City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Government Operations and Ordinances July 7, 2021 3:30 P.M. 7/7/2021 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Soucy called the meeting to order at the above date and time. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Soucy lead the Salute to the Flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL City Clerk Hebert took a roll call vote with the following Councilors in attendance: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Soucy, and Councilor Felch. Chairman Soucy stated all Committee Members are present and a quorum has been established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Scott Myers, City Manager Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Soucy (Chair), Felch, Cheney) 6.A. Use of public property by for-profit entities City Manager Myers explained more requests have been coming in to use city property and he would like some guidance from the Committee before moving any further. City Manager Myers explained the background to the requests. If someone were to request the use of Rotary Park, an application would be submitted to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Anything that needs road closures, a temporary traffic order would be submitted for approval by Council or administratively approved by the City Manager. In the past, there have been three events in the Weirs submitted by the same person. One being the Laconia Blues Festival, held on the beach, another being Laconia Biketemberfest and the third being Wake the Lake. The Laconia Blues Festival shuts down 90% of the beach and all of the parking. By shutting down the parking lot, the City loses the parking meter revenue for the day of the event. This event is held in September, and weather dependent, that could be a significant loss to the City and do we want to be turning people away. It was suggested that we review the fees being charged to make sure the City is not losing revenue, but at least breaking even. City Manager Myers explained to the Committee that he has requested that the Parks Commission review this event and tighten up the criteria to use the beach. He stated that he doesn't want the City to lose any money, allow the event to happen, and keep the beach available for beach goers all simultaneously. The Biketemberfest event happens in September as well. This event is a block party that happens from Tower Street to Foster Avenue. This isn't a huge disruption, other than the closure of that area. Both of these events are requested by a "for-profit" entity. This same applicant has put in to more requests for events, Weirstoberfest (October 1-3) and Wicked Weirs (October 29-31). The first one is a mini block party using city parking spaces for patrons with use of barricades for crowd control. The second will have a similar layout as Wake the Lake and Biketemberfest. As the  any money, allow the event to happen, and keep the beach available for beach goers all simultaneously. The Biketemberfest event happens in September as well. This event is a block party that happens from Tower Street to Foster Avenue. This isn't a huge disruption, other than the closure of that area. Both of these events are requested by a "for-profit" entity. This same applicant has put in to more requests for events, Weirstoberfest (October 1-3) and Wicked Weirs (October 29-31). The first one is a mini block party using city parking spaces for patrons with use of barricades for crowd control. The second will have a similar layout as Wake the Lake and Biketemberfest. As the Ordinance states now for the use of an outdoor loud speaker it is only until 10:00 pm. The City Manager is asking for guidance from the Committee whether or not to allow these extra events and any extensions of the outdoor loudspeakers. Chairman Soucy asked if there has been any complaints regarding any of these events. City Manager Myers stated as of right now, no but how do we balance sleep and entertainment? City Manager Myers would like to know if the City should be differentiating from non-profit and for- profit entities? Traditionally there has been one event in the spring and one in fall. Does the city put a limit on the number of events and say enough is enough or no? Chairman Soucy thinks these events are great but he doesn't want to see the city lose any money. City Manager Myers explained the three in fall, there are no costs to the city. The Blues Festival is the event that the fees will need to be looked into. Councilor Felch doesn't have a problem with the two added events being requested in October. He explained that Anthony Santagate (applicant) is trying to extend the season in the Weirs area. Chairman Soucy just wants to make sure the City isn't losing any money and that the requests are meeting all of the regulations. Councilor Cheney suggested reviewing all of fees to make sure all of our costs are being covered for all of our events. Councilor Hamel (spoke as a member of the public), mentioned that Mr. Santagate does own part of the sidewalk in front of his businesses but it seems the city portion of the sidewalk seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Councilor Hamel suggested the city clearly defining what is owned by us. City Manager Myers explained that as long as there is 42" (ADA Compliant) then it is fine. It will be monitored. Councilor Hamel also stated he agrees that as long as the city isn't losing money on any of the proposed events then they are good ideas. Councilor Cheney just wants to make sure the City is getting fair market value for the use of city property and tax payers aren't paying any expenses. City Manager Myers stated these will all be on future agendas. 7. Any other business that may come before the Committee 8. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Committee and hearing no objection, Chairman Soucy adjourned the meeting at 4:17 pm. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk