City Council

Minutes were approved on January 22, 2024 by the City Council. LACONIA CITY COUNCIL 2024 INAUGURAL CEREMONIES BELKNAP MILL- THIRD FLOOR January 8, 2024, 7:00 PM Mayor Hosmer began the inauguration at 7:00 PM 1. Salute to the flag Chief Canfield led the salute to the flag. 2. Welcome: Comments from Mayor Andrew J. Hosmer 3. 603 United Musical Selection The national anthem, the star-spangled banner and America the beautiful were sang by the members of 603 United. 4. Invocation- Father John Bethell 5. Comments from Ira Keltz 6. Introduction of the 2024-2025 Council Members Mayor Hosmer introduced the Council to the public. 7. Acknowledgement and Presentation of Proclamation and gift posthumously to Councilor Robert Hamel. Kay Hamel received the proclamation and gift on behalf of her husband. Mayor Hosmer declared January 8, 2024, as Robert Hamel day in the City of Laconia. 8. Acknowledgement and Presentation of Proclamation and gift to outgoing Councilor Henry Lipman. Councilor Lipman received the proclamation and gift. Mayor Hosmer declared January 9, 2024, as Henry Lipman day in the City of Laconia. 9. Outgoing Councilor Comments Councilor Henry Lipman gave a brief speech. 10. Mayor Hosmer- Closing Comments 11. Ceremonial Swearing-in of 2024-2025 Mayor Hosmer. City Clerk Katie Gargano swore in Mayor Hosmer. 12. Ceremonial Swearing in of 2024-2025 Councilors. City Clerk Katie Gargano swore in the Council. 13. Inaugural Address- Mayor Hosmer 14. Meeting called to order Mayor Hosmer called to order the first meeting of the new City Council. 14.A. Roll Call City Clerk Gargano called the roll of the following councilors: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Bogert, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes and Councilor Felch. Absent: Councilor Bogert 14.B. New Business: 14.B.1. State School Property; Discontinuance of Right Way Path- Request to schedule a Public Hearing. Minutes were approved on January 22, 2024 by the City Council. Discussion: Right of Way Path, the entrance into the State School Property from Parade Road, was part of Meredith Center Road before Meredith Center Road was relocated to its current location. The road continues to be a state-controlled public right of way. As part of the process to sell the State School property to the developer, the right of way must be discontinued. Under state law, the right of way will automatically revert to the City if the City Council does not notify the State’s Commissioner of Transportation within 60 days that it has determined there is no need for the right of way for the City highway system. The City was notified of the State’s intent to discontinue the right of way on December 21, 2023. State law requires the Council to hold a public hearing on the discontinuance of the right of way. The City Attorney recommends the Council determine that the right of way is not necessary before the sale goes through, because if Right of Way Path becomes a City road and a private individual buys the State School property, the City will either be responsible for maintaining that road or will need to discontinue it and would then have to pay damages to the property owner. Public Works recommends that the City Council determine that Right of Way Path is not needed for the City’s highway system and hold a public hearing on January 22, 2024 before making its final decision. The following are the applicable laws dealing with this matter: 230:56 Determination by Selectmen. – The selectmen of such town within 60 days after receiving such notice regarding property acquired by the state in 1945 or earlier, shall determine, after notice to the owners of land or abutting owners given in the same manner as provided for in the laying out of highways by selectmen, and hearing, whether there is occasion for the use of such portion for town highway purposes and shall notify the commissioner of transportation, in writing, of their determination. 230:57 Reversion to Town. – Upon the filing of notice with the commissioner of transportation that such occasion exists, or, in the event that the selectmen fail to take any action or notify the commissioner of transportation in writing of their determination within 60 days after the receipt of notice from the commissioner regarding property acquired by the state in 1945 or earlier, the right-of-way over such portion of land and title to any interest held by the state in such portion shall thereupon revert to or vest in such town, and the commissioner of transportation shall so Minutes were approved on January 22, 2024 by the City Council. certify in writing under oath to the selectmen, and the highway shall thereupon become a class V or class VI highway. Public Works recommends that the City Council determine that Right of Way Path is not needed for the City’s highway system and hold a public hearing on January 22, 2024. Councilor Cheney made a motion that the City Council determine that Right of Way Path is not needed for the City’s highway system and hold a public hearing on January 22, 2024 to receive input before making its final decision. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 14.B.2. Request to use impact fees to fund the purchase of dynamic entry mini deployment kits (breaching tools) for the Laconia Police Department. The Laconia Police Department is requesting the use of impact fees in the amount of $12,600.00 to be used to purchase Blackhawk Dynamic Entry Mini Deployment Kits (Breaching Tools) to be stowed in each front line cruiser. During the Laconia Police Department’s most recent Full Scale Active Shooter Exercise, NH Department of Homeland Security evaluators noted not having breaching tools available in each line cruiser as a deficiency. The breaching tools will allow officers to more quickly access buildings when they encounter locked or barricaded doors allowing the officers to quickly enter the building and stop an active threat. Funds are available in the Laconia Police Departments impact fees allocations to offset this project. The Laconia Police Department is requesting the use of these funds. Approval of this request will reduce the amount of Impact Fee funds available to the Laconia Police Department by $12,600.00, leaving a balance of $1,149.20. Councilor Cheney made a motion to approve the use of impact fees to fund the purchase of Dynamic Entry Mini Deployment Kits for the Police Department as proposed. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 14.C. Nomination of Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Hosmer nominated Councilor Haynes to serve as the Mayor Pro tem. Minutes were approved on January 22, 2024 by the City Council. 14.D. Announcement of Committee/ Liaison Appointments: Finance Committee Government Operations & Ordinances Committee Appointments Committee Land & Buildings Committee Public Safety Committee Public Works Committee Belknap EDC Capital Improvement Projects Heritage Commission Human Relations Commission Lakes Region Public Access Library Board Parks & Recreations Commission Planning Board Police Commission Laconia Motorcycle Week Association Water Commission Discussion: The Mayor assigns City Council members to City Council subcommittees, and also assigns Councilors to act as liaisons between the Council and City Boards and Commissions. The Mayor presented a list of potential assignments to the Council for their approval. The mayor asked for the list to be posted on the City Website. Councilor Cheney made a motion that the City Council approve the Mayor’s assignments of Councilors to City Council subcommittees and liaison members, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 15. Adjournment Mayor Hosmer Adjourned the meeting at 7:50 PM. Respectfully submitted. Katie Gargano, City Clerk