Government Accountability and Performance

Government Accountability and Performance

• (w/ C. Broderick) Req. City Mgr. explore potential expansion of Lowell Stat Program to analyze public safety, quality of life and economic indicators in the downtown and neighborhood business districts.
• (w/ C. Nuon) Req. Mgr. develop recommendations for more stringent policies and regulation of liquor establishments, and improved enforcement mechanisms for consideration by the License Commission.
• (w/ C. Kennedy) Req. City Council support a resolution, drafted by the law department, to join the city manager in opposition to the proposed cuts to MBTA service.
• (w/ C. Elliott) Req. City Clerk report data on Open Meeting Law and State Ethics packets issued, percentage passed, and plan for full compliance.
• (w/ C. Broderick) Req. Mgr. report on renovation of city website to encourage greater use of online services, new forms of public engagement and increased potential for marketing and business development.
• (w/ C. Mendonca) Req. City Mgr. report on potential for consolidation into single work order system for school and municipal facilities.
• (w/ C. Mendonca) Req. Council amend meetings schedule to provide quarterly special meetings for Auditor, Clerk, and Manager.
• Req. Mgr. identify alternative meeting time for License Commission to allow for more community input.
• Req. Mgr. report on progress toward strategic goals and objectives and schedule, with Council, an annual performance review pursuant to the City Manager's contract.
• Req. Mgr. report on estimated property assessment valuations and projected new growth figures.
• Req. Mgr. report on progress toward an updated capital improvement plan.
• Req. Mgr. report on analysis of potential for regionally- or municipally-owned electrical utility and, with Council input, include MA bill H. 869 in developing the city’s legislative agenda.
• Req. Mgr. provide data on variances granted by Zoning Board.
• Req. Mgr. consider in development of plan for one-time additional local aid the city’s adopted strategic and fiscal management goals for property tax relief, as well as net school spending, minimum reserves, and snow and ice budgeting.
• Req. Mgr. develop with input from Council, School Committee and all departments an annual legislative program consistent with our strategic goals and objectives.
• Req. Mgr. report on rental permitting requirements for landlords.
• Req. Mgr. provide one-year report on reorganization of Inspectional Services into the Development Services Department.
• Req. City Council develop policy recommendations for oversight of Clerk's office and refer final Leahey report to Personnel Subcommittee for discussion.
• Req. Mgr. explore participation in Blue Cross Blue Shield Well Power program to achieve cost-savings through improved employees' health.
• Req. Mgr review parks and recreation permitting policies to ensure fairness in their application.
• Req. Mgr. report on possible challenge to census figures with assistance from the Population Estimates Program at UMass.
• Req. Mgr. provide update on availability of paperless packet option and state grant from expedited permitting law to facilitate electronic delivery.
• Req. Mgr. develop proposal for a portion of the Green Communities Grant to fund purchase and distribution of solar trash compactors and recycling kiosks among neighborhood business districts.
• Req. (with C. Broderick) Mgr. prepare report of progress on strategic goals and objectives for annual performance evaluation pursuant to the City Manager’s contract.
• Req. Mgr. report on potential use of New Urban Mechanics approach to improve reporting of municipal issues like potholes, trash and other code violations, etc.
• Req. Mgr. report on job performance of TIF agreements and potential policy of reinvestment of new growth due to TIFs into economic development efforts.
• Req. Mgr. report on usage of Green Communities grant funding, including participation in stretch code energy efficiency grant and loan programs.
• Req. Mgr. complete an update to the Capital Improvement Plan over the next year, and more fully integrate the plan into a formal process preceding the annual budget sessions.
• Req. Mgr. report on need for a Fair Housing Commission and on city's progress in addressing fair housing concerns.
• Req. Mgr. further improve building permitting process for homeowners.
• Req. Mgr. review and report on the impact of the local meals tax option.
• Req. Mgr. consider inclusion of tax schedules and performance of current TIF agreements in the FY12 budget document.
• Req. Mgr. report on maintenance plans for public facilities, including the Smith Baker Center, to preserve current potential for future uses.
• Req. Mgr. develop budget hearing process to align with the goals of a GFOA performance-based budget, greater transparency and public participation.
• Req. City Council amend City Council Rule 12 to include electronic communication as an acceptable means of delivery for council materials.
• Req. Mgr. report on plans for greater savings and efficiency in the solid waste and recycling program for the upcoming year.
• Req. Mgr./CFO provide Council with annual report referenced in the city investment policy and analysis of potential percentage preference for local community banks and credit unions.
• Req. Mgr. report on costs/benefits of expanded use of GIS and updated citizen request management systems to improve efficiency and transparency of service delivery.
• Req. Council discuss larger Charter Changes to increase civic participation(including combined districts/at-large system and term limits) at the next Rules subcommittee.
• Req. Mgr. report on implementation of Health Care Plan Design in practice & establish guidelines with Council for use of the potential authority.
• Req. City Council resolve the issue of requirements for a municipal primary election, and consider random ballot order in the general.
• Req. Mgr./DPD develop formal guidelines with the City Council on the future use of tax increment financing plans, particularly with respect to living wage and environmental standards.
• Req. Mgr. and Council discuss use of the FY2010 snow and ice deficit assumed in the FY2011 budget.
• Req. Mgr. report on results of Positive Ticketing Initiative.
• Req. Mgr. report on progress toward updated Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Req. Mgr report on focus of the LowellStat Program during FY2011.
• Req. Mgr. have appropriate depts report on event permitting, fee and invoice policies.
• Req. Mgr. report on low impact development practices and potential ordinance changes for the city to formally adopt this less-costly approach.
• Req. Mgr. report on progress of stormwater compliance plan.
• Req. Mgr. report on data and calculations of proposed changes to the city's provision of health insurance plans.
• Req. Mgr. have DPD provide disaggregated data on Best Retail Practices Program.
• Req. Mgr. conduct municipal water usage audit & complete a conservation plan.
• Req. Mgr. report on potential of adoption of performance based budgeting.
• Req. Mgr./DPD develop maintenance plans for new and renewed public works projects.
• Req. Mgr. report on potential of implementing a variant of CitiStat model in Lowell.
• Req. Mgr. report on plans and progress toward a city-wide Sustainability Plan and MA Green Community status.