MONDAY JANUARY 8, 2007
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Lahey called the meeting to order on the above date and time.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG:
Councilor Bolduc led the salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL:
Clerk Kaligian called the roll with the following Councilors present: Councilor Fitzgerald, Luther, Lipman, Baer, Hamel and Bolduc. Also present Eileen Cabanel, City Manager.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Hamel, it was voted to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 26, 2006.
INTERVIEWS:
The following were interviewed:
1. Colleen Elliott – requesting reappointment to the Personnel Advisory Board
2.
Joseph Driscoll – requesting appointment as an
alternate member of the
3. Greg Page – requesting appointment to the Water Commission
4. Wayne Norris – requesting appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Mr. Norris was unable to be present for the interview.
MOTION:
Councilor Hamel moved
to suspend the rules and orders of the Council to allow the
nominations/appointments at this time. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Hamel
nominated Colleen Elliott for reappointment to the Personnel Board to October
2009. Seconded by Councilor Luther. Ms.
Elliott was unanimously appointed.
Councilor Hamel
nominated Joseph Driscoll as an alternate member to the
Councilor Hamel nominated
Greg Page as a member of the Water Commission. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Mr. Page was unanimously appointed to June
2008.
PRESENTATIONS:
·
Robbie
Grady, Executive Director,
Robbie Grady reviewed the Community
Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive Program.
Mayor Lahey referred
it to the Government Operations Committee.
CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:
1.
Correction
to minutes of October 10, 2006 regarding trash fee for loads over 2 tons and an
ordinance amendment to Chapter 194/Solid Waste
Councilor Hamel moved to correct the motion
in the minutes of the October 10, 2006 regular meeting as follows. Seconded by
Councilor Bolduc.
Councilor Hamel moved to increase the Solid
Waste deliveries to the Transfer Station in the load category greater than two
tons from $20.00 - $30.00. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed
unanimously.
ORDINANCE:
Councilor Hamel introduced and read in full AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 194 SOLID WASTE. Seconded by
Councilor Bolduc. Ordinance passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1.
Regarding
the progress of the Laconia Area Day Care construction/relocation at the
renovated Scott & Williams building.
Mayor Lahey opened the hearing and read the
following notice. “The City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Monday,
January 8, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall,
Sara Allen, a member of the Board of Directors of the Daycare, thanked
the Council for their support on the project.
There being no further questions or comments the Mayor declared the
hearing closed.
2.
Regarding
a parcel of City-owned land 139-37-21 on Centenary Ave. being declared surplus.
Mayor Lahey opened the hearing and read the
following notice. “According to Article V of the Laconia City Ordinances and
other applicable State Laws, the City Council will hold a public hearing on
Monday, January 8, 2007 in Room 200A of Laconia City Hall during the regular
Council meeting which begins at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is
to gather input and comment concerning surplus land owned by the City on
Centenary Ave. parcel #139-37-21.” The notice was duly published in the Laconia
Daily Sun and posted at City Hall and the Library on December 28, 2006.
City Manager Cabanel explained the parcel is
no more than a parking space next to a home. The City has received an offer for
the property from the abutter but the process is to have a public hearing in
order to sell any city property.
Richard Marsh owner of the property at 20 Centenary
Ave. stated the property is adjacent to his home and without the parcel that
the family has used for 66 years there will be no place to park. Requested the
council approve his offer to purchase the parcel.
There being no further questions or comments
Mayor Lahey declared the hearing closed.
MAYOR’S REPORT: NONE
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1.
FINANCE:
a. Motorcycle Week Revenue
b. Special Items
Meeting Scheduled for 1-22-07
2.
PUBLIC SAFETY:
a. Motorcycle Week
3.
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES:
a. RSA 202-A:11a/Laconia Library
4.
PUBLIC WORKS:
a. Road Weight Limits
b.
c. Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns
No Report
5.
LAND & BUILDINGS:
a. Repair & Maintenance of City Buildings
b.
Old Police Department building on
Councilor Hamel reported the committee meet on item b. and recommended the following motion.
Councilor Hamel moved to put the property out for bid at a minimum of $375,000 and the Manager to declare the property as surplus. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Discussion followed with a recommendation to wait for the final EPA report.
Councilor Hamel withdrew his motion and Councilor Bolduc withdrew his second.
LIAISON REPORTS:
NONE
MANAGER’S REPORT:
City Manager Cabanel
reported on the following:
·
The project is back on track and the bids are
due on the 18th of January to be accomplished with one lane of
traffic open. The bids state the work should be complete with available use for
two-way traffic by June 29, 2007. Will
need some supplemental funds appropriated for the project. The city pays 20%
and the State 80%.
·
Department
of Transportation/Weirs Sidewalks
The state has found some areas of
archeological significance which will cost another $55,000 just to investigate.
Because there is federal and state money involved they must go through this
process. The state assured the city they would not come back for more money or
cut anything from the project. The project might not begin until after Labor
Day.
·
Lakeport
Association meeting
A meeting will be scheduled with the Lakeport
Association to explain the Tax Increment Financing District and after that a
meeting will be scheduled with the Weirs Action Committee.
·
Letter
from State of N.H. Agency
A letter was sent to Ray Burton about Bike
Week and suggested he contact various state departments to see if they could
help the city with funding or assist with man power relative to Bike Week. A
letter was received from the Department of Safety which basically stated they
already give the city help. The letter from the Department of Revenue stated
they cannot reallocate funds. Carol Murray, Department of transportation stated
they did not have the man power but would loan the city equipment or signs. The
portable lights are an item to be considered along Route 3.
Councilor Hamel requested the Manger set up a
meeting with the Department of Revenue to discuss if it is feasible to increase
the Rooms and Meals tax for Bike week. City Manager recommended having a
committee meeting instead of the full council.
·
City
Budget Outline
The budgets have all been submitted by the
department heads and reviewed by Pamela Reynolds, Finance Director and City
Manager. Eileen reviewed the process for determining what funds are available
under the tax cap.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Request for expansion of sewer franchise area to Meredith/Fluet Engineering on behalf of Bill Franks/to be reviewed after release of Master plan
2.
Elm
No action/reports on the above items.
NOMINATI0NS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS:
Voted on under
interviews.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilor Bolduc
stated a letter had been received on fluoridation and quite a few cities have
removed it from their water system and requested the city take a look at the
fluoridation in the
system.
CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA: NONE
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
NONE
ADJOURNMENT:
On motion of
Councilor Luther, seconded by Councilor Hamel it was voted to adjourn at 8:50
p.m.
A true record Attest:
Ann G. Kaligian
City Clerk