LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2007

CONFERENCE ROOM 200A 7:30 P.M.

 

CALL TO ORDER:  

 

Mayor Lahey called the meeting to order on the above date and time.

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG: 

 

 Councilor Brenda Baer 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 City Manager Eileen Cabanel and Finance Director Pam Reynolds.

 

ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

 

On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Hamel, it was voted to approve the minutes of regular council meeting and non-public session on 5/29/07.

 

INTERVIEWS:

 

            The following were interviewed

 

  1. William Contardo requesting reappointment to the Planning Board
  2. Donald Richards requesting reappointment to the Planning Board
  3. Richard Breton requesting reappointment to the Water Commission

 

Councilor Hamel moved to waive the Rules and Orders of the Council to allow the appointments at this meeting. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Luther nominated Donald Richards for reappointment to the Planning Board. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Mr. Breton was unanimously elected.

 

Councilor Hamel nominated William Contardo for reappointment to the Planning Board. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Mr. Contardo was unanimously elected.

 

Councilor Luther nominated Richard Breton. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc.

 Mr. Breton was unanimously elected.

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

1.      Temporary Traffic Order 2007-08 – 4th Annual Main St. Chair Affair

 

The Chair Affair has been postponed.

 

2.      Temporary Traffic Order 2007-09 – Poker Run for Easter Seals

 

Councilor Luther moved to approve TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER 2007- 09 “LAKES POKER RUN FOR EASTER SEALS”. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

3.      Temporary Traffic Order 2007-10 – Jackson St./Water & Sewer Construction

 

Councilor Hamel moved to approve TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER JACKSON ST. WATER MAIN & SEWER MAIN CONSTRUCTION LACONIA WATER WORKS/BUSBY CONSTRUCTION CO. 2007-10. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.      Request by Lake Opechee Inn for approval of parking plan for Motorcycle Week 2007

 

Councilor Lipman moved to approve the site review for Lake Opechee Inn and Spa to use Inn’s parking lot for parking during Motorcycle Week according to the conditions. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously. 

 

5.      Approval of AFSCME Contract  - July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010

 

Councilor Lipman moved to approve the AFSCME Contract as presented and revised for a total of $37,144 for three years. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.      Request by Belknap Mill to modify parking restrictions in City parking lot adjacent to the Mill to “2 hr. parking Monday through Friday only.”

 

Councilor Luther moved to approve the modification to the City parking lot adjacent to the Mill to “2hr. parking Monday through Friday only. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Discussion followed. Councilor Bolduc withdrew his second and Councilor Luther with drew the motion.

 

            An Ordinance to be introduced at the next meeting.

 

7.      Request by Finance Director to transfer funds to cover the retirement payout of a firefighter

 

Councilor Lipman moved to approve the transfer of funds.

 

From: 01-499-700-0078 Contingency                                    $24,075.70  

 

To:     01-445-101-0000                                                          $21,052.55

          01-445-135-0000                                                          $  3,023.15

Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.      Request by Finance Director for transfer of funds within the General Fund

 

Councilor Lipman moved to approve the following Balance Transfers:

 

From:  01-477-        Welfare                                       $56,500

 

To:       01-419             City Hall Maintenance             $  5,000

            01-480             Community Center Maint        $  4,500

            01-433             Insurance                                $15,000

            01-401             Administration                         $  7,000

            01-500             Public Works                          $25,000

 

            TOTAL                                                            $56,500

 

Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Other Transfers:

 

City Hall Maintenance:            01-419-401-0000 Equipment

 

Chairs for the members of the audience $4,000.

 

            No motion presented.

 

9.      Public Works Department/E-Waste Disposal Fees

 

Councilor Lipman moved to hold a public hearing on fee increases on June 25, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS:    NONE

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  • Redesignation of bond proceeds to Leavitt/Opechee Park renovation projects and the partial funding of the purchase of property located at 858 North Main St.

 

Mayor Lahey opened the hearing and read the following notice. ”According to Article 5 of the Laconia City Charter and other applicable state laws the city council will hold a public hearing on June 11, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. during the regular city council meeting in room 200-A of the Laconia City Hall to gather public input and comments concerning re-designation of bond proceeds to the Leavitt and Opechee Park renovation projects and parcel funding of the purchase of property located at 858 No. Main St. Laconia.” The notice was duly published in the Daily Sun and posted at the Library and City Hall on June 1, 2007.

