LOWELL CENTER CITY COMMITTEE, INC.
Stakeholder's Representatives Meeting
October 28, 2008
MEETING 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/JAMBRA, Tim Shanahan;
Business/Resources, Terry Williams;
City of Lowell/DPD, Theresa Park;
City of Lowell/Police Dept., Sara Khun;
Non-Profit Corporations/CTI, Bill Lipchitz;
Residents/Lowell DNA, Ted Lavash;
Visitors/CVB, Chris Deveau;
Visitors/Lowell Festival Foundation; Janet Leggat;
Absent:
Business/Chamber of Commerce, Jeanne Osborn;
Business/Lowell Plan, Jim Cook;
Business/Restaurants, Franky Descoteaux;
Business/Retailers, George Vallaras
City of Lowell/DPD, Christopher Samaras
Cultural Organizations, L.Z. Nunn;
Cultural Organization of Lowell, Susan Cromwell
Education/Lowell High School, Roxanne Howe;
Education/Middlesex CC, Molly Sheehy;
Education/UMass Lowell, Dr. Joseph Lipchitz;
General Population/LRTA, Jim Scanlan;
General Population/NMCOG, Beverly Woods;
Visitors/Lowell National Park; Mehmed Ali.;
Youth/UTEC, Greg Croteau;
Also present:
Alternates:
City of Lowell/Police Dept., Janet Lopez;
Building Owners, Larry Field
Guests:
Ellie Pye, Lowell Telecommunications Corporation
Miran Fernandez, Chief Information Officer, City of Lowell
Minutes of Previous Meeting
On a motion by Marshall Field, seconded by Ted Lavash, it was voted: to accept the minutes of September 30, 2008.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Jamie O’Hearn reported that the CCC has a balance of $1,903.66 in its account.
WIFI in Downtown
Ellie Pye, Executive Director of the Lowell Telecommunications Corporation, began the discussion concerning free WIFI in the Lowell’s downtown area. She stated that presently there is free WIFI access in the area of the Leo Roy Garage on Market Street, but that the goal is to have access throughout the downtown. WIFI access will grow organically and slowly, as different pockets obtain access. LTC wants to work on it but she expects progress to be slow.
Miran Fernandez, Chief Information Officer of the City of Lowell said that while some cities are providing the service, there are issues such as who pays for the WIFI access and whether there might be political ramifications for the City of offering this in difficult economic times since a cost is involved. One solution would be to try to obtain the equipment through grants to a non-profit organization like LTC, and to cover the ongoing costs of the signal by sharing with others who are already paying. Bill Lipchitz noted that the CCC’s interest in WIFI is to enhance the downtown as a destination for outsiders as well as residents. Miran said that the signal strength, or bandwidth, would not be enough for high-level users such as “gamers” or people who are downloading large files, but would be adequate for folks to check their email, find directions and maps, and other such activities.
The City approached the LTC to collaborate on this project. The LTC will be searching for grant funding. Miran is also working closely with Chuck Carney, Parking Director of the City of Lowell because the garages need the capability for their security equipment. He is also working with the Housing Authority for their areas. He has targeted areas for expansion to Merrimack, Middle, Market, Shattuck, and Central Streets. The National Park has given its OK to put up equipment on their buildings. However, brick buildings can be a problem as they absorb the signal. The City has already invested $9,000 in equipment for testing the WIFI. Recurring costs will be $600 per month for internet connection. Estimating costs beyond that are difficult to estimate since it will depend on how much the WIFI is being used. At the point there are about 12 people using the WIFI per day. Miran stressed that a lot is still up in the air concerning this project, and that there is presently no funding for staff working on this. The City will be applying for a CDGB grant to help cover costs but the LTC will be the public face of the project with the City playing a supportive role.
New Business
It was announced that the new deli in the Marston Building on Middlesex Street will be opening December 1st.
Steve Syverson mentioned the possibility of having an arts festival in Lowell in June of this coming year. This would be centered in the lower locks area and would have exhibits, activities, music, and food along the walkways. CASE from the City will be organizing this event.
The Police Department announced a meeting being held October 29th for bar owners, residents, and the police at 7pm in the Mayor’s Reception Hall. This is part of an ongoing series of meetings which has been quite productive.
Reports from Representatives
Ted reported on the most recent Downtown Neighborhood Association to which Health Director Frank Singleton of the City of Lowell Health Department was invited. Trash pickup was discussed, as was a proposed smoking ban for outdoor restaurant and bar seating.
Theresa announced the City is looking for volunteers to help out with the annual City of Lights Parade. There will be another window dressing contest following up on a successful event last year. Theresa also announced that the space on 8 Merrimack Street which was previously leased to the furniture business has been split into two spaces. One space may contain a children’s fashion store, and the other a Metro PC cell phone business. The new Mexican/Irish restaurant to be located in the Early Garage is slated to open by this coming May. The City is negotiating with another restaurant for the space on the other side of the building. The middle space will be used for a retail business.
The next informal meeting will be November 4th.
The next Stakeholders Meeting will be November 25th.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 AM.
|
The Next Informal
Meeting of the The
Next Meeting of the Stakeholder Representatives |
Free JavaScripts provided
by The
JavaScript Source