LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2007

THIRD FLOOR

BELKNAP MILL

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 Armand 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 City Manager Eileen Cabanel and Finance director Pam Reynolds.

 

ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

 

Councilor Bolduc moved to approve the minutes of the regular and non-public Council meetings on 6/25/07. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

INTERVIEWS:

 

  1. Warren Hutchins – requesting appointment as an alternate member of the Planning Board

 

Mr. Hutchins was interviewed for an appointment as alternate to the Planning Board.

 

Councilor Hamel moved to suspend the Rules and Orders of the council to allow the appointment at this meeting. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

           

Councilor Hamel nominated Warren Hutchins. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Mr. Hutchins was unanimously elected.

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

  • Shanna Saunders, Planning Director – Cluster Developments

 

Shanna reviewed the proposed Cluster Developments. (Copy attached to official minutes)

 

To be discussed further and voted on at the next meeting.

 

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

  1. Request by Finance Director to transfer funds within Fire Department budget line items for FY 07-08 as a result of new Fire contract

 

Councilor Hamel moved to approve the Fire contract transfers as follows:

 

            FROM: 01-445-130-0000       Health Insurance                     $71,739

 

            TO:      01-445-101-0000       Regular Salaries                     $38,272

                         01-455-135-0000       Retirement                              $  6,093

                         01-431-343-0000      Contingency                             $27,374

 

                        Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Approval for City Manager to sign Purchase & Sale Agreement for 30 Dewey St.

 

Councilor Lipman moved to authorize the City Manger to sign on behalf of the city the Purchase and Sales agreement for 30 Dewey Street for a purchase price of $200,000. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Temporary Traffic Order/Webster St. Block Party

 

Councilor Luther moved to approve TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL ORDER WEBSTER ST. SUMMER BLOCK PARTY.  Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Laconia Airport Authority requesting approval of various leases pertaining to the sale of the  Molex building to Granite State Glass

 

Withdrawn until the next meeting.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  • Comments and concerns regarding the recent Harley Davidson Road Tour event and its future in downtown Laconia.

 

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, July 9, 2007 at the Belknap Mill, third floor during the regular Council meeting which begins at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to gather public input and comment concerning the recent Harley Davidson Road Tour event held in downtown Laconia and its future. The notice was duly published in the Daily Sun and posted at City Hall and the Library on June 29, 2007.”

 

Kinney O’Rourke, Director of the Laconia Main St. Program – spoke in favor of the Harley Davidson Road Show and read a statement which is attached to the official minutes.

 

Atty. Pat Wood – stated it was a great deal of fun and a wonderful event and an opportunity to be part of something special. It is part of Laconia that is worth keeping.

 

Theresa Pinto, Laconia Weirs Beach Chamber of Commerce, stated it was an over whelming event and the Chamber is more than happy to help next year.

 

Homando, owner of Las Pinatas – Thanked the city for the position they took on having the event and would like to see the event back next year.

 

Rachel Achber, Achber Studio – spoke in opposition of taking away the parking in the Municipal lot. Not in favor of turning the lot over to Harley Davidson for a week.

 

Jennifer Anderson – Thanked the Mayor, Council and Manager for the welcoming mat that was extended to Harley Davidson. Great event, hope to see them back next year.

 

Suzanne Bullerwell, All My Life Jewelers – stated there are issues with the parking which should be considered for another year other than that not a problem with the event.

 

Maureen Pond, Art Gallery – need more exposure for Canal St. Did every thing that was suggested but business was in the red. Need to consider some way to attract people to the Canal St. for no one was walking that way.

           

John Malm. Chairman of the Board for the Laconia Weirs Beach Chamber of Commerce stated the board, applaud the efforts of the city and the event should go forward next year and expand in other areas within the city.

 

David Stamps – Suggested that next year a Trolley be available with day or week passes for downtown. It is very important to take risks.

 

John Moriarty – stated it was a very good event and many visited the Belknap Mill and would be willing to participate next year.

 

Tom Brown – every business is affected and actually something right was done this time and it was very beneficial to the city.

 

Letters were read from Gordon King, Richard Breton, Bob Sawyer, Brick Front  Restaurant and Awakenings in favor of the event.

 

Carla Peterson, owner of Hectors stated it was the first time in 21 years that the city came alive. Thanked the city for bringing people downtown.  It was very exciting and would like some activity in the Beacon St. West area next year.

 

Councilor Lipman, the most important thing that can come out of the event is the opportunity to show that the Downtown Association, Chamber can work together in a positive way and there are things that can be worked on. It would be good to use the same forum to look at other opportunities to capitalize on a very untapped resource which is downtown. In terms of economic development some sort of work group should work on this event as well as a little broader mission of working on capitalizing on what we have downtown and the community in general would be helpful.

 

Councilor Hamel, the city needs to address parking for Motorcycle Week. The concern was would we have an event and no one show up. We need to work together to have a better event for next year. Thanked city officials for a tremendous job preparing for the event.

 

Mayor Lahey – Stated Warren Clement spoke strongly against the event. After he experienced it for a week and saw that it was a positive thing in the paper it was really a stand up and indicated that it was from his stand point it was a positive event and he indicated he hoped they would come back.

