City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 11, 2020 7:00 P.M. (via Zoom) 5/11/2020 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at the above date and time. As Mayor of the Laconia City Council, due to the COVID-19/Coronovirus crisis and in accordance with Governor Sununu's Emergency Order #12 pursuant to Executive Order 2020-04, this Board is authorized to meet electronically. Please note that there is no physical location to observe and listen to the meeting, which was authorized pursuant to the Governor's Emergency Order. However, in accordance with the Emergency Order, this is to confirm that we are: a) Providing public access to the meeting by telephone, with additional access possibilities by video or other electronic means; We are utilizing the Zoom platform for this electronic meeting. All Council Members have the ability to communicate during this meeting through the Zoom platform, and the public has access to watch the live YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/laconianh, listen to this meeting through dialing the following phone number 1-301-715-8592 or participate by the Zoom app: Webinar ID: 824 0545 1946 password 840332 b) Providing public notice of the necessary information for assessing the meeting; We previously gave notice to the public of how to access the meeting using Zoom, and instructions are provided on the City of Laconia's website at: www.laconianh.gov c) Providing a mechanism for the public to alert the public body during the meeting if there are problems with access; If anybody has a problem, please call 524-3877 ext 249 or email at: cityclerk@laconianh.gov d) Adjourning the meeting if the public is unable to access the meeting. In the event the public is unable to access the meeting, we will adjourn the meeting and have it rescheduled at that time. Please note that all votes that are taken during this meeting shall be done by Roll Call vote. Let's start the meeting by taking a Roll Call attendance. When each member states their presence, also please state whether there is anyone in the room with you during this meeting, which is required under the Right-to-Know law. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Cheney lead the Salute to the Flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES (physically present) Councilor Bownes YES, Is anyone in the room with you? No Councilor Lipman YES, Is anyone in the room with you? No Councilor Haynes YES, (physically present) Councilor Hamel YES, Is anyone in the room with you? No Councilor Felch YES, Is anyone in the room with you? No Mayor Hosmer noted all six (6) 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. Regular meeting minutes of April 27, 2020 Minutes of the meeting were distributed to the City Council on Thursday, April 30, 2020. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Acceptance of a $1,000 donation for the Colonial Theatre filming project Mayor Hosmer read the background to this item. Councilor Hamel moved to accept a $1,000 donation from Misiaszek Turpin PLLC to partially offset the cost of creating a video documentary of the Colonial Theatre renovation project, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Bownes YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES the motion passed with all in favor.  Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES the motion passed with all in favor. 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA No comments from the public were made. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hosmer spoke of the Laconia School District and how they have gone above and beyond during these uncertain times. Mayor Hosmer also thanked the first responders and the staff throughout the City. 16. COMMITTEE REPORTS 16.A. FINANCE (Lipman (Chair), Hamel, Cheney) 16.A.i. WOW Trail Funding 16.A.ii. Downtown TIF Financing 16.B. PUBLIC SAFETY (Cheney (Chair), Bownes, Lipman) 16.C. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Bownes (Chair), Felch, 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.C.iv. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses 16.C.v. Proposed Historic Overlay District 16.C.vi. Scenic Road Motorcycle Noise Petition 16.D. LANDS & BUILDINGS (Hamel (Chair), Haynes, Felch) 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.D.v. Continuation of the discussion regarding parking in the Lakeport area  16.D.iii. Perley Pond Maintenance 16.D.iv. Plan for the DPW Compound 16.D.v. Continuation of the discussion regarding parking in the Lakeport area 16.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Haynes (Chair), Felch, Bownes) 16.E.i. Retaining Wall Policy 17. LIAISON REPORTS Councilor Cheney reported that the Police Commission will be holding their meeting this month after missing the past two months. Councilor Hamel reported on the Colonial Theatre and everything is progressing well. Councilor Bownes asked for an update in regards to the sound, lighting, and rigging and the $900,000 that was set aside for it. Councilor Hamel explained the the price came back over the $900,000 so they are trying figure out how to get that amount down. 18. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS Bill Woodbury, Normandin, Cheney, and O'neill, representing The Dive, LLC and will be present for any questions that may come forward on the topic of the Lease agreement. Mayor Hosmer forgot to show a short video that was shared with him by Mr. Champlain, At-Large School Board Member and feels it suits exactly what the community and school community represents. This video may be watched on YouTube and will be available on the City Website. No other comments from the public were made. 19. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 19.A. Financial and Operational Trends Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. 19.B. Interest abatements related to June 2020 tax billing options City Manager Myers explained this is a follow up in regards to the Councils concerns in regards to the Tax Bills going out soon and residents having any hardships. A letter from Steve Hamilton from Whitney Consulting Group, which is the City's Assessing consultant was part of the agenda to discuss options for the Board of Assessors to go by in approving any hardships. In the letter it explains any Interest Abatements related to June 2020 Tax Billing. Outlined in the letter is Assessor Hamilton's suggestions to the City's Board of Assessors to consider. These are: Limit this to interest on those taxes billed after declaration of the State of Emergency, require tax payers requesting abatement of interest to certify that their ability to timely pay the tax was negatively impacted by the State of Emergency, establish a time limit of 60 days after the expiration of the State of Emergency, and establishment of a dollar limit might also be considered. The City Manager does encourage people that have the ability to pay their taxes to do so. City Manager Myers is asking for the consensus of the Council in support of these guidelines as the Board of Assessors has the authority to make these decisions. Councilor Hamel clarified that this would allow tax payers to abate any interest due, due to not being able to pay the June 2020 tax bill to be waived and would only be valid for 60 days after the State of Emergency ends? Board of Assessors has the authority to make these decisions. Councilor Hamel clarified that this would allow tax payers to abate any interest due, due to not being able to pay the June 2020 tax bill to be waived and would only be valid for 60 days after the State of Emergency ends? City Manager Myers confirmed. Councilor Hamel asked if people would have to go in front the Board of Assessors to apply for this? City Manager Myers explained that there would be simple form for the taxpayers to fill out, that will be made available on the City Website, and submitted to the Board of Assessors. The taxpayers wouldn't have to submit documentation to prove the hardship, but would simply have to answer a few questions. Councilor Hamel asked if the State of Emergency goes until the end of the year? City Manager Myers stated the Board of Assessors could reassess this at anytime and make adjustments as needed. Councilor Bownes asked if these standards are only for the upcoming June 2020 bill and not include past due taxes. City Manager Myers confirmed. This is only for the tax bill that will be going out in May 2020 and not past due taxes. City Manager Myers explained the State of Emergency Order is valid for only 21 days unless the Governor extends it which is what he has been doing. So in this case the 60 days would begin when the Emergency Order either expires or the Governor states that it has ended. The 60 day number was picked as it would give the tax payer eight (8) pay cycles to get caught up. Councilor Lipman would like to see if an end date for the end of the 2020 year could be used? The Council is in consensus to allow the Board of Assessors to move forward with the stipulations set forth in the attached document with adding an end date of December 31, 2020. City Manager Myers also spoke in regards to the Governor's announcement in regards to the stipends to the first responders. This would give Full time fire and police employees $300 per week and part time employees $150 per week for 8.2 weeks of payroll. Because of the Union, it is recommended that this be approved by the governing body, the Council. These stipends would reimburse the City for these funds with a quick turnaround. Councilor Cheney moved to approve the stipend being given to the first responders by the Government, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Bownes YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES the motion passed with all in favor. City Manager Myers also brought up the Governor's 2.0 and how that may affect the opening of City Buildings. Last week the City Manager had a Zoom meeting with all the department heads in the City to discuss a soft opening of the City buildings. City Manager Myers explained Municipal  Councilor Felch YES the motion passed with all in favor. City Manager Myers also brought up the Governor's 2.0 and how that may affect the opening of City Buildings. Last week the City Manager had a Zoom meeting with all the department heads in the City to discuss a soft opening of the City buildings. City Manager Myers explained Municipal Government was deemed essential and was never forced to shut down. For the safety of the employees, it was decided to close the doors of the Municipal buildings to the public but still try to accommodate the citizens to the best of our ability. During this time, the staff has been very creative to get items done for the residents. With the new soft opening of various businesses, we are similar to the standards of a retail operation. We will be encouraging anyone entering our buildings to wear a mask. All of the counters will have plexi-glass installed where customer interaction is had. The City is looking to have hand sanitizer readily available, even though that has been a challenge. The Library Director is looking to parallel what City Hall is doing but the Library Board of Trustees will determine what steps they need to take. There will one door at City Hall for an entrance and one door for an exit. City Hall is looking to have a greeter in the lobby area of City Hall to help with social distancing and directing them with what they need throughout the building. We still strongly encourage our residents to take advantage of our online services and not come into City Hall if possible. For the Planning and Assessing departments, it is encouraged that residents call ahead to make an appointment before showing up to City Hall. City Manager Myers stated the order for no more than 10 people at a gathering is still in place so meetings will still be conducted through the Zoom platform. A few dates have been discussed as to when the soft opening would happen, one being Tuesday, May 26, 2020 and the other being Monday, June 1, 2020. This allows a few weeks to see how other businesses are doing after their soft openings. Councilor Haynes would like to make it mandatory for anyone entering our buildings to have to be wearing a mask. City Manager Myers appreciates that position and there will be masks available to those entering our building to put on but from an enforcement stand point, he is unsure how that would be handled and what happens if a customer refuses to wear a mask. Would that put our staff in jeopardy of being harmed. The City Manager will get clarification if that mandate can be put in place. 20. NEW BUSINESS 20.A. Request to submit a grant application to the NH Department of Environmental Services' State Aid Grant program for the Elm Street sewer infrastructure improvement project City Manager Myers explained the background on this item. Department of Public Works Director Wes Anderson is available if there are any technical questions. Councilor Haynes moved that the City Council authorize Public Works to submit an application for the Elm Street Sewer Project to the Department of Environmental Services' State Aid Grant Program, seconded by Councilor Felch; Councilor Lipman asked how the overall project would be financed if the Grant was received and could it be refused if the City didn't have the additional funds. City Manager Myers explained this would most likely be a part of next year's budget, plus with interest rates significantly low, it would be better to bond the City's share. Councilor Lipman asked if there is a component from the Water Department or is it strictly sewer. City Manager Myers will get back with an answer to that. Councilor Bownes wants to know if we can move forward with the application? Can the City not accept the grant or is the City committed to the project? City Manager Myers explained he feels it is always better to accept a grant, rather than apply for a grant and then refuse it as it may cause problems in the future of being awarded grants of this size. This is a needed project and if it is not done next year, it is not being removed from the drawing board.  accept the grant or is the City committed to the project? City Manager Myers explained he feels it is always better to accept a grant, rather than apply for a grant and then refuse it as it may cause problems in the future of being awarded grants of this size. This is a needed project and if it is not done next year, it is not being removed from the drawing board. Mayor Hosmer called the question; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Bownes YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES the motion passed with all in favor. 20.B. Discussion regarding the correspondence received from the City Manager dated April 16, 2020 pertaining to funds available in the amounts of $400,000 and $70,000 City Manager Myers gave an overview of these available funds. The almost 400,000 from the revenue sharing from the State that was part of last year's budget adoption were included in a contingency account. Last year, the City issued a 20-year bond to fund an extension of a water line on Endicott Street East and that project came in under what was budgeted and there is $70,000 that can be repurposed. The City Manager listed items with higher rankings from the CIP Committee or supported City Council Goals of public safety, quality of life for our residents or maintained infrastructure. Therefore these monies are available. Councilor Cheney is concerned with making any decisions this early because of the COVID-19 issues. Councilor Cheney would like to put making a decision off for the use of these funds a couple of months until the City has a better idea of where the City stands in light of the pandemic. Councilor Haynes does agree with Councilor Cheney. Councilor Bownes would like to go forward with repurpusing the $70,000 for the Weirs Boulevard storm water improvements and the Hilliard Road cove bridge. Councilor Bownes is in favor with Councilor Cheney and Councilor Haynes in respect to the $400,000 but would like to use $17,000 for the Bond Beach Sewer and $60,000 for the Weirs Fire Station improvements. That would leave a remainder of $323,000 for pandemic issues. City Manager Myers would like to see the Transfer Station Scale be done as we can no longer get parts for replacement and the City could be potentially losing significant revenue if the scale is not working properly. Councilor Bownes changed his position by adding the use of $50,000 for the Transfer Station Scale but not using the $60,000 for the Weirs Fire Station. Councilor Hamel asked if there were any stipulations on this money. City Manager Myers stated no, the money is there and not tied to anything specific. There is a similar amount that is due to be received after July 1, 2020 from the State as the State passes a two year budget but with the current situation of the State no one knows, if those monies will still be available. If nothing is done with the $400,000 by the end of this fiscal year or only part is allocated then the remainder would go into the general fund. Councilor Hamel asked if there were any stipulations on this money. City Manager Myers stated no, the money is there and not tied to anything specific. There is a similar amount that is due to be received after July 1, 2020 from the State as the State passes a two year budget but with the current situation of the State no one knows, if those monies will still be available. If nothing is done with the $400,000 by the end of this fiscal year or only part is allocated then the remainder would go into the general fund. Councilor Hamel asked if this money could be used to pay bills. City Manager Myers answered yes. Councilor Lipman asked if there is anything else on the list that should be considered a top priority before moving forward. City Manager Myers explained, other than the Skate Park, all of the other items are to be considered for efficiency. City Manager Myers stated the key one is the Transfer Station and the Bond Beach Sewer. Councilor Felch agrees with using some of the money for the Transfer Station Scale and the Bond Beach Sewer but would like to see the Weirs Fire Station improvements be done as well. The cost of improvements could go up and the living situation is less than ideal. Councilor Cheney's intent was to just hold off a few months and then do the projects. He agrees with what the City Manager said about these projects being time or money saving. Mayor Hosmer asked if the Bond Beach Sewer project is for the engineering and if that part is done and there is future money to go ahead with the project, would it be shovel ready then. City Manager Myers confirmed. Mayor Hosmer is in favor of holding onto money for the unknowns related to the the pandemic but thinks it is equally vital for money to be used now for the Transfer Station Scale, Bond Beach Sewer, and the Weirs Fire Station. Using monies for those three items would still save around $320,000. Councilor Hamel moved to spend $17,000 for the Bond Beach Sewer, $50,000 for the Transfer Station Scale, and $70,000 for the Weirs Boulevard storm water improvements and Hilliard Road cove bridge, seconded by Councilor Bownes; Councilor Felch really encourages money to be used now for the Weirs Fire Station. Councilor Cheney agrees but thinks it can wait just a little longer. Councilor Hamel does agree about the Fire Station, but in the CIP request, they were asking for over a million dollars so he doesn't think the $60,000 will do much of anything. Councilor Cheney explained the $60,000 is for repairs to the living quarters of the station whereas the the CIP request was for renovation of the entire Station. Mayor Hosmer asked Councilor Felch if he would consider addressing the Weirs Fire Station within in the next couple months. Councilor Felch agrees to wait and address this in June. Mayor Hosmer called the question; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Bownes YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES  Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Hamel moved to put the remainder of the money in a Non-Capital Reserve Account to be used in the future City Manager Myers stated typically these would be part of year end carry-forwards but there isn't a problem with moving these funds now into a Non-Capital Reserve Account if that is the desire of the Council. seconded by Councilor Lipman; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote; Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Bownes NO Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch NO the motion passed with four (4) in favor and two (2) opposed. 21. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 21.A. The Dive, LLC - Update on the proposed dock expansion City Manager Myers stated the proposed Lease Agreement was received after the agenda was posted. A copy of the proposed lease is attached to the minutes. City Manager Myers explained the details of the changes to the Lease agreement with The Dive, LLC that the Council had requested at the last meeting. Also submitted with the proposed lease were two additional documents explaining what the costs would be to fix the existing City-owned docks. Councilor Cheney has concern with item 7D. regarding delivery times. He would like to see the last part of that section removed so it states all deliveries will be before 10:30 am, not attempted. Under Item F, Councilor Cheney would like a more definitive way of measuring sound, not less than yelling. Councilor Cheney is unsure about the part under Subletting 1 as it is very vague. Under maintenance, it states the City is responsible for any maintenance or repairs. Councilor Cheney thinks that once The Dive, LLC is paying rent, then yes, the City could be held responsible for paying for repairs but not until then. City Manager Myers explained that item was discussed with legal and legal felt very strongly that because it is a City dock the City should be responsible for the dock in order to protect the City. Councilor Cheney would like it to state that The Dive, LLC is responsible for any costs for repairs to the dock in the first three years. City Manager Myers said that could be looked into in conjunction City Manager Myers explained that item was discussed with legal and legal felt very strongly that because it is a City dock the City should be responsible for the dock in order to protect the City. Councilor Cheney would like it to state that The Dive, LLC is responsible for any costs for repairs to the dock in the first three years. City Manager Myers said that could be looked into in conjunction with any warranty that may come with the new dock. Councilor Lipman asked if the quality of work and construction bond will be addressed to protect the City. City Manager Myers said that can be addressed. Councilor Lipman would like to know what rights the City will have with enforcing any laws. City Manager Myers explained The Dive, LLC will need to comply with any and all Federal and State Laws in order to get a Certificate of Occupancy, so it was better not to get too specific in fear of forgetting to detail something. The City Manager stated the dock is in Laconia water and Laconia has full authority while the vessel is tied to the dock. If the vessel isn't tied to a dock and Laconia needed assistance, then Marine Patrol would step in to help Laconia with enforcement. There are specifics in regards to Laconia's noise ordinance. The hours of operation have been stipulated within the proposed lease agreement to be 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. The Dive, LLC can submit to the Council to extend those hours in the same manner The Margate would do when they are having a wedding on a Sunday. The Dive, LLC would still be subject to the City's Loudspeaker Ordinance. Councilor Hamel questioned the section regarding damage to the docks due to fire or casualty. Councilor Hamel would like clarification as to what extent The Dive, LLC or the City is responsible. City Manager Myers explained that Primex, the City's insurance suggested having that language added and he will have to get clarification as to exactly what that means. Councilor Hamel would like to know who is responsible for the piping that goes out to the dock and if there were to be any spills. City Manager Myers explained The Dive, LLC is responsible for the installation and any violation of any laws of discharges and the upkeep. Councilor Hamel would like to see that detailed in the lease. Councilor Felch stated that The Dive, LLC is a business therefore they are naturally responsible for utilities. Councilor Bownes stated he can not find the documents that were e-mailed to him regarding this proposed lease so he wants to be sure of the details of the cost to build the docks and what the property taxes are going to be. City Manager Myers confirmed Councilor Bownes concerns are in the proposed lease agreement. Councilor Bownes assumes this item will be tabled until a finalized document is agreed upon. Councilor Felch thinks this has been discussed enough as have the changes that the Council would like to make. Councilor Felch moved to allow the City Manager to make the changes requested tonight and give authorization to sign into a lease agreement with The Dive, LLC, Mayor Hosmer would like the City Manager to itemize the changes that have been requested this evening to make sure everyone is on the same page. City Manager Myers stated the proposed changes suggested this evening are: 1. Under Lease Agreement - protection with the contractor while the work is being performed and have a construction bond. City Manager Myers stated the proposed changes suggested this evening are: 1. Under Lease Agreement - protection with the contractor while the work is being performed and have a construction bond. 2. Under insurance and indemnification - 3D. clean up the language regarding deliveries before 10:30 am. 3. Under F - Councilor Cheney would like something specific in regards to without yelling. 4. Under the cities responsibility to repairs to the dock, it was suggested that there be clarification that the City is not responsible for paying for any repairs, especially within the first three years. 5. Verification the language under damage that Councilor Hamel brought up. 6. Checking on the language that the maintenance of all the utility lines that run to the dock are separate from the maintenance of the dock. 7. Cleaning up the subletting language. Councilor Bownes thanked Councilor Lipman, City Clerk Hebert, and Attorney Woodbury for sending him the documents that he couldn't locate to begin with. Councilor Bownes is still reluctant to approve a motion to allow the City Manager to move forward with the changes without seeing a finalized document. Councilor Bownes would like to see the finalized documents before authorizing the City Manager to sign the documents. Councilor Bownes doesn't see why delaying this two weeks during this pandemic will hurt this project at all. Councilor Felch respects that but feels they have been delayed enough and they still have to go before the Planning Department for approvals. City Manager Myers explained the agreement does allow them to utilize a different portion of a dock while construction is happening so they are still able to run their business. City Manager Myers agrees that he is not comfortable signing a document without further approval by the Council with all of the suggested amendments. Mayor Hosmer called Councilor Felch's motion, there was no second to the motion. Councilor Felch and Councilor Lipman requested to hear from Attorney Woodbury. Attorney Woodbury has been in contact with his clients during this meeting to discuss the Council's concerns that have been brought up and his clients are in agreement with everything the Council have been discussing. Attorney Woodbury apologized for the lateness of the documents but they did work as fast as they could to get them completed. Councilor Bownes questioned Attorney Woodbury if the Council delayed this two weeks, would it be a deal breaker? Attorney Woodbury stated, no, it would not be a deal breaker. But the sooner the better because this is an outside business and they can be socially distant under the standards the Governor has set forth due to COVID-19. Attorney Woodbury does not want to seem pushy but there is a lot of work that needs to be done and The Dive, LLC looks forward to forming a relationship with the City. He also mentioned the two additional documents that were submitted need to be read in conjunction, not an either or. Mayor Hosmer asked if after hearing Attorney Woodbury agree to all the suggestions made tonight, if the City Manager would feel more comfortable with moving forward. City Manager Myers said it helps having him on record. Councilor Felch would like to move forward with his original motion. Councilor Bownes would like to know if putting this off for two weeks would be a deal breaker for Attorney Woodbury.  City Manager Myers said it helps having him on record. Councilor Felch would like to move forward with his original motion. Councilor Bownes would like to know if putting this off for two weeks would be a deal breaker for Attorney Woodbury. Attorney Woodbury said no it certainly would not be a deal breaker, The Dive, LLC would like to see this all the way through. Councilor Lipman suggested having the Mayor and a Council representative to review the final documents in order to advance this item quicker than a two-week period. Mayor Hosmer suggested Councilor Bownes join himself and the City Manager to review and approve a final document. Councilor Felch moved to accept a friendly amendment to his original motion which would allow the Mayor, a Council representative and the City Manager to review all changes to the proposed lease agreement and to approve a final lease agreement between the City of Laconia and The Dive, LLC, seconded by Councilor Bownes; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote Councilor Cheney NO Councilor Bownes YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel NO Councilor Felch YES the motion passed with four (4) in favor and two (2) opposed. 22. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Felch has received a few phone calls in regards to adding a Duck and Geese Crossing sign on Black Brook Road. Councilor Cheney addressed the substantial amount of utility poles on Rollercoaster Road. He took it upon himself to count how many actual poles there are on that road. Within a 1 1/2 mile stretch, there are 66 poles and on 106 between Pickerel Pond Road and Rollercoaster Road there are 59 poles. Councilor Cheney would like to know if the City is getting paid for every pole and/or if the excess poles are going to be removed. Councilor Bownes asked if the City Manager needed guidance from the Council in regards to opening City Hall. City Manager Myers stated it can be done from the City Managers Office but just wanted to keep the Council updated on the plans. Councilor Hamel stated that he thinks that now that Court Street is done and Beacon Street West is all lined, it all looks great. 23. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 23.A. Master Plan  lined, it all looks great. 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 23.H. Fair St/Court St traffic problems and accidents 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 Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 9:46 pm. Respectfully submitted Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk MINUTES OF THIS MEETING WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON MAY 26, 2020