 

City Manager Eileen Cabanel explained the city did a bond several years ago for the Lakes Business Park Phase 2. The city and Gilford have been holding onto some money in order to fulfill our potential requirements with the state to put in a traffic light. We had to get a driveway permit with the State of New Hampshire when the new entrance was put in at the entrance on Gilford Ave. One of the conditions was that after the fourth lot sold a traffic study would have to be done for potential signalization or widening, purchasing rights of way easements to widen the road and every lot thereafter. When the city did the bond anticipation note, short term note for bonding the Middle School, there was a form to be filled out with the NH Bond bank re: were there any funds left from other projects and the answer was yes. Bond funds are supposed to be spent within two years and normally it would not be a big problem because the city had not reached a certain threshold but at that time if you borrowed more than $5,000,000 in a year you had to apply under certain IRS regulations which put the city into a different category. The city has to use the money for something else now and the recommendation was to use $200,000 for Opechee/Leavitt Park which is money left over from the project and the other $270,000 was money that was being held for the potential signalization. It is possible that some time in the future the city will have to pay for half of the signalization. The city can no longer hold onto the money. Within a year the city will have to come up with between $10,000- $15,000 for the city’s half of the entry sign.

 

Councilor Bolduc questioned what would happen to the money if not used now.

 

City Manager Cabanel replied it would be used to pay the principal payments on the bond.

 

Neil Young questioned the legality and stated the money should be given back to the tax-payers or used to pay the principal on the bond.

 

Councilor Bolduc stated if the money is not gotten from somewhere Leavitt and Opechee Parks will not be completed. If not taken from the bond we will have to find it somewhere else. The property on North Main St. is for the future and will not be any less later on. To find the money somewhere else could cost more.

 

            There being no further questions or comments Mayor Lahey closed the hearing.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

 

Mayor Lahey reported he had attended the Boys and Girls Club ribbon cutting with Councilors Lipman and Hamel.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

  1. FINANCE:     

 

a)      Motorcycle Week Revenue

b)      Proposed changes to City fees

c)      Request for waiver of fees by non-profits

d)      Establishment of Trust Fund for a Performing Arts Center

 

No Report

 

  1. PUBLIC SAFETY:  

 

a)      Motorcycle Week

b)      Walk light and traffic light at Union Ave. & Messer Sts., timing of lights at Court & Main Sts., three-way stop at New Salem & Pleasant Sts and right hand turn at Elm St.

Meeting to be held on June 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. on item b.

 

  1. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES:   

 

a)      RSA 202-A:11a/Laconia Library

b)      RSA 79-E Community Revitalizations Tax Relief Incentive/Main St.

c)      Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 235 Zoning/Cluster Developments

 

            No Report  Meeting to be held on either the 25th of June or July 9th.

 

  1. PUBLIC WORKS: 

 

a)      Road Weight Limits

b)      Rowe Court

 

Councilor Bolduc reported the committee received a call from Walgren representatives and they did not have everything prepared for the meeting and requested to be on the agenda for the next meting.

 

c)      Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns

d)      Storm drains/salt leaching into lake

e)      Parking for Laconia Senior Center

f)        Proposed traffic pattern changes at Old Prescott Hill Rd. & Rt. 106

 

Councilor Bolduc reported the information is not complete and would like it to be on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

Meeting to be held on June 25th at 6:00 p.m. on items b & f.

 

  1. LAND & BUILDINGS:  

 

a)      Repair & Maintenance of City Buildings

b)      Old Police Department building on Church St.

c)      Contracted Services

d)      Library Monitoring

 

No Report Meeting to be held on July 9, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

            

LIAISON REPORTS: NONE

 

MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

City Manager Eileen Cabanel reported on the following:

 

  • There is Contract Agreement with the firefighters. All contracts are done and they are good contracts for all concerned.

 

  • The vendor spaces on the Weirs Boardwalk are down six spots. All the spaces in Lakeport are committed. The increase in fees could have been too much all at the same time.

 

  • The Municipal parking lot has been committed to Harley Davidson from June 11-17.

 

Councilor Hamel thanked the Manager for committing to Harley Davidson and getting them to come here.  There was a lot of criticism and it was not called for. The Manager has tried to bring something downtown so they can also participate in the event and it was an attempt to bring this to the area and hopefully as time goes on they will participate.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. A Resolution Authorizing the Expenditure for Capital Improvements of $434,812.69 Representing the Unexpended Proceeds of Certain Bonds Issued in July 2002

 

Councilor Lipman introduced and read in full for a first and final reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGTHE EXPENDITURE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF $434,812.69 REPRESENTING THE UNEXPENDED PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN BONDS ISSUED IN JULY 2002. Seconded by Councilor Luther. The Resolution passed unanimously for a first and final reading.

 

  1. New Internal Control Policy

 

Pam Reynolds, Finance Director presented the proposed Internal Policy for review by the Council.

 

            Councilor Lipman moved to adopt the Internal Policy as an interim procedure subject to modification as expanded and added to by Department Heads with recommendations coming to the Council to ensure that the costs are covered for the services and not put a burden on the taxpayers. Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Proposed Amendment to Wage & Compensation Plan for Department Heads & Non-Union Employees

 

City Manager Cabanel presented and reviewed the proposed Amendment to the Wage & Compensation Plan.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

     1.    Budget Resolutions for the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year:

 

    1. A Resolution Relative to Making Itemized Appropriations for the General Fund for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2007 and Terminating June 30, 2008. 

 

Councilor Baer read three letters in favor of funding the Winnipesaukee Transit Co. in the amount of $5,000.

 

Councilor Baer moved to add $5,000 to fund the Winnipesaukee Transit Co. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Discussion followed. Motion failed with one in favor and five opposed.

 

Councilor Baer moved to restore to the original budget the full $3500 for the Library HVAC. Councilor Baer withdrew the motion.

 

Councilor Luther introduced and read in ful for a second and final reading A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO MAKING ITEMIZED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007 AND TERMINATING JUNE 30, 2008.

 

General Fund

 

GRAND TOTAL:         2007-2008 APPROPRIATION………………$54,293,295

LESS:                          TOTAL REVENUES………………………….$23,780,295

BALANCE TO BE RAISED BY TAXES………………………………$30,513,000

 

Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Resolution passed unanimously for a second and final reading.

 

    1. A Resolution Relative to Making Itemized Appropriations for the Internal Services Fund for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2007 and Terminating June 30, 2008.

 

Councilor Luther introduced and read in full for a second and final reading A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO MAKING ITEMIZED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE INTERNAL SERVICES FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007 AND TERMINATING JUNE 30, 2008.

 

                        INTERNAL SERVICES FUND

 

                        GRAND TOTAL:         2007-2008 APPROPRIATION………………$ 827,568

                        LESS:                          TOTAL REVENUES………………………….$ 827,568

 

 Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Resolution passed unanimously for a second and final reading.

 

    1. A Resolution Relative to Making Itemized Appropriations for the Water Fund for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2007 and Terminating June 30, 2008.

 

Councilor Luther introduced and read in full A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO MAKING ITEMIZED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE WATER FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY1, 2007 AND TERMINATING JUNE 30, 2008.  

 

                        WATER FUND

 

                        GRAND TOTAL:         2007-2008 APPROPRIATION……………….$1,868,239

                        LESS:                          TOTAL REVENUES…………………………..$1,868,239

 

                        CAPITAL RESERVE PROJECTS……………………………………..$  638,000

 

Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY FOR A SECOND AND FINAL READING.

 

    1. A Resolution Relative to Making Itemized Appropriations for the Sewer Fund for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2007 and Terminating June 30, 2008.

 

Councilor Luther introduced and read in full A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO MAKING ITEMIZED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SEWER FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007 AND TERMINATING JUNE 30, 2008.

 

                        SEWER FUND

 

                        GRAND TOTAL:         2007-2008 APPROPRIATION……………….$2,733,594

                        LESS:                          TOTAL REVENUES…………………………..$2,733,594                             

                        CAPITAL OUTLAY……………………………………………………...$   210,000

 

Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Resolution passed unanimously for a second and final reading.

 

    1. A Resolution Relative to Making Itemized Appropriations for the Motorcycle Week Special Revenue Fund for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2007 and Terminating June 30, 2008.

 

Councilor Luther introduced and read in full A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO MAKING ITEMIZED APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE MOTORCYCLE WEEK SPECIAL REVENUE FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2007 AND TERMINATING JUNE 30, 2008.

 

                        MOTORCYCLE WEEK SPECIAL REVENUE FUND

 

                        GRAND TOTAL          2007-2008 APPROPRIATION………………….$ 230,003

                        LESS:                          TOTAL REVENUES FROM

                                                            SPECIAL RESERVE FUND…………………….$ 230,003

 

Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. THE RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY FOR A SECOND AND FINAL READING.

 

2.         Petition to change zoning for property located at 343 Court St. from Downtown Riverfront District to Commercial/Peter Burr – Cheapo Depot/referred to Planning Board – Pending/Awaiting Recommendation of Planning Board

 

NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS:

 

            Nominations taken up under interviews

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

 

Councilor Hamel discussed the guard rails and railings at select locations having a total estimate for repair of $15,000 which is without labor and assuming Public Works would do the repairs.

 

Councilor Hamel moved to request the Finance Director to come up with $15,000 out of the current budget for the repairs. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

 

Pat Marceau thanked the Council for all they do and if any transportation money is found it would be appreciated and respect the council’s opinion on the stability.

 

NON - PUBLIC SESSION:  NONE

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            On motion of Councilor Luther, seconded by Councilor Hamel, it was voted to adjourn at 10:05 p.m.

 

A true record Attest

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk