City Council

CITY OF BERLIN New Hampshire Minutes of Council Budget Session of 4/14/2024 Council Chambers 6:30 pm Members: Mayor Cone Councilor Valerino Councilor Grenier Councilor Morency Councilor Korzen Councilor Higbee Councilor Berthiaume Police Commissioners: Marc Tremblay Pierre Morin City Staff: City Manager Phillip Warren, Jr Holly Larsen, Finance Director James Watkins, Fire Chief Daniel Buteau, Police Chief Nathan Roy, Deputy Chief Lt. Zach Howry Holly Walters, PD Administrative Assistant Jennifer Cloutier, Police Department Dispatch Supervisor Public: Jeff Lemoine Lisa Connell, Berlin Daily Sun Mayor Cone called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. 1. FY2025 Budget – Safety Division a. Fire/EMS Chief Watkins advised that the bottom line is currently down, however they have not yet ratified the contract with Local 1088. Dues and Memberships has increased, as they would like to opt in to subscriptions with the Northern NH Hazmat Team and Airgas for oxygen for the ambulances. This would also include a CAD for dispatch to send calls directly to them. Chief Watkins advised the only item in the Capital Improvement plan is the lease payment for the ladder truck. Chief Watkins provided an overview of how EMS is going, noting that they took over service on April 1. They have responded to several calls, and have covered all of the calls themselves, not having to use mutual aid despite sometimes having more than one call at a time. They did have to call one general alarm for additional personnel. Watkins reported that 87% of the calls have resulted in transports to the hospital. Chief Watkins advised they did have one new employee start today. They now have 3 paramedics, 1 Advanced EMT, and 19 EMTs. Chief Watkins stated that he taught an Advanced EMT class three weeks ago, and hopes to have six more Advanced EMTs within the month. Councilor Berthiaume asked about dispensing pain medications, and Chief Watkins advised the level of medication they can give depends on the level of their training. City Manager Warren noted that having EMS service run by the City means they now know about any issues right away and can take action, as they did not have that ability in the past. Mr. Warren noted that he is impressed with how successful the first two weeks has been and commended Chief Watkins for his hard work. Councilor Korzen asked about general alarms for additional staff and if this is worked into the budget. Chief Watkins advised it is part of the overtime budget. The benefit of a general alarm is in the way the contract is written. A general alarm is paid hourly, whereas a call-in is a four-hour minimum. Chief Watkins advised that the administrative assistant is keeping track of the number of call-ins and general alarms and the cost. City Manager Warren advised they are working on a spreadsheet, which beginning July 1, they will share with the Council as to what has been billed and collected for EMS services. Transfers have been handled by the new EMS company and by Milan and Dummer ambulance. Councilor Morency thanked Chief Watkins for holding the line on the budget. When asked about the possible increase with the union contract, City Manager Warren advised that they are scheduled to meet this week, but he cannot comment on the negotiations. Councilor Grenier noted that he has been an advocate of the change in EMS for years. Councilor Grenier noted that BEMS served the City well for years, however this change will save the City money in the long run. Councilor Grenier suggested that the City’s EMS services may become a regional service in the future. Councilor Grenier asked when the new vehicle would have signage added, and Chief Watkins advised he is working on it. Councilor Morency asked if the department would be applying for the SAFER grant again, and Chief Watkins advised they will if it opens up. City Manager Warren advised it would be unanticipated revenue in the budget if they did apply and receive it. Councilor Korzen asked about health insurance. City Manager Warren advised that NHIT has advised they City they will not renew the contract on July 1. Mr. Warren advised he is in the process of finding another insurance carrier, and does not know what the increase will be. Councilor Korzen asked about current legislation concerning billing for ambulatory care, and Chief Watkins advised that he is the President of the Association of Fire Chiefs, and they are monitoring it. Councilor Berthiaume asked if Chief Watkins intends to hire part-time EMT’s, who are not certified as firefighters, and Chief Watkins advised he does not. However, they have had discussions about this with the union. b. Police Department Chief Buteau gave an overview of the budget, advising that there were some changes to line items in the budget over the last couple of years, that they are preparing for inflation, and that they continue to apply for grants for equipment and enforcement. Chief Buteau noted that they have faced the employee shortage head-on and they are currently fully staffed, which is partly due to changing policies to award longevity. Chief Buteau noted that the department has made extraordinary efforts to connect with the community, which is vital to the effectiveness of the police department. Chief Buteau noted that 2023 and 2024 were some of the lowest crime rates they have seen, and that although the City is facing some tough times, the future looks bright. Chief Buteau noted that the operating budget shows a 2.8% increase, however this does not represent any raises and they are currently in negotiations. With the insurance cost, it would be a 5.3% increase. Chief Buteau noted that their Capital Improvements were cut by $200,000 in the current budget, and the proposed budget has been cut by the City Manager by $285,000. Chief Buteau requested a reinstatement of $130,000 in the Capital Improvement Plan. Councilor Grenier noted that all management is now in one line item in the budget, and stated that he believes this is a disservice to taxpayers, and should be broken down by position. Councilor Berthiaume asked why these were clumped together in one line item, and Chief Buteau advised it was to be more efficient. City Manager Warren noted that it was done to streamline the process, however stated that if the Council would like it broken out, they will do that. Councilor Grenier noted that it made better sense, and Mayor Cone stated it provided better transparency. Councilor Korzen noted that it is hard to compare fiscal years when items are moved to different lines in the budget, and the consistency would make more sense. Councilor Valerino asked about the ballistic protection line, which Chief Buteau advised is for personal vests, as well as shields for the Emergency Response Team. When asked if they are still participating in the Justice Department grant program, Chief Buteau advised they are, which covers 50% of the cost. Deputy Chief Roy advised the ballistic vests cost over $1,000 each, and it was noted they have a shelf life of 5 years. When asked about crossing guards, Chief Buteau noted that they are listed under unsworn staff in the budget, and they currently have three. One was out due to a family matter, and they did have fill-ins. Councilor Grenier noted that with having to make up almost $3 million in the budget, no department will be unscathed, and that what is asked for may not be what you get. Councilor Grenier stated that they will support the City Manager’s recommendations. Councilor Grenier noted that the Police Department will need to look long and hard at the budget to reduce what they are asking for. Chief Buteau noted that Mayor Cone did attend a recent Police Commission meeting, and they will be discussing it. Councilor Berthiaume asked about the protocol on stray dogs. Deputy Chief Roy noted that they will transport dogs to the Conway Humane Society if the owner is not found. The police department has a contract with the humane society. Councilor Berthiaume asked about the increase to the Animal Control line, and Chief Buteau advised that this also covers their K9 expenses, which has been a great program. Councilor Berthiaume asked about the grants listed in the budget, and why some are lower than what was projected. Chief Buteau explained that they are added when applied for, however they do not receive some, or do not receive the full amount. Holly Larsen explained that these grants must be spent before they are reimbursed, so sometimes it is timing issue with the report, and the reimbursement has not yet been received. Councilor Valerino asked about the OHRV grants, and Chief Buteau advised that they use the funds to the best of their ability, and that complaints and accidents have declined over the years. Councilor Grenier asked about the Homeland Security grant for the tower and Chief Buteau advised they are still working on this. Jennifer Cloutier noted that it is not for the tower itself, but for the associated equipment. Chief Buteau stated that they have put money aside for the tower. Chief Buteau also noted that the police department has done a good job keeping up with Capital Improvements, and are hoping to continue this to avoid any spikes in the budget. Chief Buteau noted the importance of replacing cruisers, as they work hard. Councilor Berthiaume asked about the reduction in the crime rate and the number of calls for service. Chief Buteau noted that on average, they receive 20,649 calls for service per year, noting that the number was a bit higher in 2023 and 2024. Chief Buteau noted that they have been proactive, with motor vehicle citations in 2024 totaling 4,100, with an average of 2.460 per year. Average OHRV stops are 131, with 240 in 2023, and 244 in 2024. There is a correlation between the number of stops and the reduced number of complaints received about OHRV’s, which went down from 77 in 2022 to 37. Burglaries are down, from an average of 46, to 14 over the last two years. They have been working with partners on the drug problem for treatment and recovery, and have focused on youth prevention. Councilor Berthiaume noted that they used to get reports with fire and police statistics, and Jennifer Cloutier noted that they are available on the police department’s website. Councilor Morency asked if they were anticipating any extra revenue, and Chief Buteau advised that there was not an increase in the charges to Milan in several years, however they have made some changes over the last few years, increasing the cost of dispatch and police coverage due to the cost of providing the services. Chief Buteau advised that calls for service in Milan have increased, with an average of 832 per year, but over 1,000 per year for the last four years. Councilor Morency asked about the ordinances that were recently addressed that are not being enforced, including garbage and plowing. Chief Buteau advised that he has spoken with City Manager Warren on the garbage issue. Councilor Berthiaume clarified that her concern with plowing was the sidewalks being blocked in the area of the schools, and felt that it needs to be a priority to both review the ordinance and enforce it. Mr. Warren noted that he did speak with public works supervisors about the plowing issues, and they were instructed to call the police department with any complaints. Councilor Grenier noted that he was pleased to see bail reform at the state level, and thanked Representatives Morency and Valerino for their support. Councilor Grenier asked if this would impact the budget in any way, and Chief Buteau advised he would have to see if he can get numbers in a couple years on any effect on the budget. Councilor Korzen noted that transparency is important and suggested that Facebook was a good tool to keep the public up-to-date. Councilor Berthiaume asked if the police department posted the road closure for OHRV’s and Jennifer Cloutier advised that they did. Councilor Berthiaume asked if this was being enforced, and Deputy Chief Roy advised he has personally stopped two on the roads, and Chief Buteau advised that patrol is educating those that they see. Councilor Morency asked about problems with AirBNB’s and Chief Buteau advised this is hard to track, however any time that there is more transient traffic there will be issues. 2. Other There was no other business. 3. Adjourn A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Berthiaume and seconded by Councilor Higbee. So moved, the motion carried. Adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Shelli Fortin, City Clerk Minutes are unofficial until they have been accepted by the City Council by motion.