City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING June 10, 2019 7:00 P.M. 6/10/2019 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Engler called the meeting to order at the above date and time. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Haynes 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, David Bownes, Mark Haynes, Bob Hamel, and Andrew Hosmer. Not present: Henry Lipman Mayor Engler noted five (5) 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 budget meeting minutes of May 28, 2019 Minutes of the meeting were distributed on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 7.B. Regular meeting minutes of May 28, 2019 Minutes of the meeting were distributed to the City Council on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. With no corrections or changes submitted to the City Clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 7.C. Special budget meeting minutes of June 3, 2019 Minutes of the meeting were distributed to the City Council on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. With no corrections or changes submitted to the City Clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Request by the American Cancer Society Inc. for fundraising on City Park property Councilor Hosmer moved to approve the request by the American Cancer Society, Inc. for fundraising at Opechee Park for their Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fundraising event to be held on October 6, 2019 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Karen Prior, Executive Director of the Belknap Mill - Presented the Historic Building Assessment for the  at Opechee Park for their Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fundraising event to be held on October 6, 2019 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Karen Prior, Executive Director of the Belknap Mill - Presented the Historic Building Assessment for the Belknap Mill for the record. She read a prepared statement to the Council for a funding request for $100,000 towards their Capital Campaign. David Stamps - read a prepared statement regarding the Belknap Mill and it's history. Alison Ambrose, Chair of Belknap Mill, Attorney from Wescott Law - A. Ambrose extended her thanks on behalf of Wescott Law for the Council's consideration of this funding request. Explained the work at the Belknap Mill has been a strategic project. The support from the City would go a long ways in helping the Belknap Mill. Paul Falvey, CEO and President of Bank of New Hampshire - Bank of New Hampshire is the leading donor on the Capital Campaign of the Belknap Mill. He expressed his support of the Capital Campaign and hopes the City will as well. Rodney Dyer, former Mayor of Laconia - spoke of the Belknap Mill and would like to see the City invest in the Belknap Mill. Paul Fitzgerald, former Mayor of Laconia - spoke in regards to the Belknap Mill and its importance to the City of Laconia. 10. INTERVIEWS 10.A. Lois Kessin - Seeking appointment as a regular member of the Heritage Commission for a three-year term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Lois Kessin was not present. 10.B. Gail Ober - Seeking appointment as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a three-year term expiring at the end of August, 2022 Gail Ober was interviewed. 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-06, General Fund Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:26 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:27 pm. 13.B. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-07, Anticipated Grants Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:27 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:28 pm. 13.C. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-08, Sewer Fund  Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:27 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:28 pm. 13.C. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-08, Sewer Fund Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:28 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:29 pm. 13.D. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-09, Water Fund Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:29 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:30 pm. 13.E. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-10, Internal Services Fund Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:30 pm. 13.F. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-11, Special Revenue Fund - Motorcycle Week Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and 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. 13.G. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-12, Special Revenue Fund - Ambulance Emergency Medical Services Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, 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 7:32 pm. 13.H. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-13, Tax Increment Finance District - Downtown Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:33 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:33 pm.  Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:33 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:33 pm. 13.I. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-14, Tax Increment Finance District - Lakeport Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and 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. 13.J. Public Hearing for Resolution 2019-15, Tax Increment Finance District - Weirs Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Friday, May 31, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:35 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:36 pm. 13.K. Public Hearing for Ordinance 2019-235-14 relative to amending Chapter 235, Zoning, Article 14, Districts Established Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Thursday, May 30, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:34 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:34 pm. 13.L. Public Hearing for Ordinance 2019-235-45 relative to amending Chapter 235, Zoning, Article VIII Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements; Driveways and Access Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the Thursday, May 30, 2019 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Engler opened the Public Hearing at 7:38 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Engler closed the public hearing at 7:39 pm. 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Engler spoke about the dedication of the plaque to the late Councilor Armand Bolduc that was held earlier this evening at 5:30 pm. Mayor Engler encourages all residents to come to City Hall and take a look at the plaque naming the Council Chambers the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber. Mayor Engler also spoke in regards to Laconia Motorcycle Week and thanked everyone involved that has worked to put on such a successful event. This year marks the 96th year. The Mayor encourages all to ride safely. 16. COMMITTEE REPORTS  Mayor Engler also spoke in regards to Laconia Motorcycle Week and thanked everyone involved that has worked to put on such a successful event. This year marks the 96th year. The Mayor encourages all to ride safely. 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) Councilor Bownes updated the Council regarding the proposal to establish a Historic District. There will be another subcommittee meeting tomorrow night, June 11, 2019 to continue the discussion regarding a Historic District. As of the last meeting of the Government Operations committee it is the recommendation to the Council to adopt a Historic District once the paper work is completed. Councilor Bownes explained the time frame in which the committee would request for this topic. It would entail the Council holding a special meeting this Thursday, June 13, 2019. Councilor Bownes moved to schedule a special meeting of the Council on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 7 pm in order to discuss the consideration of establishing a Historic District, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. Mayor Engler explained to the Council that on Thursday night the Council will be asked to approve on a first reading on establishing a Historic District. If that vote is positive it will then be moved to the Planning Board for a review and recommendation and public hearing. No matter the outcome from the Planning Board, it will come back to the Council for the final word. 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. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses Councilor Bownes updated the Council regarding the regulations of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses. The final draft report is ready and Director Trefethen will get the report out to the Council. 16.C.v. Paid Parking Proposal for Downtown 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.D.iv. Plan for the DPW Compound 16.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Bownes, Hosmer, Haynes) 16.E.i. Proposal to implement City Policies for designating emergency lanes  16.D.iv. Plan for the DPW Compound 16.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Bownes, Hosmer, Haynes) 16.E.i. Proposal to implement City Policies for designating emergency lanes 16.E.ii. Retaining Wall Policy 16.E.iii. Proposed criteria to accept these roads "as-is" 17. LIAISON REPORTS 18. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS No comments from the public were made. 19. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 19.A. Financial and Operational Trends Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. City Manager Myers thanked all the City of Laconia employees that help with the Motorcycle Week event. Councilor Hosmer appreciates the details of the EMS billing. 20. NEW BUSINESS 20.A. Request by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for fundraising on City Park property Councilor Hosmer moved to approve the request by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for fundraising at Opechee Park, Field C and the WOW Trail for their Lakes Region Out of the Darkness Community Walk Fundraising event to be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, seconded by Councilor Bownes; the motion passed with all in favor. 20.B. Establishment of Laconia School District Education Stabilization Reserve City Manager Myers briefed the Council on this subject. Councilor Bownes would like to know if it is possible to change this number to $500,000 and if that was done is it possible, if six months from now, the City needed a portion of that $500,000, could the City use it? City Manager Myers said yes, tonight's amount could be amended, and yes it could be amended again at a later date. Councilor Hosmer moved to authorize the City Manager to establish a Laconia School District Education Stabilization Reserve - City Funds Expendable Trust Account, under the jurisdiction of the Trustees of the Trust Funds, seconded by Councilor Cheney; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Hosmer authorized the transfer of $300,000 from the Non-Departmental Contingency Account to the Laconia School District Education Stabilization Reserve - City Funds Trust Account, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 20.C. Transfer Contingency Funds to the Non-Capital Reserve Account Councilor Hamel moved to approve that $100,000 from the Contingency Fund account be transferred to the Non-Capital Reserve account (82-301-002-0000) to be used for unanticipated future expenses, seconded by Councilor Hosmer; the motion passed with all in favor.  20.C. Transfer Contingency Funds to the Non-Capital Reserve Account Councilor Hamel moved to approve that $100,000 from the Contingency Fund account be transferred to the Non-Capital Reserve account (82-301-002-0000) to be used for unanticipated future expenses, seconded by Councilor Hosmer; the motion passed with all in favor. 20.D. Adoption of Ordinance 2019-119-2 for the provisions of RSA 676:12, Building Permits City Manager Myers explained the reason for the Ordinance. Councilor Cheney moved to adopt Ordinance 2019-119-2 as presented for the adoption of the provisions of RSA 676:12, Building Permits, seconded by Councilor Haynes; Councilor Hamel asked for further explanation. Mayor Engler explained RSA 676:12. Mayor Engler called the question; the motion passed with all in favor. 20.E. First reading of Resolution 2019-16 City Manager Myers explained the reason for this request in order to separate the bonding from the budget in order to get low interest rates. Councilor Hamel moved to waive a reading of this resolution in its entirety and to read by title only, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Bownes moved to approve the first reading of Resolution RES-2019-16, a resolution relative to authorizing the City Manager to take any actions necessary to issue bonds for Court Street Reconstruction Phase 2, and Fire Engine replacement projects in the amount of $1,900,000, seconded by Councilor Hosmer; Councilor Hamel moved to amend the original motion to add a new Public Works truck and increase the amount by $125,000, making the total amount $2,025,000, seconded by Councilor Cheney; the amendment passed with all in favor. Mayor Engler called the motion as amended; the the motion as amendment passed with all in favor. Councilor Hamel moved to schedule a public hearing and second reading on Resolution 2019-16 on June 24, 2019 during the regular Council meeting to gather public input prior to adoption, seconded by Councilor Bownes; the motion passed with all in favor. 20.F. First reading of Resolution 2019-17 Councilor Hamel moved to waive a reading of this resolution in it's entirety and to read by title only, seconded by Councilor Bownes; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Cheney moved to a first reading of Resolution RES-2019-17, a resolution relative to authorizing the City Manager to take any actions necessary to issue bonds for Endicott Street Water Line Project, Court Street Bridge Replacement Project and Sewer Upgrades - Union Avenue and Lakeport/Elm Street Project in the amount of $2,250,000, seconded by Councilor Bownes; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Hosmer moved to schedule a second reading and public hearing relative to Resolution 2019-17, during the regular Council meeting on June 24, 2019 to gather public input prior to adoption, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22. COUNCIL COMMENTS  Councilor Hosmer moved to schedule a second reading and public hearing relative to Resolution 2019-17, during the regular Council meeting on June 24, 2019 to gather public input prior to adoption, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Bownes is looking for an additional $25,000 for Code Enforcement. Councilor Hosmer would like to add the Belknap Mill request to the next agenda and to remove the money from the Contingency Account as the City's contribution to the Capital Fund. City Manager Myers explained he will have staff add a resolution for the Belknap Mill request. Councilor Hamel would like the Council to consider doing four installments of $25,000 over four years for the Belknap Mill $100,000. City Manager Myers explained this is not wise as if there is money sitting in an account, it could be used for something else or lapse in fund balance. Councilor Bownes is concerned with committing to $100,000 to the Belknap Mill considering the issue with the Colonial Theatre. Councilor Bownes wants to be frugal about this and wants to see where the City is at. Mayor Engler stated that at the June 24, 2019 Council Meeting, Councilor Hamel and himself will be updated the Council on the Colonial Theatre Project and will possibly be asking for more City money for the Theatre. Councilor Haynes asked if there is any history in regards to something like the Belknap Mill and would the City be setting a precedent? City Manager Myers does not think so since the Council has supported contributions to the WOW Trail, social agency's, Boys and Girls Club, etc. Councilor Hamel asked for the City Manager to find out from the School if there will be any surplus funds to return to the stabilization fund. 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 Co-op/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. NON-PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91-A:3, II) 26. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Engler adjourned the meeting at 8:43 pm. 26. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Engler adjourned the meeting at 8:43 pm. Respectfully Submitted Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk MINUTES OF THIS MEETING WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON JUNE 24, 2019