City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL Monday, August 8, 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 Brenda Baer 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, Bob Hamel and Armand Bolduc. Mayor Engler noted that all six (6) Councilors are in attendance and a quorum is established. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE City Manager Scott Myers, Finance Director Donna Woodaman COUNCIL PROCLAMATION (1) Laconia High School Boys 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 recognized with a certificate of recognition. Team members included the following: Brenden Mooney Kyle Chiasson Trevor Weeks Jordan Audet Alex Cammack Tyler Mitza Nick Drouin Jacob Ellis Jacob Filgate Drew Muzzey Stephen Towers Riley Roy Parker Minor Noah Shastany Bailey Moore Riley Sykes Kaleb Bartlett  Noah McLeod Laurence Barberian Christian Platon Garrett Whitney Jakob Steele Jordan Brown Noah Dickey Cole Reid Josh Reynolds Gauge Hawkes Cole Champoux Mussab Abu-Zaid Keegan Johnson Ryan Chiasson Nick Ferruolo The team was coached by Head Coach Andrew Paronto, Assistant Coaches Steve McDonough, Jake Holmes and Rod Roy. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS (1) Regular meeting minutes of July 25, 2016 Minutes of the July 25, 2016 meeting were distributed to the Council on July 26, 2016. No corrections have been received. With no further corrections being made to the minutes they were accepted as distributed. CONSENT AND ACTION CALENDAR (1) Temporary Traffic Order 2016-11 - Laconia Multicultural Festival Motion to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2016-11, Laconia Multicultural Festival as presented made by Councilor Doyle and seconded by Councilor Bownes; the motion passed with all in favor. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA INTERVIEWS COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC HEARING (1) Public hearing regarding a Community Development Block Grant Project to report on the progress of the Grantie State Children's Alliance's Child Advocacy Center Planning Study for 95 Water Street Notice of this public hearing was made in the Wednesday, July 27, 2016 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. Mayor Engler Opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Phil Hueber, the Director of Resource Development of the Granite State Children’s Alliance’s Child Advocacy Center reviewed the mission of the Center as well as the project to date. The program they have established has streamlined the process for the victims of childhood violence and ensures the childs best interests are priority. With no members of the public wishing to speak the hearing was closed at 7:29 p.m. (2) Public hearing regarding 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 Notice of this public hearing was made in the Wednesday, July 27, 2016 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, City Hall, the Gale Memorial Library, the Laconia Community Center and the offices of the Laconia School District. Mayor Engler opened the public hearing at 7:32 p.m. With no members of the public wishing to speak the hearing was closed at 7:33 p.m. This item will be acted upon under Unfinished Business. PRESENTATIONS (1) Belknap House Leonard Campbell updated the Council on the progress of the facility as well as the finances of the facility regarding grants and fundraising. The Business Plan was offered for the Council to review if they would like. L. Campbell reviewed a series of questions submitted by the Council and attached herein. Discussion followed regarding the community relationships the Belknap House will be establishing, town of origin responsibilities, communication with the Welfare Directors in Belknap County, and the future of the facility. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Engler reported that Senator Hosmer hosted members of the Department of Administrative Services and fellow Senators for a tour of the State School property. This was done to raise the awareness and information on the property. The day before the tour the Governor and Council created a special advisory committee, consisting of eight (8) members, to study issues related to the sale of the property and to advise the DAR of what conditions need to be attached to the sale. One representative of the committee is from the City of Laconia and is to be appointed by the Mayor; Mayor Engler has chosen former Mayor Matt Lahey to this position. Mayor Engler recognized the 90th Birthday of Councilor Brenda Baer and presented Councilor Baer with a bouquet of roses. 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 advised that after review of the requests the Committee has determined that the entire area of Centenary and Haven Avenues located in the Weirs needs to be reviewed with the other streets surrounding them therefore it was tabled by the Committee until more information is reviewed. Regarding the Moulton Street request, the Committee recommends that the Council move forward with the request and to extend the "no parking" to the entrance of the conference center. City Manager Myers advised that if the Council agrees with the Committee recommendation the process will begin on the next agenda. It was requested that this action be taken. (4) LANDS and BUILDINGS (a) Downtown parking garage (b) Repair & maintenance of City Buildings LIASON REPORT CITIZEN REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS MANAGER'S REPORT (1) Financial and Operational Trends Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. (2) Monthly Economic Development Update City Manager Myers reviewed the report. There was discussion on staff changes in the Planning Department and the effect it may be having on the Economic Development. City Manager Myers advised that the Planning Department is working very well with approving projects. (3) Other Items There was discussion about the Motorcycle Week account and a request to have an accounting of expenditures for the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS (1) Request to approve the application for the Hazard Mitigation Plan grant application with a City share of $2,500 City Manager Myers reviewed the request and advised that this is only permission to apply as required by the application and that the Council will be asked to accept the funding should the grant be awarded. Motion to approve the Hazard Mitigation Plan grant application as presented and acknowledge the in-kind contribution of the City share totaling $2,500 made by Councilor Bolduc and seconded by Councilor Baer; the motion passed with all in favor. (2) First reading of Resolution 2016-21 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept the donation of two Soofa benches (solar powered park benches) with a value of $5,200 and to schedule a public hearing on August 22, 2016 during the regular Council meeting City Manager Myers reviewed the donation information and recognized Bree Henderson for her contribution of time and efforts to make this happen for the City which resulted in a second bench being donated by the company that manufactures them. Motion to waive the reading of resolution 2016-21 in its entirety and read by title only made by Councilor Hamel and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. A first reading of Resolution 2016-21 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept the donation of two Soofa benches (solar powered park benches) with a value of $5,200 and to schedule a public hearing on August 22, 2016 during the regular Council meeting moved by Councilor Bownes and seconded by  Councilor Bolduc ; the motion passed with all in favor. (3) Request from Watermark Marine to become a boat agent of the City City Clerk Reynolds reviewed the request and endorsed the permission be granted. Motion to authorize Watermark Marine to act as a boat agent on behalf of the City made by Councilor Hamel and seconded by Councilor Baer ; the motion passed with all in favor. (4) Council review of the Commercial Resort (CR) zone and a proposal for discussion and possible referral to the Planning Board to create a new Commercial Resort Corridor (CR-2) zone Mayor Engler reviewed his proposal with the Council. The request this evening is to have the Council review this proposal and be prepared to discuss this at the first meeting in September at which time the idea would be to send the proposal to the Planning Board for input and recommendations. There was discussion about the sense of urgency, the possibility to have plans submitted to avoid the changes, and beginning the public process sooner. It was advised to have the Planning Board members begin to review the proposal informally so they are prepared to formulate a plan as soon as they receive it from the Council. It was also offered to send this to the Planning Board as a package so the process can be expedited and the need to have exceptions for some areas. Councilor Bownes noted he does not oppose the concept proposed by Mayor Engler but he did not see the urgency and thought it more prudent for the Council to engage in substantive discussions before sending this to the Planning Board. Motion to send the proposal as submitted to the Planning Board for review and to establish a process to have the major concerns accomplished by the middle of October and the remainder that have not been addressed to be tabled until May so as to not stall the process and continue moving forward made by Councilor Lipman and seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed 5-1 (For: Doyle, Lipman, Baer, Hamel, Bolduc; Against: Bownes) UNFINISHED BUSINESS (1) Second 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 A a second reading of 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; made by Councilor Hamel and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS (1) Request to appoint Christopher Reynolds as a Selectman in Ward 4 for a term to expire in November 2021 Motion to move to appoint Christopher Reynolds as a Selectman in Ward 4 for a term to expire in November 2021 by Councilor Baer and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. COUNCIL COMMENTS 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 at 9:38 p.m. and seconded by Councilor Bolduc; the motion passed with all in favor. Respectfully Submitted: Mary A Reynolds City Clerk The minutes of this meeting were accepted by the Council on August 22, 2016.