LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2007

CITY HALL – 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:  

 

The salute to the flag was led by Councilor Brenda Baer.

 

ROLL CALL:   

 

Clerk Kaligian called the roll call with the following Councilors present: Councilor Fitzgerald, Luther, Lipman, Baer, Hamel and Bolduc. Also present City Manager Eileen Cabanel.

 

ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

 

 Councilor Bolduc moved to approve the minutes of regular meeting of 9/24/07. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Discussion followed. Councilor Hamel moved to amend the minutes by adding under the Ambulance Contract that the new Deputy Chief will be paid by the Hospital and the stipends have nothing to do with the Union. The stipends come directly from the hospital. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

INTERVIEWS:

 

1.         Lisa Morin – requesting appointment to the Conservation Committee

 

                        Lisa Morin was interviewed for a three year term.

 

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

 

Councilor Hamel nominated Lisa Morin. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc.  Ms. Morin was unanimously elected for a three year term.

 

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

  1. Finance Director’s request to transfer funds for Fire-Mechanic’s Truck

 

Councilor Lipman moved to transfer the following:

 

Transfer $6,000   From:        01-477-315-0000 City Relief

 

      To:            01-497-455 Fire-Mechanic’s Truck

 

                        Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

2.      Approval of Sub-Lease between Narotam S. Grewal Trust and Life Care Technologies,Inc

 

          Councilor Lipman moved to approve the sublease between the Airport Authority and Narotam S. Grewal Trust and LifeCare Technologies, Inc. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Scheduling Public Hearing/ Acquisition and Rehabilitation of Main St. Property (Gardens Theater).

 

                        City Manager Cabanel and Councilor Baer gave a brief history and overview of      the property.

 

                        Councilor Baer moved to hold a public hearing on October 22, 2007 for      Community Development Finance Authority Block Grant Funds for the Garden             Theater in the amount of $12,000. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc.  Motion passed   unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS:   

 

                        Councilor Lipman stated the city received information about an opportunity to tap   into some expertise regarding Economic and Community Development bringing together officials in a variety of capacities throughout the region. A donation of $1,000 from the city for tuition to help sponsor the program was recommended.

 

                        City Manager Cabanel stated the council doesn’t need to take action on the $1,000 for it is within the budget. There can be10 people from each community and recommended Councilor Lipman, Baer and Mayor Lahey and any other councilor or person interested.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:    NONE

 

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

e)      Reserve Fund for Capital Improvements

 

                        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

 

  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

g) Request by Michael Leclair to extend City sewer to Coliseum Indoor Sports in  Belmont

h) Summit Ave – No Parking

 

            Councilor Bolduc reported the committee voted unanimously to accept and bring forward to the Council the request for “No Parking”.   

 

            Councilor Luther moved to accept the recommendation of the Public Works to place “No Parking” signs on the west side of Summit Avenue as well as other related work on the same side of the roadway. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. LAND & BUILDINGS:  

 

a)      Repair & Maintenance of City Buildings

b)      Old Police Department building on Church St.

c)      Contracted Services

 

            No Report

            

LIAISON REPORTS:    NONE

 

MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

City Manager Cabanel reported on the following:

 

  • Will attend a meeting with the Lakeport Association on October 16, 2007 to discuss the Tax Increment Financing District. Further explained what was going on with the Main St. Tax Increment Financing District.

 

  • On Friday October 12th state officials will be here to discuss potential safety issues regarding the new Winnisquam boat ramp. 

 

  • Jon Gardner, Purchasing Specialist, will prepare a request for qualifications for architectural /design engineer to evaluate options for the property at 858 No main St.   1. Renovate 2. Tear down structure.

 

                              Referred to the Land and Buildings Committee

 

  • NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. Public Works Director requesting acceptance of Croteau Lane  

 

                        City Manager Cabanel reported the project has already been approved by the        Planning Board. The road is at the level that is considered to be acceptable. After     discussion with Paul Moynihan, Public Works Director the following motion was      presented.

 

                        Councilor Luther moved to accept Croteau Lane as a city street. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Discussion followed. Motion passed with five in favor and Councilor Bolduc opposed.

                       

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

  1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 235/Zoning regarding cluster developments – Referred back to Planning Board 7/23/07 for public hearing concerning suggested amendments requested by City Council.  Pending/Awaiting Recommendation of Planning Board
  2. Petition to change zoning for property located at 343 Court St. from Downtown Riverfront District to Commercial/Peter Burr – Cheapo Depot.

 

                        Mayor Lahey stated the planning Board followed the lead of the council and come back with a proposal. (attached to official minutes). After a lengthily discussion the following action was taken.

 

                        Councilor Luther introduced and read in full AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 235 ZONING. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Discussion followed.           Councilor Luther withdrew the Ordinance and Councilor Bolduc withdrew his second.

 

                        The Ordinance to remain on the agenda for further clarification from the Planning Board .

 

  1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 119/Building Construction regarding demolition permits – Pending/Awaiting Recommendation of Planning Bd.

 

  1. A Resolution to Conditionally Discontinue a Portion of Rowe Court and to Layout a New Location of that Portion Discontinued. Pending Public Works Committee Recommendation and Pending Public Hearing.

 

NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS: NONE

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:  NONE

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:  NONE

 

NON - PUBLIC SESSION:

 

            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. Motion passed unanimously.

 

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

 

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

                         

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Luther, it was voted to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.

 

A true copy attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk