LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 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 Robert Hamel led the salute to the flag.

 

ROLL CALL:   

 

Clerk Kaligian called the roll call with the following Councilors present: Councilor Fitzgerald, Luther, Lipman, Baer, Hamel and Bolduc. Also present City Manger 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 the regular Council meeting 6/11/07.

 

INTERVIEWS:    NONE

 

PRESENTATION:

 

  • Joan Carrigan – spoke on recycling and the lack of it at 22 Strafford Street.

 

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

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

 

Councilor Luther moved to change the signs to reflect two hour parking Monday thru Friday only. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

2.      Request by Salvation Army to fundraise at Endicott Rock Park on 11/17/07

 

Councilor Lipman moved to approve the Salvation Army to use Endicott Rock Park, including the bathhouse, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the Turkey Plunge fundraiser on November 11, 2007. Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously.

3.      Request by Robbie Mills Men’s Softball to fundraise at concession stand at Robbie Mills Park 8/25 & 8/26

 

Councilor Hamel moved to approve the Men’s softball to use Memorial Park and Woodland Heights from August 25th and 26th from 8:00 a.m. until the games are complete and the use of the concession stands as proposed. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.      Request by Laconia High School Boys & Girls Soccer to fundraise at concession stand at Robbie Mills Park from 8/13 to 10/19

 

Councilor Luther moved to approve the Laconia High Boys and Girls Soccer to use Robbie Mills and Memorial Park from August 13 until October 19th  (Monday-Saturday) from 2:30 pm. – 5:00 p.m. and on 8/13 – 8/24 from 7:00 a. m to 10:00 a.m. and use the concession stands for fundraising.

 

5.      Approval of the contract for Local 1153 IAFF, AFL-CIO, CLC/Laconia Professional  Firefighters Association

 

Councilor Hamel moved to approve to approve the contract between the City and Laconia Professional Firefighter Association Local 1153 IAFF, AFL-CIO,CLC for a three year period of July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2010 with the specified agreements and costs attached. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.      Approval of contracts for Educational Assistants of Laconia (EAL) and Laconia Association of Support Staff (LASS)

 

Councilor Hamel moved to approve the contracts between the city and Educational Assistants of Laconia for the proposed increases for a three year period from July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2010. The increase for the year 2007 -2008 will be $78,292, years 2008- 2009 increase is $74, 538 and 2009-2010 an increase of $79,157. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Hamel moved to accept the contract between the city and the Laconia Association of Support Staff for the years 2007-2008 for an increase of $19,035, 2008-2009 increase of $15,553 and 2009-2010 $14,829 for 13 employees. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.      Request to transfer $15,000 from the Welfare line item to Guardrails and Railings

 

Councilor Hamel moved to transfer from Welfare 01-477-315-0000 to Guard Rail and Railings 01-497-500-0035 $15,000.00. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.      Declaration of City-owned property (former Police Station) as surplus

 

City Manager Eileen Cabanel declared the former Laconia Police Department property which includes land and building located at 51 Church St. – Tax Parcel 477-147-2 as surplus property.

 

9.      Scheduling Public Hearing for July 9, 2007 regarding the sale of the former Police Station on Church St.

 

Councilor Lipman moved to hold a public hearing on the Declaration of Surplus property of the Laconia Police Department tax parcel 477-147-2 on July 9, 2007. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS:  NONE

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  • Proposed increases to fees in Chapter 119, Building Construction; Chapter 149, Fire Prevention & Emergency Services; Chapter 167, Noise; Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 177, Plumbing; Chapter 189, Sewers; Chapter 194, Solid Waste; chapter 201, Streets and Sidewalks and Chapter 235, Zoning; Internal Services Fund and administrative fees charged by the Planning Department.

 

Mayor Lahey opened the public hearing and read the following notice. “According to Article V of the Laconia City Charter and other applicable State Laws, the City Council will hold a public hearing on June 25, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. during the regular City Council meeting in Room 200A of Laconia City Hall to gather public input and comment concerning increasing certain fees charged in the following chapters of the City’s ordinances: Chapter 119, Building construction; Chapter 149, Fire Prevention & Emergency Services; Chapter 167, Noise; Chapter 221 Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 177, Plumbing; Chapter 189, Sewers; Chapter 194, Solid Waste; Chapter 201, Streets and Sidewalks and Chapter 235, Zoning. In addition, fee increases are proposed for the Internal Services Fund and administrative fees charged by the Planning Department. A detailed list of the proposed increases is available for review in the City Manager’s Office.” The notice was published in the Laconia Daily Sun and posted at City Hall and the Library on June 15, 2007.

 

Councilor Lipman stated the policy issue that is being addressed is to make sure that the users are paying for the additional costs for specialized services that the general taxpayer should not be cross subsidizing is basically the public policy position that is being taken.

 

There be no further comments or questions the Mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

MOTION:

 

Councilor Lipman introduced and read in full AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 194, SOLID WASTE.  Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Ordinance passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:    NONE

 

 

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.

 

Councilor Luther reported Public Works will be assisting the committee to see if the intersections can be made more relevant if they are not and recognize if they are relevant leave them the way they are. The DOT might give some assistance.

 

There is one more area to be considered Pleasant St. from Gale Ave. to Tremont St. where vehicles park on the street.

 

  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

 

  1. PUBLIC WORKS: 

 

a)     Road Weight Limits

b)     Rowe Court

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 committee had items b and f on the agenda and they both called and stated they were not ready to come before the committee. To be reassigned for July 23rd at 6:30 p.m.

 

            LAND & BUILDINGS:    Meeting scheduled for 7/09/07 at 6:30 p.m. re item c.)

 

a)     Repair & Maintenance of City Buildings

b)     Old Police Department building on Church St.

c)      Contracted Services

 

PUBLIC HEARING – HARLEY DAVIDSON EVENT:

 

Councilor Lipman moved to hold a public hearing on July 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. to debrief from this years Motorcycle Week activity downtown particularly around the Harley Davidson event and discussion on future goal setting in and around the event and any other issues. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

            

LIAISON REPORTS:   NONE

 

MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

City Manager Eileen Cabanel discussed the following:

 

  • Ambulance Contract Expires June 30, 2007

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. Proposed increases to various City fees: 

 

(a)   Administrative Review Fees/Planning Department

(b)   Internal Services Fund/Fee for Police Cruisers at Construction Sites

(c)   An Ordinance Amending Chapter 119, Building Construction

(d)   An Ordinance Amending Chapter 149, Fire Prevention & Emergency Medical Services

(e)   An Ordinance Amending Chapter 167, Noise

(f)     An Ordinance Amending Chapter 177, Plumbing

(g)   An Ordinance Amending Chapter 189, Sewers

(h)   An Ordinance Amending Chapter 194, Solid Waste

(i)     An Ordinance Amending Chapter 201, Streets and Sidewalks

(j)      An Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic

 

To be acted upon at the meeting of July 9, 2007

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

  1. Proposed Amendment to Wage & Compensation Plan for Department Heads & Non-Union Employees
  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: None

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

 

NON - PUBLIC SESSION:  According to RSA 91-A:3, II:

 

            Councilor Fitzgerald moved to go into non-public session according to RSA 91-A:3, II:

(d)  Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community.  Seconded by Councilor Bolduc.  On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

 

            On motion of Councilor Lipman, seconded by Councilor Luther, it was voted to come out of non-public session.

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to seal the minutes for two years. Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            On motion of Councilor Hamel, seconded by Councilor Luther, it was voted to adjourn at 9:35 p.m.

 

A true record Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk