bud, we didn’t know that, we’re really stupid. *rolls eyes*.]

Rules suspended to vote on raise: Milinazzo and Howe: no; everyone else: yes. Passes.

Cox: I’d like to thank the council for most of the remarks I heard. [Yes, there was an emphasis, obviously a reference to Howe.] I take most of those remarks seriously. I am not perfect. Things we try to do hope to do better and quicker. Take full responsibility for that. CM has to be a leader. I try to be one. Try to be strong. Try to do the right thing for people in city, with consent of city council. That’s why I think we are at where we’re at. Being a leader comes with the slings and arrows. I’m not forced to keep this job, I want this job, I love this city. Look forward to long relationship with city council.

[A strong leader eh? Depends on who you’re talking to. Certainly, the remarks he’s said to some activist groups in this city are not good leadership actions, but hey, I guess you can pick and choose who you want to lead when the city is represented by people from only the rich parts of town.]

The rest of the agenda was as follows:

Communication-From Mgr. requesting approval Out of State Travel.
Order-60 Day Trial, Traffic Regulation, various locations.
Appointment-Dr. David Lewis to Hunger Homeless Commission.
Appointments-To Neighborhood Committee’s Carol Duncan, Sean Harmon, Terry O’Connor, Paul Souza, Anne Cavanaugh, Paul Sheehy, Peter Hirmer, Estelle Chaput & Rebecca Cox.
Ordinance-Ch. 13, Motor Vehicles & Traffic, Quarterly Ordinance.
Vote-License Agreement w/J&I Restaurant (Fortunato’s) sidewalk seating.
Vote-License Agreement w/Barreira & Bernardo (IV Season’s) sidewalk seating.
Ordinance-Amending Zoning Code, various chapters & sections.
Vote-Adopt recommendation of Bd. Parks re: Edward St. Soccer Field (concessions).
Order-Dedicate corner W. Meadow Rd. & Varnum Ave. as McNeil Bros. Memorial.

REPORTS (Sub/Committee if any)

PETITIONS
Claims-1 personal injury, 3 property damage
Conduit loc.-Mass. Electric Co. 60 ft. conduit in Seneca St.
Misc.-Daniel Courture-Req. City repaint crosswalks.
1UOL Store 211 Fletcher St. req. 15 Min Parking for customers.
Computer Bargain 1 Gallagher Sq.-Req. 15 Min Parking
3 Requests for Handicap Parking signs.

MOTIONS
C. Donoghue-Req. Public Safety S/C receive update on Gang Summit Report/Recommendations.

C. Donoghue-Req. report on revenues/expenditures etc. from City Garages (2nd request)

C. Donoghue-Req. report from Law Dept. Law Enforcement Trust Fund/DOJ Investigation.

C. Martin-Req. report of progress on bldgs. adjacent to Lawrence Mills Site.

C. Caulfield-Req. Mgr. investigate holding Seminars on filing Abatement/Overvaluation Applications.

C. Caulfield-Req. Name corner Princeton Blvd. & S.Canton St. for Coulouras Bros.

C. R. Mercier-Req. Name park @ Arcand Dr. & Fr. Morisette Blvd for Colleen Creegan.

C. R. Mercier-Req. Mgr contact State for guardrail @ 492-494 Gorham St.

C. R. Mercier-Req. Mgr. find way to install sidewalk @ 492-494 Gorham St.

C. R. Mercier-Req. Mgr. have Traffic Dept. make safe end of Lane St. @ Liberty St.

C. R. Mercier-Req. Mgr. update on Summit Booklet for public re: Youth Programs.

C. Broderick-Req. vote to name corner Wannalancit & W. Bowers for Psareas Family.

C. Howe-Req. LRTA review present transportation especially for elderly citizens etc.

C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. have Law Dept. opine on definition of two family dwelling in TTF Zone.

C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. report on status of hiring Worker Compensation Physician.

C. Elliott-Req. Mgr. have Police Chief report on shooting in Belvidere, Fort Hill Ave.

C. Elliott-Req. Auditor update Council on certification of Free Cash re: set tax rate.