City Council

CITY OF LACONIA ­ CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING October 1, 2018 7:00 P.M. 10/1/2018 ­ 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 City Clerk Cheryl Hebert 4. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert took the roll with the following Councilors in attendance: Bruce Cheney, David Bownes, Henry Lipman, Mark Haynes, and Bob Hamel Not Present: Andrew Hosmer Mayor Engler noted five (5) Councilors are in attendance and a quorum has been established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Scott Myers, City Manager 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.A. Discussion of Private Roads City Manager Myers introduced the topic at hand and explained after tonight's presentation a majority of the roads in question should be addressed. Mayor Engler explained that he will give the public in attendance a chance to speak after the presentation. DPW Director Wes Anderson submitted into the record the PowerPoint presentation. Director Anderson stated the options the City has to identify the roads in question are: 1. Private Road 2. Private Road ­ Emergency Lane 3. Accept and Upgrade to Class V Standards ­ Betterment process 4. Accept ­ As­is Keri Roman from Mitchell Group spoke in regards to the "as­is" acceptance of roads. K. Roman explained the process of taking over these roads. (see handout) K. Roman explained the potential liabilities of the City accepting roads "as­is." By accepting a road "as­is," it has to be passible safely by traditional vehicles traveling and persons walking. There is further protection for the City and K. Roman explained this. A weather maintenance policy should also be put in place to further protect the City. K. Roman explained the process in order for the City to take over the roads. Councilor Lipman questioned if the Council could petition? K. Roman stated yes a Councilor can be the petitioner. Councilor Bownes asked if the City has a maintenance weather policy? K. Roman stated no but that is not uncommon and she will help with the wording of putting such policy in place. 1  Councilor Cheney questioned how many municipalities have had to pay out any damages. K. Roman stated out of all of the ones she deals with, only one has been paid out and it was about $3,000. DPW Director Anderson explained that the Council will need to accept new policies if the as­is concept is to proceed: 1. Maintenance Standards for "As­is" Layout roads 2. Maintenance Standards for Emergency Lane exceptions 3. Which roads are not eligible for consideration to become emergency lanes (Gated communities, private roads approved by the planning board, cost of providing support is excessive, condo association entrances) K. Roman explained there is a legislative process for finding any and all parties with interest in the roads. City Manager Myers reiterated that through this process anyone that is already receiving services will continue to get services through this winter. He also explained that the as­is does not mean that maintenance would never be done, it just means that however the road was originally constructed, is how the road would continue to be kept. Director Anderson explained the timeline in regards to the approval of these roads. 1. Weirs Beach Area ­ Complete by September 2019 2. Lakeport Area ­ Complete by May 2020 3. Downtown Area ­ Complete by December 2020 4. Winnisquam Area ­ Complete by May 2021 Mayor Engler opened this topic up to the public: Marylee Hovanian (22 Morris Ave) ­ Thanks for the support from the people she has reached out to. M. Hovanian is in favor of her road to be accepted and to be accessible to all people. She also commended the Council and City staff for all of their hard work that has been put into this agenda item. Robert Ewell (21­23 Allan Avenue) ­ Is encouraged by the report tonight. Mr. Ewell stated the four abutters in his neighborhood are ready to sign on to this. Eric Rowley (17 Kingsley Ave) ­ Mr. Rowley is for the "as­is" concept but feels "emergency lane" is short changing him. Councilor Cheney moved to adopt the as­is policy and program and ask that Council develop whatever policies that will be necessary to accommodate the as­is policy, seconded by Councilor Bownes, Councilor Lipman requests this process be practical for all involved and not prolong it longer than necessary. City Manager Myers explained the components and notifications necessary but staff will do its best to expedite it while following the proper legal steps. Councilor Bownes thanks W. Anderson and K. Roman for all of their hard work. Mayor Engler called the question; the motion passed with all in favor. Mayor Engler suggests that each Councilor sponsor the roads that are in their wards. K. Roman reminded the Council the petition does need to be in writing and legal will send the City Manager a blank form. 7. Any other business that may come before the Council 8. NON­PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91­A:3, II) 9. ADJOURNMENT 2 With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Engler adjourned the meeting at 7:47 pm. Respectfully submitted by Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk MINUTES OF THIS MEETING WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 22, 2018 3