City Council

Minutes were approved on July 24, 2023, by the City Council. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 P.M. City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 6/26/2023 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Cheney led the salute to the flag 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the roll of the following councilors: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Soucy, Councilor Lipman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Felch and Mayor Hosmer. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7.A. City Council regular meeting minutes of June 12, 2023 Minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of June 12, 2023 were distributed to the members of the City Council on June 21, 2023. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 7.B. City Council budget meeting minutes of June 5, 2023 Minutes of the Laconia City Council budget meeting of June 5, 2023 were distributed to the members of the City Council on June 21, 2023. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 7.C. City Council budget meeting minutes of June 12, 2023 Minutes of the Laconia City Council budget meeting of June 12, 2023 were distributed to the members of the City Council on June 21, 2023. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed.  7.C. City Council budget meeting minutes of June 12, 2023 Minutes of the Laconia City Council budget meeting of June 12, 2023 were distributed to the members of the City Council on June 21, 2023. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Temporary Traffic Order 2023-08 - July 2nd parade and festivities Laconia Parks & Recreation has submitted a request for a Temporary Traffic Order for the Laconia July 2, 2023 parade and festivities from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. This is a recurring event with no changes other than the date. Councilor Felch made a motion to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2023-08, July 2, 2023 parade and festivities to be held on July 2, 2023 from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor 5-0 8.B. Temporary Traffic Order 2023-10 - Rev, White & Brew Fest Classic Car Show Defiant Records & Craft Beer, together with Lakes City Body, will be presenting their second annual classic car show in the downtown area on Friday evening, June 30, 2023 (rain date of Saturday, July 1, 2023). The event will run from 6 pm to 8 pm. In conjunction with the event, the organizers are requesting the closure of Canal Street, use of a portion of the Main Street parking lot, and use of parking spaces on Main Street as shown on the attached parking plan. The organizers have contacted most local downtown businesses, and those businesses that were contacted all gave their approval and support of this event. Please refer to the attached Temporary Traffic Order which states that reserving of the parking spaces and closure of the Main St. parking lot and Canal Street will begin at noon, although the event itself does not begin until 6 pm. This will allow for ample notice to the public and will help ensure that the spaces will be available when needed for the event. The Special Events Review Committee unanimously approved this event at their June 7, 2023 meeting. This is a recurring event with no significant changes, other than the date, from last year. Councilor Soucy made a motion to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2023-10 for the Rev, White & Brew Fest Classic Car Show to be held June 30, 2023 (rain date of Saturday, July 1, 2023) from 6 pm to 8 pm as presented. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: Councilor Lipman asked about what time the road closure time will be on Canal Street. He is concerned about the businesses on Canal Street and their livelihood may depend on. Manager Beattie said the road will be closed starting at noon. Councilor Lipman would like to see the administration reach out to clarify which businesses have not been notified. There was discussion between the councilmen regarding that time, where the street will be closing at noon is a little early. Councilor Cheney suggested closing it at 4pm and Councilor Felch said how about 3pm to give time to those who still need to set up. Councilor Cheney made an amendment to the motion for Canal Street to be closed at 3pm instead of noon. The amended motion was seconded by Councilor Felch. The motion passed as amended with all in favor. 5-0 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Brian Patterson, Pickerel Pond Road. Spoke to the council about his concerns regarding Pickerel Pond Road being owned by the City of Laconia, he showed a sale from 1795 and the City of Laconia has it labeled as “private” he showed the Council several photos of the current state of the road, he’d like to see the road fixed and added to the maintenance list. Councilor Cheney apologized for not getting back to Mr. Patterson and said that one of the property owners from the time the road was purchased back to the City who Mr. Patterson thought he made a deal with the  Road being owned by the City of Laconia, he showed a sale from 1795 and the City of Laconia has it labeled as “private” he showed the Council several photos of the current