City Council

Minutes were approved by the Laconia City Council on February 26, 2024. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 7:00 P.M. 2/12/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 7:00PM 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 Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert and Councilor Felch. Mayor Hosmer noted that all 6 councilors were in attendance and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 6.A. Bieniarz Award Proclamation Mayor Hosmer presented the Bieniarz Award Proclamation to the family of Harold Achber. 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7.A. Regular City Council meeting minutes of January 22, 2024 Minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of January 22, 2024, were distributed to members of the City Council. With one change submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as amended. Change Submitted: Councilor Cheney requested that she add the following after his Councilor Comment on Veteran Credits: “Councilor Cheney noted that he is a disabled veteran, but he is not 100% disabled and this change would have no impact on his personal property taxes.” 7.B. Special City Council Goals Setting meeting minutes of January 30, 2024  Credits: “Councilor Cheney noted that he is a disabled veteran, but he is not 100% disabled and this change would have no impact on his personal property taxes.” 7.B. Special City Council Goals Setting meeting minutes of January 30, 2024 Minutes of the special Laconia City Council Goals Setting meeting of January 30, 2024 were distributed to members of the City Council. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Request to establish rental fees for Boardwalk and Weirs Boulevard vending spaces for Laconia Motorcycle Week 2024 Approval from the City Council is requested to confirm the rental fee for the Boardwalk and Weirs Boulevard vending spots for Laconia Motorcycle Week 2024 as follows: 10’ x 12’ Boardwalk vending spaces……………………………………………………... $1,750 each 90 ft. block of space - Laconia Motorcycle Week Association…………………...No charge Weirs Boulevard - Six 10’ x 12’ spaces…………………………………………..……….$550 each (or one 12’ x 75’ space)………………………………………..$2,000 Please note that the vendor fees for the Boardwalk spaces were last increased for Laconia Motorcycle Week 2022 when the Council approved increasing the fee from $1,500 per space to the current $1,750 per space. There are 16 vending spaces rented on the Boardwalk for Motorcycle Week. Councilor Haynes made a motion to approve rental fees for Laconia Motorcycle Week 2024 vending spaces located on the Boardwalk and Weirs Boulevard as presented. Seconded by Councilor Bogert Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Patrick Wood Chairman of the Human Relations Committee, let the council know that they received the grant for the children’s endowment, and they will look forward to utilizing it in the future. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public Hearing - Ordinance 2024-150-3 - Restrictions on Display of Permissible Fireworks Notice of this public hearing was made available in the January 6, 2024, edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, the Laconia Parks & Recreation Community Center, offices of the SAU and Laconia Public Library. Action on this item may be taken up under Unfinished Business.  Notice of this public hearing was made available in the January 6, 2024, edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, the Laconia Parks & Recreation Community Center, offices of the SAU and Laconia Public Library. Action on this item may be taken up under Unfinished Business. Mayor Hosmer opened the public hearing at 8:52 PM Charlie St. Claire- Ward 3 was looking for clarification on the hours, he feels the council needs to revisit it. Mayor Hosmer closed the public hearing at 8:55 PM 13.B. Public Hearing - Resolution 2024-01 - Elderly Exemptions Notice of this public hearing was made available in the January 6, 2024 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, the Laconia Parks & Recreation Community Center, offices of the SAU and Laconia Public Library. Action on this item may be taken up under Unfinished Business. Mayor Hosmer opened the public hearing at 8:55 PM No one from the public wished to speak. Mayor Hosmer closed the public hearing at 8:56 PM 14. PRESENTATIONS 14.A. Mayor's Homelessness Task Force Update This item was moved to just before item 8. Consent & Action Daisy Pierce from Navigating Recovery, Detective Eric Adams from Laconia Police, and Tammy Carmichael as the director of partnership for public health, are all members of the steering committee for the Mayor’s Homelessness task force presented an update to the City Council. They discussed the community forums that were held, the task force that has been formed and the highlights. They are working on their plan on how to move forward. So far, they are meeting monthly as the full task force and then they have broken out into 4 subcommittee workgroups. The subcommittees are Community and education, First responder and harm reduction, housing and land use and pallet village. They went over their goals and ways of the goals being tracked on their Facebook page, then they went over the Laconia Housing Continuum and all the different stages and what they are. The implementation of a pallet community in Burlington, VT has brought calls for service down, crime is down, and cleanup costs are down. This is not a permanent housing option. Mayor Hosmer noted that there may be an opportunity to get funding from the state to run a pilot program to start a pallet community. He believes it is not a perfect option, but it may be a good option to start and to be the first in the state. He’d like to see the Council consider it, the request was sent from the Commissioner about a week ago. Councilor Hoffman asked about the operating costs and what the breakdown is: Daisy replied- 24/7 Staffing, Electricity for heating and cooling units and restrooms. The unit costs remain the same. Councilor Bogert asked if the pallet village would be short term, Daisy replied yes, there will be services provided to teach people how to live on their own, going from a tent to an apartment is a recipe for eviction. The people in the program can’t handle it. He also asked about security, he then asked about bathroom facilities, a community space for shared meals, an office, and restrooms. This will be a low barrier perimeter fence, no one not in the program will be allowed in. Councilor Felch said he’s done a lot of research on the pallet homes and if we can find the funding  Councilor Bogert asked if the pallet village would be short term, Daisy replied yes, there will be services provided to teach people how to live on their own, going from a tent to an apartment is a recipe for eviction. The people in the program can’t handle it. He also asked about security, he then asked about bathroom facilities, a community space for shared meals, an office, and restrooms. This will be a low barrier perimeter fence, no one not in the program will be allowed in. Councilor Felch said he’s done a lot of research on the pallet homes and if we can find the funding he is fully supportive of it. Councilor Hoffman asked how long the units are good for? Daisy said they just came out with new versions and they are better than the previous, they are more equipped to handle the cold weather and should last upwards of 20 years. Councilor Soucy asked how long people would be in this type of housing? Det. Adams said the average span is 18 months. He also asked if the committee has spoken to the County to see if there is another area that would be beneficial. Daisy said no because the people in the program need to walk to the store and to a job so being centrally located to essentials is important. He also asked about busloads of homeless people being dropped off in the city. Det. Adams said that is just a rumor, there is no bus that is dropping off bus loads of homeless people. Councilor Hoffman asked if each of the pallets would have a permanent address? Yes, each unit will. Will the site have Wifi? They have not accounted for Wifi in the costs, but it will be needed and they will add it to the projected costs. 15. MAYOR'S REPORT None. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Cheney noted he went through our ordinances, and he found there is supposed to be an annual review of the impact fees and then approval by the city council. He feels this has not been done since he has been a councilor, he has brought this to the city manager’s attention. Manager Beattie confirmed he is bringing it to the planning director. Councilor Bogert mentioned a bill he is being asked to vote on related to the City’s relationship with entities like NHMA and lobbyist services. Our membership dues that are paid to these associations could not be used to lobby for bills in the legislature. He wants to know the city’s position; do we support it or not? Manger Beattie says he uses the NHMA weekly and he knows this also affects many other Department specific associations like Fire, Police, Clerk and Tax Associations. The City would not be in favor of this bill. 17. COMMITTEE REPORTS 17.A. FINANCE (Soucy, Cheney and Hoffman) 17.A.i. WOW Trail Funding 17.A.ii. Downtown TIF Financing 17.B. PUBLIC SAFETY (Cheney (Chair), Soucy) 17.C. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Haynes, 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  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 (Bogert, 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.E. PUBLIC WORKS (Haynes (Chair), Hoffman, 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 19. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS Patrick Wood of Ward 1, spoke about events in the city that were held in 1993 for the centennial celebration. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Financial and Operational Trends Report Manager Beattie went over the financial and operational trends report with the council. He discussed the new construction values, the public assistance data, property tax collection, over time costs, motor vehicle revenue, 2 grievances that are being worked on, impact fees now show what has been encumbered, code statistics, boat tax, revenue & expenditures, ambulance billing will be gone over with Chief Joubert at the February 26, 2024 meeting. Councilor Cheney asked about impact fees being spent within 6 years, Manager Beattie confirmed we track this and make sure it is spent prior to the expiration date. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Request to authorize the City Manager to apply and accept an InvestNH demolition grant A request from Lakes Region Community Developers has been received, requesting the City to apply 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Request to authorize the City Manager to apply and accept an InvestNH demolition grant A request from Lakes Region Community Developers has been received, requesting the City to apply for an InvestNH Demolition Grant in an amount up to $50,000.00 for the demolition work that is needed to convert 11 Jameson St from a single-family residence into a 3-unit supportive housing building. The grant must be applied for by the local municipality. The conversion was approved at the December 5, 2023, Planning Board meeting. Councilor Cheney made a motion to move to waive a reading of Resolution 2024-02 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Haynes Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch made a motion to move a first reading of Resolution 2024-02 regarding a request to authorize the City Manager to apply for and accept an InvestNH Demolition Grant for an amount up to $50,000 for 11 Jameson Street demolition work. Seconded by Councilor Cheney Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on February 26, 2024, during the regular City Council meeting regarding Resolution 2024-02, a request to authorize the City Manager to apply for and accept an InvestNH Demolition Grant for an amount up to $50,000.00 for 11 Jameson Street demolition work. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.B. Community Development Block Grant - Request to schedule two public hearings Request to schedule two (2) public hearings on February 26, 2024, during the regular City Council Meeting regarding: 1. The progress of, and a proposed change to, a CDBG Project. The City was awarded a $170,000 CDBG for the Lakes Region Community Developers project to acquire 11 Jameson Street for the intent to renovate the house into an affordable rental unit. LRCD believes the site would be better suited to contain 3 units of supportive housing instead. Additional funding would be required for the supportive housing option, and those funds have been awarded by NHHFA. LRCD is requesting a change of the use of the project from a single family rental unit to 3 units of supportive housing (required City permits have been obtained). As to the current progress of the project, CDBG funds were used towards the acquisition of the property in May 2023. LRCD will be making the required renovations to the building with an anticipated completion date of August 2025. 2. Progress of the Boys and Girl’s Club CDBG Energy Improvements project at 876 N Main Street. This $553,000 CDBG project includes the replacement of windows and improved ventilation. The windows are 80%+ replaced in the main building. The heating system will be changed over to gas in the spring. The project is anticipated to be complete by fall 2024. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are available to municipalities through the NH Community Development Finance Authority. Up to $500,000 annually is available for Economic Development Projects, up to $500,000 for Housing Projects, up to $500,000 for Public Facility Projects, up to $500,000 in Emergency Funds, and up to $25,000 per Planning Study grant. All projects must directly benefit a majority of low- and moderate-income persons. Councilor Felch made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on February 26, 2024, during the regular City Council meeting regarding the progress of and a proposed change to, the Lakes Region Community Developers CDBG project relative to the 11 Jameson Street property, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Haynes Discussion: None.  projects must directly benefit a majority of low- and moderate-income persons. Councilor Felch made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on February 26, 2024, during the regular City Council meeting regarding the progress of and a proposed change to, the Lakes Region Community Developers CDBG project relative to the 11 Jameson Street property, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Haynes Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Bogert made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on February 26, 2024 during the regular City Council meeting regarding the progress of the Boys and Girls Club CDBG Energy Improvements project at 876 N. Main Street, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.C. Request for approval of a new NHDOT Project Agreement for the Academy Street Bridge due to a funding source change The previous City Manager, Scott Myers, in 2020 signed the original Academy Street Bridge project agreement. Since then, NHDOT changed the funding source for the project. Construction of the project is now 100% Federally funded through the MOBIL (Municipally Owned Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) Program. The Preliminary Engineering phase and Right-of-Way phase costs for MOBIL projects remain funded at 80% Bridge aid with a 20% municipal match. DPW has obtained all four of the temporary easements needed for the project. Construction will occur in the summer of 2024 and the project schedule has been coordinated with the School System, and the Police and Fire Departments. The project will go out to bid in March. Anticipated project cost $1,014,871 Federal MOBIL (Construction) (100%) $762,871 City Share (Eng/ROW) (20%) $50,400 Bridge Aid (Eng/ROW) (80%) $201,600 There is currently $100,000 in non-capital reserve that was appropriated for this project. Councilor Soucy made a motion that the City Council approve the new project agreement for the Academy Street Bridge and authorize the City Manager to sign the new project agreement for NHDOT Project #26706. Seconded by Councilor Bogert Discussion: Councilor Haynes said we need to make sure there is a traffic pattern established and the public is aware ahead of time, so we don’t have a situation like court street happen here. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.D. Request for Council approval of Gail Ober as the Planning Board's representative to the Conservation Commission At the January 24, 2024, Planning Board hearing the Board approved naming Gail Ober as their representative on the Conservation Commission. This appointment requires City Council approval. Ms. Ober’s term as the Board’s representative on the Conservation Commission will run concurrently with her term on the Planning Board which expires at the end of June, 2025, at which time she could be reappointed. Councilor Felch made a motion to approve the appointment of Gail Ober as the Planning Board’s representative to the Conservation Commission for a term expiring at the end of June, 2025. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0  Councilor Felch made a motion to approve the appointment of Gail Ober as the Planning Board’s representative to the Conservation Commission for a term expiring at the end of June, 2025. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.E. Resolution 2024-06 - Acceptance of unanticipated funds from the Grace C. Smith Revocable Trust The Laconia Fire and Police Departments have been named in the Revocable Trust of Grace C. Smith, to receive funds to benefit those in need within the City of Laconia. From the Trust: One share shall be distributed outright, free and clear of trust to the Laconia Police Department, of Laconia, New Hampshire, to be held in trust and used for the benefit of children and their families in need of food, shelter and clothing. The other share shall be distributed outright, free and clear of trust to the Laconia Fire Department Ambulance Service, of Laconia, New Hampshire to be held in trust and used for the benefit of individuals with medical insurance who have received medical transport but cannot pay their co-pay for transport services received from the Laconia Fire Department Ambulance Service. The total amount received will be up to $300,000. The City Manager and City Finance Director will work with the Fire and Police Chiefs to set up a separate fund for receiving this money, and a plan for distribution based on the language in the revocable trust. This will be presented during the February 26, 2024 meeting. Mr. McGonigle of Gilford shared his story as to how he met Ms. Smith. Councilor Cheney made a motion to waive a reading of Resolution 2024-06 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Cheney made a motion to move a first reading of Resolution 2024-06, relative to acceptance of unanticipated funds from the Grace C. Smith Revocable Trust. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Cheney made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on February 26, 2024 during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to any action being taken relative to Resolution 2024-06, acceptance of unanticipated funds from the Grace C. Smith Revocable Trust. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.F. Request from the City Council to the Planning Board regarding amendment of Chapter 235 of the City Code - Zoning The City Manager and Fire Chief have been working with the City Attorney to draft an Ordinance and/or Ordinance change for the purpose of having an enforceable mechanism to prevent dilapidated, burned out, or unsafe structures from being allowed to sit dormant indefinitely. Different means of establishing this plan have been investigated, and the most efficient way is presented tonight for consideration. Step one would be to send a letter to the Planning Board, on behalf of the City Council, requesting they place the matter on their next agenda. This will allow them to hold a public hearing at a  Different means of establishing this plan have been investigated, and the most efficient way is presented tonight for consideration. Step one would be to send a letter to the Planning Board, on behalf of the City Council, requesting they place the matter on their next agenda. This will allow them to hold a public hearing at a subsequent meeting, and, if approved at their level, send it back to the City Council for final approval. Sample letter language: On behalf of the Laconia City Council, I am writing as initiation of an amendment to Chapter 235 of the City Code, Zoning. A majority vote of the City Council has authorized me to bring forward the following amendment for your consideration. Unsafe Structures: No owner or occupant of land in any district shall permit fire or other ruins to be left indefinitely, but will within 6 months, remove or refill the same to clear ground level or shall initiate repair of, or replacement of the structure. This amendment will allow the City to take a more proactive and expedient approach to requiring remediation or removal of structures that otherwise may be left as ruins for an indefinite duration. Councilor Soucy made a motion to authorize the City Manager to send a letter to the Planning Director and Planning Board requesting initiation of an amendment to Code Chapter 235 – Zoning, regarding unsafe structures, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Haynes Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.G. Resolution 2024-03 - Veterans tax credit for service-connected total disability Currently, the City of Laconia’s disabled veterans or a widow of disabled veteran tax credit reads as follows: Any person who has been honorably discharged from the military service and who has a total and permanent service-connected disability, or the surviving spouse of such a person shall receive a yearly tax credit of $2,000 of property taxes on his residential property. Requirements are: o Disability