City Council

LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 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. Deputy Anders recorded the meeting. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Councilor Bolduc led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL: Deputy City Clerk Anders called the roll with the following Councilors present: Councilor Doyle, Bownes, Lipman, Baer, and Bolduc and Mayor Engler. Councilor Hamel was absent Staff members in attendance: City Manager Scott Myers and Finance Director Donna Woodaman Mayor Engler stated there are six (6) Councilors in attendance and a quorum is established ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 1. Regular, budget and non-public meeting minutes of May 11, 2015 Councilor Bolduc moved to adopt the regular, budget and non-public portions of the minutes from May 11, 2015. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously 5-0 CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR: 1. Temporary Traffic Order 2015-08, Laconia Main Street Outdoor Marketplace and a request to reduce or waive vendor fees Thursday June 4 to Sept 24. Motion made by Councilor Bolduc to approve the Laconia Main Street Outdoor Marketplace’s request for a temporary traffic order and the waive vendor fees. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 2. Temporary Traffic Order 2015-09, Laconia Farmer’s Market City Hall for June 20 to Sept 26 Motion made by Councilor Bolduc to approve the Laconia Farmer’s Market request for a temporary traffic order. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 3. Temporary Traffic Order 2015-10, Motorcycle Week 2015 Motion made by Councilor Bolduc to approve the Motorcycle Week 2015’s request for a temporary traffic order. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Dennis Bourque, owner of the property at 1182-1187 Weirs Boulevard, addressed the Council about the Zoning violations of auto-sales at 1193 Weirs Blvd, Gulbicki. D. Bourque clarified an article that was incorrect in the paper and asked for an update on the situation. Mayor Engler told D. Bourque to return in a few weeks. City Manager Myers explained the violation process. D. Bourque acknowledged Captain Canfield's support. D. Bourque again expressed his displeasure with how this situation has been handled. Charlie St Clair asked if it would be possible to get the US Business Rte. 3 signs on the next Council agenda. Councilor Baer will sponsor that for the agenda of June 8, 2015. INTERVIEWS: NONE COMMUNICATIONS: NONE PUBLIC HEARING: NONE PRESENTATIONS: NONE MAYOR’S REPORT: Pavement for the gateway roads has begun. Laconia Water Works had an open house for the new treatment plant and encouraged citizens go take a look. The Belknap Mill gave the City a replica of the bell that is atop of the Mill. The replica is part of a fundraising theme in which the Mill gives to those that have given at least $5,000. In the $20,000 given by Aavid, the City gave the Mill $5,000. There is also a plaque that is on display for the year 1855 for when Laconia was established. Mayor Engler stated that there are two Planning Board vacancies coming next month and suggested delaying interviews until June 22. CITIZEN REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS: Charlie St Clair spoke in regards to vendor hours for food vendors at Motorcycle Week. He asked for the food vendors to close later than 12:30 am. The last call is 1:00 am and some of the vendors would like to stay open until 1:00 am to get that traffic. Chief Adams is OK with that. C. St Clair also asked that the beer tents be open on Friday again. There are four beer tents approved. Chief Adams was OK with that as well. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. FINANCE: (Lipman, Hamel, Baer) (Report on meeting of May 12 re: item c) a) WOW Trail Fund b) Downtown TIF Financing c) Elderly Tax Exemption Analysis This was discussed as item #1 in New Business. 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) (No report on any item in committee; a meeting on item b is scheduled for June 1 @ 6:00 p.m.) a) Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns b) Review of Chapter 167, Noise and Chapter 161, Licensing as it pertains to outdoor sound equipment and loudspeakers Councilor Doyle requested moving item b, the noise ordinance chapter, from the June 1 to June 15 at 6:30 pm, due to a personal conflict. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 4. PUBLIC WORKS: (Bolduc, Baer, Bownes) No report on any item in Committee 5. LAND & BUILDINGS: (Hamel, Lipman ,Bolduc) a) Repair & maintenance of City Buildings No report on any item in committee LIAISON REPORTS: Councilor Bownes stated that the Zoning Task Force (ZTF) wanted clarification on what direction to go to next with the Commercial Resort uses. Mayor Engler recommended returning to that in July. Mayor Engler noted that Council would like to have that discussion first. MANAGER’S REPORT: City Manager Myers reviewed the Project Updates. City Manager Myers gave kudos to the Main Street Initiative for getting the Downtown area ready for the Holiday. He handed out the executive summary for the Winnipesaukee River Basin. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Proposed Resolution 2015-6, Tax Exemptions and Credits Councilor Lipman stated that the last update was in 2007 and felt it should be reviewed more regularly. Mayor Engler stated that according to Council Rule 27 (A) this resolution only requires one reading because it does not allocate any funds. Councilor Bolduc moved to waive the resolution reading. Councilor Baer seconded. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Councilor Lipman moved to adopt Council Resolution 2015-6, Tax Exemptions and Credits as recommended by the Finance Committee. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 2. First reading of a resolution relative to accepting donations for the Black Brook Geomorphological Study and Laconia Police Department K-9 Unit City Manager Myers explained. Any donations received that are not tied into a specific trust, should be brought to Council as consent item. And money $10,000 or less will be handled administratively. Councilor Bolduc moved to waive the reading of this resolution in its entirety and to read by title only. Councilor Baer seconded. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Councilor Bolduc moved a first reading of a resolution relative to accepting donations for the Black Brook Geomorphological Study and Laconia Police Department K-9 Unit and to schedule a public hearing won June 8, 2015 during the regular Council Meeting. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 3. First reading of a resolution relative to accepting donations from the Opechee Park Club City Manager Myers explained. The funds that were raised are to be returned to the City to build a covered picnic area. Councilor Bolduc moved to waive the reading of this resolution in its entirety and to read by title only. Councilor Baer seconded. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Councilor Bolduc moved a first reading of a resolution relative to accepting donations from the Opechee Park Club for the construction of a covered picnic pavilion at Opechee Cove and to schedule a public hearing for June 8, 2015 during the regular Council Meeting. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.  4. Request to schedule a public hearing on June 8, 2015 during the regular Council Meeting relative to proposed resolutions for donations to the City for: ● Black Brook Geomorphological Study ● Laconia Police Department K-9 Unit ● Opechee Park Picnic Pavilion at Opechee Cove Previously completed (see items 2 and 3). 5. Request to fund security cameras in the Downtown parking garage with Downtown TIF funds City Manager Myers explained. Kevin Dunleavy, Pat Wood and Charlie St Clair was present for questions. Pat Wood spoke on the request. They received some costs, but it still needs to go through the bid process for an actual amount. The money is for a system upgrade and to provide immediate access for the Police Dept. The upgrade will include digital cameras that will provide wider lens, night vision, and clearer imaging. A benefit would be to have a parking garage that will be used with less fear. Chief Adams stated the Police try to ride though the garage 3 times a shift. The Downtown TIF Advisory Board has submitted a memo for the request. Councilor Lipman moved to fund the security camera upgrade and installation for the Downtown Parking Garage in an amount not to exceed $15,000 from the Downtown TIF funds. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 6. Request to approve the sewer warrant for the first issue of 2015, to be mailed on May 27, 2015 and due on July 1, 2015 Councilor Baer moved to approve the sewer warrant for the first issue of 2015 as presented in the amount of $180,687.06. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 7. Requests for amendments to hours of operation for food vendors and beer tents for Motorcycle Week 2015 City Manager Myers submitted a memo outlining the requests. Councilor Lipman moved to extend the hours of operation for food vendors from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. for Motorcycle Week 2015. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Councilor Bolduc moved to approve beer tents that have been issued a license from the City to open beginning Friday, June 12 for Motorcycle Week 2015 with an additional licensing fee of $50 that is consistent with all other vendors opening on Friday. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Councilor Doyle stated that she received concerns from local bars about the competition with big beer tents. C. St Clair doesn't feel there is much harm. He noted there will always be grumbling in regard to Motorcycle Week. Mayor Engler called the question. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Lakeport Landing/21 Elm Street (tabled on April 13, 2015) Mayor Engler stated the City has received an offer for the property at 21 Elm Street for $331,400 from Lakeport Landing. Since the last meeting there have been two new developments. In response to the offer, the City had an appraisal done on the property, the document is available, and that notes the value of $480,000. An appraisal was done for the total parcel and building, a subdivision value and rental value. There was also another bid received in May from Irwin for $335,000. Councilor Lipman stated that neither proposal is acceptable. Councilor Baer spoke on how the Council should approach. Councilor Baer moved to negotiate with Lakeport Landing for the sale of 21 Elm Street. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Councilor Lipman couldn’t vote for that motion. He agreed with the philosophy about the City not being a business and needs to serve the people. He will make an alternate motion if the current motion fails. Councilor Bownes couldn’t vote for the motion. He understands but feels the City’s obligation is to treat everyone fair and agrees with Councilor Lipman. Mayor Engler called the question. The vote was 2-3 (For: Councilor Baer, Councilor Bolduc; Against: Councilor Doyle, Councilor Bownes, Councilor Lipman). The motion failed. Councilor Lipman moved to decline both offers. Seconded by Councilor Doyle. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Councilor Lipman moved to authorize City Manager Myers to conduct informal conversation with both parties interested in purchasing the property and laying out general conditions: what the interest is relative to the appraised value, allowing the City to have easements in terms of utilities and the roadway, allowing the current tenant to have continued use of the property for 2 years from the sale date, if the current bidder is not successful in obtaining ownership, not lowering the value of the property and restrictions on subdividing the property for parking. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Councilor Lipman would like to see this update at the next council meeting and a June 8 decision. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. 2. Milfoil Treatment Funding Request 3. WOW Trail 4. Master Plan 5. EPA Update 6. Sewer & Water Master Plan 7. Single Stream Recycling/Concord Co-Op/Solid Waste Disposal Cost Reduction 8. Strategic Planning/Goal Setting NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS: None COUNCIL COMMENTS: None NON - PUBLIC SESSION: Mayor Engler requested to enter into non-public session 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. Councilor Bownes moved to enter nonpublic session as stated. Seconded by Councilor Baer. Deputy Anders called the roll and the Council entered into non-public session with a 5-0 vote. Councilor Bolduc moved to come out of nonpublic session at 9:13 pm. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Councilor Bolduc moved to seal the nonpublic minutes for 60 day. Seconded by Henry Lipman, The motion passed unanimously 5-0. ADJOURNMENT: Councilor Bolduc moved to adjourn at 9:15 pm. Seconded by Councilor Baer. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. Respectfully Submitted: Stacy Anders Deputy City Clerk