LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008

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 Robert Luther.

 

ROLL CALL:    

 

Clerk Kaligian called the roll with the following Councilors present: Councilor Knytych, 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 Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Knytych, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Council meeting of 1/28/08.

 

INTERVIEWS:

 

The following individuals were interviewed for the Heritage Commission:

 

1.      David Bownes

2.      Peter Brunette

3.      Pamela Clark

4.      Dorothy Duffy

5.      Mary Jane Hoey

6.      Brenda Polidoro

7.      Wanda Tibbetts

8.      Elaine Scott

9.      Charlie St. Clair has also applied but is not available to be interviewed until 2/25/08

10.  Arlene Barrett has also applied but is not available to be interviewed until 2/25/08 because of a family illness

 

After the interviews City Manager Cabanel stated hearing all the enthusiasm she changed her position on the number of members.

 

Councilor Knytych stated he would like to be on the Committee. The Planning Board may be a member also. There would be seven full members and three alternates.

 

PRESENTATIONS:    NONE

 

CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR:

 

  1. Capital Improvement Plan

 

City Manager Eileen Cabanel and Gary Dionne reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan.

 

Councilor Lipman moved to accept the 2008-2014 report as presented. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Welfare Guideline Revisions

 

Pam Reynolds, Welfare Director, reviewed the revisions to the Welfare Guidelines.

 

Councilor Luther moved to approve the changes as set forth in the January 22, 2008 memo. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed unanimously.   

 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

 

Mayor Lahey announced that Councilor Bolduc had participated in his 50th straight Sled Dog Derby at the start/finish line.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:  None

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

  1. FINANCE:     

 

a)      Request for waiver of fees by non-profits

 

Councilor Lipman reported the Committee met to discuss a request from a non-profit and regular vendor to waive and/or reduce site review and vendor fees charged during Bike Week. Councilor Lipman stated these fees have been structured to cover the cost of the work done by City staff, which at times can include up to 10 departments reviewing plans and doing inspections before and during the event. The city has worked very hard to make Bike Week self supporting. Therefore, the Committee cannot recommend waiving or reducing the fees charged by the City during Bike Week.

 

b)      Reserve Fund for Capital Improvements

 

The committee recommends that a reserve fund for capital improvements be established with the budget proposal the Manager recommends to the Council.  Specifically a resolution establishing a capital reserve fund for school construction or renovation shall be established in this budget year in the amount of $1.00.   

                 

Councilor Lipman move to approve a Resolution establishing a Capital Reserve fund for school construction or renovation in this budget year in the amount of $1.00.  Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

c)      Motorcycle Week Revenues

 

Councilor Lipman reported the Committee is looking at the costs associated with Bike Week, especially staffing of the public safety functions. The committee asked the City Manager request public safety staff attend a non-public meeting of the Council to discuss these issues.

 

            d) Transfer Station Construction

 

c) Fire truck

 

Councilor Lipman moved to approve a Resolution of intent to finance the    Transfer Station and Aerial ladder truck through the          Northway Bank based on financing information presented to the committee. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Lipman moved to hold a public hearing on the ladder truck on     February 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

  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

 

                        No Report

 

 

  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.

 

Councilor Hamel reported the committee met with Jonathan Gardner, Purchasing Specialist who stated an RFQ for an architect had gone out.  A meeting will be held with the Architects who submitted their qualifications and a description of what can be done.  The committee also discussed an inspector had gone to the building and there is quite a bit wrong with it. The committee recommends the building be torn down and a new building be erected.

            

             Meeting to be held on February 25, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. on item (c).

 

LIAISON REPORTS:  NONE

 

MANAGER’S REPORT:

 

City Manager Cabanel reported on the following:

 

  • No bids have been received on the Police Station on Church St.

 

  • Paul Moynihan, Public Works Director, met with Waste Management and discussed the issues of picking up rubbish and the spillage of same on the highway. Waste Management was very accommodating. (Read letter from Waste Management.)

 

  • The Safety Board followed up on Councilor Luther’s recommendation for the purchase of defibrillators and they recommended the city purchase an AED for the following locations: City Hall, DPW, Community Center, Library and Police Department. They are $700 apiece totaling $3600. The long range plan would be to purchase them for all buildings. One will be purchased for City Hall with funds from the Safety Board.

 

  • Discussed the budget for the DPW stating Paul Moynihan has requested $100,000 more in the DPW budget. The night snow removal would be $4500 per night. The council agreed that there will not be any night snow removal at this time.

            Councilor Lipman recommended the residents help by shoveling out mail boxes, etc.

 

  • A meeting was held with representatives from Harley Davidson, Main Street, restaurants, Police, Fire and Planning and discussed issues each one had on the June event.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Heritage Commission

 

Councilor Knytych moved to send the Ordinance back to the Planning Board.  Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Luther moved to establish a three (3) year term limit for the Heritage Commission. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Hamel moved to allow five (5) full members and three (3) alternates. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc.  Councilor Bolduc withdrew his second and Councilor Hamel withdrew his motion.

 

Councilor Lipman moved the Heritage Commission consist of five (5) full   members, one of which is a City Councilor and three (3) alternates. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Motion passed with five in favor and Councilor Luther opposed.

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

  1. An Ordinance Amending Chapter 119/Building Construction regarding demolition permits – Reviewed by Planning Bd. and ready for Council action

 

NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS: NONE

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

 

Councilor Luther recommended taxpayers shovel the fire hydrants if possible to help out the Fire Department.

 

Council Knytych reported the Lou Athanas free throw event was held with the School Board and Councilors Hamel and Knytych. The event was won by Marge Kerns, School Board member.

 

Councilor Baer discussed not receiving the Water Commission meeting minutes on time.

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:    NONE

 

NON - PUBLIC SESSION: 

 

Councilor Hamel moved 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 Knytych. On a roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Bolduc moved to come out of non-public session. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Motion passed unanimously.

 

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

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

On motion of Councilor Bolduc, seconded by Councilor Hamel, it was voted to adjourn at 10:15 p.m.

 

A True copy Attest:

 

Ann G. Kaligian

City Clerk