must be total and permanent service-connected injury (regardless of dates served) o Property must be principal place of abode o Owner of the property on April 1st of application year o Apply with copy of letter from Veterans Administration certifying 100% total and permanent disability Per NH RSA (RSA 72:35) a municipality can offer up to $4,000 in tax credits for 100% disabled veterans with a permanent disability. Currently, the City of Laconia has 47 veterans who qualify for this credit. Increasing this credit to $3,000 would result in an additional $47,000 in tax credits. Councilor Soucy made a motion to waive a reading of Resolution 2024-03, Veteran’s Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability, in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Cheney Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Cheney made a motion to move a first reading of Resolution 2024-03, Veteran’s Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Cheney made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on February 26, 2024, during the regular City Council meeting regarding Resolution 2024-03, Veteran’s Tax Credit for Service- Connected Total Disability, to gather public input prior to any action being taken. Seconded by Councilor Felch Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Resolution 2024-04 - Relative to acceptance of an award in the amount of  regular City Council meeting regarding Resolution 2024-03, Veteran’s Tax Credit for Service- Connected Total Disability, to gather public input prior to any action being taken. Seconded by Councilor Felch Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.H. Resolution 2024-04 - Relative to acceptance of an award in the amount of $13,888.88 from the Department of Homeland Security Grant Program for the purchase of SWAT/SOU equipment for the Laconia Police Department The City has applied to the New Hampshire Department of Safety for grant funding in the amount of $13,888.88 to purchase SWAT/SOU equipment through the Homeland Security Grant Program. Councilor Cheney made a motion to waive a reading of Resolution 2024-04 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Cheney made a motion to move a first reading of Resolution 2024-04 relative to acceptance of an award in the amount of $13,888.88 from the Department of Homeland Security Grant Program for the purchase of SWAT/SOU equipment for the Laconia Police Department. Seconded by Councilor Felch Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Haynes made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on February 26, 2024 during the regular City Council meeting for Resolution 2024-04 relative to acceptance of an award in the amount of $13,888.88 from the Department of Homeland Security Grant Program for the purchase of SWAT/SOU equipment for the Laconia Police Department, to gather public input prior to any action being taken. Seconded by Councilor Felch Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.I. Acceptance of a 2024 NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant The NHDES Exotic Species Program has notified us that the City of Laconia has been awarded a grant to fund up to 50% of project costs for aquatic plant control remediation in Paugus Bay. This project has been awarded in the past. NHDES works with City departments to identify locations for plant control to be completed, hires contractors to complete work, and returns for post remediation testing. The City’s share of the grant is $54,435, which is 50% of the total cost of the remediation. $45,000 for this purpose has been approved in the FY24 budget. The remainder of the match will come from the Administration Non-Departmental budget. Councilor Cheney made a motion to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-05 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Haynes Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch made a motion to move a first reading of Resolution 2024-05, relative to the acceptance of a 2024 NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant in the amount of $54,435.00. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Bogert made a motion to schedule a public hearing on February 26, 2024 during the regular Council meeting to gather public input prior to adoption of Resolution 2024-05. Seconded by Councilor Cheney Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0  Councilor Bogert made a motion to schedule a public hearing on February 26, 2024 during the regular Council meeting to gather public input prior to adoption of Resolution 2024-05. Seconded by Councilor Cheney Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.J. Pumpkin Festival 2024 discussion The City Council has requested a general discussion of the status of this year’s Pumpkin Festival be included on this agenda. This item was brought forth prior to item #8-A Mayor Hosmer began the conversation that many have seen in the Laconia Daily Sun or from someone in the community. There was a decision made by the executive director of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce to move the Pumpkin Festival to the Weirs. This conversation has happened in the past when they discussed moving the event to the Tanger Outlets or to Meadowbrook. The mayor feels that the City was blindsided of this decision, and he thinks that this past year was the most vibrant and well attended event. Mayor Hosmer opened the conversation to the audience: Charlie St. Clair, Ward 3- first addressed he knows how much work the executive director puts into this event. When the city of Keene decided