state of the road, he’d like to see the road fixed and added to the maintenance list. Councilor Cheney apologized for not getting back to Mr. Patterson and said that one of the property owners from the time the road was purchased back to the City who Mr. Patterson thought he made a deal with the City but it was actually made with Meredith. Mayor Hosmer asked Mr. Patterson if anyone had gotten back to him when he first inquired about this back in 2017. He said that he was told he would have to have council sign it at a meeting and he thought it was taken care of. Then when he reached out to Councilor Cheney, he was told that some kind of survey would need to be done and that other roads were going to be given priority because it was going to be expensive. Councilor Cheney said that his recollection of the conversation he was with Mr. Patterson was that they were in the process of acquiring of the roads around the city, that all of the property owner would have to agree to it and that process would have at some time in the future. He agrees that the road is in pretty awful shape. He doesn’t believe that the City just said “well were not going to do anything”. Mr. Patterson doesn’t understand why the road would have to be acquired when the City already owns it. Councilor Cheney explains that is not the case. The City never accepted it. The engineer told him that the City didn’t accept the road when that was Meredith and became part of Laconia. Councilor Lipman said that based on what he has just heard and seen that this is not in the keeping with the other roads are done. Based on that evidence to him, that was a road in Laconia that was part of the City’s acceptance and thinks that it puts it into a different category which it needs to be addressed in and a priority. Councilor Lipman said he will leave it to the manager and council to confirm this but it seems to be in a different category. He said the road has lots of value. Councilor Cheney added that the road was paved in 2001. Councilor Felch noted this was very similar to the Jefferson Street situation. It was apart of Gilford, Laconia took over that land and it was our street. It’s the same thing here, it was a part of Meredith and accepted by Meredith, Laconia took over the land and it should be officially a street in his opinion. Councilor Soucy would like to hear from the City Engineer. Mayor Hosmer asked the City Manager to work with Counsel to clarify the owner of this road. He agrees with Councilor Felch. The road is deplorable. Manager Beattie said he will start working on it to have information available at the next council meeting to at least have an idea of what direction to go. Patrick Wood, Vice Chair of the Laconia Housing Authority. Tomorrow at 11am at Laconia Sunrise towers there will be a special event to honor Mr. Harrington for his 50 years of service, 43 of them as a chairperson. The building will also be renamed in his honor. Carol from Landing Lane came to tonight’s meeting to see how things are run as she is new to Laconia. She expressed interest in helping with affordable housing. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public Hearing - Resolution 2023-15 relative to making itemized appropriations for City funds for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2023 and terminating June 30, 2024 Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the May 25, 2023 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Community Center, Laconia Public Library and the offices of the SAU. Action on this item may be taken up under Unfinished Business. Mayor Hosmer opened the Public Hearing at 7:27 PM  Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Community Center, Laconia Public Library and the offices of the SAU. Action on this item may be taken up under Unfinished Business. Mayor Hosmer opened the Public Hearing at 7:27 PM No one wished to speak. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:28 PM 13.B. Public Hearing - Resolution 2023-16 relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 year-end carryforwards Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the June 14, 2023 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Community Center, Laconia Public Library and the offices of the SAU. Action on this item may be taken up under Unfinished Business. Mayor Hosmer opened the Public Hearing at 7:28 PM No one wished to speak. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:29 PM 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hosmer spoke about the recent passing of Bob Hamel. There was a void at tonight’s table. He spoke that Bob hadn’t been at the Council table since October 2022. They always hoped he’d return to the table but now ultimately, we know that will never happen. Mayor Hosmer described Bob Hamel as vigorous, strong willed, energetic, and stubborn at times. He has deep respect and admiration for Bob Hamel, he spoke of his accomplishments throughout his life, his devotion to his family and that he will be deeply missed. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Felch- spoke on the Independence Day parade on June 2, 2023. Line up starts at 3:30pm and to start at 4:30 from the Laconia High School. He recalled a few years ago that he and Councilor Bob Hamel carried the Children’s Auction Banner together. He hopes for lots of people to join the parade and come watch. Councilor Cheney- spoke about Bob Hamel and he were police officers together in the 70s. He mentioned that people have asked about getting additional trash cans. He spoke to the DPW director and he mentioned we may need to add an additional truck. He’d like to see the City manager look into the options and get an answer for these folks. He also asked about the people of South Down as they did not receive a free garbage can even though they pay the same taxes as everybody else. Councilor Soucy asked if they are on the route that gets picked up and they are not. Councilor Felch added that they are private roads that the dumpster company actually can’t even legally go on those roads. Councilor Cheney understands that part but as they pay taxes like everyone else, he doesn’t understand how the distinction is made between Laconia citizens who live on a route and those who don’t when they are all paying the same taxes. Councilor Lipman hears what he is saying but compares it to how some citizens do not have children in the schools, or some may use more or less of the city services. He is not arguing against South Down but against the concept of where people are picking and choosing what they are going to contribute to based on what services they use or don’t use because he thinks it’s a slippery slope. Councilor Lipman told the mayor he was very eloquent with his words this evening about Bob. But he wanted to add a few more things about Bob. There were a lot of little items, when Mayor Engler needed rides to the hospital for cancer treatments and he was there to take him. Memorial Park’s shed needed to be rebuilt because the roof was caving in so he got out there recruiting people. There were lots of little things  what services they use or don’t use because he thinks it’s a slippery slope. Councilor Lipman told the mayor he was very eloquent with his words this evening about Bob. But he wanted to add a few more things about Bob. There were a lot of little items, when Mayor Engler needed rides to the hospital for cancer treatments and he was there to take him. Memorial Park’s shed needed to be rebuilt because the roof was caving in so he got out there recruiting people. There were lots of little things he was involved in like the Got Lunch program and sled dog races. After Armand, he was the longest serving councilor in the City. He could always compromise even though he was strong in his conviction about things. Councilor Haynes said Councilor Hamel was the expert sugar maker on Morrill Street, he will miss having his conversations about who would tap first, how many gallons had been collected, how long the season was going to last. Councilor Soucy noted that he was not on the Council long with Bob, but he was also a police officer with him. Bob was the one who reached out to him and encouraged him to apply for the Council vacancy. And he was known as a service man for your appliances. There was always a friendship there no matter what. 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) Councilor Soucy discussed they met last week and spoke on two items, the City Flag Policy and the Short term rentals. There was a lot of discussion and questions asked. They hope to have something to the Council by the end of the July to bring recommendations to the Council for approval. 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.D. LAND & BUILDINGS (Hamel (Chair), Haynes, Felch) 17.D.i. Downtown parking garage 17.D.ii. Repair & maintenance of City buildings 17.D.iii. Plan for the DPW Compound  17.D.i. Downtown parking garage 17.D.ii. Repair & maintenance of City buildings 17.D.iii. Plan for the DPW Compound 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 17.F. APPOINTMENTS (Councilors Soucy (Chair), Cheney and Haynes) 18. LIAISON REPORTS Councilor Haynes said the Heritage Commission gave approval of a demolition permit to Bank of NH. They are going to construct a similar brick and granite building adjacent to where the parking lot is. Once the building is operation, they will be demolishing the old building which dated back to 1970 that has no historical value. Councilor Felch said he attended the Motorcycle Week Association meeting and they are very happy with how the week went and they are thankful for the City’s participation. 19. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS No one from the public wished to speak. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Project Updates Report Manager Beattie went over the Project updates with the Council: Summer St Paving is having its first layer of pavement. They soon will be doing some work shortly on Granite St and Paugus St as well. Highland St Bridge is another area they are looking to do work on. It’s the hope that this bridge will be worked on in conjunction with the Messer St bridge. Messer St Bridge is going well. There is a light set up there for one lane alternating traffic. Traffic is still flowing well in that area. Route 3- Weirs Blvd paving is scheduled for the following week. Finishing this is weather dependent. Sheridan St and North St are having sewer work done. Will get an update on Native American Sculpture from Parks and Rec. This should be done soon, they are just waiting on good weather. Councilor Felch asked about a timeline for getting Elm Street finished. Its been over 2 years. Manager Beattie said that paving has not been scheduled yet for that project. 