City Council

Accepted as distributed. September 14, 2015 LACONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 24, 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 Reynolds will be the recording secretary for this meeting. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Councilor Armand Bolduc 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 Henry Lipman, Councilor Brenda Baer, Councilor Bob Hamel and Councilor Armand Bolduc. Mayor Engler noted that all six Councilors are in attendance and a quorum is established. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: City Manager Scott Myers, Finance Director Donna Woodaman ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 1. Regular meeting of August 10, 2015 The minutes have been distributed by the Clerk on August 14, 2015. No corrections have been offered; with no corrections offered the minutes are accepted as distributed. CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR: 1. Revised Temporary Traffic Order, 2015-07 Pumpkin Festival Mayor Engler noted that the significant change is to note the parking regulations would begin six hours earlier than previously approved. City Manager Myers noted that Beacon Street East will also be closed. Councilor Bolduc moved to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2015-07, Pumpkin Festival as revised. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. 1 Councilor Hamel noted that the City Hall parking lot appears to have a change as well. City Manager Myers replied that this parking area will be used for vendors and tents with the Parking Garage being used for businesses. Karmen Gifford, representing the Chamber of Commerce, addressed the changes with the Council. The changes were made to have less congestion with the increased projection of attendance. There was discussion regarding other aspects of the event not pertaining to the Temporary Traffic Order. Mayor Engler called the question. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA: NONE INTERVIEWS: • Heritage Commission (1 alternate position available) 1. Jane Whitehead - seeking appointment as an alternate member of the Heritage Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of March, 2018 J. Whitehead was interviewed. As a new full time resident J. Whitehead is an archeologist and was a teacher in Georgia and older things are important to the preservation and character of our community. • Library Board of Trustees (2 alternate positions available) 1. Susan Hayes - seeking appointment as an alternate member of the Library Board of Trustees for a 3-year term expiring at the end of March, 2018 Not in attendance. 2. Josh Peltonovich - seeking appointment as an alternate member of the Library Board of Trustees for a 3-year term expiring at the end of March, 2018 Not in attendance. • Personnel Advisory Board (2 regular positions available) 1. Joan Leroux - seeking appointment as a full member of the Personnel Advisory Board for a 3-year term expiring at the end of October, 2018 J. Leroux was intereviewed. J Leroux is employed at Bank of New Hampshire and has been a resident for 32 years. She works closely with a staff at her employer and she feels this will be beneficial to her. A description of the Personnel Advisory Board was given for the Council. • Conservation Commission: (3 regular positions available) 1. Josh Peltonovich - seeking appointment as a full member of the Conservation Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018 Not in attendance. 2 • Weirs TIF District Advisory Board: (3 regular positions available) 1. Joseph H. Driscoll, III - seeking appointment as a full member of the Weirs TIF District Advisory Board for a 2-year term expiring at the end of June, 2017 J. Driscoll was interviewed. J. Driscoll commented that he stepped forward after waiting for fellow business owners and residents in the Weirs to come forward. The TIF Districts are beneficial to the City and J. Driscoll would like to be there for that. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE PUBLIC HEARING: NONE PRESENTATIONS: 1. Front Porch Awards Mayor Engler explained the background of the Front Porch Awards and asked residents to bring forward other nominees to the City Manager’s Office so those that go above and award can be thanked. Awards were presented to Bull Fish Investment (101 Messer Street), South Down Shores Condominium Association for landscaping, Joshua Youssef (42 Gilford Avenue), Daniel Ingram and Carlie Brigham (968 Main Street). MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Engler noted that this weekend is the Reimagine Laconia (#reimaginelaconia) event that will be taking place on both days at the Belknap Mill. It is requested that if possible to preregister by calling them at 527-1264 or visiting the webpage www.reimaginelaconia.org. On Saturday the design plans will be presented at the Grace Capital Church, all based on input and expertise. Mayor Engler commented that sometimes you don’t know what you have until its gone and the loss of the Pumpkin Festival from the City of Keene is a gain for the City and in turn, Mayor Engler does not want the City to be in the same situation in regard to Motorcycle Week. Mayor Engler continued discussion regarding the potential future of the event and the loss of members of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. Mayor Engler encouraged the community to work together and build this event back to its full potential. CITIZEN REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS: Charlie St Clair commented on the zoning discussion and requested that the area be left as is and the area remains Commercial Resort. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. FINANCE: (Lipman, Hamel, Baer) a) WOW Trail Fund b) Downtown TIF Financing 3  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 Councilor Doyle requested to schedule a meeting regarding item b for September 14 at 6:00 p.m. With no objections this meeting was scheduled. 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 Hamel updated the Council on the Joint Building Committee for the Laconia High School project. The Joint Building Committee has been dissolved and the project is considered complete. Councilor Hamel reviewed the items completed with this project. MANAGER’S REPORT: City Manager Myers reviewed the Project Updates. City Manager Myers applauded all City Departments for a major rain event that received response from many departments and everyone stepped up to offer assistance to the businesses and residents. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Request for Council approval for sale of a tax deeded property as a unique property Councilor Bownes moved the sale of a tax deeded property located at 200 Hilliard Rd, Unit 8 (Map 175, Block 107, Lot 4/001) as a unique property and to make a sale to the owners of the Singing Cove Campground for the amount of $5,059. Seconded by Councilor Doyle. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. 2. Discussion regarding Weirs Zoning Mayor Engler provided background on this item up to this time. Changes to the City Zoning can only happen by a vote of the Council. The objective this evening is to pass on more specific 4 directions to the Planning and/or Zoning Board to bring forward a proposal that would be beneficial to the entire Weirs area. Council discussion followed regarding the opinions to change the Table of Uses rather than the zoning in the noted area, the number of sexually oriented businesses in the zones, notifying the residents and businesses of the prospect of change in addition to the public hearing held at the Planning Board level, keeping tourism and its effect it has on the economy in mind, and healthy development over the long term. Mayor Engler noted that one item that came out of the EPA Consultant Report was questions regarding the land being Commercial Resort and now is the time to stop and take a look at what the City regulations are doing to the development of that area. The Endicott Street North area has several tracts of land that can be developed. In particular there is one concern that right now all this land is zoned for commercial and residential purposes and the momentum is residential at this time therefore all of this land could be developed into housing and the City needs to stop and think about if this is acceptable. It was cautioned that if the Council would like to hold an additional hearing on this it may need to consider having it before the summer residents leave for the winter and possibly having more than one option for attendance. Mayor Engler suggested to start an outreach program to key land holders in the zones, as well as the other property owners, to ensure everyone’s opinion is heard. There was consensus of the Council to do so at the September 28 meeting and to invite the Weirs Action Committee to be involved. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Downtown TIF Surveillance Cameras City manager Myers noted that the TIF Advisory Board met last week and referred comment to Patrick Wood as Chair of the Downtown TIF Advisory Board. P. Wood reported that they met with Captain Clary last week and the bid has been received for the parking garage and awarded. At the meeting it was decided that a walkthrough of the area was needed to determine how many cameras are needed and where they will be located, as well as a monitoring and communication system that is needed. There may even be an expansion of the contract with the parking garage bid. The demonstration was done with one camera and the visual effect was great. Specific information should be available by the second meeting in September. Councilor Lipman asked if there would be support of the purchase of three cameras. P. Wood replied that the number of cameras is uncertain at this time and more research is needed but they are in support of the overall project. Councilor Hamel stated that he feels the placement is the responsibility of the Police Department and the TIF Advisory Board should not be making that decision. P. Wood agreed and in discussions with Capt. Clary it was decided they need to look into this more. Councilor Hamel advised that a starting point is needed for this process. P. Wood commented that the TIF Advisory Board would like more information. This did not come to the Advisory Board initially and they are responding as best they can with the information given. 5 Councilor Lipman asked if taking action to purchase two cameras this evening would be perceived as being disrespectful to the members of the Advisory Board. P. Wood replied that it would not. Councilor Hamel moved, with all due respect to the TIF Advisory Board, to purchase three cameras and use funds from the Downtown TIF for an amount not to exceed $13,500. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Councilor Bownes commented that he does not see how waiting for a few weeks to have the opinion from the Advisory Board is an issue. Councilor Lipman commented that there has been enough evidence that there are problems in the Downtown area and this has been ongoing for six months at this time. Councilor Bolduc agreed. Councilor Bownes agreed with the needs that are being addressed but he feels the TIF Advisory Board has a purpose and by acting on it without their input is premature. It can’t be said that waiting two weeks is going to cause public safety issues. Councilor Doyle stated that her understanding that the Advisory Board just doesn’t think the purchasing is not needed but more of a matter of logistics which is outside of their scope. If this saves one piece of property form being vandalized it is worth it. Councilor Hamel agreed. Mayor Engler called the question. Vote was 5-1 and the motion passed (for: Councilor Doyle, Councilor Lipman, Councilor Baer, Councilor Hamel and Councilor Bolduc; opposed: Councilor Bownes) 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: • 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 Councilor Baer moved to reappoint Deborah Williams as a full member of the Conservation Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. 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 6 Councilor Baer moved to reappoint Michael Foote as a full member of the Conservation Commission for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 20148. Seconded by Councilor Bolduc. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. • 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 Councilor Baer moved to reappoint Robert Sawyer as a full member of the Downtown TIF District Advisory Board for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. • 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 March, 2018 Councilor Baer moved to appoint Edmund Pierce as a public member of the Highway Safety Commission Bolduc. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. • 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 Councilor Bolduc moved to reappoint Michael Foote as a full member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018. Seconded by Councilor Baer. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. 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 Councilor Bolduc moved to appoint Roland Maheu as a full member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a 3-year term expiring at the end of August, 2018. Seconded by Councilor Baer. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilor Hamel stated that there have been several charity motorcycle runs and he reviewed some of them. These rides are funding research for cancer or other illnesses. Councilor Bownes commented that during the rain event Dutile Oil on Messer Street was severely impacted. Public Works Director Paul Moynihan has reviewed the area and it was requested to be placed on the Capital Improvements Plan for this year. Councilor Baer noted that she read in the paper this week the Town of Meredith voted to not begin to charge vendor fees in the community for Motorcycle Week. The competition for the event was briefly discussed. Councilor Lipman commented that there has been some correspondence regarding the decision not to change the Elderly Exemption. This was done by committee and was brought to the Council; the concern was heard and the policy change is to review this again every two years. The concern is taken seriously and this issue was analyzed fully. 7 NON - PUBLIC SESSION: NONE ADJOURNMENT: Councilor Bolduc moved to adjourn at 9:18 p.m. Seconded by Councilor Hamel. Vote was 6-0 and the motion passed. Respectfully Submitted, Mary A Reynolds City Clerk 8