City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING May 10, 2021 6:00 P.M. As Mayor Pro Tem 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 meting 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 number 1-301-715- 8592 or participate by the Zoom app: Webinar ID: 842 2203 8955 password 564927 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 ext. 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. 5/10/2021 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Haynes called the meeting to order at the above date and time. 2. RECORDING SECRETARY Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk 3. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? Physically present in the Council Chamber Councilor Soucy YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? NO  City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote: Councilor Cheney YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? Physically present in the Council Chamber Councilor Soucy YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? NO Councilor Lipman YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? NO Councilor Haynes YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? Physically present in the Council Chamber Councilor Hamel YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? Physically present in the Council Chamber Councilor Felch YES, Is there anyone in the room with you? NO Mayor Pro Tem Haynes noted all six Councilors are in attendance and a quorum has been established. Councilor Hamel lead the Salute to the Flag. 4. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Scott Myers, City Manager Glenn Smith, Finance Director 5. PRESENTATIONS 5.A. School District - Steve Tucker, Superintendent Present from the School District is Superintendent Steve Tucker, Assistant Superintendent Amy Hines, Business Administrator Christine Blouin, School Board Chair Heather Lounsbury, and Budget Committee Personnel Chair Joe Cormier. School Board Chair Lounsbury began the meeting reading a prepared statement in which she explained how the school district has handled the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic and the last effects. She also stated they are planning an opening in the fall as traditional as possible. Superintendent Tucker reviewed the PowerPoint presentation, which is a part of the record. Assistant Superintendent Hines reviewed some of the budget priorities: meet students where they are at and provide a quality education for them after a year of COVID-19, ensure health and safety for our school community, continued work on district goals, and funding and supports outside of the Fiscal Year 22 Budget after a 14 months of COVID-19. Some other budget priorities are professional development, instructional framework, community connections, math, literacy, and mentoring and coaches. Business Administrator Blouin reviewed the Tax Cap compliant proposed budget. BA Blouin explained the State is still allowing all students, regardless of income, free meals. Some of the driving factors of the budget are contractual obligations, employer contribution to NH retirement, holiday premium, special education, special projects and technology. BA Blouin also noted that COVID expenses are not included in this budget. These will be covered by Esser II and Esser III. Superintendent Hines explained the Special Education changes. The budget reflects the placements of students due to court involvement and DCYF. The District does not have any control over the placement of students once the Court becomes involved. There is an estimated 402 cap (maximum cost to the District), and for the 2021-2022 school year, there is an estimated $54,866 allotted per student. There are currently about 33 placements, with only one as a district placement. Councilor Hamel thanked Superintendent Tucker and his staff for all of their hard work during such a difficult time. Councilor Hamel asked how much in COVID funding the district received and are there any restrictions with these funds?  cost to the District), and for the 2021-2022 school year, there is an estimated $54,866 allotted per student. There are currently about 33 placements, with only one as a district placement. Councilor Hamel thanked Superintendent Tucker and his staff for all of their hard work during such a difficult time. Councilor Hamel asked how much in COVID funding the district received and are there any restrictions with these funds? Superintendent Tucker explained the District has already used some COVID resources for cleaning supplies and 1:1 devices. The District has also received Esser II funds in an amount of $3.9 million, and they do not have to be used until September 2023. It is expected that they will be receiving Esser III funds, estimated to be about $9 million. Those monies can not be used as a revenue source. They are hoping to use that money for facilities, staffing, as well as cleaning supplies. Councilor Hamel asked what the plans are for the fall of 2021? Will the district require staff and students to be vaccinated before returning to school. Superintendent Tucker explained the goal is to be back in the classroom in the fall of 2021 at 100%. Superintendent Tucker explained that the Governor and Commissioner will not be requiring vaccinations in order for staff and students to be in the classroom. He stated it is a personal choice. Councilor Lipman asked if Superintendent Tucker could explain what has been done and what will be done within the district to help with air quality and cleaning. Superintendent Tucker explained that Rist Frost Shumway tested the air quality of all the facilities. They stated the facilities are in a good place. Between the SAU and High School, about 35 spaces needed to be addressed. With the use of COVID funding, air quality units were placed in those spaces. There has also been continued meeting with Rist Frost for longer term plans for the air quality. There was also an increase in cleaning supplies and custodial support. Mayor Hosmer entered the meeting around 6:30 pm. He thanked the Superintendent, School Board and District staff for all of their hard work over the course of this pandemic. Councilor Lipman asked about the energy savings that was mentioned earlier., how much is attributed to the updates that were done. Superintendent Tuckers explained it is really hard to know the true savings from the project because they aren't sure how much could be contributed to less students in the school throughout the year. 6. Any other business that may come before the Council 7. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Pro Tem adjourned the meeting at 6:34 pm. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk MINUTES OF THIS MEETING WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON MAY 24, 2021