City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING MINUTES Monday, June 13, 2016 - 6:00 PM City Hall - Conference Room 200A CALL TO ORDER Mayor Engler called the hearing to order at 6:04 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG RECORDING SECRETARY City Clerk Mary Reynolds ATTENDANCE The following Councilors were in attendance: Ava Doyle, Brenda Baer, Armand Bolduc Henry Lipman joined the meeting at 6:08 p.m. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE City Manager Scott Myers, Finance Director Donna Woodaman DEPARTMENT PRESENTATIONS (1) Water Department Superintendent Seth Nuttelman reviewed the proposed budget noting that there is an approximate increase of 1.25% reflective of a decrease in water consumption. There has been a rate increase to consumption since the last budget presentation but the base rate has remained at $20.00. There are projected capital improvements in the next several years that will also contribute to increased costs. Supt. Nuttelman discussed the water quality concerns that have been in the media lately and assured the Council that the water quality has not been compromised. The Water Department has done proactive testing for lead and is working with the School Department to ensure the levels are acceptable. Additionally, PFOA has been a concern and there has been testing in the source water which resulted in two parts per trillion with an acceptable rate being 100 parts per million which equates to there being no issues with the water source. Regarding milfoil treatment, the Water Department has not been notified that there are any plans for the upcoming year to have treatment in the source water as there is concern of concentration within the intake area. A grant for leak survey has been used over the last year and has helped identify small and large leaks in the system. The department will be applying again for the upcoming year and the hope is to receive this grant again this year. Supt. Nuttelman discussed the need to align with the Council goals and the  interaction within the departments throughout the City. This is being done with the implementation of Code Pal as well as the close working relationship with the Department of Public Works for road construction coincide with water repair to ensure the work is being done efficiently. There was discussion regarding the consumption, capital improvement funding, the Lakeside Avenue project including the need to use reserve funding, bonding for projects, and the projection of reserve balance over the next several years. Supt. Nuttelman also discussed the CIP plan that totals approximately $450-650,000 per year. (2) Library Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jon Moriarty presented the proposed budget as well as statistical information from the last year and outline of the accomplishments of former Chairman Robert Selig who served for 17 years. Library Director Randy Brough was also in attendance. There was discussion about the expiration of library cards which allows for an accurate count of active users, the challenges of operations at the Library, book replacement as it compares to the lending percentage and electronic lending trends, staffing levels, security needs and the increase of cameras throughout the library to help address the needs. Mayor Engler thanked Robert Selig for his years of service. (3) Assessing City Manager Myers reviewed the proposed budget. Discussion included the use of the Pictometry program, the five (5) year revaluation process, statistical data for the tax year, the valuation of the commercial/industrial properties within the City by an outside firm and the process of interviewing as well as the hiring process for the vacant position of Assessor. Bob Hamel joined the meeting at 6:51 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Engler declared the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. The minutes of this meeting were accpted as distributed at the meeting of June 27, 2016.