City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 22, 2021 7:00 P.M. As Mayor of the Laconia City Council, due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus 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 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 www.youtube.com/laconianh, listen to this meeting through dialing the following phone # 1-301-715-8592 or participate by the Zoom app: Webinar ID: 875 6372 8365 password 279717 b) Providing public notice of the necessary information for accessing 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 527-1265 x 243 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. 2/22/2021 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer 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 a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES, Is anyone in the room with you? NO 4. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES, Is anyone in the room with you? NO Councilor Soucy YES, Is anyone in the room with you? NO Councilor Lipman YES, Is anyone in the room with you? NO Councilor Haynes YES, Is anyone in the room with you? NO 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 Councilors are 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 February 8, 2021 Minutes of the meeting were distributed to the Council on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. With no changes or corrections submitted to the Clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA No comments from the public were made. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 11.A. Harrison Haas - Seeking appointment as a regular or alternate member of the Conservation Commission to a term expiring at the end of August, 2024 Councilor Hamel moved to appoint Harrison Haas as an alternate member of the Conservation Commission to a three year term expiring at the end of August, 2024, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy 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. 11.B. Marnie Blaisdell Schulz - Seeking reappointment as a regular member of the Conservation Commission to a term expiring at the end of August, 2023 Councilor Hamel moved to reappoint Marnie Blaisdell-Schulz as a regular member of the Conservation Commission to a term expiring at the end of August, 2023, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.C. James "Olie" Anderson - Seeking reappointment as a regular member of the Library Board of Trustees to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024 Councilor Soucy moved to reappoint James "Olie" Anderson as a regular member of the Library Board of Trustees to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.D. Bruce Kneuer - Seeking reappointment as an alternate member of the Library Board of Trustees to a term expiring at the end of March, 2022 Councilor Felch moved to reappoint Bruce Kneuer as an alternate member of the Library Board of Trustees to a term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Hamel; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote:  Councilor Felch moved to reappoint Bruce Kneuer as an alternate member of the Library Board of Trustees to a term expiring at the end of March, 2022, seconded by Councilor Hamel; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.E. Catherine Tokarz - Seeking reappointment as an alternate member of the Heritage Commission to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024 Councilor Felch moved to reappoint Catherine Tokarz as an alternate member of the Heritage Commission to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024, seconded by Councilor Haynes; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.F. Elizabeth Ballantyne - Seeking reappointment as a regular member of the Putnam Fund to a term expiring at the end of March, 2026 Councilor Felch moved to reappoint Elizabeth Ballantyne as a regular member of the Putnam Fund to a term expiring at the end of March, 2026, seconded by Councilor Hamel; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES;  Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.G. B. Randy Haas - Seeking appointment as a regular member of the Trustees of the Trust Funds to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024 Councilor Felch moved to reappoint B. Randy Haas as a regular member of the Trustees of the Trust Funds to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024, seconded by Councilor Soucy; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.H. Jane LaRoche - Seeking appointment as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment to a term expiring at the end of August, 2024 Councilor Felch moved to appoint Jane LaRoche as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment to a term expiring at the end of August, 2024, seconded by Councilor Haynes; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.I. Susan Hodgkins - Seeking appointment as a regular member or alternate member of the Planning Board to a term expiring at the end of June, 2024 Councilor Felch moved to appoint Susan Hodgkins as an alternate member of the Planning Board to a term expiring at the end of June, 204, seconded by Councilor Soucy; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote:  of the Planning Board to a term expiring at the end of June, 2024 Councilor Felch moved to appoint Susan Hodgkins as an alternate member of the Planning Board to a term expiring at the end of June, 204, seconded by Councilor Soucy; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 11.J. Deanna Guyer - Seeking reappointment as a regular member of the Parks and Recreation Commission to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024 Councilor Felch moved to reappoint Deanna Guyer as a regular member of the Parks and Recreation Commission to a term expiring at the end of March, 2024, seconded by Councilor Hamel; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public hearing for Resolution 2021-03 relative to the NH Department of Environmental Services Exotic Species Program Project Grant in the amount of $23,059 Notice of this public hearing was made available in the February 10, 2021 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Laconia Community Center, and the SAU. Mayor Hosmer opened the public hearing at 7:20 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Hosmer closed the public hearing at 7:21 pm. 14. PRESENTATIONS  Mayor Hosmer opened the public hearing at 7:20 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Hosmer closed the public hearing at 7:21 pm. 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hosmer noted that Concord Hospital has proposed to purchase Lakes Region General Hospital and there will be opportunity for the public to join the meeting via Zoom that will be held February 23, 2021 beginning at 4:00 pm. Mayor Hosmer also mentioned the passing of Russell Hobby who was an on-call fire fighter with Laconia for 39 years and also the father of Lt. JP Hobby. The Mayor sends his condolences to the entire Hobby Family. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS No comments from the Council were made. 17. COMMITTEE REPORTS 17.A. FINANCE (Lipman (Chair), Hamel, Cheney) 17.A.i. WOW Trail Funding 17.A.ii. Downtown TIF Financing 17.B. PUBLIC SAFETY (Cheney (Chair), Soucy, Lipman) 17.C. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Soucy (Chair), Felch, Cheney) 17.C.i. Review of Chapter 167, Noise and Chapter 161 Licensing as it pertains to outdoor sound equipment and loudspeakers 17.C.ii. Ordinance Amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns 17.C.iii. Procedural review of grant applications 17.C.iv. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses 17.C.v. Proposed Historic Overlay District 17.C.vi. Scenic Road Motorcycle Noise Petition 17.D. LANDS & BUILDINGS (Hamel (Chair), Haynes, Felch) 17.D.i. Downtown parking garage 17.D.ii. Repair & maintenance of City buildings 17.D.iii. Perley Pond Maintenance 17.D.iv. Plan for the DPW Compound 17.D.v. Continuation of the discussion regarding parking in the Lakeport area 17.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Haynes (Chair), Felch, Soucy) 17.E.i. Retaining Wall Policy  17.D.v. Continuation of the discussion regarding parking in the Lakeport area 17.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Haynes (Chair), Felch, Soucy) 17.E.i. Retaining Wall Policy 18. LIAISON REPORTS Councilor Felch attended the Motorcycle Week Association meeting last week. The event is hoping to take place June 12, 2021 through June 20, 2021. They plan on having a parade on Friday, June 12, 2021 from City Hall to Lakeside Avenue. The Rally News should be going out soon. The temporary office of the Association is at the Belknap Mill. 19. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS No comments from the public were made. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Project Updates Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. 20.B. Monthly Economic Development Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. Councilor Hamel asked if the Court Street Bridge will be shut down in the fall rather than this spring. City Manager Myers answered yes, it is hoped to happen after Labor Day and before Columbus Day weekend. This spring there will be some work being done at this location with the hopes that both lanes will be operating as much as possible. Councilor Hamel is hoping the pavement can be addressed. Councilor Hamel would like a procedure set up for emergency vehicles when that bridge is completely shut down. City Manager Myers stated that is already in the works and as soon as it is finalized it will be a public document. Councilor Hamel would like the Motorcycle Week event put on the next agenda for the Council to discuss it. The City Manager explained staff is already working on this and will bring it to the Council for further discussion. Tracking is being done with State and Regional officials. Councilor Hamel would like to know if there has been enough interest from vendors as well. Councilor Haynes questioned the left hand turn from the bypass heading towards Belmont. City Manager Myers will get an update for Councilor Haynes as the State would also need to be involved. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Request approval for City of Laconia and Laconia Fire Department to enter into a COVID-19 Vaccination Aid agreement with NH Department of Health and Human Services Councilor Lipman will recuse himself from this item. Chief Beattie noted that LFD has about 7-8 personnel that have been going up to the sites to help with the vaccinations. Councilor Cheney moved to approve that the City of Laconia and Laconia Fire Department enter into a COVID-19 Vaccination Aid Agreement with NH Department of Health and Human Services,  Chief Beattie noted that LFD has about 7-8 personnel that have been going up to the sites to help with the vaccinations. Councilor Cheney moved to approve that the City of Laconia and Laconia Fire Department enter into a COVID-19 Vaccination Aid Agreement with NH Department of Health and Human Services, seconded by Councilor Felch; Councilor Hamel noted there is a limitation on the funds, and would like to know what happens when those funds run out. City Manager Myers explained that he believes if dollars run short, the Government will address that. Mayor Hosmer called the question: City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman Recused himself from the vote Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with five in favor and one abstain (Lipman). 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Second reading and approval of Resolution 2021-03 relative to acceptance of the NH Department of Environmental Services Exotic Species Program Project Councilor Cheney moved to waive a reading of this Resolution in its entirety and to read by title only, seconded by Councilor Haynes; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Cheney moved a second reading of Resolution 2021-03 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on half of the City in the amount of $23,059 for the NH Department of Environmental Services Exotic Species Program Project, seconded by Councilor Felch;  the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Cheney moved a second reading of Resolution 2021-03 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on half of the City in the amount of $23,059 for the NH Department of Environmental Services Exotic Species Program Project, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote; Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Cheney moved to approve Resolution 2021-03 relative to authorizing the City Manager to accept and expend a grant of behalf of the City in the amount of $23,059 for the NH Department of Environmental Services Exotic Species Program Project, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 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  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) Mayor Hosmer noted for the record that the Council will recess briefly to discuss bargaining agreements and then move to the non-public meeting. Once the non-public meeting has adjourned, the Council will go back into public session for the sole purpose of adjourning the meeting. No further business will be discussed. Councilor Haynes moved to go into a non-public meeting regarding 91:A:3, II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of a real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community, seconded by Councilor Felch; City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Cheney moved to seal the minutes of the non-public meeting for six months, seconded by Councilor Soucy; A roll call vote was taken: Councilor Cheney YES Councilor Soucy YES Councilor Lipman YES Councilor Haynes YES Councilor Hamel YES Councilor Felch YES; the motion passed with all in favor. 26. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 9:04 pm.  the motion passed with all in favor. 26. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 9:04 pm. Respectfully submitted Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk MINUTES OF THIS MEETING WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON MARCH 8, 2021