City Council

CITY OF LACONIA ­ CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 25, 2019 7:00 P.M. 2/25/2019 ­ Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Engler called the meeting to order at the above date and time. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Lipman lead the Salute to the Flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert took the roll with the following Councilors in attendance: Bruce Cheney, Henry Lipman, Mark Haynes, and Bob Hamel Not present: David Bownes, Andrew Hosmer Mayor Engler noted four (4) Councilors were in attendance and a quorum has been established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Scott Myers, City Manager Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7.A. Special meeting minutes of February 11, 2019 Minutes of the special meeting were distributed to the City Council on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. With no corrections or changes submitted to the clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 7.B. Regular meeting minutes of February 11, 2019 Minutes of the meeting were distributed to the City Council on Wednesday, February 13, 2019. With no corrections or changes submitted to the clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 8. PRESENTATIONS 8.A. 2018 Fiscal Year Audit/Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Pat Mohan and Scott McIntyre from Melanson Heath were present. Pat Mohan reviewed the 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Discussion and questions were asked regarding the wellness of the City and the Colonial Theatre Project and how it affects the budget. City Manager Myers thanked the the department heads for keeping within their budgets. City Manager Myers also thanked Melanson Heath, Pam Reynolds, and Glenn Smith for all the work that was put in, especially with the untimely death of Donna Woodaman. 9. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 10. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA 1 No comments from the public were made. 11. INTERVIEWS 12. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12.A. Linda Peary ­ Seeking reappointment as a regular member on the Putnam Fund for a five year term expiring at the end of March, 2024 Councilor Hamel moved to reappoint Linda Peary as a regular member on the Putnam Fund for a five year term expiring at the end of March, 2024, seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.B. Aaron Bassett ­ Seeking reappointment as a regular member on the Library Board of Trustees for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Hamel moved to reappoint Aaron Bassett as a regular member on the Library Board of Trustees for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.C. John Moriarty ­ Seeking reappointment as a regular member on the Library Board of Trustees for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Haynes moved to reappoint John Moriarty as a regular member on the Library Board of Trustees for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.D. Bruce Kneuer ­ Seeing reappointment as an alternate member on the Library Board of Trustees for a one year term expiring at the end of March, 2020 Councilor Lipman moved to reappoint Bruce Kneuer as an alternate member on the Library Board of Trustees for a one year term expiring at the end of March, 2020, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.E. Margaret (Peggy) Selig ­ Seeking reappointment as a regular member on the Trustees of the Trust Fund for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Cheney moved to reappoint Margaret (Peggy) Selig as a regular member on the Trustees of the Trust Fund for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.F. Dorothy Duffy ­ Seeking reappointment as a regular member on the Heritage Commission for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Hamel moved to reappoint Dorothy Duffy as a regular member on the Heritage Commission for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Cheney; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.G. Ryan Cardella ­ Seeking appointment as a regular member on the Weirs TIF District Advisory Board for a three year term expiring at the end of June, 2022 Councilor Cheney moved to appoint Ryan Cardella as a regular member on the Weirs TIF District Advisory Board for a three year term expiring at the end of June, 2022, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.H. Rodney Roy ­ Seeking reappointment as a regular member on the Parks & Recreation Commission for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Hamel moved to reappoint Rodney Roy as a regular member on the Parks & Recreation Commission for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.I. Arthur Kirk ­ Seeking reappointment as a regular member on the Parks & Recreation Commission for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Hamel moved to reappoint Arthur Kirk as a regular member on the Parks & Recreation Commission for a three year term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.J. Appointment of Peter Brunette as the Planning Board's representative to the Lakes 2 Region Planning Commission, to fill the remaining term of Dean Trefethen, expiring at the end of June,  2021 Councilor Hamel moved to appoint Peter Brunette as the Planning Board's representative on the Lakes Region Planning Commission, to fill the remaining term of Dean Trefethen, expiring at the end of June, 2021, seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.K. Appointment of Rob Mora, Assistant Planning Director, as a Commissioner on the Lakes Region Planning Commission to fill the remaining term of Brandee Loughlin, expiring at the end of June, 2021 Councilor Hamel moved to appoint Rob Mora, Assistant Planning Director, as a Commissioner on the Lakes Region Planning Commission to fill the remaining term of Brandee Loughlin, expiring at the end of June, 2021, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 12.L. Reappointment of Krista Larsen to a three­year term on the Lakes Region Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee, expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Haynes moved to reappoint Krista Larsen to a three­year term on the Lakes Region Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee, expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 13. COMMUNICATIONS 14. PUBLIC HEARINGS 14.A. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019­02, relative to the NH DES Exotic Aquatic Plant Grant Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the February 13, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, posted at City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and the SAU. Mayor Engler opened the public hearing at 7:34 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:35 pm. 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Engler noted that the voting on Resolutions in regards to the Colonial Theatre will be postponed until the March 11, 2019 meeting at the request of Councilor Hosmer as he could not be present for tonight's meeting. The New Market Tax allocations are not expected to be announced until late April due to the government shutdown. On behalf of the Council, Mayor Engler extends his sincere thanks to Pam Reynolds for filling in after the untimely death of Donna Woodaman. Mayor Engler congratulates Steve Tucker as the newly appointed Superintendent for the City of Laconia. Mayor Engler extends his best wishes to Alida Millham in light of her recent stroke. She wore many hats throughout the County and State. 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) 3 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.C.iv. Second reading of a resolution relative to the adoption of RSA 31:95­b, Appropriation of funds made available during the year 16.C.v. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses 16.D. LANDS & BUILDINGS (Hamel, Lipman, Haynes) 16.D.i. Downtown parking garage 16.D.ii. Repair & maintenance of City buildings 16.D.iii. Perley Pond Maintenance 16.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Bownes, Hosmer, Haynes) 16.E.i. Retaining Wall Policy 16.E.ii. Proposal to implement City Policies for designating emergency lanes 17. LIAISON REPORTS Mayor Engler reported the Zoning Task Force met last week and substantial progress was made in regards to a proposal of rezoning the Downtown area and Performance Zoning. 18. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS No comments from the public were made. 19. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 19.A. Project Updates Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. 19.B. Monthly Economic Development Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. City Manager Myers gave an update in regards to the LED Street Light Project. There has been around a $90,000 savings with the new LED lights. The lights have been very durable with only one light having to be replaced due to being out, and four or five lights replaced due to storm issues. City Manager Myers explained the costs regarding the disposal of the recyclables. The City is paying $85 per ton to get rid of trash and $90 per ton for recyclables. Also, about seven to nine tons have been collected at the cardboard compressor. 20. NEW BUSINESS 20.A. Request to change the speed limit on Daisy Gardner Road and Leighton Ave North DPW Director Wes Anderson stated only one resident requested this, as there have been more walkers on this road and there aren't any sidewalks. Councilor Hamel would like to hear from more residents before taking a vote. 4 Councilor Lipman moved to table this item until the next meeting, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor.  20.B. Request to the set the polling hours for the September and November Municipal Elections Councilor Haynes moved to approve the polling hours for the Municipal Primary and General Elections being held on September 10, 2019 and November 12, 2019 respectively from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, seconded by Councilor Cheney; Councilor Haynes expressed the confusion with other City's in the State opening at 6:00 am so setting the hours clarifies our hours. It is the will of the Council to advertise more regarding absentee ballots for those that can not make it to vote within the hours set. Mayor Engler called the question; the motion passed with all in favor. 20.C. Correspondence from Atlantic Broadband City Manager Myers explained the correspondence from Atlantic Broadband. Councilor Lipman proposes to not accept the letter and to have the Council negotiate something more reasonable. Councilor Hamel asked what the Town of Gilford's thoughts were on this. City Manager Myers stated the Selectman of Gilford denied the same request from Atlantic Broadband. Councilor Cheney moved to authorize the City Manager to respond to the letter received from Atlantic Broadband, declining to grant the relief requested, on the grounds that the burdens and favors of the two franchise agreements are roughly comparable, seconded by Councilor Haynes; Councilor Lipman amends the proposed motion by adding at the end of the motion "and further authorize the City Manager to litigate to get a fair agreement to the City." Councilors Cheney and Haynes agree with Councilor Lipman's amendment. Mayor Engler called the question with the amendment proposed by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 21.A. Second reading and approval of Resolution 2019­02, NH DES Exotic Aquatic Plant Grant in the amount of $14,618.00 Councilor Lipman moved to waive reading of Resolution 2019­02 in its entirety and to read by title only, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Haynes moved the second reading of Resolution 2019­02, relative to authorizing the City Manager to sign all necessary documents regarding the NH DES, Exotic Aquatic Plant Grant in the amount of $14,618.00, seconded by Councilor Lipman; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Haynes moved to approve Resolution 2019­02, relative to authorizing the City Manager to sign all necessary documents regarding the NH DES, Exotic Aquatic Plant Grant in the amount of $14,618.00, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.B. Colonial Theatre Project Update This item will be taken up at the March 11, 2019 meeting. 22. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Cheney expressed concern with the amount of snow on the side of the roads on Main Street and would like to see DPW begin cleaning that area up again. 5 Mayor Engler suggests to the City Manager that on a future agenda the Council could get a briefing on what the steps  are in regards to the plowing of City. Councilor Hamel extended his gratitude to the Department Heads (Fire, Police, Public Works, Parks, the Mayor, and the City Manager) that attended Woodland Heights with him to present Ben Phillips with the key exchange of Christmas Village. Ben was very surprised and the kids are still calling him Mayor Ben. 23. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 23.A. Master Plan 23.B. Milfoil Treatment funding requests 23.C. Sewer & Water Master Plan 23.D. Single Stream Recycling/Concord Co­op/Solid Waste disposal cost reductions 23.E. Strategic Planning/Goal Setting 23.F. WOW Trail 23.G. Weirs Beach Restoration Project 24. Any other business that may come before the Council 25. NON­PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91­A:3, II) 26. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Cheney moved to go into non­public session at 8:27 pm, under 91­A:3, II (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 interest are adverse to those of the general community, seconded by Councilor ; the motion passed with all in favor. City Clerk Hebert took the roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Not present: David Bownes, Bruce Cheney Mayor Engler noted four (4) Councilors were in attendance and a quorum was established. Councilor Haynes moved to exit non­public meeting at 8:32 pm, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Lipman moved to seal the non­public minutes for six (6) months, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Engler adjourned the meeting at 8:34 pm. Respectfully submitted, 6 Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk