Stakeholder’s Representatives Meeting

May 25, 2010

Minutes

 

The meeting opened at 8:35 AM.

 

The Stakeholder groups were represented by the following members:

 

Artists: Steve Syverson;

Building Owners, Marshall Field;

Business/Community Banking, Jamie O’Hearn;

Business/Resources, Terry Williams;

Business/Restaurants, Franky Descoteaux;

Business/Retailers, George Vallaras

City of Lowell/Police Dept., Captain Thomas Kennedy;

Cultural Organization of Lowell, Suzzanne Cromwell

Education/Middlesex CC, Molly Sheehy;

Education/UMass Lowell, Dr. Joseph Lipchitz;

Non-Profit Corporations/CTI, Bill Lipchitz;

Residents/Lowell DNA, Ted Lavash;

 

 

Absent:

 

Business/Chamber of Commerce, Jeanne Osborn;

Business/JAMBRA, Tim Shanahan;

Business/Lowell Plan, Jim Cook;

City of Lowell/DPD, Theresa Park;

City of Lowell/DPD, Christopher Samaras;

Education/Lowell High School, Roxanne Howe;

General Population/LRTA, Jim Scanlan;

General Population/NMCOG, Beverly Woods;

Visitors/Lowell Festival Foundation; Janet Leggat;

Visitors/CVB, Fred Hunter;

Youth/UTEC, Greg Croteau;

 

Also present:

George DeLuca

 

The meeting opened at 8:35 AM.

 

 

 

Minutes of April 27, 2010

On a motion by Joe Lipchitz, seconded by George Vallaras, it was voted: to accept the minutes of April 27, 2010.

 

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

Treasurer Jamie O’Hearn reported that the CCC has a balance of $1,253.23. 

 

            Downtown Hanging Flower Baskets

 

Bill suggested that the CCC should make a contribution to the hanging flower baskets project in the downtown.  Last year a contribution was made in the amount of $200.  On a motion by Marshall Field, seconded by Ted Lavash, it was voted: to contribute $200 again this year.

 

            Art Walk

 

George Villaras talked about Lowell’s upcoming Art Walk.  A collaboration of the Arts League of Lowell, COOL, the Greater Lowell Chamber, and others, the Art Walk will go from the last weekend in June until the end of Lowell’s Folk Festival.  From 20 to 25 artists will be participating, all of which are members of the Arts League of Lowell.  Art will be placed in both vacant and occupied storefronts.  With a contribution of $200 to support Art Walk, contributors’ names will be posted on Art Walk windows.  On a motion by Marshall Field, seconded by Molly Sheehy, it was voted: to contribute $200 to support the Art Walk Program.

 

On a motion by Joe Lipchitz, seconded by Suzzanne Cromwell, it was voted: to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

 

Steve Syverson mentioned that a group will be meeting with the Superintendent of Schools in Lowell to talk about establishing a scholarship program to support the arts for the high school.  They are trying to figure out a way to get the community to support arts programs in the Lowell school system since they are at risk of being cut.

 

Annual Work Plan

 

The Committee moved on to formalize the 2010 work plan.  On a motion by Joe Lipchitz, seconded by Jamie O’Hearn, it was agreed to adopt the work plan that had been distributed at a previous meeting.  Jamie will spearhead goal 3: Assisting the City in Improving the General Appearance and Cleanliness of the Downtown.  George Villaras will work on Goal 1: Welcoming the Incoming Student Population and Helping Integrate New Residents into the Downtown.  An event welcoming students is planned for the end of September, once students have arrived and are settled.  Bill mentioned that Goal 2, that of Assisting the City in its Efforts to Initiate Long-Term Developments to Make Downtown a Better Place to Live, Work and Shop, is already ongoing. Terry mentioned she would like to be involved in helping with this goal. 

 

Special Guest

 

Franky Descoteaux, owner of Mambo Grill and Humanity, and part-owner of Monkeys Ice Cream, spoke to the committee as a representative of the informal retail group that has recently formed in the downtown.  The group has been meeting twice a month at the Lowell Plan office to talk about business challenges, support each other, and talk about ways to collaborate in marketing their businesses.  Franky mentioned that a common complaint among group members is the feeling of being unconnected from other organizations and groups working for the betterment of Lowell and the feeling that some groups may be in part duplicating efforts.  For that reason they have decided to call a meeting with other stakeholders to talk about ways in which groups can work together better.  The meeting will be held June 16th at CTI’s conference room from 8:30 AM until 10:00 AM.

 

Bill suggested using the CCC as a way for the business group to get their word out and connect with others since all the groups invited to the retail meeting are already stakeholders in the Center City Committee.  Franky spoke of an underlying tension in Lowell and a certain amount of mistrust among groups. She said retail businesses and restaurants were often not consulted while events that affected them were planned, in which they were expected to participate; and the need to push the conversation forward and talk honestly with other stakeholders, and that the various groups all have common goals

 

Bill talked about the need to have a paid person working on a full-time basis with downtown businesses who could coordinate information and marketing endeavors specifically aimed at retailers.  In general, members agreed that the meeting in June was a positive step and were supportive of the idea.

 

Reports from Reps

 

Ted Lavash reported about last night’s Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting at which City Manager Bernie Lynch was a guest.  The topic of that meeting revolved around the reorganization of the Department of Inspectional Services and how they could better work with the residents nad the neighborhood groups. 

 

Captain Thomas Kennedy told the CCC that there has been a major disconnect between the Police and Inspectional Services, and how this is being repaired and the two departments are now working closely together.   Captain Kennedy also mentioned several weeks ago the Police Department and the Inspectional Services did an evening neighborhood walk in the downtown area, paying attention to nightclubs and bars.  Particular attention has been paid to El Rincon because of the brawl that spilled out onto the street there several weeks ago.  A new nightclub in the space formerly known as Brian’s Ivy Hall will be opening up on Merrimack Street.  It is planned as a music/dance nightclub.  Although the owner is working closely with Inspectional Services and is sound-proofing the space, there is concern that the noise will bother area residents. 

 

Molly Sheehy told the committee that James Cameron will not be speaking at MCC but has been replaced by Ken Burns who will be speaking June 16th.  Molly reminded the Committee about Innovative Cities Conference June 17th to 19th.  Tickets are $150 each.  Molly also told the Committee about a fundraiser for Fort Hill Park which will take place on September 11th.  For $25 people will be able to rent a table to sell recycled home goods.  10% of profits will go to support the park.

 

Next Stakeholders’ Meeting

June 29, 2010

8:30 AM

MCC Morse Federal Building

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 AM.