LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 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 Henry Lipman.

 

 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:

 

             On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Hamel it was voted to approve the minutes of the regular and non-public meeting on 11-26-07.

 

 INTERVIEWS:    NONE

 

 PRESENTATIONS:

 

• New Hampshire Railroad Revitalization Association

 

          Winthrop Buswell introduced Peter Griffin who gave an overview of rail initiatives in

          New England

 

• Annual Human Relations Committee Update

 

           Carol Pierce, Co-Chair of the Laconia Human Relations Committee distributed

           and briefly reviewed the Annual Report from December 2006 to December 2007.

 

 CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

1. Request by Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to raise funds at Opechee Park on May 18, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

 

            Councilor Luther moved to approve the use of the Opechee Park and Bathhouse for fundraising to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Sunday May 18, 2008 from 7:30 am -1:00 pm. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

2. Temporary Traffic Order 79th Annual Sled Dog Derby

 

            Councilor Bolduc moved to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2007-19 79th ANNUAL SLED DOG DERBY. Seconded by Councilor Luther . Motion passed unanimously.

 

3. Request for transfer of funds from contingency to Sanitary Sewer/Langley Cove

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to transfer $10,785.00 from 90-465-101-0000 Contingency to 90-430-214-0000 Langley Cove-Supplies. Seconded by Councilor Luther.   Motion passed unanimously.

 

4. Request by Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society to waive vendor fees for an arts & crafts fair July 26 & 27, 2008

 

            Councilor Lipman moved to waive the fees as requested by the Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society for the Arts & Crafts fair July 26 & 27, 2008. Seconded by Councilor Luther.  There being a tie vote Mayor Lahey voted in favor and the motion passed.

 

5. Request to unseal minutes of Non-Public Session on 11/28/05 

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to unseal the minutes of the non-public session of 11-28-05.  Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously.

 

6. Reappointment of Public Works Director to various boards

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to appoint Paul Moynihan, Public Works Director to the following boards as the City’s representative.

 

(a)   Winnipesaukee River Basin Program Board

 

(b)   Concord Regional Waste Cooperative

 

(c)   Laconia Water Works

 

Seconded by Councilor Bolduc . Motion passed unanimously.

 

            Councilor Luther moved to appoint Frank Tilton as an alternate member to the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program.     Seconded by Councilor Fitzgerald.   Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.      Proposed City Policy Revisions/Classification & Compensation Plan and Personnel Rules & Regulations

 

            Councilor Hamel moved to approve the revisions to the City’s Classification & Compensation Plan and Personnel Rules and Regulations. Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously.

 

8.      Inauguration Committee

 

Mayor Lahey appointed Councilor Baer and himself.

 

9.      Presidential Primary Election Hours

 

                        Councilor Lipman moved to change the voting hours from 8:00 am to 7:00 a.m. for the Presidential Primary. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:    NONE

 

 PUBLIC HEARING:

 

• Establishing a Trust Fund for a Laconia Center for the Performing Arts

 

            Mayor Lahey opened the hearing and read the following notice.” According to the Laconia City Ordinances, RSA 231:43 and other applicable State Laws, the City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 102007 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 the establishment of a Trust Fund for a Laconia for the Performing Arts. The purpose of the Trust Fund is to allow the City to accept public and private donations towards the purchase, construction and maintenance of a Laconia Center for the Performing Arts.”   The notice was duly published in the Laconia Daily Sun and posted at the Library and City Hall on November 30, 2007.

 

Warren Clement spoke in favor of establishing a Trust Fund and also on behalf of the Main Street program who also endorses the Center for the Performing Arts and the establishment of a Trust Fund.

 

Charles Bradley – Thanked the Council and stated if the Council passes the Resolution, it is the right thing for the city. Invited everyone to attend the Putnam Fund on December 18th at Sacred Heart Church to hear Patti Page.

 

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

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

1. FINANCE:

 

a)      Request for waiver of fees by non-profits

 

b)             Establishment of Trust Fund for a Performing Arts Center- Remove from

         Agenda

 

c)      Reserve Fund for Capital Improvements

 

            Councilor Lipman reported the committee is looking to have proforma language that could be established and approved by the council and implemented subject to monies becoming available.

 

d)      Motorcycle Week Revenues

 

            Councilor Lipman reported the committee discussed the revenues and requested an Ordinance be drafted incorporating the fee to cover those extra ordinary costs associated with Motorcycle Week specifically. The committee has been working on a methodology which would be based on square footage on a net basis for vendors, rental space and for parking, not circulation space but per parking space. It has all been converted to square footage basis and will be looking to allocate the extraordinary expenses on a net square footage basis. The Ordinance would be effective for the June 2009 event.    

 

 e)      Transfer Station Construction

 

2. PUBLIC SAFETY: 

 

a)      Motorcycle Week

 

No Report

 

3. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES:    

 

a)      RSA 202-A:11a/Laconia Library

 

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

 

 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)      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)      Central Fire Station

 

            Councilor Bolduc reported Jonathan Gardner Purchasing Specialist had sent out requests for Architect RFQ for the Central Fire Station project. Out of twelve, three have responded. The Manager will schedule a meeting to elevate the responses.  Council members Bolduc, Hamel and Lipman will review the responses. 

 

No Report on items a-f

 

5. 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: 

 

1.         Lakes Business Park Sign:

 

                        Councilor Baer moved to approve the City’s share in the amount of $3500 for the Lakes Business Park sign at the entrance of the Industrial Park located on Gilford Avenue. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Motion passed unanimously.

 

 MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

City Manager Eileen Cabanel reported on the following:

 

• On Friday December 7, 2007 the City hosted Commissioners George Bald, Department of Resources and Economic Development, Tom Burack, Department of Environmental Services and Dan McLeod of Cultural Resources and toured the downtown area with maps and showed them different projects that are either completed or in the process.

 

• Stated the City did not let the letter of credit expire for Bobby’s Way. The developer is coming back to the table and will fulfill his obligations.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1. Resolution Establishing a Trust Fund for a Laconia Center for the Performing Arts 

 

            Councilor Luther introduced and read in full A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A TRUST FUND FOR A LACONIA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Resolution passed unanimously

 

2. Resolution Relative to Authorizing Long Term Debt for Transfer Station Construction in the Amount of $190,000

 

            Councilor Luther introduced and read in full for a first reading A RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO AUTHORIZING LONG TERM DEBT FOR TRANSFER STATION CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $190,000.  Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The first reading of the Resolution passed unanimously.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

1. Bobby’s Way
2. 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
3. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 119/Building Construction regarding demolition permits – Pending/Awaiting Recommendation of Planning Bd.

 

No action on the above items

 

NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS:  NONE

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

 

• Councilor Hamel recommended an ordinance be considered in reference to flat bed trailers etc. being used in parades.
• Councilor Fitzgerald thanked the Council and public for allowing him to serve the city  for the last two years,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Hamel, it was voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:38 p.m.

 

 

 

A true copy Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special City Council Meeting

 

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

 

Room 200A  6:00 P. M.

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:

 

 Mayor Lahey called the meeting to order on the above date and time.

 

Roll CALL:

 

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

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

1.      Resolution Relative to Authorizing Long Term Debt for Transfer Station Construction in the amount of $190,000  (Second reading)

 

Councilor Hamel introduced and read by title only for a second and final reading A Resolution Relative to Authorizing Long Term Debt for Transfer Station Construction in the amount of $190,000. Seconded by Councilor .Baer.  Motion passed unanimously. Resolution passed unanimously for a second and final reading.

 

Councilor Luther moved to authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment  #2 of the Transfer Station agreement once the language has been finalized.  Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

2.      Public Hearing - CDBG

 

The Laconia Area Community Land Trust is requesting the City sponsor a CDBG application in the amount of $500,000 for the purchase of the McIntyre Building located in downtown Laconia.

 

Councilor Hamel moved to hold a Public Hearing on January 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Motion passed unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

On motion of Councilor Hamel, seconded by Councilor Luther, it was voted to adjourn at 6:09 p.m.

 

A true Record Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

 

City Clerk