20.B. Monthly Economic Development Report Manager Beattie went over the monthly economic development report with the Council: Unemployment numbers are just over 1.5%. Its really good to see that. CPIU numbers are down to 4%. That is the lowest since March of 2021. 21. NEW BUSINESS  Unemployment numbers are just over 1.5%. Its really good to see that. CPIU numbers are down to 4%. That is the lowest since March of 2021. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Temporary Traffic Order 2023-09 and request to waive fees for the "Tractors on Main Street" event The Belknap Mill, Celebrate Laconia and the downtown business community are sponsoring “Tractors on Main Street”, a farm and antique tractor show. The event will encourage the community to visit downtown Laconia to showcase our retail and professional businesses, as well as our restaurants and the Colonial Theatre. The event will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please refer to the attached Temporary Traffic Order and map for details of this request. As the event will be concluding at 4 pm, the requested closure of Canal Street should not affect any event at the Colonial Theatre on that date. The organizers of the event will be asked to contact the Canal Street businesses to make them aware of the event. The organizers are also requesting a waiver of City fees associated with the event. The Special Events Review Committee unanimously approved this event at their June 7, 2023 meeting. Councilor Haynes move to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2023-09 for the “Tractors on Main Street” event to be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, and to waive City fees associated with the event. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: Councilor Felch asked based on looking at the event map, is it really necessary to have Canal Street closed. It’s a full business day and everything is pretty much happening on the other side. There are small businesses that rely on that it’s a whole Saturday. Councilor Felch asked if they could table this an bring it up at another meeting and find out more information. Councilor Felch made a motion to table, the motion was seconded by Councilor Cheney. The item was tabled 5-0. 21.B. Temporary Traffic Order 2023-11 for the "History Happened Here Discovery Day" event The Laconia Historical and Museum Society will be holding an event on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event will include historical trolley tours with ongoing historical narration by a LHMS volunteer. Through the trolley tours, historic walking tours and visits to several historically significant structures in downtown Laconia, participants will encounter the who, what, why and how of the people and events that shaped Laconia’s history. The event organizers are requesting the use of six parking spaces on New Salem Street and two parking spaces on Canal Street as a trolley stop location for picking up and unloading of passengers. Councilor Felch to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2023-11 for the “History Happened Here Discovery Day” event to be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: Councilor Soucy asked if there is someone checking with all of the business on Canal Street and downtown to make sure they don’t have a problem with this. Councilor Lipman brought up the fact that this would take parking spaces away three weekends in a row over the course of the summer where businesses will be impacted. He would like to know if there is another alternative for the trolley stop. Like using spaces along City Hall or something else. Councilor Felch thinks this particular event is a little different and will actually bring people to Canal Street which could help the business as people stand and wait for the trolley to come. Councilor Lipman hopes that would be the outcome but wants to be sensitive to the number of times we’re hitting them up for. Mayor Hosmer thinks there should be something added to these. If they are asking for parking spaces or shutting down of a street, there has to be something that shows the businesses have been informed, that there is a consensus that they support this or don’t. He wants to be cautious because philosophically speaking it sounds great bring people to downtown but what happens to the people  the trolley stop. Like using spaces along City Hall or something else. Councilor Felch thinks this particular event is a little different and will actually bring people to Canal Street which could help the business as people stand and wait for the trolley to come. Councilor Lipman hopes that would be the outcome but wants to be sensitive to the number of times we’re hitting them up for. Mayor Hosmer thinks there should be something added to these. If they are asking for parking spaces or shutting down of a street, there has to be something that shows the businesses have been informed, that there is a consensus that they support this or don’t. He wants to be cautious because philosophically speaking it sounds great bring people to downtown but what happens to the people who need their cars in front of their store for whatever reasons. It’s got to have a little better process on that card. Manager Beattie replied to Councilor Soucy’s comment that the downtown business association over the last 4 or 5 months have been trying to work a lot better at getting communication and information out. He is not sure of what the reply back is, but they are working on getting that communication out. It can easily be added to the application process that they have reached out to businesses and have gotten feedback before it comes to the Council. Councilor Lipman added that when there is a show downtown, the acts coming in take up spaces on Canal St and he just want to show sensitivity to those business owners. Councilor Soucy added that he has seen tractor trailers that have taken up all of Canal Street and that they should move into a parking lot. Mayor Hosmer asked if there are any shows scheduled on 7/15/23, the clerk checked the website and there is no show listed on the website currently. Councilor Lipman said he is in support of this. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Second reading of Resolution 2023-15 relative to making itemized appropriations for City funds for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2023 and terminating June 30, 2024 The proposed FY24 budget was presented to the City Council on April 24, 2023. Per Section 5:04 of the City Charter, a public hearing was held earlier in this evening’s meeting. This is the second reading of the budget and Resolution. The proposed budget includes estimated revenues and expenditures for the General Fund, Motorcycle Week Fund, Ambulance EMS Fund, Sanitary Sewer Fund, Water Works Fund, Internal Service Fund, Downtown TIF District, Lakeport TIF District and Weirs TIF District, as well as anticipated grants for FY24. City Manager recommends the city council accept this budget with a series of three motions. Discussion: Councilor Lipman would like to confirm with the City Manger if this represents the conversation they had. No, that resolution is from the original to follow through with the correct public hearings. He asked if the Manager could brief the council on the impact of the state budget and the work he has done to look at what they could do to help the rating in the cost of the tax rate. Manager Beattie- spoke about the presentation made to the Council in April, the presentation reflected a higher percentage increase that the Council favored. Superintendent Steve Tucker and himself were instructed to go back and see where adjustments could be made. They were waiting for the State Budget to be passed, which in his opinion passed sooner than they had expected. The School received more adequacy aid than expected. The school district was able to the increase in adequacy aid to not drawn down from reserves like they were expecting to do to meet a shortfall in state aid. He then went over the cuts were made on his city side of the budget. The total decreases is not significantly under what was originally presented to you but there were adjustments that had to be made based on what he was expecting from the State. The quick synopsis of decreases made:155k over estimated for police, health and retirement. 20k in Parks and Rec temporary employees. 15k in revenue that the city would have spent on the Iron Man race because it will not be coming back. 172k in capital internal service fund money that the police requested for 4 police cars. Level funded the city-wide drainage improvements and level funded the parking garage improvements of 5k and 40k in smaller cuts. 25k from a sewer subsidy. 25k in Waypoint Child Services, which level funded 2k from the Laconia Senior Center. Level funded 10k decrease in overtime for the fire department. A 500 dollar decrease in weed watchers. Increase adjustments of 2k for accounting adjustments and clerk equipment request and assessing ISF money. 5k increase to the Lakes Region VNA. 10k increase to Lake Region Mental Health. This allow 2 new positions to be funded. One being an office manager in the City Clerk’s Office and a Parks and Rec facilities manager. The school was able to decrease their proposed request from $25,600,000 to $24,445,000. The non- of 5k and 40k in smaller cuts. 25k from a sewer subsidy. 25k in Waypoint Child Services, which level funded 2k from the Laconia Senior Center. Level funded 10k decrease in overtime for the fire department. A 500 dollar decrease in weed watchers. Increase adjustments of 2k for accounting adjustments and clerk equipment request and assessing ISF money. 5k increase to the Lakes Region VNA. 10k increase to Lake Region Mental Health. This allow 2 new positions to be funded. One being an office manager in the City Clerk’s Office and a Parks and Rec facilities manager. The school was able to decrease their proposed request from $25,600,000 to $24,445,000. The non- school budget decreased from $387,131 to $351,986. 