City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Public Hearing Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 pm for Resolution 2025-01 SRF Authorization. There were no public comments. Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 7:21 pm. Mayor Cone opened the Public Hearing at 7:22 pm for Resolution 2025-02 Amending FEMA Reimbursement. There were no public comments. Mayor Cone closed the Public Hearing at 7:22 pm. Regular Meeting Mayor Cone called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:22 pm. a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Roll Call Present: Mayor Cone, Councilors Higbee, Morency, Valerino, Grenier, and Korzen Absent: Councilors Qualls, Berthiaume, and Theberge Also present: City Manager Phillip Warren, Jr., Director of Strategic Initiatives Pamela Laflamme, Finance Director Holly Larsen, City Clerk Shelli Fortin, Christian Judson, Jamie Welch, Gina Welch, Nicole Paulin, Scott Lees, Janet Tremblay, Tyler Tremblay, and Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun. c. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to accept the minutes of the January 6, 2025 Regular Meeting and Work Session. So moved, the motion passed. Disbursements: Disbursement Summary Draft #1977 with a start date of 01/07/2025 and an end date of 01/21/2025 for a total cash disbursement of $2,065,573.54. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Morency, to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as reviewed and approved by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jamie Welch, of 102 Church Street, spoke concerning the proposed Dummer Yard project, noting that although it would be good to have someone maintain the property, Berlin is going to go from being known as the “City That Trees Built” or “Hockeytown USA”, to the “City that was Saved by Dumps”. Mr. Welch noted that we have Mt. Carberry, and that there is increased truck traffic due to this. Mr. Welch also stated that there is a layer of sawdust that settles on cars. Mr. Welch urged the Council to be thoughtful about what this project might to do future generations, as this is a visible property on the East Side. Jamie Welch also spoke concerning the Northwoods Mobile Home Park renewable energy project. Mr. Welch noted that they came before the Council asking for a tax exemption for the project. Mr. Welch advised that if they don’t pay taxes, then the rest of us do. Mr. Welch stated that if they choose to improve their property, they should be paying for it, as it is a privately-owned community. Mr. Welch noted that the City is not in a situation to afford charity, even if the project is green. Scott Lees, of 182 East Mason Street, spoke in reference to a letter sent to the Council by the CEO of Berlin Emergency Medical Services, noting that the math does not add up in what has happened with the EMS contract. Mr. Lees stated that all of the patients he has spoken with on transfers are not in favor of the Fire Department taking over EMS services. Mr. Lees advised that their contract price with the City was fixed, and they were not asking for much. Mr. Lees noted that the City taking on EMS services was predicated on the SAFER grant, which they did not receive, and he does not understand why they are still moving forward. Mr. Lees also advised that it is impossible to hire EMS workers, and that the Fire Department has not yet filled those positions. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Council Committee Reports 1 There were no Council Committee reports. 2. Resolution 2025-01 SRF Authorization (tabled 1/6/2025) In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION authorizing the application filing, accepting, borrowing, raising, appropriation and expenditure of an estimated $960,000 of Clean Water State Revolving Loan (SRF) Funds for improvements to the Watson Street Combines Sewer Outflow Infrastructure Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: WHEREAS, the City, through consideration of the nature of its sewer system needs, hereby determines that the aforementioned project is desirable and in the public interest, and to that end it is necessary to apply for assistance from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund; and WHEREAS, the Applicant has examined and duly considered the provisions of RSA 486:14; RSA 485-H or RSA 485-F and the New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules noted above, which relate to loans from the State of New Hampshire and deems it to be in the public interest to file a loan application and to authorize other actions in connection therewith; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council as follows: 1. That the person holding the position of City Manager currently held by Phillip Warren, Jr. is hereby designated as the Authorized Representative of the Applicant for the purpose of filing an application for a loan in accordance with New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules noted above, furnishing such information, data, documents and disbursements pertaining to the applicant for a loan as may be required; and otherwise to act as the authorized representative of the Applicant in connection with the loan application. 2. That the Applicant agrees to repay the loan as stipulated in the loan agreement. 3. That a certified copy of this resolution be included as part of the application to be submitted for a loan. 4. That persons holding the following position(s) at the time of loan execution are authorized to sign the loan agreement binding the Applicant to the terms and conditions of the loan. Phillip Warren, City Manager 5. That the Applicant agrees to make provisions for assuming proper and efficient operation and maintenance of the facilities after completion of the construction thereof. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Morency, to remove this item from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-01 by short title for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to read Resolution 2025-01 by short title for a third time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, that Resolution 2025-01 be passed. So moved, the motion passed. 3. Resolution 2025-02 FEMA Reimbursement (tabled 1/6/2025) In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five A RESOLUTION accepting and appropriating Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) storm damage reimbursement funds Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: Whereas, the City sustained substantial damage to infrastructure and other property by rain, flooding and wind damage during the storm event of December 2023; and 2 Whereas, a disaster declaration was made making funds available from FEMA; and Whereas, the City applied to FEMA for the storm damage related expenses and has been awarded $106,871.25 Now Therefore Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: That, the City Council accepts the reimbursement funds and appropriates $106,871.25 to be placed in Public Works Miscellaneous Revenue, Account 01-000-362604-0000 This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage. Councilor Higbee moved, with a second by Councilor Grenier, to remove this item from the table. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Higbee moved, with a second by Councilor Grenier, to read Resolution 2025-02 by short title for a second time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Higbee moved, with a second by Councilor Grenier, to read Resolution 2025-02 by short title for a third time. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Higbee moved, with a second by Councilor Grenier, that Resolution 2025-02 be passed. So moved, the motion passed. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Manager’s Report 1. Attached is the December 2024 Real Estate Transfer Report. 2. The fiber optic interconnect project is being completed at present. It is expected to take a few weeks to complete. 3. It is our plan to attempt to resurface the existing tennis courts to use them for pickleball. We will do this from existing budgets. The plan is to attempt to complete this project in the late spring. 4. Planning for the Kent Street repair was done last week. Working with the Water Works we will repair the existing drain lines and sewer lines in the road. Once complete the street will be paved curb to curb and a small section of sidewalk will be replaced. City Manager Warren also advised that they are working with North Country Council to have an updated road surface management plan for the budget discussions. Councilor Korzen asked if the road management plan is paid for by a grant, and Mr. Warren noted that the first plan was paid for with money from the State of NH, however there will be a small fee for the updated plan, which will be paid for out of professional services. Councilor Morency asked if we will go out to bid or do the work in-house for the pickleball courts. Mr. Warren advised they plan to do the work in-house, both the paving and striping. Councilor Grenier moved, with a second by Councilor Valerino, to accept the City Manager’s report as presented and place it on file. So moved the motion carried. 2. Mayor’s Report Mayor Cone advised that the letter from Mr. Rosenberg at BEMS was received and forwarded to the Council, however the City is moving forward with the Fire Department taking over 911 ambulance services. 3. Public Comments There were no public comments. 4. Council Comments 3 There were no Council comments. 5. Adjournment On a motion by Councilor Higbee, seconded by Councilor Valerino, the Council voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 pm. So moved, the motion carried. A True Record, Attest: Shelli Fortin City Clerk Note: Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the Council by motion. 4