LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 

LACONIA CITY HALL – ROOM 200A 7:30 P.M.

 

MONDAY, MAY 14, 2007

 

CALL TO ORDER:

 

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

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG:

 

            Councilor Luther 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:

 

            On motion of Councilor Hamel, seconded by Councilor Bolduc, it was voted to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on 4-23-07 and budget meeting on 4-30-07. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

                       

INTERVIEWS: 

 

1.                   Paul Lambert – requesting appointment as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Adjustment

 

Mr. Lambert was interviewed for appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

 

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

 

Councilor Hamel nominated Paul Lambert to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a 3 year term. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Mr. Lambert was unanimously elected.

 

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

1.                   Request by Tritanium Sports to fundraise at Opechee Park Beaches on 8-5-07 from

7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

 

To be discussed further at the next meeting after more information on the fundraising.

 

2.                   Request by Laconia Athletic & Swim Club & Patrick’s Pub Eatery to fundraise at Opechee Cove for road race event on 9-15-07 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

 

Councilor Hamel moved to approve the request of the Laconia Athletic & Swim Club and Patrick’s Pub Eatery to use Opechee cove for a Road Race event on September 15, 2007 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm as long as insurance is provided. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

3.                   AJL Babe Ruth Baseball request to fundraise at concession stand at Robbie Mills Park during state tournament July 7 – 15th  and July 21 -29th

 

Councilor Hamel moved to approve AJL Babe Ruth Baseball to use the Robbie Mills for baseball games from July 21 - July 29, and July 7 – 15th 2007. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Fitzgerald moved to approve  AJL Babe Ruth Baseball to use Robbie Mills Park for games and practices from April 7 – July 7. Seconded by Councilor Luther. Motion passed unanimously.

 

4.                   Temporary Traffic Order Motorcycle Week 2007

 

Councilor Bolduc moved to approve        TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ORDER 2007-06 MOTORCYCLE WEEK 2007. Seconded by Councilor Fitzgerald. Motion passed unanimously.

 

5.                   Temporary Traffic Order Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Week Road Tour

 

Councilor Luther moved to approve TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ORDER 2007-07 HARLEY-DAVIDSON BIKE WEEK ROAD TOUR 2007. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

6.                   Laconia Airport Authority/Sublease between Southern NH University and Hyslop & Associates

 

Councilor Lipman moved to approve the sublease agreement between Southern NH University, Hyslop & Associates and the Laconia Airport Authority. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.                   Unsealing on non-public minutes of 4-24-06

 

Councilor Hamel moved to unseal the minutes of the non-public minutes of 4-24-06. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:   

 

Mayor Lahey opened the hearing and read the following notice. “In accordance with Article V of the Laconia City Charter and other applicable laws, notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing on the proposed City of Laconia Municipal and School Budgets for the 2007-2008 fiscal years to be held at City Hall on May 14, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room 200A.”

           

Alan Beetle requested the Council continue the investment that has been made to the WOW Trail. Approximately $800,000 has been raised with the city contribution of $60,000 and work has begun on Phase II. The opportunity came up at the Fair St. Bridge to save about $100,000 and only $50,000 will be spent on the Fair St. Bridge.

 

Ollie Anderson, Library Trustee reminded the council the Trustees had requested $7,500 extra for the HVAC contract and maintenance which was cut out of the budget originally and requested it be put back into the budget.

 

Pat Thibeault spoke in favor of funding books for the Library.

 

            There being no further questions or comments Mayor Lahey declared the hearing closed at 7:40 p.m.

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

  • Main Street Bridge – State Funding/Representative Frank Tilton

 

Rep. Frank Tilton reviewed the State funding and what the impact means.

 

            To be discussed at budget work session

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:      NONE

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

1.                  FINANCE:

 

a.                   Motorcycle Week Revenue

b.                   Special Items

c.                   Proposed changes to City fees

d.                   Waiver of MTRC for Lakeport Baptist Church

e.                   Request for waiver of fees by non-profits

f.                    Establishment of Trust Fund for a Performing Arts Center

g.                   Bonding Options/Memorial Middle School Project

 

Councilor Lipman moved to proceed with the borrowing of $23,000,000 with the July 2007 New Hampshire Bond Bank sale and  further recommend the Manager be allowed to hire someone to manage the  construction fund proceeds to achieve the city’s interest and objectives and to file the necessary IRS Tax returns etc around the arbitrage rebate. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

2.                  PUBLIC SAFETY:

 

a.                   Motorcycle Week

b.                   Walk light and traffic light at Union Ave. & Messer Sts., timing of lights at Court & Main Sts., three-way stop at New Salem & Pleasant Sts and right hand turn at Elm St.

 

No Report – Meeting to be held on May 29, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. on item b.

 

3.                  GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES:

 

a.                   RSA 202-A:11a/Laconia Library

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

 

No Report

 

4.                  PUBLIC WORKS:

 

a.                   Road Weight Limits

b.                   Rowe Court

 

Councilor Bolduc reported the representative for Walgreen’s was unable to answer the committees questions; therefore, the committee will meet on June 11, 2007.

 

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

 

A Public Hearing to be held on May 22, 2007 at Briarcrest at 7:00 pm

 

5.                  LAND & BUILDINGS:

 

a.                   Repair & Maintenance of City Buildings

b.                   Old Police Department building on Church St.

 

No report on items a, c, d and e.

 

LIAISON REPORTS:    NONE

 

MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

City Manager Eileen Cabanel reported on the following:

 

  • Federal Emergency Management makes various declarations of emergency situations in different areas. FEMA will be at City Hall to assist those who are eligible in the area. They will be here from May 21 – 26th from 8:00 am – 8:00 p.m. for people can make their claims.

 

  • A budget work session will be held on May 16, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

 

  • Briefly discussed the Health Insurance

 

  • The Weirs sidewalk project will be no work on the roadway before Labor Day and the completion date is scheduled for October 26, 2007

 

  • The Finance Committee recommended a letter be written to Ray Burton to see if various sources of money or help from different state agencies for Motorcycle Week. Letters were received from various ones including Mark Morrill, from DOT and he stated he would provide the city with four portable lighting towers, jersey barriers and possibly two variable message boards and there will be no charge.  

 

NEW BUSINESS:        NONE

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

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

2.                   Cluster Developments/referred to Planning Board

 

NOMINATI0NS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS:  NONE

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:   

 

  • Councilor Hamel stated a letter had been received from Public Works stating a check from Waste Management in the amount of $2,006.25 for recycled cans would be issued to the city.
  • Councilor Hamel met with the Fair St. bridge Manager who stated on May 25th lanes would be switched and the project is ahead of schedule.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:  

 

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:  According to RSA 91-A:3, II:

 

            Councilor Fitzgerald moved to go into non-public session according to RSA 91-A:3, II: a. the dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee, or the investigation of any charges against him, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted and 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 a roll call vote at 8:45 p.m.

 

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

                                   

            On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Hamel, it was voted to seal the minutes for two years.

           

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Concilor Hamel, it was voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:25 p.m.

 

A true record Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk