City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL Monday, July 25, 2016 - 7:00 PM City Hall - Conference Room 200A CALL TO ORDER Mayor Engler called the meeting to order at the above date and time. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Henry Lipman led the Salute to the Flag. RECORDING SECRETARY City Clerk Mary Reynolds ROLL CALL City Clerk Reynolds called the roll with the following Councilors in attendance: Ava Doyle, David Bownes, Henry Lipman, Brenda Baer, Robert Hamel and Armand Bolduc. Mayor Engler stated that all six (6) Councilors are in attendance and a quorum us established. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE City Manager Scott Myers, Finance Director Donna Woodaman COUNCIL PROCLAMATION (1) Laconia High School Girls Lacrosse Champions Mayor Engler delivered a proclamation to the Laconia High School Girls Lacrosse team in recognition of being the 2016 Divsion III State Champions. Each member of the team was presented with a certificate of recognition. Team members included the following: Mackenzie Howe Natalie Compton Meya Minor Gabrielle Smith Hailey Martel Rachel Lowe Becki Kneuer Helen Tautkus Abigail Crowell Teegan Stevens Cheyanne Zappala Lyndsey Paronto Rebecca Howe Emily Avery Devon Mello Tieana Florence Skyler Tautkus  Sydney Stevens Kaitlyn Brooks Hannah Dow Solary Chhun The team was coached by Head Coaches Kerri and Robert Howe, Assistant Coaches Tony Pederzanni and Dylan Martel, and managed by Amanda Stefanik. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS (1) Regular meeting minutes of July 11, 2016 Minutes of the regular meeting were distributed to the Council on July 15, 2016. No corrections were received. With no further corrections to the minutes they were accepted as distributed. CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR (1) Temporary Traffic Order 2016-10, Penny Pitou Blood Drive Motion to approve the request as submitted made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Doyle; the motion passed with all in favor. (2) Request to set the polling hours for the State Primary Election to be held on September 13, 2016 and the State General Election to be held on November 8, 2016 Motion to set the polling hours for the State Primary Election on September 13, 2016 and the State General Election on November 8, 2016 as 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Doyle; the motion passed with all in favor. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA INTERVIEWS COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC HEARING PRESENTATIONS MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Engler noted that he was in attendance for the post-Motorcycle Week meeting, which was very favorable in nature regarding the event itself but there were concerns about the quality of the sound coming from the microphones at the table. It was encouraged that users please speak with the microphones close to them. It was advised that at the August 8, 2016 meeting there will be amendments to the Zoning Code regarding the Commercial Resort Zone (CRZ) as was directed by the Council after a series of public input sessions held during Council meetings in the Spring. Mayor Engler stated that the proposal coming forward will be a starting point for a more detailed conversation among the Council, Planning Board and the Zoning Task Force. COMMITTEE REPORTS *Not all items in this section may be acted on. Reports and updates will be made when necessary. (1) FINANCE (a) Downtown TIF Financing (b) WOW Trail Funding (2) PUBLIC SAFETY (a) Fair St/Court St traffic problems and accidents (3) GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS and ORDINANCES (a) Review of Chapter 167, Noise and Chapter 161, Licensing as it pertains to outdoor sound equipment and loudspeakers (b) Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns (c) Procedural review of grant applications (d) Requests for "No Parking" zones to be established on three public streets: Centenary Avenue, Haven Avenue and Moulton Street Councilor Doyle requested to schedule a meeting for August 8, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss this topic. With no objections the meeting was scheduled. (4) LANDS and BUILDINGS (a) Downtown parking garage (b) Repair & maintenance of City Buildings LIASON REPORT Councilor Bownes requested the Council review the recap of the Master Plan in the City Manager's Report this evening. CITIZEN REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS MANAGER'S REPORT (1) Project Updates Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. (2) FY 2016 Recycling Report - Comparative Cost of MSW Collection City Manager Myers reviewed the report.  A discussion followed about how to reduce solid waste tonnage and enforce the ordinance for mandatory recycling. (3) NHMA State Aid to Municipalities Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. Discussion followed on some streets that needed attention and it was advised that a report will be forthcoming to the Council. (4) Other Information City Manager Myers advised that the Motorcycle Week fund will settle in the good approximately $3,000. The Council was advised that Ed Balboni has been reappointed to the Board of Assessors as an alternate; he was a full member in the past and being an alternate is more conducive to his summer/winter schedule. It was announced that Wesley "Wes" Anderson will begin with the City as the Director of Public Works on August 15, 2016. NEW BUSINESS (1) First Reading of Resolution 2016-20 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend grants on behalf of the City from the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in conjunction with the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department. The total amount of the grant is $15,714 with the City’s share being $14,550. The grant does not require a municipal or county match and is earmarked for the purchase of police firearms; and a request to schedule a public hearing on August 8, 2016 during the regular Council meeting relative to acceptance of this grant (attached) Chief Chris Adams reviewed the grant purpose with the Council. Each front line officer would have access to the weapons purchased with this grant. A discussion followed regarding the need for the weapons. Motion to waive the reading of resolution 2016-20 in its entirety and to read by title only made by Councilor Baer and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. A first reading resolution 2016-20 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend grants on behalf of the City from the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in conjunction with the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department. The total amount of the grant is $15,714 with the City’s share being $14,550. The grant does not require a municipal or county match and is earmarked for the purchase of police firearms; and a request to schedule a public hearing on August 8, 2016 during the regular Council meeting relative to acceptance of this grant made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Baer; the motion passed with all in favor. (2) Transfer Request from the Impact Fees - Roads to DPW Street Repairs in the amount  of $16,000 Motion to approve the transfer of $16,000 from account 50-301-001-0005, Impact Fees – Roads, to account 01-497-500-0013, DPW Street Repairs made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Doyle ; the motion passed with all in favor. (3) Project funding from the Non-Capital Reserve Account for FY 2017 Mayor Engler advised that the items proposed have been discussed by the Council at a prior meeting. The total request is for $118,000 from the Non-Capital Reserve Account. Motion to fund from the Non-Capital Reserve Account the following items: Memorial Park bleachers an amount not to exceed $15,000 LHS window repairs an amount not to exceed $10,000, provided the work is completed at the previously agreed to bid. Leavitt Park Tennis Courts an amount not to exceed $78,000 Playground Revitalization an amount not to exceed $15,000 Made by Councilor Doyle and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Lipman asked if the tennis courts could be done before the end of the season. City Manager Myers advised it should be done in the fall. (4) Request to schedule a public hearing on August 8, 2016 regarding a Community Development Block Grant Project to report on the progress of the Granite State Children's Alliance's Child Advocacy Center Planning Study for 95 Water Street Motion to schedule a public hearing on August 8, 2016 during the regularly scheduled Council Meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m., regarding a Community Development Block Grant Project to report on the progress of the Granite State Children's Alliance's Child Advocacy Center Planning Study for 95 Water Street made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. (5) Final Encumbered Balances (carry-forwards) for FY 2016 Motion to approve the encumbered balances as presented made by Councilor Doyle and seconded by Councilor Bownes; the motion passed with all in favor. Discussion followed regarding the Winter Maintenance carry-forward to be used for road construction and repair, as well as sidewalk repairs and the Internal Service Fund. (6) Review of the Parking Committee makeup Mayor Engler reviewed that the Parking Committee was established in 2012 to take a comprehensive look at the parking issues in Downtown. The committee met once and made a recommendation to the Council; with the recent discussions of the parking garage it is necessary to begin discussions of Downtown parking again. The original members of the Parking Committee included Brenda Baer (City Council), Andy Patterson (Laconia Clinic), Robert Sawyer (Downtown property owner), Chris Santaniello (LRCS), John Moriarty (Downtown property owner), Shanna Saunders & Scott Myers (City Staff). It was discussed that this was a branch off of the discussion regarding the current parking garage, the need or lack of need for a new garage in the municipal parking lot on Beacon Street East, and the need to make sure that no additional parking spaces are taken from Downtown. It was encouraged that a discussion be held before there is a quantified analysis done with a professional, and the discussion to include a member of the Police Department, Public Works and Downtown merchants/property owners. Concerns were brought up regarding this becoming the same discussion as was had before and it may not be effective. Motion to charge for the City of Laconia Parking Committee with the following: 1. To study short (1-2 years), medium (3-6 years) and long term (7-10 years) public parking needs of the downtown area and report back to the City Council with recommendations on how to meet any identified needs. 2. Recommendations should include the topics of paid vs. free public parking, and time limits, if any, on some or all public parking spaces, as well as traffic patterns. Made by Councilor Hamel and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS (1) Lisa Morin - Seeking reappointment to a regular position on the Conservation Commission for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 (One regular position available for reappointment and one vacant position) Motion to to reappoint Lisa Morin to a regular position on the Conservation Commission for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 made by Councilor Hamel and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. (2) Orry Gibbs - Seeking reappointment to a regular position on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 (1 regular position available for reappointment and 4 vacant alternate positions)  Motion to reappoint Orry Gibbs to a regular position on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Doyle; the motion passed with all in favor. (3) Breanna Henderson - Seeking appointment to a regular position on the Downtown TIF Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 (2 positions available for reappointment) Motion to reappointment Breanna Henderson as a regular member of the Downtown TIF Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Doyle; the motion passed with all in favor. (4) Charlie St. Clair - Seeking reappointment to a regular position on the Downtown TIF Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 (two positions available for reappointment) Motion to reappoint Charlie St. Clair to a regular position on the Downtown TIF Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2019 made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Doyle the motion passed with all in favor. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Bownes asked if anyone is going to be doing the trim work for the oak on Union Avenue. It was discussed that the tree is privately owned and the property owner is responsible. City Manager Myers offered to get a status update. Councilor Lipman noted that the current budget is the 12th Tax Cap compliant budget this Council has passed and he thanked City staff for the assistance in making it possible. It was also noted that creative thinking will be needed for the upcoming budget cycle. NON-PUBLIC SESSION According to RSA 91-A:3, II (a) The dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee, or the investigation of any charges against him, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted. (b) The hiring of any person as a public employee. (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the body or agency itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. (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. (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the body or agency or any subdivision thereof, or against any member thereof because of his membership in such body or agency, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. (i) Consideration of matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of emergency functions including training to carry out such functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  (1) Ordinance amendment relative to Chapter 167, Noise and Chapter 161, Licensing as it pertains to outdoor sound equipment and loudspeakers (tabled at the meeting of 9/28/15) (2) Second reading of a resolution relative to the adoption of RSA 31:95-b, Appropriation of funds made available during the year (tabled at the meeting of 11/23/15 pending the outcome of legal matters) (3) Master Plan (4) Milfoil Treatment Funding Request (5) Sewer & Water Master Plan (6) Single Stream Recycling/Concord Co-op/Solid Waste Disposal Cost Reduction (7) Strategic Planning/Goal Setting (8) WOW Trail ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Baer and seconded by Councilor Bolduc at 9:14 p.m.; the motion passed with all in favor. Respectfully Submitted Mary A Reynolds City Clerk These minutes were accepted by the Council at there meeting of August 8, 2016