 

Councilor Bolduc stated everyone he had talked to at the event was very excited and couldn’t believe that downtown came alive on Motorcycle week.

 

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

 

  • Proposed sale of City property located at 51 Church St. known at the former Police Department building

 

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 Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 9, 2007 at the Belknap Mill, third floor during the Regular Council meeting which begins at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to gather input and comments concerning surplus land and building owned by the City at 51Church St. known as the former Police Department property, parcel 477-147-2. The notice was duly published in the Daily Sun and posted at City Hall and the Library on May 29, 2007.

 

Mayor Lahey stated that at the last meeting the City Manager declared 51 Church Street as surplus property.

 

Charlie St. Clair stated the city makes a mistake when they sell property. Mentioned the former property where Brooks was originally. A city that is land poor is poorer. It is better to lease property.

 

Atty. Pat Wood reminded everyone of the Charette that was held for the building and downtown area. If it is sold to a private investor the opportunity for a road/street will be taken away which might be regretted later.  

 

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

 

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

 

No Report

 

  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

 

4.   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

 

No Report- Meeting to be held July 23, at 6:30 p.m. on items b. and f.

Councilor Luther reported he would not be attending the meeting or the council meeting.

 

  1. LAND & BUILDINGS:  

 

      Repair & Maintenance of City Buildings

a)      Old Police Department building on Church St.

 

b)      Contracted Services

 

Councilor Hamel reported the committee recommends that Jon Gardner, Purchasing Specialist, meet with the School, Police and Library to prepare a bid package for all buildings that have technology and come up with a better price or way to provide service.

            

LIAISON REPORTS:     NONE

 

MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

City Manager Cabanel reported on the following:

 

  • Proposed Temporary Traffic Order for Elm St. during road and sidewalk construction and will be on the agenda for the July 23rd meeting.
  • Briefly reviewed the Main St. Bridge Project which is very important and significant. Many groups and people should be involved.
  • At the request of many people Paul Moynihan and Ann Saltmarsh have been asked to form a community recycling committee.
  • The interviews for an Assessor have been completed and the position has been offered to one of the candidates. The department according to the Deputy Assessor is halfway through the city wide evaluation process.
  • The Insurance Service Office Inc will be in the area and the purpose of the visit is to gather information to determine the Fire Insurance classification that may be used for calculations for property insurance premiums. The last survey was done in 1987.
  • The County tax bill for last year was $2,455,844 and this year $2,656,000 and the city budgeted $2,600,000 and therefore the city must come up with another $56,000. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. Approval for City Manager to sign Purchase & Sale Agreement for 51 Church St.

 

Councilor Luther moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a Purchase and Sales Agreement with R. Thomas Finn, Jr. for the property owned by the city at 52 Church Street for $400,000. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

  1. Proposed increases to various City fees:    

 

    1. Administrative Review Fees/Planning Department

 

Councilor Luther moved to adopt the Administrative Review Fees. Seconded by Councilor Fitzgerald. Motion passed unanimously.

 

    1.  Internal Services Fund/Fee for Police Cruisers at Construction Sites

 

Councilor Hamel moved to adopt the Police Cruiser Construction Site Fees as follows:

 

Proposed Fee $25/first 4 hrs. and $25/hr. thereafter. Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously.

 

    1.  An Ordinance Amending Chapter 119, Building Construction

 

Councilor Lipman introduced and read by title only AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 119-3 & 119-7; BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. An extensive discussion was held on Residental Exterior Replacement of (Siding, Roofing, Windows) with no fee established at this time. Ordinance passed unanimously.

 

    1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 149, Fire Prevention & Emergency Medical Services

 

Councilor Hamel introduced and read by title only AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 149 and 149 10d, FIRE PREVENTION & EMERGENCY MEDIAL SERVICES. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Discussion followed. Councilor Fitzgerald moved to amend sprinkler systems by adding NFPA 13d, multi-family $ 40.  Seconded by Councilor Luther. Amendment passed unanimously. Ordinance as amended passed unanimously.

 

    1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 167, Noise

 

Councilor Hamel introduced and read by title only for a first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 167, NOISE.  Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Ordinance passed unanimously for a first reading.

 

    1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 177, Plumbing

 

Councilor Lipman introduced and read in full AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 177, PLUMBING. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Ordinance passed unanimously.

 

    1.  An Ordinance Amending Chapter 189, Sewers

 

Councilor Lipman introduced and read in full AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 189, SEWERS. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Ordinance passed unanimously.

 

    1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 201, Streets and Sidewalks

 

Councilor Lipman introduced and read in full AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 201, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Ordinance passed unanimously.

 

    1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic

 

Councilor Lipman introduced and read in full for a first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 221, VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Ordinance passed unanimously for a first reading.

 

  1. Proposed Amendment to Wage & Compensation Plan for Department Heads & Non-Union Employees  No action taken

 

  1. 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:

 

            Councilor Luther reminded everyone of the River Walk Picnic in the Park July 12, 2007.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

 

            Wesley Mallorey recommended using Veterans Square for the Harley Davidson event instead of the Municipal parking lot.

 

NON - PUBLIC SESSION:  NONE

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            On motion of Councilor Luther, seconded by Councilor Baer, it was voted to adjourn at 10:47 p.m.

 

A true record Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk