LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2007

CITY HALL – CONFERENCE ROOM 200A

7:30 P.M.

 

CALL TO ORDER:   

 

            Mayor Lahey opened the meeting of the above date and time.

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG:  

 

            The salute to the flag was led by Councilor Luther.

 

ROLL CALL:   

 

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

 

ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

 

      Councilor Luther moved to approve the minutes of regular and non-public meeting of November 13, 2007. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

INTERVIEWS:  NONE

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

  • Deputy Deborah Pendergast

 

                        Deputy Fire Chief Deborah Pendergast was honored for being certified by the National Fire Academy as an Executive Fire Officer and for helping the Fire Department receive a $225,000 Federal grant to replace all of its air packs.

 

  • Laconia Sachem Football Team

 

                        The Sachem football team and coaches were presented with a plaque and certificates for winning the 2007 Division 4 football Championship. (Names attached)

 

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

  1. Laconia Little League’s request to raise funds on City property from April 26 – July 7, 2008

 

                  Councilor Hamel moved to approve the use of the concession stand by Laconia Little League for baseball and softball practices and games from April 26-July 7, 2008. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:   NONE

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  • Request to borrow money and the issuance of long term debt in an amount not to exceed $190,000 for additional funding for the construction of the Transfer Station

 

                        Mayor Lahey opened the 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 November 26, 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 the borrowing of money and the issuance of long term debt in an amount not to exceed $190,000 and the appropriations of these funds is for the following public    purposes:  Additional Funding for Construction of the Transfer Station $190,000.” The notice was duly published in the Laconia Daily Sun and posted at the Library and City Hall on November 16, 2007.

 

                        Mayor Lahey reviewed the request for the additional funding.

 

            There being no public questions or comments Mayor Lahey closed the hearing at 7:56      p.m.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

  1. FINANCE:       

 

 

a)      Request for waiver of fees by non-profits

b)      Establishment of Trust Fund for a Performing Arts Center

 

                         Councilor Fitzgerald reported the committee recommended a public hearing to discuss the establishment of a Trust Fund for a Performing Arts Center.

 

                        Councilor Fitzgerald read a letter from Charles Bradley, III with a check attached in the amount of $100.00 to start the Trust Fund.

 

                        Councilor Fitzgerald moved to hold a public hearing on December 10th during the regular meeting. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

c)      Reserve Fund for Capital Improvements

d)      Motorcycle Week Revenues

 

                        Councilor Fitzgerald reported the committee had come up with a formula and there is still more to be discussed. Any decision would not be implemented until 2009.   

                       

                        Councilor Hamel moved to approve the four spaces on the asphalt area of the boardwalk for food vendors. Seconded by Councilor Fitzgerald, Motion passed unanimously.

 

                                    Meeting to be held  December 10th at 6:30 p.m. on item d.

 

e)      Transfer Station Construction

 

                      Councilor Fitzgerald reported the committee approved recommending the $190,000 which is a ten year loan or bond for the Transfer Station. First reading of the Resolution to be December 10th and second reading December 24th or at a special meeting,

 

  1. PUBLIC SAFETY:   

 

a)      Motorcycle Week

 

                  No Report

 

  1. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES:  

 

a)      RSA 202-A:11a/Laconia Library

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

 

No Report

 

  1. PUBLIC WORKS:   (Report on meeting of 11/26/07 re item g.)

 

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

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

g)      Church St. – crosswalk too close to parking space

 

            Councilor Bolduc reported the committee recommended the removal of the parking space.

 

            Councilor Luther moved to remove the parking space in front of 101-103 Church Street. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

                        No reports on items a-f.

  1. LAND & BUILDINGS:  

 

a)      Repair & Maintenance of City Buildings

b)      Old Police Department building on Church St.

c)      Architectural/Design Options for 858 N. Main St.

 

            No Report

            

LIAISON REPORTS:    NONE

 

MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

            City Manager Eileen Cabanel reported on the following:

 

  • The Manager, Mayor Lahey and Councilor Lipman will be meeting with a grant writer for there are possibly a lot of grants that the city might be eligible for.

 

  • The railroad crossing at Pleasant and New Salem St. and Veterans Square project has been moved to the top of the list. The project is 80/20 % project which is a $200,000 fix with the state paying $160,000 and the city $40,000. Paul Moynihan, Public Works Director recommends to use some of the 2008-09 road money for the $40,000 to upgrade the crossing.

 

  • Discussed briefly feasibility study grants for the Garden Theatre.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. A proposed amendment to Chapter 195, Special Event Ordinance concerning the makeup of the Motorcycle Technical Review Committee

 

                        Councilor Hamel introduced for a first and final reading an ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 195, SPECIAL EVENTS AND OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY.    Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Ordinance passed unanimously.

 

  1. Bobby’s Way

 

                        Mayor Lahey explained that Bobby’s Way does not meet the required city standards for acceptance.

 

                        Paul Moynihan, Public Works Director reviewed the project dated back twenty years ago when the road was roughed in and sewer was built. Then the project went idle for about fifteen years and a new developer has brought it back to the Planning Board.     He got it completed with 90% of the infrastructure improvements and developed all the lots in proper procedure. In August 2005 he was given a list of the remaining items needed to bring the road to standards for city acceptance. In October the city and abutters received a letter stating the developer was walking away from the project and leaving it for the city to complete with the remaining escrow. (Attached are copies from Public Works with a summary and cost estimate and Bill Kosmas, resident of Bobby’s Way letter of resident’s concerns.)

 

                        Mayor Lahey stated more information was needed on the letter of credit as to whether it was for road work or off site improvement.

 

                        City Manager Cabanel stated she appreciated how cooperative the residents have been.  The letter does not address that residents were not promised anything by the city it was the developer. The escrow account is for someone who defaults and fails to meet expectations.

           

            Linda Preskins spoke about a road bond and that the builder has walked away and the residents are not protected.

 

            City Manager Cabanel stated the City Solicitor has advised the city to not plow the road.

 

                                    To be discussed at the next meeting.

 

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

 

NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS:   NONE

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:   NONE

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:   NONE

 

NON - PUBLIC SESSION:

 

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

` (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the body or agency or any subdivision thereof, or against any member thereof because of his membership in such body or agency, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. Seconded by Councilor Fitzgerald. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to come out of non-public session at 9:11 p.m. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to seal the minutes for five years, seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

A true record Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk