City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING MINUTES Monday, June 6, 2016 - 7:00 PM City Hall - Conference Room 200A CALL TO ORDER Mayor Engler called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG City Clerk Mary Reynolds RECORDING SECRETARY ATTENDANCE The following Councilors were in attendance: Ava Doyle, David Bownes, Brenda Baer, Robert Hamel and Armand Bolduc. Mayor Engler noted that five (5) Councilors are in attendance and a quorum is established. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE City Manager Scott Myers, Finance Director Donna Woodaman DEPARTMENT PRESENTATIONS (1) Parks and Recreation/Facilities Director Kevin Dunleavy reviewed the proposed budgets for Recreation & Facilities, City Hall Maintenance, Community Center Maintenance, and Police Station Maintenance. Over the last several years the Recreation & Facilities staff has been given the responsibility of maintaining additional parks and green-space. The proposed budget includes an increase to the Salary line to accommodate an additional staff member to assist with the maintenance of these facilities. With this proposal the Temporary Staff line has been reduced. There was discussion regarding the savings in utilities the City has been experiencing and the use of the boiler at the Police Department to reduce humidity in the building. Director Dunleavy discussed that the Parks & Recreation/Facilites staff are working hard to maintain the facilities in the City to a level that is acceptable to the City with the eye pleasing appearance that is expected. The addition of staff would assist the department keep the Council Goals & Objectives in line with the appearance of the City. City Manager Myers added that Director Dunleavy shared a list of what needed to be done in preparation for Memorial Day throughout the City and offered to share this with the Council.  Director Dunleavy added that the upkeep and maintenance of the facilities are important to the economic development of the City; there are many different organizations bringing sporting events to the City with championship events, tournaments and other events. These visitors are going to frequent the businesses, lodging and shops in the City. Regarding Capital Outlay, Director Dunleavy reviewed the five (5) items requested: Leavitt Park Tennis Court Reconstruction, Playground Revitalization, Memorial Park Softball Field Bleachers, Bond Beach Sewage Disposal System and Beach Facilities Drainage Improvement. The requests from the Internal Service Fund was also discussed for vehicles and equipment. Councilor Hamel thanked Director Dunleavy and his staff for the great job they do. (2) Police Department Chief Chris Adams was joined by Captain Matt Canfield, PET Officer Eric Adams, and Police Commissioners Thomas Tarr and Douglas Whittum. Chief Adams reviewed the 2016/2017 budget proposal and department statistics. PET Officer Adams reviewed the Prevention Enforcement and Training (PET) program. with PET Officer Adams presentation there was discussion regarding the characteristic information of those utilizing the services provided as well as the surrounding communities that PET Officer Adams assists. It was noted that the Governor's Advisor on Addiction and Behavioral Health, James Vara, is working with PET Officer Adams to create a model for the State of NH similar to the model used in the City. The model has been presented to many other law enforcement organizations in the State at this time. Chief Adams reviewed how the Police Department is working to keep the City Council Goal and Objectives involved in the daily operations of the department by concentrating on forming partnerships with community stakeholders, dealing with the homeless population, working with the youth of the community, and dealing with the drug crisis. There was discussion regarding the impact the Belknap House may have on the community and this will be discussed at a later meeting. (3) Fire Department Chief Ken Erickson was joined by Assistant Chief Kirk Biettie. Chief Erickson reviewed the proposed budget and prepared presentation with the Council that included statistical information of the Fire Department, including Emergency Medical Services. Salary and overtime expenses were discussed and it was requested to have a budget to actual report for the Council before the end of the month. Finance Director Woodaman will get that to the Council for the eleven months of the fiscal year that have been closed.  Councilor Hamel asked if the increase in staff has shown a reduction in overtime. Chief Erickson explained the shift staffing to the Council. City Manager Myers noted that the proposed budget does not include any additional, one time contributions to the budget so this is a solid budget proposal and the City Manager is pleased with this. Mayor Engler asked how much of the reserve fund is being used in FY 2017. City Manager Myers replied that is hasn't been used and the $145,000 that has been placed in the account over the last two (2) years is still in place. City Manager Myers noted many other positive aspects to the Fire Department, including a reduction in injuries and increase in community support and interaction. There was discussion on the reductions from the prior year to the current proposed. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Engler adjourned the meeting at 9:38 p.m. Accepted as distributed at the meeting of June 13, 2016