LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 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 Brad Fitzgerald.

 

ROLL CALL:    

 

            City 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 Bolduc moved to approve the minutes of regular meeting on 10/22/07. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR & COUNCIL:

 

            City Clerk Ann Kaligian swore in the Mayor and following Councilors for a two year term from January 2008-January 2010.

 

                                                Mayor – Matthew Lahey

 

            Ward 1 Gregory Knytych                                Ward 2 Robert Luther

            Ward 3 Henry Lipman                                     Ward 4 Brenda Baer

            Ward 5 Robert Hamel                                     Ward 6 Armand Bolduc

 

INTERVIEWS:     NONE

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

  • Recognition of the 2007 Adopt-a-Spot winners

 

                        Mayor Lahey presented plaques

                       

                        (copy attached to official minutes)

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

1.      Approval of ambulance billing rates  

 

            Councilor Luther and Lipman recused themselves from discussion and voting on the proposed ambulance billing rates.

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to accept the new ambulance rates for services as provided by Lakes Region General Hospital. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

2.      Temporary Traffic Order/Christmas Parade on 11/25/07 and waiver of license fee 

 

            Councilor Luther moved to approve Temporary Traffic Control Order 2007 – 17 Christmas Parade. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

            Councilor Luther moved to waive the fee. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

3.      Temporary Traffic Order/Edwards St. Christmas Party 12/08/07 

 

            Councilor Luther moved to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2007-18 Edwards Street Annual Christmas Party. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.   Request by Weirs Action Committee to raise funds at Endicott Rock Park and the parking lot area during Motorcycle Week, June 13-22, 2008   

 

            Councilor Bolduc moved to approve the Weirs Action Committee to use the Endicott Rock Park and Parking lot to raise money during Motorcycle Week (June 13-22, 2008). Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously.

 

5.   Laconia Airport Authority request to approve Notice of Lease between the City of Laconia & Laconia Airport Authority and Denjo, LLC.

 

            Councilor Bolduc moved to approve the Notice of Lease by and between the City of Laconia and Laconia Airport Authority and Denjo, LLC. Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously. 

 

6.        Request to unseal non-public minutes of 10/24/05 

 

       Councilor Bolduc moved to unseal the non-public minutes for 10-24-05. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Motion passed unanimously.   

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:    NONE

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  • Request to layout a portion of Rowe Court as a City street as part of the proposed development of a Walgreen’s pharmacy

 

Mayor Lahey opened the public hearing and read the following notice. ”According   to the Laconia Ordinances, RSA 231:8 and other applicable State laws, the City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 13, 2007 during the regular City Council           meeting at Laconia City Hall, Room 200A beginning at 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to gather public input concerning a request to layout a portion of Rowe Court as a City street as part of the proposed development of a Walgreen’s pharmacy. A             plan is available for review in the City Manager’s office. If unable to attend the public           hearing, please send written comments to City Council, 45 Beacon Street East, Laconia, NH 03246. “The notice was duly published in the Laconia Daily Sun and posted at the             Library and City Hall on October 3, 2007.

 

            Steve Bogert – stated that the condition of one of the variances was that no tractor trailers could be parked at the Landmark Inn which would be sharing a parking lot with Walgreen’s. Steve was speaking as a resident not as Chairman of the Zoning Board.

 

            Atty. Pat Wood – stated Mr. Parisi, owner of the Landmark assured them he would find an alternate parking area for the trucks.

 

            Karen Barker read a statement opposing the re-routing of Rowe Court and any further concessions to Walgreen’s. (Statement attached to official minutes)

 

            Wes Mallorey – opposed to moving Rowe Court for it will cause a traffic nightmare.

 

            Al Columb – stated he supports the project and the city will not grow if businesses are not attracted to the area.

 

            Brian Phelps – opposed to the project for there are too many drug stores now and also concerned with the traffic.

 

            Atty. Pat Wood – stated while the parking for the big trucks was discussed by the ZBA it is actually the Planning Board that makes that decision.

 

            Karl Reitz – stated he did not foresee any problem with moving Rowe Court and having Walgreen’s as a neighbor.

 

                        There being no further questions or comments Mayor Lahey closed the hearing at 8:15 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

c)      Reserve Fund for Capital Improvements

d)      Motorcycle Week Revenue

e)      Transfer Station

 

                        Meeting to be held on November 26th at 6:30 p.m. on items b, d and e.

 

  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: 

 

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

  

            Meeting to be held on November 26th at 7:00 p.m. on item g.

 

  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 Cabanel stated Dr. Finn would not be purchasing the city property at 51 Church Street.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.      A Resolution to Conditionally Discontinue a Portion of Rowe Court and to Lay Out a New Location of that Portion

 

                                    Councilor Luther introduced and read in full A RESOLUTION TO CONDITIONALLY DISCONTINUE A PORTION OF ROWE COURT, AND TO LAY OUT A NEW LOCATION OF THAT PORTION DISCONTINUED.  Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Discussion followed. Resolution passed unanimously.

 

2.      Transfer Station Upgrade/Amendment #2 

 

                                    Paul Moynihan, Public Works Director passed out and discussed the Purpose and Related History of Amendment 2 and why the price increased.   Requested the council give approval for the City Manager to sign Amendment 2 which would commit the city to a project for $2.6 million.  Waste Management            has agreed to take care of 55% and their commitment which is $1,435,000 of the         project. The other 45% will be paid by Laconia and Gilford. The contract life is 18 years and the building life is estimated to be 30-40 years.      

 

                                    City Manager Cabanel stated the amendment could not be passed at this meeting for the city has already approved $855,000 and that is the only amount approved and that is why it cannot be passed at this meeting. In order to make an appropriation you cannot do a supplemental appropriation without breaking the Tax Cap and if you want to add to the bond expenses that requires a public hearing and meetings. It is a difficult time of the fiscal year for it is still early in the year and cannot say if any department has any extra funds. There are certain restrictions that the city absolutely must follow. The contract is a good one. It is just a matter of procedure.

                                   

                                    To be discussed in non –public session.

 

                                    After the non-public session it was voted to hold a public hearing at the November 26th meeting.

 

3.      Bieniarz Award

 

                                    Mayor Lahey appointed Councilor Luther as Chairman of the Bieniarz Award.

 

4.      Inauguration  No action taken

 

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.

 

                        No action taken on the above items.

 

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 Luther. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

 

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

 

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

 

            Councilor Luther moved to hold a public hearing on funding for the Transfer Station at the November 26, 2007 meeting. Seconded by Councilor Fitzgerald.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

A true record Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk