City Council

CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 13, 2021 7:00 P.M. 12/13/2021 - 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 with the following Councilors in attendance: Bruce Cheney, Bob Soucy, Henry Lipman, Mark Haynes, Bob Hamel, and Tony Felch. Mayor Hosmer noted that all six Councilors were in attendance and a quorum was 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 November 22, 2021 Minutes of the meeting were distributed to the City Council on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. With no changes or corrections submitted to the City Clerk, the minutes will be accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Request by Gilda's Club New Hampshire Councilor Felch moved to approve the request from Gilda's Club New Hampshire to use Weirs Beach along with some dock space/boats slips on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm for the Dragon Boat Race Festival fundraising event, and to waive City fees associated with the event, seconded by Councilor Soucy; Councilor Felch stated the event went really well this year and encourages everyone to attend next year. Mayor Hosmer called the question. the motion passed with all in favor.  year. Mayor Hosmer called the question. the motion passed with all in favor. 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Scott McWilliam, 61 Pearl Street - Asked whether there would be any updates regarding to Item 23H, Fair/Court Street traffic problems, and what committee would be addressing this. Councilor Cheney explained this would be under the Public Safety Committee and he hopes to schedule a meeting sometime in the new year. Mr. McWilliam also asked if a blinking crosswalk light could be added on Court Street, like the one that is being installed in front of Vista's Supermarket. 10. INTERVIEWS 10.A. Paul Duggan - Seeking appointment as an alternate member of the Planning Board to a three-year term expiring at the end of June, 2024 Paul Duggan was interviewed. 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public hearing pertaining to the redistricting map Notice of this public hearing was made available in the November 24, 2021, edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, SAU, Community Center, and Laconia Public Library on November 23, 2021. Mayor Hosmer opened the public hearing at 7:14 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Hosmer closed the public hearing at 7:15 pm. 13.B. Public hearing on Ordinance 2021-235-41-A, to amend City Code Chapter 235, Accessory Dwelling Unit Notice of this public hearing was made available in the Wednesday, November 24, 2021 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at City Hall, Laconia Public Library, Community Center, and SAU. Mayor Hosmer opened the public hearing at 7:15 pm. Hearing no comments from the public, Mayor Hosmer closed the public hearing at 7:16 pm. 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hosmer noted there is one opening on the Lakes Business Park Commission. The Mayor has reached out to local resident Michael Gagnon about serving. Mr. Gagnon met with CM Myers about what the position entailed. Mayor Hosmer appointed Michael Gagnon to the open seat of the Lakes Business Park Commission. Mayor Hosmer stated it is great to see the entire Council present tonight. Mayor Hosmer spoke of the spike in the COVID cases. He has spoken to representatives from the hospital and they are definitely seeing an  Mayor Hosmer noted there is one opening on the Lakes Business Park Commission. The Mayor has reached out to local resident Michael Gagnon about serving. Mr. Gagnon met with CM Myers about what the position entailed. Mayor Hosmer appointed Michael Gagnon to the open seat of the Lakes Business Park Commission. Mayor Hosmer stated it is great to see the entire Council present tonight. Mayor Hosmer spoke of the spike in the COVID cases. He has spoken to representatives from the hospital and they are definitely seeing an influx and they are working at max capacity. The evidence is that if one is unvaccinated the chance of being hospitalized is greater than if you were vaccinated. The ICU has been filled to capacity for quite a while. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Cheney complimented Councilor Hamel and Councilor Soucy's quick actions at our last Council meeting in regards to Councilor Haynes' medical issue as well as the quick response from our first responders. Councilor Felch spoke of the Children's Auction and he thanked everyone that was involved whether by volunteering, bidding, or donating. Over $583,000 was raised. Councilor Haynes congratulates Celebrate Laconia on all the decorations in the downtown. Councilor Haynes also mentioned the article written by Elizabeth Howard's article "Miracle on Main Street," in the Daily Sun. He said it was very well written and brought back a lot of memories. Councilor Hamel agrees with the Councilor Haynes about the decorations downtown and the parade. Councilor Hamel also thanked Lakes Region Public Access for their job televising the auction. 17. COMMITTEE REPORTS 17.A. FINANCE (Lipman (Chair), Hamel, Cheney) Councilor Lipman would like to schedule a Finance Committee meeting on January 10, 2022 at 6:15 pm pertaining to the Welfare Guidelines. 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.C.vii. Use of public property by for-profit entities 17.C.viii. Short Term Rentals 17.C.ix. Naming privilege's to public areas  17.C.vii. Use of public property by for-profit entities 17.C.viii. Short Term Rentals 17.C.ix. Naming privilege's to public areas 17.D. LAND & 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.E.ii. Discussion for converting from a manual to an automated solid waste curbside collection service 18. LIAISON REPORTS 19. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS No comments from the public were made. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Financial and Operational Trends Report City Manager Myers reviewed the report. Councilor Lipman asked when the Weirs TIF will receive the latest allotment? Finance Director Smith explained expenses are paid on a quarterly basis and the next allotment is due at the end of December. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Discussion of House Bill 1032 relative to the Laconia State School property Councilor Haynes moved to table this item until January 10, 2022, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.B. Request to designate a portion of North Street no parking Councilor Felch moved to table this item until the abutters can be properly notified, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.C. Amend City Code Chapter 235 Zoning, to update section 21.2, Performance Zoning Overlay District Director of Planning Dean Trefethen explained the background of this item to the Council. The boundaries being used for the Weirs TIF District will be the same boundaries used for this. 21.C. Amend City Code Chapter 235 Zoning, to update section 21.2, Performance Zoning Overlay District Director of Planning Dean Trefethen explained the background of this item to the Council. The boundaries being used for the Weirs TIF District will be the same boundaries used for this. Councilor Soucy is concerned about item 2 of the Ordinance stating that the Planning Board as the "sole authority for approval of an overall development." Councilor Lipman explained the Council has the authority to appoint the members to the Planning Board and that is how the Council is involved in the process. Councilor Cheney moved to waive a reading of this Ordinance in its entirety and to read by title only, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Cheney moved a first reading of Ordinance 2021-235-21.1, amending the Performance Zoning Overlay District, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Felch moved to a schedule a public hearing on December 27, 2021, during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to any action being taken, seconded by Councilor Cheney; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.D. First reading of Resolution 2021-19, relative to the acceptance of the Leary Firefighters Foundation Grant Councilor Cheney moved to waive a reading of Resolution 2021-19 in its entirety and to read by title only, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Cheney moved a first reading of Resolution 2021-19, relative to the acceptance of the Leary Foundation Grant in the amount of $18,595.74 for the Laconia Fire Department, seconded by Councilor Felch; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Haynes moved to schedule a public hearing on December 27, 2021, during the regular Council meeting to gather public input prior to any action being taken, seconded by Councilor Felch; Councilor Lipman asked if the Chief knew if there would be any additional costs. Chief Beattie does not know as he has not seen the new equipment yet. Mayor Hosmer called the question; the motion passed with all in favor. 21.E. Request to appoint a City Council representative to the 2021 Debra Bieniarz Award Committee Councilor Soucy moved to appoint Councilor Cheney as the City Council's representative to the 2021 Debra Bieniarz Award Committee, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with five in favor, one abstain (Cheney). 21.F. City Council Resolution in support of Gunstock Mountain Resort Councilor Soucy thanked the City Manager for putting this together. Councilor Soucy read into the record the following Resolution: "In the Year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-one A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A STRONG AND VIBRANT OPERATION OF GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT  "In the Year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-one A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A STRONG AND VIBRANT OPERATION OF GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT Resolved by the City Council of the City of Laconia as follows: WHEREAS, supporting a strong and vibrant operation of Gunstock Mountain Resort will benefit Belknap County residents, visitors to our area and local businesses, the City Council encourages and recommends the following: 1. A supportive and cooperative relationship between the Gunstock Area Commission and the Belknap County Delegation 2. An appropriate investment in infrastructure and maintenance to keep Gunstock Mountain Resort a destination location 3. Ensuring that affordable opportunities remain for Belknap County residents to utilize the amenities of Gunstock Mountain Resort 4. Continued appointments to the Gunstock Area Commission of community minded residents who are visionary and can work collaboratively on behalf of Belknap County residents 5. That cash reserves are not removed from Gunstock Mountain Resort so that the fiscal stability of operations and investments in future years remains solid 6. That there be ample opportunity for public comment during public meetings on the future of Gunstock Mountain Resort and those appointed to the Gunstock Area Commission 7. That the focus should be on what a treasure it is to have Gunstock Mountain Resort in our backyard and efforts should be focused on how to ensure it remains as such for future generations This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage." Councilor Soucy moved a first reading of Resolution 2021-20, a resolution in supporting a strong and vibrant operation of Gunstock Mountain Resort, seconded by Councilor Cheney; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Soucy moved to approve Resolution 2021-20, a Resolution in supporting a strong and vibrant operation of Gunstock Mountain Resort, seconded by Councilor Haynes; the motion passed with all in favor. Councilor Haynes thanked Councilor Soucy for bringing this forth and hopes it sends the delegation a message. 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Approval of the redistricting map Councilor Felch moved to approve the redistricting map as presented, seconded by Councilor Hamel; the motion passed with all in favor. 22.B. Second reading of Ordinance 2021-235-41-A, Zoning, Accessory Dwelling Unit Director Trefethen briefed the Council on this item. Councilor Lipman agrees with the direction of this Ordinance but has some concerns not having the rules spelled out completely. Councilor Lipman agrees to adopt this with a condition to bring back to the Council the administrative  Director Trefethen briefed the Council on this item. Councilor Lipman agrees with the direction of this Ordinance but has some concerns not having the rules spelled out completely. Councilor Lipman agrees to adopt this with a condition to bring back to the Council the administrative rules that will be followed. Councilor Soucy asked what would happen if the abutters are not in agreement? Director Trefethen explained there is an appeal process that would be presented to the ZBA. Councilor Hamel would rather wait for a vote until Director Trefethen could bring back the administrative rules to the Council. Councilor Hamel asked how this would affect communities within Associations? Director Trefethen explained typically that would fall back on the Association. Discussion was had on some ideas that should be clearly defined in the administrative rules for the purpose of everyone following the same rules. Some suggestions would be to clarify the square footage calculations, defining residency, associations, defining intent, etc. City Manager Myers suggested to the Council to get their ideas to Director Trefethen sooner rather than later so he can present it in January. Councilor Hamel moved to table this item until January 10, 2022 subject to bringing forth administrative rules, seconded by Councilor Felch; 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 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 8:15 pm. Respectfully submitted With no further business to come before the Council and hearing no objection, Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 8:15 pm. Respectfully submitted Cheryl Hebert, City Clerk MINUTES OF THIS MEETING WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 27, 2021