City Council

CITY OF LACONIA ­ CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 24, 2018 7:00 P.M. 9/24/2018 ­ Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Engler called the meeting to order at the above date and time. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Hamel lead the Salute to the Flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert called the roll with the following Councilors in attendance: Bruce Cheney, Henry Lipman, Mark Haynes, and Bob Hamel. Not present: Andrew Hosmer and David Bownes Mayor Engler noted four (4) Councilors are in attendance and a quorum has been established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Scott Myers, City Manager City Manager Myers spoke in regards to the passing of Finance Director Donna Woodaman and how much she will be missed personally and professionally. 6. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 6.A. Proclamation recognizing the New England Wolves Hockey Team Mayor Engler read into the record the Proclamation for the New England Wolves Hockey Team. "WHEREAS, the Eastern Hockey League has more than twenty teams on the East coast; the New England Wolves players come from many areas of the United States, as well as Russia, Canada, and the UK; and WHEREAS, the young men comprising the New England Wolves hockey team are great ambassadors for their organization, as well as the City of Laconia; and WHEREAS, the 2017­2018 season was truly special for the Wolves in the Lakes Region. With a new fundraiser and/or event almost every week, the players provided over 1,000 hours of community service and volunteer work to organizations and events such as Prescott Farm, the New England Pond Hockey Classic, Pumpkin Fest, United Way's Day of Caring and Laconia Christmas Village cleanup, as well as volunteering with the Laconia Youth Hockey Program; and WHEREAS, the Eastern Hockey League is an organization that strives to build up every player to the best of their abilities on and off the ice, focusing on making each player a better person. Because of their many hours of service and dedication to our community, the League has announced that the New England Wolves have won the 2017­2018 Humanitarian Award in recognition of their many hours of service and outstanding dedication to our community; and WHEREAS; the Laconia City Council and the entire community congratulate all of the New England Wolves players, General Manager Andrew Trimble, Coach Tim Kunes and the entire Wolves organization for an outstanding year and for being named the 2017­2018 Humanitarians of the year, and express our sincere appreciation for their commitment and service to our community. 1 NOW, THEREFORE, I, Edward J. Engler, Mayor of the City of Laconia do hereby proclaim Monday, September  24, 2018 as NEW ENGLAND WOLVES APPRECIATION DAY and urge all citizens to join with the City Council in recognizing their outstanding achievements." 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7.A. Regular meeting minutes of September 10, 2018 Minutes of the September 10, 2018, meeting were distributed to the City Council on Friday, September 14, 2018. With no corrections or changes submitted to the clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Mason Donovan, running for State Senate (Independent running on a Democrat ballot) ­ Lives in Boscawen and is a small business owner. M. Donovan was present to make everyone aware of him running for office. Councilor Hamel address M. Donovan with the concern in regards to the lack of funding for for the schools, specifically the Huot Tech Center in Laconia in regards to keeping the equipment updated. M. Donovan understands the importance of education and a ready workforce. Councilor Lipman expressed the concern with the rooms and meals tax and how much of that goes back, if any to the City. Councilor Lipman also brought up the fact that the last two legislature session Laconia has had to fight in regards to seasonal housing. Mayor Engler ­ Expressed a major issue that he is concerned with is when someone is voted in and goes to Concord, their loyalty becomes to their party and not the local community from which they were voted in by. Mayor Engler said is seemed to him they are expected to agree with their party even if it hurts or goes against their town or city that they are representing. Mr. Donovan agrees with Mayor Engler and that is why he is an Independent and wishes the parties could be removed and work all as one. Mr. Donovan asked the Council that if he does get elected he would like to be able to come back to a meeting and ask for their help or suggestions. State Representative Charlie St. Clair ­ reassured Mr. Donovan that the City Manager and himself will keep him informed of what the City is in need of. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 11.A. Request to appoint a City Council representative to the 2018 Debra Bieniarz Award Committee Councilor Hamel moved to appoint Councilor Cheney as the City Council's representative to the 2018 Debra Bieniarz Award Committee, seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public Hearing for Resolution 2018­31 relative to the DWI/DUI Grant Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the September 13, 2018, edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, Laconia City Hall, Community Center, Laconia Public Library, and the SAU. Mayor Engler opened the public hearing at 7:30 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:31 pm. 2  13.B. Public Hearing for Resolution 2018­32 relative to the Distracted Driving Patrol Grant Notice of this public hearing was made available in the September 13, 2018, edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, Laconia City Hall, Community Center, Laconia Public Library and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the public hearing at 7:31 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:32 pm. 13.C. Public Hearing for Resolution 2018­33, relative to the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Patrol Grant Notice of this public hearing was made available in the September 13, 2018, edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, Laconia City Hall, Community Center, Laconia Public Library, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the public hearing at 7:32 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:33 pm. 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Engler extends his condolences on behalf of the Council and every resident of the City of Laconia with the loss of Donna Woodaman. The Lakeshore Redevelopment Planning Commission met last week on the topic of the State School Property which is on tonight's agenda with the intent to at least start a conversation. Mayor Engler would like to meet with Chris Shumway and Peter Spanos, two of the members that live in Laconia, and get their perspective. 16. COMMITTEE REPORTS 16.A. FINANCE (Lipman, Hamel, Cheney) 16.A.i. WOW Trail Funding 16.A.ii. Downtown TIF Financing 16.B. PUBLIC SAFETY (Bownes, Hosmer, Lipman) 16.B.i. Fair St/Court St traffic problems and accidents 16.C. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Bownes, Hosmer, Cheney) 16.C.i. Review of Chapter 167, Noise and Chapter 161 Licensing as it pertains to outdoor sound equipment and loudspeakers 16.C.ii. Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns 16.C.iii. Procedural review of grant applications 16.D. LANDS & BUILDINGS (Hamel, Lipman, Haynes) 16.D.i. Downtown parking garage 16.D.ii. Repair & maintenance of City buildings 16.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Bownes, Hosmer, Haynes) 3  16.E.i. Retaining Wall Policy 16.E.ii. Proposal to implement City Policies for designating emergency lanes 17. LIAISON REPORTS Councilor Hamel attended the Parks and Recreation meeting last week and they are working hard at putting together a list of CIP Improvements. Councilor Haynes stated the Heritage Commission is extremely concerned with the character of Lakeport Square. The commission is stating the area of Lakeport is being developed into a boat storage area. Councilor Hamel agrees. Mayor Engler stated this seems to be a zoning issue but the Charter is specific on zoning areas. Mayor Engler reminded the Council the the majority of Union Avenue is zoned for commercial use. City Manager Myers reminded the Council they could limit the zones that Boat Storage Units could be in, but they need to be careful not to just limit certain areas. The Council would have to ban it from all commercial zones or limit the zones. Councilor Haynes also stated the Heritage Commission does not think the conceptual drawing in regards to the Lakeport Landing building being constructed is what the Council approved. Planning Director Dean Trefethen explained there have been changes but what the Council approved is what is being constructed. City Manager Myers suggests that the Council begin a conversation with the Planning Director to discuss what options are available in regards to zoning and boat storage units. 18. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS Richard Homsi (84 Summit Ave) ­ expressed his condolences regarding the loss of Donna Woodaman and Armand Bolduc. R. Homsi spoke in regards to the Sewer Project and is concerned for himself and his neighbors. Mr. Homsi also owns property on Woodvale Ave. The residents of Woodvale Ave have been waiting a long time to get sewer. Mr. Homsi feels the City is in a rush to develop property to gain income through taxes but expressed he thinks current residents are being pushed aside and that is not fair to the current taxpayers. To protect the wetlands and waterfront, Mr. Homsi says that Woodvale Ave. needs to be addressed. City Manager Myers stated that any new projects needing sewer will be at the developers expense. Mayor Engler did state this is being looked at for future policy. Mr. Homsi just wants to emphasize how Woodvale Ave is in desperate need of sewer lines. 19. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 19.A. Project Updates Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. Councilor Lipman asked for an update in regards to the Court Street project and what it will look like for the winter months. City Manager Myers stated the base coat and lines will be done for the winter months. 19.B. Monthly Economic Development Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. City Manager Myers also noted that on Friday, September 21, 2018, there was a meeting held at the Weirs Community Center in regards to private streets. There was a great turnout and the residents appreciated the fact that it was held on a Friday night. City Manager Myers gave a hand out in regards to the Employer Rates for Fiscal Years 2020 and 4 2021. These rates will be included in the next Fiscal Year budget.  Councilor Cheney would like an update in regards to Perley Pond and Opechee Cove. City Manager Myers stated work will be done during the winter months as it will provide easier access due to the water freezing. Councilor Cheney also spoke in regards to the decision in Portsmouth made in regards to the Air BnB business. Councilor Cheney would like to know what the City is going to do. City Manager Myers will be scheduling a meeting with legal counsel as soon as he can. The NH Municipal Association will also be acting on this topic as well and City Manager Myers was able to get NHMA to move this topic up to an action policy. This item will be on the agenda for the next regular Council meeting which will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Councilor Cheney understands there will be a meeting in regards to the streets next week on Monday, October 1, 2018, at 7:00 pm. Will there be more than one solution to the private streets? City Manager Myers, Councilor Hosmer, and DPW Director Wes Anderson met last week and Councilor Hosmer has asked specifically for Pendleton and a boat house to be placed on the agenda. There are about 50 streets that are problematic but with the approach that will be presented next week, 40 of those 50 streets will be solved. City Manager Myers also stated that anyone already receiving services will continue to receive those services with no deadline in the near future. 20. NEW BUSINESS 20.A. Lakeshore Redevelopment Planning Commission Discussion Mayor Engler briefed everyone in regards to the public hearing at the Laconia Middle School last week. There were three proposed concepts; Continuing Care Facility, Resort Hotel, and a Youth Sports Complex. Each of these proposals also included housing such as single family housing (age restricted housing ­ 55 and older) and starter housing (single family detached homes). Mayor Engler explained that only the voices that attend these meetings will be heard and decisions will be based off of those voices. Councilor Cheney agrees with Mayor Engler and more people need to step up and get more directly involved. Councilor Lipman stated the Council needs to make their concerns known to the commission. Councilor Hamel expressed that the idea with a sports complex with a supporting hotel should be the way to go for that piece of property. Councilor Haynes agrees with Councilor Hamel and a sports complex and hotel would be a way to go. Mayor Engler suggests drafting a letter to the Commission stating the Councils position. The Council is concerned that developing that area to older generations defeats the purpose of the City's long term Master Plan. The school enrollment numbers are down and without appealing to younger families it will continue to go down. 20.B. Elm Street and Pleasant Street School Parent Pick up lines City Manager Myers explained the findings from the recent visit to the two locations in question. Councilor Hamel questioned the parking on other streets. City Manager Myers explained this is already happening and so far there has not been any complaints. Councilor Haynes moved to approve the following areas no parking between 1 pm and 4 pm Monday through Friday: 1. No parking on the odd numbered side of Elm Street from Jefferson Street to the north boundary of 493 Elm Street, 2. No parking on the even numbered side of Elm Street from Jefferson Street to the intersection of Hickory Stick Lane, 3. No parking on the odd numbered side of Pleasant Street from the intersection of Tremont Street to the north boundary of 387 Pleasant Street, 5  4. No parking on the even numbered side of Pleasant Street from the southern boundary of 397 Pleasant Street to the intersection with the northern entrance into the Pleasant Street School, 5. No parking on the odd numbered side of Folsom Street from the intersection of North Main Street to the intersection of Pleasant Street, and 6. No parking on the even numbered side of Folsom Street from the intersection of North Main Street to the intersection of Pleasant Street, seconded by Councilor Cheney; Councilor Cheney expressed that signage is critical in this situation. Mayor Engler called the question; the motion passed with all in favor. 20.C. Request by the WOW Trail Organization for a run/walk fundraising event on City Park property Councilor Hosmer moved to approve the request by the WOW Trail Organization for a run/walk fundraising event on City Park property to be held on October 13, 2018, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 21.A. Resolution 2018­31 relative to DWI/DUI Patrol Grant Councilor Cheney moved to approve Resolution 2018­31 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on behalf of the City in the amount of $13,694.51 for DWI/DUI Patrols, seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.B. Resolution 2018­32 Distracted Driving Grant Councilor Hamel moved to approve Resolution 2018­32 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on behalf of the City in the amount of $6,194.35 for Distracted Driving Enforcement Patrols, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.C. Resolution 2018­33 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Patrol Grant Councilor Cheney moved to approve Resolution 2018­33 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on behalf of the City in the amount of $11,815.58 for Sustained Traffic Enforcement Patrol (STEP), seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.D. Sanitary Sewer Rate and Expansion Assistant Public Works Director Krista Larsen presented a PowerPoint regarding the findings from the sewer rate study that was done at the beginning of 2018. The purpose of the rate study was to determine how the current rate structure supports normal collection system operation and maintenance expenses and how well it supports an increase of the annual Capital Improvement Program. K. Larsen handed out her presentation to be submitted in to the record. Councilor Hamel would like to see these amounts (9.5%) eased in rather than the increases all at once. Councilor Lipman would like to see what this would look like in the next decade and is also in agreement with Councilor Hamel. City Manager Myers stated the $40.00 is an annual amount not a total amount. He also reminded the Council the need for this is due to some of the larger projects that are being worked on right now. Councilor Lipman would like to look into more options such as a bond. He does agree it should not be free to be added to the system. City Manager Myers suggested to the Council to implement the $40.00 increase cash basis for year one and then reassess the increase after the first of the year. The Council agreed to add this to the next agenda for the one time increase of $40.00 for billing usage affective November 1, 2018 with a due date of February 2019. 6 are 51 lots Assistant DPW Director Larsen spoke about the expansion in regards to Woodvale Drive area. There in this immediate area. The breakdown of potential costs for the Woodvale Drive Area Expansion Project is  detailed in the handout. Discussion was had among the Councilors regarding the potential rate increases and the positive and negative impacts. Assistant Director Larsen is looking for support from the Council to contact the abutters in regards to funding options for the Woodvale residents. 22. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Hamel attended the Laconia Senior Center open house last Tuesday with around 100 people in attendance for the dinner. Tom Menard, Director of the Laconia Senior Center does a wonderful job. He stated it provides meals to seniors in the area and they do a wonderful job at it. 23. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 23.A. Improvement of Union Ave/Elm Street intersection 23.B. Ordinance amendment relative to Chapter 167, Noise and Chapter 161, Licensing as it pertains to outdoor sound equipment and loudspeakers 23.C. Second reading of a resolution relative to the adoption of RSA 31:95­b, Appropriation of funds made available during the year 23.D. Master Plan 23.E. Milfoil Treatment funding requests 23.F. Sewer & Water Master Plan 23.G. Single Stream Recycling/Concord Co­op/Solid Waste disposal cost reductions 23.H. Strategic Planning/Goal Setting 23.I. WOW Trail 23.J. Proposal to implement City Policies for designating emergency lanes 23.K. Resolution 2017­30 relative to authorizing the City Manager to apply to the State of NH DOT for a temporary use agreement in the City's name that will allow for the completion of a study concerning the different options and benefits of how to build Phase 3 of the WOW Trail and to sign all necessary documents 24. Any other business that may come before the Council 25. NON­PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91­A:3, II) 26. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Engler adjourned the meeting at 9:53 pm. Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk MINUTES OF THIS MEETING WERE APPROVED ON OCTOBER 9, 2018 7