1.1 million dollars decrease in the amount to be raised by taxes from the school. This bring the percentage decrease from FY23 to FY24 from 10.05% to 7.8% and the per thousand increase from $1.32 to $0.97. Councilor Lipman discussed that he thinks they should begin the process of an ambulance needing replacement that Councilor Cheney had previously brought up. Estimated Medicaid funding in FY 25 is 75k. He thinks that would help cover some of the cost as well as impact fees as another potential source, maybe some funding from Motorcycle week. Mayor Hosmer asked about how much a new ambulance costs with a stretcher is about 400k. Councilor Cheney asked about leasing versus owning. He’d also like to see about setting up a plan for replacing all the ambulances as he sees it as critical to replace them. Councilor Felch said he would like to see some type of funding be put aside for that. Manager Beattie said they do have the ability to do that. After the used one is bought at the end of FY24 there will be a little over 100k left in that account. This will help start the process. Councilor Lipman reiterated the three sources that can be used are the incremental increase in the ambulance revenues from the rate increase , the impact fees and the motorcycle week reserve. Councilor Cheney as the planning board liaison stated that impact fees are being waived all the time. Mayor Hosmer asked why and Councilor Cheney is not sure why. He believes that when they waive the fees, its 80%. Manager Beattie doesn’t think that is correct per the ordinance. He will look into this more thoroughly and report back to the Council. Councilor Lipman mentioned they just increased the impact fees. The finance committee will work with the City Manager and the Fire Department to get the process started. Councilor Cheney stated his is concerned about the cutting of the vehicle for the new assistant chief. Manager Beattie explain that it was for the EMS deputy, but he has the old fire prevention car, so it would be the fire prevention is how its believed to be done but it’s up to the Chief. Councilor Cheney just wishes they could purchase a car for the fire department as they work their butts off for the City. The general fund total appropriation is $89,228,897 less our revenues of $33,946,424 so a total to be raised by taxes is $55,282,473. These numbers will be updated and sent out as long as nothing is added or changed. Councilor Soucy made a comment about the County Budget, the city gets a bill and has no say over. He hopes the county become better fiscally for the cities. Councilor Felch noted that based off of Councilor Cheney’s comment about the not having the car. If they have to go somewhere they are going to have to jump in an ambulance or fire truck to go wherever. Councilor Cheney made a motion to amend this budget by 65k for another car. Mayor Hosmer’s suggestion to this is to try and locate another source to make funding this possible. He thinks this is very possible without making an amendment to the budget and Councilor Cheney agreed to look wherever possible to figure it out. Councilor Haynes asked in regards to the new positions, how are they funded? The clerk is a July immediate start and the parks and rec position is October. Councilor Haynes also asked for clarification on facilities manager versus technician. He doesn’t want to the public to think they’ve hired another manager. Manager Beattie said that its not a director because they already have one, but its someone to oversee all of the facilities under the director. Finance Director Smith- in the original resolution for anticipated grants, the appropriations and revenues balance out at $1,898,174. There were 2 adjustments proposed. In both cases, revenues and expenses continue to balance out with no impact on taxes. But if you look in the book, they did  hired another manager. Manager Beattie said that its not a director because they already have one, but its someone to oversee all of the facilities under the director. Finance Director Smith- in the original resolution for anticipated grants, the appropriations and revenues balance out at $1,898,174. There were 2 adjustments proposed. In both cases, revenues and expenses continue to balance out with no impact on taxes. But if you look in the book, they did not factor in the water department grants so that has been added. Parks and Rec also put in for a grant after the Council received the budget book in April, so that has been added. That makes the new number to be $2,473,192 with no impact on taxes. Councilor Cheney to waive reading of this Resolution and to read by title only. Seconded Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 Councilor Soucy made a motion to move a second reading of Resolution 2023-15 relative to making itemized appropriations for City funds for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2023 and terminating June 30, 2024. Seconded by Councilor Lipman. Discussion: Mayor Hosmer received an amendment on the following items from the Finance Director prior to the meeting and read it into the record: GENERAL FUND TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM $89,345,300 TO $89,228,897 LESS REVENUES FROM $32,866,935 TO $33,946,424 BALANCE TO BE RAISED BY TAXES FROM $56,478,365 TO $55,282,473 ANTICIPATED GRANTS TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM $1,898,174 TO $2,473,192 LESS REVENUES FROM $1,898,174 TO $2,473,192 Councilor Lipman made a motion to approve the amendment, seconded by Councilor Felch. The motion passed as amended with all in favor 5-0. Councilor Cheney made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-15 relative to making itemized appropriations for City funds for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2023 and terminating June 30, 2024. Seconded by Felch. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor 5-0. Councilor Lipman noted that the tax cap allowed for a 10.3 % increase and this budget has been adjusted to a 7.8 %. 22.B. Second reading of Resolution 2023-16 relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 year-end carryforwards At the end of each fiscal year there are monies that have been appropriated for special purposes that have not been spent. Reasons for this vary, but include: l Timing – contracts for many projects, especially those related to roads, drainage, sewer improvements, etc. cannot be finalized until after the budget is approved. This can push start dates into the following spring, which means that projects often cannot be completed until after June 30th, l Coordination with third parties – completion of many projects can be delayed due to outside influences, such as supply chain issues, or coordination with third parties such as grantors, contractors, and engineers.  This can push start dates into the following spring, which means that projects often cannot be completed until after June 30th, l Coordination with third parties – completion of many projects can be delayed due to outside influences, such as supply chain issues, or coordination with third parties such as grantors, contractors, and engineers. Carrying forward authorization to spend appropriated funds from one year to the next allows for completion of these projects. In FY23 we are requesting a total of 40 carryforwards, a decrease from the 65 requested in FY22. In 11 instances, it is requested that funds be carried forward for the purpose of moving funds into reserve. These represent projects and priorities which may not be fully expended in FY24. General Fund: 31 carry forwards totaling $2,034,217.18 as of June 1, 2023 Sanitary Sewer Fund: 8 carry forwards totaling $1,663,000.00 as of June 1, 2023 Internal Service Fund: 1 carry forward in the amount of $15,331.00 as of June 1, 2023 All amounts are listed as not to exceed totals. Actual carry forwards will not exceed the amount available in each account at the close of FY23. Your approval of this request allows the money required to complete or continue these projects to be carried forward and spent in Fiscal Year 24. This is the second reading of this Resolution. A public hearing was held earlier in this evening’s meeting. Councilor Cheney made a motion to waive reading of this Resolution in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor 5-0. Councilor Cheney made a motion for a second reading of Resolution 2023-16 relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 year-end carryforwards. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. This motion passed with all in favor 5-0. Councilor Felch made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-16 relative to the Fiscal Year 2023 year- end carryforwards. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. This motion passed with all in favor 5-0. 23. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 23.A. Master Plan Councilor Cheney would like to see an update in the future for the Master Plan within the next one or two council meetings. Mayor Hosmer asked is this can be done for meeting either in August or September to give time to finish the budget work. 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 Councilor Felch asked about the replacement of Councilor Hamel. The Charter states we must replace within 30 days of the vacancy. The clock started on June 12 th and they may not have a quorum at the next scheduled meeting and to insure there is enough time to do interviews and schedule a special meeting for the selection. Councilor Felch made a motion to extend the period of selection to July 24 th seconded by Councilor Cheney. As long as an extension is allowed that long or that they need to meet sooner. That motion passed with all in favor 5-0. 25. NON-PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91-A:3, II) Mayor Hosmer noted there was a need to go into a nonpublic session according to RSA 91-A:3, II (D). (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of 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. Councilor Soucy made the motion to enter nonpublic session according to RSA 91-A:3, II (D). Seconded by Councilor Cheney. By roll call vote: Councilor Cheney: Yes Councilor Soucy: Yes Councilor Lipman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Felch: Yes The Motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 The Nonpublic session began at 8:45 PM. The Council returned to public session at 8:56 PM Councilor Soucy made a motion to seal the minutes for 6 Months. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 26. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 8:56 PM. Respectfully submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk