LOWELL -- City Councilor and former Mayor Rita Mercier plans to file a motion today to request the City Council go into executive session at an upcoming meeting to discuss Mayor Patrick Murphy's recent actions, and take a vote of "no confidence" in him.
Mercier declined to detail what conduct pertaining to Murphy's duties as mayor she plans to bring up during the private session she is calling for, but said she has many reasons for filing the motion.
The councilor also said she has gotten negative feedback about the mayor from different members of the community and decided action needed to be taken to make clear the council takes the public's concerns seriously.
"Wherever I go people are talking about the mayor and are embarrassed by him," Mercier told The Sun Monday afternoon. "I can't sit back and allow nothing to happen when so many blunders have been committed."
Mercier said she is seeking the vote of no confidence because neither the city's Plan E charter nor City Council rules appear to provide a formal process for the council to remove the mayor from his role.
Mercier, who has topped the ticket in the last eight council elections and is one of the most popular politicians in Lowell's history, said Murphy would be invited to the executive session if the council decides to hold one.
She also said she believes she has the support for her motion and no-confidence vote, and hopes Murphy decides to resign.
"It is the most difficultmotion I have ever had to make, but I thought long and hard about what I'm doing," Mercier said. "He is not acting like a leader should act and to do nothing would be to condone his behavior."
Murphy, who became the city's youngest mayor when he was selected last year at age 29, did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
If filed with the City Clerk Tuesday, Mercier's motion would be discussed at the council's April 2 meeting. She said the executive session could then be scheduled

Mayor Patrick Murphy posed for a picture with Pericles at the Old Court, trying to make light of the controversy about the bust's placement in City Hall.
for the council's April 9 meeting. The mayor of Lowell is selected by the nine council members that city voters elect.
Murphy, who was elected to his second term as a councilor in November 2011, was chosen by his colleagues to be mayor in January 2012 in a 5-4 vote over City Councilor Rodney Elliott.
Those voting for Murphy were Councilors Marty Lorrey, Bill Martin, Vesna Nuon, former Councilor Kevin Broderick, as well as Murphy.
Councilors Mercier, Ed Kennedy, Joseph Mendonca and Elliott voted for Elliott.
In the city's Plan E form of government, the mayor runs the council meetings, chairs the School Committee and represents the council at different community events.
The City Council hires a city manager who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city.
Sources told The Sun if the council was able to take a vote to have Murphy relinquish the chair, those who planned to support it were Councilors Elliott, John Leahy, Lorrey, Kennedy and Mercier.
Councilors recently began discussing whether to seek Murphy's removal because some councilors have grown concerned about Murphy's increasingly antagonistic attitude and behavior toward his fellow councilors, as well as his commitment to continuing to serve, said Elliott.
In announcing last month he would not seek re-election this year, Murphy criticized his colleague's production and said he looked forward to spending more time with "people with a higher level of maturity." He has previously criticized his colleagues in writing for their votes on two public-safety matters.
Murphy also took shots at his colleagues during the city's recent St. Patrick's Day breakfast that were seen as too personal and not in good fun. Prominent members of the Greek community were also upset that Murphy used a bust of Pericles they gave to the city as a gift as a prop in a photo displayed during his performance.
Mendonca declined to comment specifically on Mercier's motion, but said some of Murphy's recent actions outside the council chamber, including his performance during the St. Patrick's Day breakfast, have shed an "improper light" on city government that concerns him.
"This weekend's Greek Independence Day festivities had a cloud over them because people were upset at the mayor, but some of the rest of us had to deal with it as well," Mendonca said.
Elliott said that like Mercier, he hopes Murphy steps down as chair of the council.
"We need someone to lead the council who respects the Office of the Mayor, respects the council and is a true leader," Elliott said. "We can't have someone representing us who has no respect for us."
Leahy said he isn't sure a vote of no confidence will be a constructive step, referring to the measure "as a slap on the wrist."
"Obviously, he's not the public's favorite mayor. He needs to change his ways," Leahy said. "I think maybe he just wasn't ready to be mayor. It's disappointing."
Lorrey said he would leave Murphy's next steps up the mayor.
"It is his career and his decision," Lorrey said.
Kennedy said before any decision by councilors is made regarding Murphy, he would like to hear whether Murphy intends to continue serving as mayor.
Murphy missed the council's most recent meeting March 12 and was scheduled to miss the March 19 meeting that was canceled because of snow. The council has received no formal notification of why Murphy, who also missed two recent School Committee meetings, was absent.
"Because he does not communicate with anyone, it is hard to know how to go forward," said Kennedy. "He does not seem to have a lot of enthusiasm for the position."
Mayor's Aide Jennifer Myers told The Sun the mayor missed the most recent council meeting and School Committee meeting because he is battling the flu. He also could miss Tuesday's council meeting because he and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child, Myers said Friday.
Martin and Nuon did not respond to requests for comment.
Source: Lowell Sun newspaper, lylemoran.