to give the festival up, Laconia got in line to get the rights to bring the event to our City. They were in contest with many other communities. He spoke to Mayor Engler about the event, and it was the Mayor’s idea to ask the chamber to run the event. He thinks if the chamber doesn’t want to run it, then the City should take it over to keep it downtown. There was a lot of work put in to the group in Keene to get it here. He feels the City should have its own department that focuses on running and creating events. There should be more than 2 big events in the City, we have 12 months to focus on. He stressed that is needs to stay in downtown Laconia. Lynn Paquette, Ward 4- wanted to know about all the other families who do not have the funds or the means to travel all the way to the Weirs, she knows the event has been cut back but for the sake of community and our downtown businesses, it needs to be kept in downtown Laconia. Lou Gainer, of the Masonic Lodge in Laconia- He was there to represent the lodge, they raise money by parking cars during the pumpkin fest, they give out scholarships with the proceeds, last year they raised $5,700, and also assisted hands across the table, the children’s alliance and many others. They would like to see the festival stay downtown. Anthony Bozeck, owner of Hector’s – he read into the record the vision statement, the mission statement and the values of the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. He feels disappointment and feels sorry for his employees, he hopes there will be a solution that will be brought forth by the council to keep the event downtown. George Bousque, business owner on Pleasant St- last year was his first event, he’d like to see it more spread on the streets in downtown versus in the city hall parking lot. Rachel Marsh, owner of Laconia Village Bakery- came to state that this festival is one of their largest sales, she is arranging a meeting with the downtown businesses to see what they can do to keep it downtown. Jeff Deforge, Ward 3- feels that people from downtown will not go to the Weirs if it is moved to the Weirs. Mitch Hamel, Realtor, Chair of the Parks & Rec Commission- feels that events like this are heavily populated, this helps the local economy and he’d really like it to stay downtown. Patrick Wood, Ward 1- said he was surprised by the reasoning that were given to the newspaper, the parking in the weirs, the businesses closed in the weirs, the businesses downtown would be Mitch Hamel, Realtor, Chair of the Parks & Rec Commission- feels that events like this are heavily populated, this helps the local economy and he’d really like it to stay downtown. Patrick Wood, Ward 1- said he was surprised by the reasoning that were given to the newspaper, the parking in the weirs, the businesses closed in the weirs, the businesses downtown would be open, parking isn’t an issue in downtown. The local church said in the paper that they like having the event and no one ever asked them. He is puzzled on the rationale. The event should be downtown. Paul Fitzgerald, Ward 1- stated the former mayor Frazier would question who owns motorcycle week, the pumpkin festival is the same, it is owned by the patrons. This event fits the downtown, it has the spirit here, there was pumpkin alley where Canal Street was, He feels the City has great authority over this event by warranting the permits and the temporary traffic orders. He urged the council to do what they can to keep the event downtown. Matt Souza, Ward 4- he knows how much work goes into the making of a small event, let alone a big event like pumpkin fest. He feels the downtown areas and businesses put on. He’d like to see events knitting the whole city together. Events that succeed needs volunteers. He wasn’t opposed to it going to the Weirs. Jeff Hebert, Ward 3- he’d like to see more pumpkins that were going towards the world record. He’d like to see tents featuring local restaurants, and the vendors that sell items that are different tha, what is featured by our downtown businesses. Pat Tierney, Ward 4- would like to see the pumpkin Fest remain downtown, he feels the spirit would be hindered and it should remain as is. Andrea Chen, Pleasant Street- She feels that local businesses have not been asked what should be done. Charlie St. Claire, Ward 3- He feels the City of Laconia owns the rights to this event, not any nonprofit. He feels it should be the Council’s choice. Jeff Deforge, Ward 3 is frustrated by the parking, he named off several potential areas that could be used for parking. Councilor Soucy thanked all the people that came out tonight, he was disappointed no one from the Chamber was here tonight, he agrees that the City should get involved. The City has brought funding to this event, and he’d like to see a committee formed with the Council being involved. Councilor Cheney mentioned the full council chambers and how they were all on the same side for this issue. He also mentioned his wife and several of her friends offered to volunteer and they were turned away by the Chamber of Commerce. He feels the parking options are better downtown compared to the Weirs. Councilor Hoffman has heard from a large number of people in opposition to the move, he can’t believe that they would want to move it, it doesn’t seem like there is much to be gained, but a lot to lose by moving it from downtown. Councilor Haynes stated that he doesn’t like there has been no discussion on this subject, and he doesn’t appreciate being told what we are going to do. Councilor Bogert also agrees that it should stay downtown. He lives in the south end of the City and he and his family would walk down and enjoy the event. If this event is moved to the Weirs it will cut off the ability to walk. He compared it to the conversation brought up years ago about moving the Laconia High School to a more remote location and how it would have lost the ability to walk to the school as a community for Friday night football. Councilor Felch said we need to find a way to work with the chamber and to convince them to keep it downtown. Councilor Soucy asked what premise the city council has to say to the Chamber that we are not going to allow the event to be moved.  