City Council

LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 10, 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. RECORDING SECRETARY: City Clerk Mary Reynolds will be recording this meeting. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Councilor Bob Hamel led the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL: City Clerk Reynolds called the roll with the following in attendance: Councilor Ava Doyle, Councilor David Bownes, Councilor Brenda Baer, Councilor Bob Hamel and Councilor Armand Bolduc. Mayor Engler stated that five (5) members of the Council are in attendance and a quorum is established. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: City Manager Scott Myers, Finance Director Donna Woodaman PRESENTATIONS: 1. Council Proclamation Mayor Engler presented a Council Proclamation to the athletes and coaches of the Laconia High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse team for the NHIAA Division III Championship for 2015. The following athletes and coaches were honored: Coach Kerri Howe, Coach Bob Howe, Coach Tony Pederzani, Coach Dylan Martel, Team Manager Mandi Stefanik, Team Manager Cheyanne Keets. Players: Maggie Randall, Natalie Compton, Kayla Phelps, Mackenzie Howe, Gabby Smith, Hailey Martel, Meya Minor, Rachel Lowe, Alexis Johnson, Becki Kneuer, Helen Tautkus, Abby Crowell, Teegan Stevens, Lyndsey Paronto, Cheyanne Zappala, Becca Howe, Bella Smith, and Emily Avery. 2. Senator Andrew Hosmer Senator Hosmer updated the Council on his service as Senator representing the City. Topics discussed included the State budget veto and process moving forward, State aid programs, the alcohol and heroin assistance programs, potential sale of the Laconia State School property, 1 improvements at Lakes Region Community College, and the carry forwards of surplus that were inaccurately reflected in the original budget. Senator Hosmer advised the Council that the legislature will regroup in September and the hope is the have a budget at that time. Mayor Engler and the Council thanked Senator Hosmer for his presentation. ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 1. Non-public minutes of July 13, 2015 Councilor Bolduc moved to approve the non-public minutes of July 13, 2015. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Vote was 5-0 and the motion passed. 2. Regular minutes of July 27, 2015 Councilor Bolduc moved to approve the regular meeting minutes of July 27, 2015. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Vote was 5-0 and the motion passed. CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR: 1. Temporary Traffic Order 2015-14, Penny Pitou Blood Drive Councilor Bolduc moved to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2015-14, Penny Pitou Blood Drive as presented. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Vote was 5-0 and the motion passed. 2. Temporary Traffic Order 2015-15, Laconia Multicultural Festival Councilor Bolduc moved to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2015-15, Laconia Multicultural Festival as presented. Seconded by Councilor Doyle. Vote was 5-0 and the motion passed. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA: NONE INTERVIEWS: Mayor Engler advised that interviews will take place this evening and the appointments will take place at the next meeting on August 24, 2015. The following interviews were conducted. Conservation Commission: (3 regular positions available) 1. Deborah Williams - seeking reappointment as a full member of the Conservation Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 D. Williams is a teacher at Laconia Middle School and has contact with students, works for the NH Lakes Association in the summer months, and works at the boat ramps with high school students to remove milfoil from boats at the local boat ramps. Councilor Baer asked about milfoil treatments and D. Williams, with assistance from City Manager Myers, explained some projects in the works. 2  2. Michael Foote - seeking reappointment as a full member of the Conservation Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 M. Foote enjoys the Conservation Commission because it takes into account the natural resources and the conscious development around these resources. The City water supply is from Paugus Bay and it is important that the Master Plan accomplishes protecting this initiative. There has been a study of Black Brook and funds were raised to fund the study. In the future M. Foote would like to see an increase in inventory of conservation land and cohesion of large tracks of land with a development of trails that intersect sections of the City. Councilor Bownes requested an explanation of how the Conservation Commission interacts with the Planning and Zoning department. M. Foote explained that they have been looking for disconnects in the flow of water, such as requesting more rain gardens, and to identify direct discharge. Councilor Hamel asked if there are joint discussions with other communities on the lakes. M. Foote replied that with the expansion of Walmart and the Black Brook study they worked with neighboring communities and meetings happen mostly with the Town of Gilford. There is always an open door to regional input. Downtown TIF District Advisory Board (1 regular position available) 1. Robert Sawyer - seeking reappointment as a full member of the Downtown TIF District Advisory Board for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 R. Sawyer commented that this past year the TIF has been working on the Downtown Gateway project, extending the water line for the Holy Grail, connecting the Riverwalk areas to the WOW Trail to increase use and looking forward to the development of the Colonial Theatre. Moving forward the River Edge Apartments will add value and funds to the Downtown TIF funds. Being a property owner R. Sawyer has the ability to listen to the concerns of tenants and to manage property in Downtown having disposed of property outside of the City to narrow his focus. Heritage Commission (1 alternate position available) 1. Judy Smith - seeking appointment as an alternate member of the Heritage Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 J. Smith is a former Social Studies teacher in Salem, Massachusetts. During this time J. Smith witnessed the moving forward of development with the need for respect for the old. It appears that the Heritage Commission was originally and adhoc committee and moving forward she would like to work for what’s best for the historical buildings in the City. Highway Safety Commission (1 public member position available) 1. Edmund Pierce - seeking appointment as a public member of the Highway Safety Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 E. Peirce is interested in the Highway Safety Commission because he has traveled 80% if the City and having worked extensively with the City departments through his employment as a reporter for the Citizen Newspaper. E. Peirce does have a genuine concern for the streets of the City. 3 Councilor Baer asked what the Highway Safety Commissions function is. E. Pierce replied that they study the roads and ways to ensure the safe travel within the City with the heads of various City departments and to make recommendations. Councilor Bownes asked what intersections would be picked for study if he could. E. Pierce replied that the intersections of New Salem Street and Pleasant Street as well as Court Street and Fair Street. Zoning Board of Adjustment (2 regular positions and 4 alternate positions available) 1. Michael Foote - seeking reappointment as a full member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 M. Foote commented that he has enjoyed the thoughtful process that goes into the volunteers on the ZBA because it is what makes certain everyone is moving in the right direction. 2. Roland Maheu - seeking appointment as a full member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 R. Maheu has served on several boards and previously served on the ZBA until being elected to the Council in 1993. R. Maheu feels the ZBA is a very important Board in the City and enjoys working with the City. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Amending the Purpose of the Non-Capital Reserve Fund Mayor Engler opened the public hearing 8:26 p.m. at with the notice of this public hearing being made in the Tuesday, August 4, 2015 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, at City Hall, the Gale Memorial Library, the Laconia Community Center and the offices of the Laconia School District. With no members of the public choosing to speak Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 8:27 p.m. This matter will be taken up later in the agenda under Unfinished Business. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Engler wished Councilor Baer a “Happy Birthday”. Mayor Engler commented that there has been a side effect regarding a recent discussion relative to the Weirs area zoning issues, in particular the St. Helena Church property. The alarm was brought forward by an editorial letter that called for the boycotting of Mr. Morrissette’ s businesses and that is taking the matter too far; callings like this will discourage the public if there is a fear of having consequences to their businesses and it is out of line. Lastly, Mayor Engler commented that the Weirs Beach area zoning was postponed until after the budget process and he would like to have this item placed on the August 24, 2015 agenda and would like the Council to give more direction to the departments and board for the Table of Uses and the consideration of any changes to the lines of the zoning districts. It was requested that City Manager Myers forward the resolution and minutes to the Council for the original directive. 4 CITIZEN REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS: NONE 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) 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 No report on any item in committee 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: NONE MANAGER’S REPORT: City Manager Myers reviewed the Monthly Economic Development Report and the Financial and Operational Trends Report. City Manager Myers also commented on the ground breaking ceremony of the Titeflex expansion and the inclusion in the Monthly Economic Development Report. Councilor Hamel asked for an update on the surveillance camera purchase. City Manager Myers advised this will be on the August 24, 2015 agenda. Councilor Hamel also requested to have report to the Council on union grievances after they are resolved. City Manager Myers replied that he will look into this. NEW BUSINESS: NONE 5 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Second Reading of a Resolution Relative to Amending the Purpose of the Non- Capital Reserve Account Councilor Bownes moved to waive the reading of this resolution in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Vote was 5-0 and the motion passed. Councilor Bownes moved a second reading of a resolution relative to amending the purpose of the Non-Capital Reserve Account as submitted. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Vote was 5-0 and the motion passed. 2. Route 3 Business District Signage 3. Milfoil Treatment Funding Request 4. WOW Trail 5. Master Plan 6. EPA Update 7. Sewer & Water Master Plan 8. Single Stream Recycling/Concord Co-Op/Solid Waste Disposal Cost Reduction 9. Strategic Planning/Goal Setting NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilor Hamel commented that the gateway to Downtown is looking very nice. NON - PUBLIC SESSION: NONE ADJOURNMENT: Councilor Baer moved to adjourn at 8:46 p.m. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Vote was 5-0 and the motion passed. Respectfully Submitted: Mary A Reynolds City Clerk 6