City Council

LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 26, 2015 CITY HALL – CONFERENCE ROOM 200A 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Edward Engler called the meeting to order at the above date and time. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Councilor Henry Lipman led the salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL: Deputy City Clerk Anders called the roll with the following Councilors present: Councilors Doyle, Bownes, Lipman, Baer, Hamel, and Bolduc and Mayor Engler. Also, City Manager Myers and Finance Director Donna Woodaman. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 1. Regular meeting minutes of January 12, 2015 Councilor Bolduc moved to adopt the minutes from January 12, 2015. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. The motion passed unanimously. AWARDS/PROCLAMATIONS: 1. Proclamation Re: Laconia Fire Department Winnipesaukee River water rescue on December 30, 2014 Fire Chief Erickson joined Mayor Engler. Mayor Engler read the Proclamation and recognized Captain Landry, Lieutenant French and the rest of Platoon 1. 2. Proclamation Re: Laconia Fire Department Lake Winnisquam water rescue on January 11, 2015 1 Mayor Engler read the Proclamation and recognized Captain Shipp and Lieutenant Desrosiers and the rest of Platoon 3. CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR: 1. Lakes Region Sled Dog Club Request to Waive Banner Pole Fees for the 86th Annual Sled Dog Races Mayor Engler asked to move this item under New Business because there were some complicated factors for the request that may need some discussion. Mayor Engler’s request was made also due to the number of supporters for the Police Department presentation in attendance at the meeting. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Mayor Engler stated this is the when anyone present could offer comment on any item not on the agenda. Denis Lantz of 59-65 Weirs Blvd. heard that there has been discussion about four more officers for the Police Dept. Mayor Engler noted that is not the proposal to add four officers on the agenda. Lantz said it’s not the quantity of the officers, but the quality that matters. Mayor Engler asked where this comment was going and was told that it has to do with the fiscal policy of the City. The crime rate is going up and there are reasons why that no one seems to want to address. Mayor Engler noted that the issues being addressed are not under the purview of the Council but the Police Commission. Mayor Engler noted that when discussion about the budget starts in June, during the public hearing will be an appropriate time to discuss appropriations for the departments. Mr. Lantz stated that he understands. INTERVIEWS: NONE COMMUNICATIONS: NONE PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Public Hearing on proposed Resolution amending paragraph XV of the Lakeport TIF Plan regarding Board members Mayor Engler stated notice of this Public Hearing was made in Wednesday, January 14, 2015 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, at City Hall, the Laconia Community Center, the Gale Memorial Library and the Offices of the Laconia School District. He called the public hearing to order at 7:15 pm. There was no public comment. 2 Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:16 pm. 2. Public Hearing on proposed Resolution amending paragraph XV of the Weirs TIF Plan regarding Board members Mayor Engler stated notice of this Public Hearing was made in the Wednesday, January 14, 2015 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, at City Hall, the Laconia Community Center, the Gale Memorial Library and the Offices of the Laconia School District. He called the public hearing to order at 7:16 pm. There was no public comment. Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:17 pm. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Police Department PET Coordinator Update Police Chief Adams recognized Eric Adams, Detective Sargent Swett, Captain Clary and Commissioner Clement and gave the presentation. The position was for a Prevention Enforcement and Treatment Coordinator, Eric Adams. Chief Adams thanked the Council for funding this position for half a year and for consideration in funding it for a full year. This position was part of the strategy to rid street drugs. It has been four months and the outreach, relationships with treatment, health-care, courts, prevention and education that Officer Adams has done have more than impressed Chief Adams. The most important thing that has been done is the direct contact with individuals in crisis and their families and connecting them to the services needed. The overdose issue is state-wide. Laconia is one of the communities that is being proactive and thinking outside the box. Word has spread in the community that Officer Adams is a person to go to in the community to get help that is needed. Chief Adams asked the Council to fund the position going forward and introduced Officer Eric Adams. Officer Eric Adams noted that he came up with a job description and handed that to the Council. On the back is a card that he came up with that patrol officers could use to pass out to make the connection. He started on October 1, 2014 and came up with goals and training and networking. He started reaching out and found that people were looking for new energy on ways to combat the addiction issue. He wanted the focus on dealing with the people that are in the most critical spot in their life. The effort has been in education with D.A.R.E., projects, open mics and other community involvement. Prevention and effective paths toward treatment is lacking. Working on that prevention he found that young children are vulnerable to education for prevention of drug addiction. They looked at how to target those kids. Officer Adams is not a counselor but makes connections and guides the person in the right direction. He has connected with a lot of resources in the community and found that change has to come one family/person at a time. 3 Detective Sargent Swett gave a talk about what is going on as far as identifying high risk population, and the court system avenue. Laconia is in the middle of public health crisis. This straddles both physical and mental health issues not only for those dealing with the issues, but all that surround the individual. Identifying the “at risk” populations takes time because there are a series of levels to be looked at. Officer Adams noted that he and Prosecutor Jim Sawyer met and came up with a way to connect the court system and the Police Department with a supplemental bail order, similar to a probation officer, to have the client stay on the right path. On a daily basis, he will respond to any over dose and will deal with the individual after initial investigation. He will deal with anyone that is affected by the overdose as well. He discussed an example of an issue on Winter Street and how the progress went. People need one on one in the critical moments. So far, Officer Adams has a record of 9 people being helped. His perspective on the issue has changed due to this and he thanked the Council for the opportunity to help the community. Chief Adams noted the numbers for individuals helped are great for a short amount of time. Officer Adams has been to at least 80 meetings in the four months and Chief Adams is confident the success will continue if the Council will continue to fund the position. Mayor Engler asked Chief Adams where Officer Adams’ old position currently is and Chief Adams said they are looking to fill the position if the Council decides to keep Officer Adams in this position. In the budget for 2015-16 the Police Department will be asking for the full year. Councilor Baer asked about the turnover positions and Captain Clary said two replacements are already NH certified and wouldn't start at the probationary rate; this will save a little bit on the other two positions but not enough to fund the rest of the year. Councilor Lipman asked how many cases would be juggled in the future and was told it would be a case by case basis. Some families may need more than others. Officer Adams guessed 6- 12 cases at a time, depending on the needs. This is not just the addiction but prevention and identification work as well. Councilor Bolduc asked if any type of publication has been done to let those that haven’t been talked with know that there is a way to be saved and Officer Adams said he has connected with Stand Up Laconia and several other resources and they get the word out as well. Chief Adams noted that the card that was handed out is part of that concept. Officers are out there handing out the card, with Officer Adam’s name and phone number. It is spreading by word of mouth. The narcotics detectives were spoken with and are handing his card out as well. They are finding that people want help and don’t know where to turn. Councilor Lipman asked about the recovery strength resources and was told there are resource systems out there and Officer Adams is another system. Councilor Doyle thanked Officer Adams for taking on the position and to remind that the program is catching the children of addicts and helping them. Councilor Hamel also thanked Officer Adams for the effort and asked how long an individual is in treatment and was told that it is case by case. Some could be 30 days and some could be 6 4 months. Recovery is day by day and the individual will need to work on it the rest of their life. Councilor Hamel asked if the State Legislature is looking into extra funding for more programs along this line or to help the organizations that are already dealing with the issue and was told yes. Councilor Hamel asked that the Council be notified if there are any bills in this regard that the Council can support. Councilor Bownes asked how long the recovery court been a part of the process and Officer Adams said either at the end of October or the beginning of September when he sat down with the court. In Councilor Bownes’ view it seems that remarkable strides have been made in a short amount of time. Councilor Bownes loved the statement of being a resource for help and treatment rather being a resource of arrest and prosecution. Councilor Lipman noted the state has applied for a federal waiver to get about a quarter billion dollar investment over a five year period to improve integration of behavioral health, substance abuse disorders and physical health and they are giving incentives to create local integrated delivery networks to try to breakdown some of the issues that make it hard to get the efficient resources. Councilor Lipman feels Laconia is in position to compete for that money and this fits into that. Mayor Engler thanked Chief Adams and Officer Adams and noted the Council’s support in the matter. Councilor Lipman added that it costs $50,000 to fund the position and that matches the savings from the recycling program. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Engler decided to skip over the Mayor’s report and get right to the citizen requests to comment on current agenda items. CITIZEN REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Engler stated this section of the agenda is for anyone in the public to comment on any item on the agenda at any point in the agenda, including under “New Business”. Clair Persson, the Chair of Stand Up Laconia, noted it has been wonderful working with Eric Adams. Stand up Laconia started in 2011 and is a grass roots local coalition. She feels Eric Adams has brought energy and enthusiasm. The coalition’s hope is to bring those that work with substance abuse and those that suffer from substance abuse together. It is important to be educated resource people. She encouraged the public to attend Stand Up Laconia meetings. Lisa Morse, Executive Director for Lakes Region Partnership for Public Health, stated there is a lot of momentum in Laconia and she feels they are on the verge of something big. Champions are needed that are going to work hard and have passion for the issue. She feels Officer Adams 5 has that and the Laconia Police Department is all in regarding the issue. She asked Council to please support the issue and if the position is lost she feels the momentum will be also. Dick Smith and Elaine Morrison, both from Laconia, have had involvement with the River Crew and feel that the position and Officer Adams’ personality is an asset to Laconia. When someone is discharged, there seems to be a missing link for the next step. Elaine Morrison is the art part of the River Crew and they talk as they do the art and need someone to listen. This position can only be a positive impact on the community. Amy Beaudoin from Gilford, stated addicts need someone that will listen and care. They will use Officer Adams’ help as testimony. Dave Bouchard from Genesis Behavioral Health, feels that a multifaceted approach should be pursued and the passion Officer Adams exudes is part of that. Motivational change doesn’t happen overnight. A lot of people they see have both mental and substance problems and they coincide. Larry Frates, business owner in Laconia, stated he sees a lot on Canal Street. He discussed the prevention end of drug use. When he taught, the Police Department was supportive and he thinks with Officer Adams Laconia can make a difference. Together for tomorrow means more today. There were no other comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. FINANCE: (Lipman, Hamel, Baer) a) WOW Trail Fund b) Downtown TIF Financing No report on any item in committee. 2. PUBLIC SAFETY: (Baer, Doyle, Bownes) a) Fair St./Court St. traffic problems and accidents No report on any item in committee. 3. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES: (Doyle, Bolduc, Bownes) a) Energy Committee b) Vending and Licensing Fees c) Chapter. 119, Building Construction regarding signed architectural plans for residential units d) Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns 6 No report on any item in committee. 4. PUBLIC WORKS: (Bolduc, Baer, Bownes) a) Review of Department of Public Works Road Cuts Policy and Manhole Construction/Paving Procedures Councilor Bolduc would like to schedule a meeting for February 9 at 5:30 pm before the next Council meeting. 5. LAND & BUILDINGS: (Hamel, Lipman ,Bolduc) a) Repair & maintenance of City Buildings No report on any item in committee. LIAISON REPORTS: Councilor Hamel noted on January 16th the Land & Buildings committee had a meeting at the Fire Station on the construction of the new Fire Station and met with significant parties and personnel on what had been going on the last few months. There were contracts from the contractors and ordering materials. Groundbreaking has been postponed to next Tuesday, February 3rd, due to the storm. They are moving forward. The committee meets once a month, the first Friday of the month. The contractors are meeting once a week on Tuesdays at 2 pm. The first Friday of March will be the next meeting at the Fire Station. MANAGER’S REPORT: City Manager Myers passed out a document and discussed the Economic Development Report. That report will be moved to the first meeting of the month due to challenges with information from the State. The anticipated storm meeting showed all reports of snow will be light and fluffy and all emergency departments are prepared. The Governor declared a state of emergency. Trash delivery will be delayed one day, similar to holidays. City Manager Myers noted the document he handed out was a letter from Westcott Law firm representing Blizzard Inc, presenting an official offer on the Lakeport Landing parcel that has been leased from the City for the past 30 years on the corner of Elm Street and Union Avenue. The offer is to buy the land and building from the City for the assessed figure of $331,400.00. Blizzard, Inc. has also expressed an interest in purchasing the Lakeport Fire Station located at 23 Elm Street. No offer has been made for Fire Station. No action is needed, but the process moving forward would be for City Manager Myers to bring to the Council a memo on the next agenda asking to declare the parcel as surplus. The intention on the agenda for February 9 7 would be a first reading of the memo, at that meeting the Council would schedule a public hearing for the next meeting on February 23. This offer would allow others to put in an offer as well. Councilor Bownes asked if the parking situation was ever looked at and City Manager Myers said the Planning Department looked at how many parking spaces would be needed for the square footage of the building and that is based on the type of use. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Proposed Resolution amending paragraph XV of the Lakeport TIF Plan regarding Board members Motion made by Councilor Bolduc to approve Resolution 2015-1 to amend paragraph XV of the Lakeport TIF Plan regarding Board members. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Proposed Resolution amending paragraph XV of the Weirs TIF Plan regarding Board members Motion made by councilor Doyle to approve Resolution 2015-2 to amend paragraph XV of the Weirs TIF Plan regarding Board members. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Proposed Resolution - State Aid Grant Funding to Municipalities Mayor Engler noted there is a memo from the City Manager and a copy of Resolution 2015- 3 in the packets. City Manager Myers explained that the state participates in funding for certain projects and this dealt with waste water, drinking water and landfill closures and the state funded 20-30% depending on the project. There were promises for projects that have been completed, not upcoming projects. In 2008, the state cut the funding so for fiscal years 2009-2012 they did not contribute their percentage. The bill will place the appropriate dollar amounts into the fiscal year budgets for 2016-2017. Motion made by Councilor Lipman to approve Resolution 2015-3 to approve the State Aid Grant Funding to Municipalities. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. The motion passed unanimously. 4. NH Emergency Management Performance Grant Mayor Engler noted the memo from Fire Chief Erickson. It states that a State of NH energy planning grant for $100,000 must be accepted by City Council. It is a 50/50 split to set against the City’s cost for outfitting the Emergency Operations Center with a generator and some of the furniture for the Fire Station. 8  Motion made by Councilor Hamel to accept the NH Emergency Planning Grant for $100,000. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. City Manager Myers noted that this amount is not included in the budget. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Lakes Region Sled Dog Club Request to Waive Banner Pole Fees for the 86th Annual Sled Dog Races Mayor Engler stated that he had been contacted by Jim and Jen Lyman. They had been looking to put up banners as they have in the past promoting the Sled Dog Derby and were told that the cost would be $200; they had not been subject to the fee in prior years. He spoke with Planning Director Saunders and she agreed to contact the Lymans to have them submit a formal waiver for the fees. A couple of years ago the City adopted a Banner Policy stating the fees shall not be waived. Councilor Doyle asked to have them pay the fee then the City could donate that amount to the Sled Dog Race. Councilor Bownes asked if it was an Ordinance or Policy, and City Manager Myers said it is a Policy. Motion made by Councilor Bownes to suspend the part of the Policy of the banner pole application fee of $200, based on the tradition of the Laconia World Champion Sled Dog Derby’s 85 years of history. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The motion passed 4-2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Milfoil Treatment Funding Request 2. WOW Trail 3. Master Plan 4. EPA Update 5. Sewer & Water Master Plan 6. Single Stream Recycling/Concord Co-Op/Solid Waste Disposal Cost Reduction 7. Strategic Planning/Goal Setting NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilor Hamel asked when the bond for the Fire Station will go out and City Manager Myers said it might be looked at with the Main Street Bridge at the same time. Councilor Baer noted the discussion to approach the State Representatives and when the general legislature bulletin is received, she noted that they are thinking about taking funds away from revenue sharing, meals and rooms tax and other funds and FEMA maps. Also a 7 million dollar cut for Health and Human Services loss of revenue will be passed down to the local tax payer. Councilor Baer would like that kept on top of. City Manager Myers agreed. Laconia has reached out to County and Laconia Commissioners to be at the February 23rd Council meeting. 9 Councilor Lipman would like a look taken at how the current budget is projecting out. City Manager Myers said the departments have submitted their information and that will be looked at soon. As for the contracts, they do not expect a major downside. There is a strong revenue on the motor vehicles registrations. Mayor Engler noted that one of the Resolutions that was passed needed four signatures and asked for four Councilors to stay to sign that. 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. (b) The hiring of any person as a public employee. (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the body or agency itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. (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. (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the body or agency or any subdivision thereof, or against any member thereof because of his membership in such body or agency, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. (i) Consideration of matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of emergency functions including training to carry out such functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. ADJOURNMENT: Councilor Bolduc moved to adjourn at 8:56 pm. Seconded by Councilor Doyle. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Kalena Graha Acting Recording Secretary 10