Councilor Felch said we need to find a way to work with the chamber and to convince them to keep it downtown. Councilor Soucy asked what premise the city council has to say to the Chamber that we are not going to allow the event to be moved. Mayor Hosmer said that we have the weight of the purse strings, we have a consensus that the City Council and the City of Laconia tell the manager to draft a letter to the Chamber about their lack of consultation with the City and he has not heard from anyone who in support of moving the event. He’d also like to see the city hand out an olive branch looking to work with the chamber, because this past year was the best year we have had for the event. Mayor Hosmer would like to speak with the Council about how the City owns the franchise of motorcycle week, that we should look into doing the same for pumpkin fest. It is very clear that no one wants this moved to the Weirs, other than the Chamber of Commerce. Councilor Cheney feels the ownership should be moved on sooner rather than later. Councilor Soucy agrees that we should move on the ownership as soon as possible. 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Ordinance 2024-150-3 - Restrictions on display of permissible fireworks In October of 2023, Chapter 150-3 of the City Code was amended to add restrictions on the times of day that permissible fireworks can be ignited within the boundaries of the City of Laconia. Following the January 3, 2024 meeting of the City Council Government Operations subcommittee, the committee recommended to the full council that December 31 be added to the exceptions list as shown below: § 150-3 Restrictions on display of permissible fireworks. [Amended 10-10-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-150-2/150-3] It shall be unlawful for any person, within the boundaries of the City of Laconia, to ignite fireworks Monday through Thursday of any given week, with the exception of July 3, December 31 of each year and federal holidays. Further, it shall be unlawful for any person, within the boundaries of the City of Laconia, to ignite fireworks past the hours of 10:00 p.m., until 12:00 noon the following day, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of any given week. At the January 22, 2024 City Council meeting a motion was approved to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter; that Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. Councilor Hoffman wanted to state his opposition for this ordinance, he doesn’t feel the City needs one. Councilor Cheney stated from being in law enforcement he doesn’t think it should be ignored. Councilor Felch mentioned fireworks are also an issue for people with PTSD and an ordinance is needed. Councilor Bogert made a motion to table, seconded by Councilor Cheney. The motion is non debatable. It is being sent to the Government Ordinances and Operations subcommittee for further review. The item was tabled with all in favor. 6-0 22.B. Resolution 2024-01 - Elderly Tax Exemptions Councilor Cheney made a motion to waive the reading of Resolution 2024-01 Elderly Tax Exemptions in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch made a motion to move a second reading of Resolution 2024-01 Elderly Tax Exemptions. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Soucy made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-01, a Resolution Relative to Tax  Councilor Felch made a motion to move a second reading of Resolution 2024-01 Elderly Tax Exemptions. Seconded by Councilor Soucy Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Soucy made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-01, a Resolution Relative to Tax Exemptions for the Elderly. Seconded by Councilor Bogert Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 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) Councilor Soucy made a motion to enter into nonpublic session according to rsa 91-A:33,II (D Seconded by Councilor Bogert, Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman- Yes Councilor Haynes- Yes Councilor Bogert- Yes Councilor Felch- Yes The nonpublic session began at 9:45 PM During the nonpublic session, the hour approached 10:00 PM and according to the Council Rules of Procedure a motion was made to continue the meeting for 30 minutes by Councilor Soucy, Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Bogert made a motion to return to public session at Seconded by Councilor Felch Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman- Yes  None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman- Yes Councilor Haynes- Yes Councilor Bogert- Yes Councilor Felch- Yes The public session resumed at 10:25 PM. Councilor Felch made a motion to seal the minutes for 1 Year, seconded by Councilor Cheney Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 26. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 10:25 PM. Respectfully submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk