City Council

Minutes were approved by the City Council on November 25, 2024 CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 7:00 P.M. 11/12/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Mayor Hosmer 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. Councilor Cheney stated he was unable to attend the meeting in person, he is alone in the room. Mayor Hosmer confirmed with 6 council members in attendance, a quorum was established. All votes would be done by roll call vote because Councilor Cheney attended via zoom. 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 October 28, 2024 Minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of October 28, 2024 were distributed to members of the City Council on November 7, 2024. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Request from the Weirs Action Committee to use Endicott Rock Parking lot for Laconia Motorcycle Week parking from June 14, 2025 through June 22, 2025, and to waive all Special Event fees in connection with the requested use Weirs Action Committee has requested the use of the Endicott Rock Parking Lot for Laconia Motorcycle Week parking from June 14, 2025 through June 22, 2025 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. This request was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission at their August 19, 2024 meeting. The Weirs Action Committee is also requesting that all Special Event fees in connection with the  to waive all Special Event fees in connection with the requested use Weirs Action Committee has requested the use of the Endicott Rock Parking Lot for Laconia Motorcycle Week parking from June 14, 2025 through June 22, 2025 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. This request was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission at their August 19, 2024 meeting. The Weirs Action Committee is also requesting that all Special Event fees in connection with the event be waived. Councilor Felch made a motion to approve the request by the Weirs Action Committee to use Endicott Rock Parking Lot for Laconia Motorcycle Week parking from June 14, 2025 through June 22, 2025, and to waive all Special Event fees in connection with the requested use. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA No one from the public wished to speak. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public Hearing - Ordinance 2024-235-81 - Amending Chaptr 235 Zoning relative to Article XII, Administration and Enforcement, Section 235-81, Duration of Permits Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the November 1, 2024 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 7:05 PM. No one from the public wished to speak. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:06 PM 13.B. Public Hearing - Request to approve using Weirs TIF funds to rebuild and reconfigure Weirs Docks Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the October 31, 2024 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 7:06 PM. Charlie St Claire said he heard Councilor Soucy ask the question at the last meeting about potentially charging for parking at the Weir’s docks. He thinks that is a great idea, the money could  Action on this item may be taken up under Unfinished Business. Mayor Hosmer opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 PM. Charlie St Claire said he heard Councilor Soucy ask the question at the last meeting about potentially charging for parking at the Weir’s docks. He thinks that is a great idea, the money could go towards maintaining the docks, and he supports using the tif funds to pay for the project. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:09 PM 13.C. Public Hearing - Electric Aggregation Committee's recommended consultant for Community Power Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the October 31, 2024 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 7:09 PM. Elizabeth Nixon had questions about community power, she wants to know what each role is between the two businesses. The contract is good for 20 months, but Eversource changes the rates every 6 months, do the consultants send out the letters, she wants to know what guarantees the city needs to provide for this. The public utilities purchase, who is responsible for the utility renewable energy credit, and is there a minimum amount, why the city chose colonial and only 1, how many suppliers does colonial work with or is it just one? Belknap county is hosting a community power aggregation, she highly recommends that the city does not agree to this tonight. Mark Cappadona of Freedom and Colonial Energy stated there is no risk on how many customers stay with the program in Laconia. They only have about 3 suppliers at this time. Colonial has been doing aggregation for over 20 years, they have over 90 communities in the state of Massachusetts. This is an opt out aggregation, there is no financial risk to the community, the letters will go out on behalf of the city by the company. The purchase receivables is made by the supplier. Approximately 30 days prior to starting, residents will be notified and have the choice to leave the program. Should they choose to opt out but later decide they want to join, they will have that option. The cost of bad debt is calculated into the rate Councilor Soucy asked if we switch from Eversource to freedom, does this impact our services. No, they are still responsible to bill, meter read, repair the poles etc. Mayor Hosmer asked Does this cover commercial and residential? Mr. Cappadona replied both. Councilor Bogert asked if there were currently 20 users on the program and when they go out to bid, would that impact the rates? Mr. Cappadona stated no. Councilor Hoffman stated that the electrical aggregation committee did receive a presentation from the community power coalition, but the committee felt that freedom energy was a better fit for Laconia. He also stated that Belknap County is looking at the community power coalition but that doesn’t give the city of Laconia control over the contract if it belongs to the county. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:39 PM Manager Beattie noted that this item is on the agenda later this evening. 13.D. Public Hearing - Request to make Howard Street one way and no parking on one side of the street Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the October 31, 2024 edition of the Laconia Daily Sun, and posted at Laconia City Hall, Laconia Community Center, Laconia Public Library and the offices of the SAU.  13.D. Public Hearing - Request to make Howard Street one way and no parking on one side of the street Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the October 31, 2024 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 7:39 PM. Mark Dadian who owns property on Church Property, wants to know who made the request to change this street to a one way? Why is this request made? What was there thinking behind this? He feels that the street is already 1 way. There are more homes on the left side of the street that have issues with parking. Councilor Soucy stated that he received a request from a couple of property owners stating there was a number of driveways that were empty and they were jamming up the street, he then spoke to the Fire Chief and the DPW Director and they both confirmed if there was an emergency, the road is too tight to get emergency vehicles through. It was referred to a subcommittee and then brought back to the council. Eric Demato who owns 47 Howard St. stated that he purchased the home about 20 years ago, he feels it’s always been a one-way street, he doesn’t agree with this, because he need the parking on the street. Lorraine Barrows who lives at the end of Riverside Court, she is concerned that cars will cut through her driveway to get around. The road is only 12 feet wide in that area. She is concerned about the traffic flow. Mark Dadian stated again that Howard St is already one way, and he wonders what enforcement is going to look like? He wants to know if there will be any cameras installed. Katelyn who is a tenant on Howard Street. Said she is curious as to how the emergency vehicles are going to flow down the road, she feels that if they have to go the opposite way down riverside, it will take longer to get to an emergency. She finds this frustrating because of the already limited parking. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:56 PM 14. PRESENTATIONS 14.A. Planning Department - Follow-up to BEA (Business and Economic Affairs) Housing Champion presentation Planning Director Rob Mora and Assistant Director Tyler Carmichael presented to the City Council. They reviewed some of the requirements in order to qualify, they went over where the City currently stands and what they would potentially change to conform with the requirement. Items are Workforce Housing, Cluster Developments, Inclusionary Zoning, Manufacturing Housing, minimum lot sizes, minimum dwelling size, and off-street parking. Mayor Hosmer noted that the purpose of this was to become proactive versus reactive where we may be behind the ball and unable to apply for funding that could bring some state funds to the city. 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hosmer thanked City Clerk Gargano, her staff, the election workers and the police department for a successful election day with record turnouts. Mayor Hosmer also recognized the recent passing of Brenda Baer who passed away at the age of 98, 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hosmer thanked City Clerk Gargano, her staff, the election workers and the police department for a successful election day with record turnouts. Mayor Hosmer also recognized the recent passing of Brenda Baer who passed away at the age of 98, Brenda was a past City Councilor. A moment of silence was held in her honor, Brenda will be sincerely missed by many. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Soucy thanked the mayor and city manager about the letter that was sent to the Concord Hospital, he noted a letter to the editor in the newspaper from Dr. Shafique on this past Thursday. Councilor Bogert noted the 3 state reps, he, Charlie St Claire and Mike Bordes also sent a letter, he also thanked the DPW for the manhole work done on Highland Ave. Councilor Felch attended the Veteran’s Day ceremony yesterday and it was a really nice ceremony. 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 and Felch) 17.C. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Haynes, Felch, Cheney) 17.C.i. Regulation of Short Term Residential Rental Businesses 17.C.ii. Proposed Historic Overlay District 17.C.iii. Use of public property by for-profit entities 17.C.iv. Performance Zoning 17.C.v. Code Enforcement on property maintenance 17.C.vi. Time frame for demolition permits 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)  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 Bill Milner of 36 Marshall Court, on 9/23 he spoke in opposition of the housing champion. He feels that people are confused about what affordable housing is. Common sense about the demand for housing champion designation, we don’t know what the demand is. He wonders if municipalities don’t want to reform their zoning ordinances. He wonders if the city truly needs the champion designation in order to address the workforce housing. He thinks the city to seek the designation for the spring of 2025 is ok. Matt Cashman of 44 Marshall Court, he also attended the meeting on September 23 rd . The big take away was what councilor Cheney stated about taking a break and waiting to see what happens with the state school property. Tom Seigle of 44 Village Court said he didn’t understand the planning presentation. He doesn’t think we need the designation. And he feels if we make too many changes it could backfire on the city, he thinks the master plan should be updated and that is where we should be focused, plus the projects of 270 acres on parade rd. and 10 acres on old north main. If the city decides to build affordable housing, he hopes the buildings would be different than what they did in Dover. What happened to the RFQ’s to look at, and why wasn’t the committee ever formed? Manager Beattie stated the Council has not reviewed the RFQ’s because they have not voted at a Council meeting that they wish to move forward. They are in the City Manager’s possession. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Financial and Operational Trends Report Manager Beattie presented the report to the council. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. City Manager Contract Extension Section 2 of the City Manager’s Employment Agreement provides that it be extended at the end of each contract year so that there is always a full year’s contract in place in the event the Manager or Council decide not to renew. At this time, the Council should consider extending the City Manager’s Employment Agreement until October 3, 2026. Councilor Soucy made a motion to extend the contract of City Manager Kirk Beattie as outlined in Section 2 of his Employment Agreement, until October 3, 2026. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.B. Temporary Traffic Order 2024-16, Holiday Parade and Lights Festival, and request to waive fees Celebrate Laconia, the organizer of the Holiday Parade and Lights Festival, is requesting the City  The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.B. Temporary Traffic Order 2024-16, Holiday Parade and Lights Festival, and request to waive fees Celebrate Laconia, the organizer of the Holiday Parade and Lights Festival, is requesting the City Council’s approval of the attached Temporary Traffic Order 2024-16. Celebrate Laconia will work closely with the Laconia Police Department to ensure the safety of the participants and members of the public and will have volunteers on hand to assist. Also attached to the agenda is a map of the Holiday Parade route, and a map of vendors on Canal Street. Representatives from Celebrate Laconia will be present to answer questions from the Council or provide additional information if needed. The Council is also asked to consider waiving all City fees associated with this annual event. Councilor Felch made a motion to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2024-16 for the Holiday Parade and Lights Festival to be held on November 30, 2024 as presented, and to approve the request to waive all City fees associated with the event. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: Councilor Bogert asked what fees are being waived, Manager Beattie stated that all fees related to licensing and events with the city are being waived. Vendors will still pay Celebrate Laconia to have their space at the event. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney: Yes Councilor Soucy: Yes Councilor Hoffman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Bogert: Yes Councilor Felch: Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.C. Request to approve the NHDOT Appleton Street railroad crossing agreement Sewer and drainage were first placed under the Appleton Street Railroad crossing in 1976. Neither Laconia DPW, nor NHDOT Railroad, have records of an agreement for this crossing. DPW is undertaking a reconstruction project on Appleton Street which includes all new drainage under the railroad tracks. The Laconia Water Department will also be extending their water main under the track as part of this project. Since there was not a preexisting crossing agreement between the City of Laconia and the railroad, now is appropriate time to clean that up. Councilor Soucy made a motion that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign the NHDOT Railroad Appleton Street Crossing Agreement. Seconded by Councilor Felch. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.D. Creation of City Council liaison to the Laconia Tax Increment Financing Authority Boards City Manager Kirk Beattie is requesting that Mayor Hosmer appoint one City Councilor to serve as the City Council’s Tax Increment Financing Authority Board liaison. The chosen Councilor Felch will be a liaison between the City Council and all three current TIF districts. This is a new liaison  21.D. Creation of City Council liaison to the Laconia Tax Increment Financing Authority Boards City Manager Kirk Beattie is requesting that Mayor Hosmer appoint one City Councilor to serve as the City Council’s Tax Increment Financing Authority Board liaison. The chosen Councilor Felch will be a liaison between the City Council and all three current TIF districts. This is a new liaison position. Councilor Haynes made a motion to appoint Councilor Felch as the liaison between the City Council and all three current TIF districts. Seconded by Councilor Felch. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Ordinance 2024-235-81 - Amending Chapter 235 Zoning relative to Article XIII Administration and Enforcement, Section 235-81, Duration of Permits This proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will add a provision to Article XIII that causes all unexercised variances and special exceptions issued prior to August 19, 2013 to expire on January 1, 2028. All unexercised variances and special exceptions can still be exercised until the expiration date. This provision is authorized and controlled by RSA 674:33, IV(c). In accordance with Article XIV of the Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Board must review, approve, and hold a public hearing on all Zoning Ordinance amendments. It was unanimously approved by the Planning Board following a public hearing at their September 3, 2024 meeting. At the October 28, 2024 City Council meeting a motion was approved to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter; that Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. There is no direct or immediate fiscal impact to the City. Councilor Soucy made a motion to waive a reading of Ordinance 2024-235-81 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Hoffman made a motion to move a second reading of Ordinance 2024-235-81 amending Chapter 235 Zoning, Article XIII Administration and Enforcement, § 235-81 Duration of Permits as presented. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0  Councilor Cheney: Yes Councilor Soucy: Yes Councilor Hoffman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Bogert: Yes Councilor Felch: Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Haynes made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-235-81 amending Chapter 235 Zoning, Article XIII Administration and Enforcement, § 235-81 Duration of Permits as presented. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22.B. Request to approve using Weirs TIF funds to rebuild and reconfigure Weirs docks As part of the FY 2025 approved budget, $100,000 was allocated to the Weirs TIF District to assist in funding the Weirs Dock Project. Councilor Felch and City Manager Beattie met with the Weirs TIF Advisory Board at their October 24, 2024, meeting to discuss this topic. The Weirs TIF Advisory Board voted affirmatively to recommend to the City Council approving that the City Manager secure financing for the full project, to be paid for by future Weirs TIF incremental funding. The final updated cost estimates and permitting requirements will be received by early December. Work could start as early as December, and could be completed by the summer boating season. At the October 28, 2024 City Council meeting a motion was approved to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter; that Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. The cost estimate is $1,000,000. Councilor Felch made a motion to approve the request to use Weirs TIF funds to rebuild and reconfigure the Weirs docks, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: Councilor Soucy asked for clarification that this will only be money from the TIF District. Manager Beattie explained this will be paid out of the TIF for about 8-10 years. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney: Yes Councilor Soucy: Yes Councilor Hoffman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Bogert: Yes Councilor Felch: Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22.C. Request to make Howard Street one way and no parking on one side of the street At the September 23, 2024 City Council meeting, Councilor Soucy requested that the Public Safety Subcommittee consider making Howard Street one way for its entire length and to make one side of the road no parking. The City Council approved the request. Subsequent to that approval, it was decided to include this matter on a Public Works Subcommittee agenda. The Public Works Subcommittee met on October 10, 2024 and recommended this item be presented to the full Council at their October 15 meeting with a request to schedule a Public Hearing at the November 12, 2024 meeting. That Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. Certified letters were sent out to abutters affected by this proposal on October 16, 2024.  The Public Works Subcommittee met on October 10, 2024 and recommended this item be presented to the full Council at their October 15 meeting with a request to schedule a Public Hearing at the November 12, 2024 meeting. That Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. Certified letters were sent out to abutters affected by this proposal on October 16, 2024. Howard Street is 19 feet wide, and parking is allowed on both sides of the road. Howard Street is partially one way. It is one way from Riverside Court to the entrance to Victoria Woods (see attached map). There are two pickup trucks that have habitually parked at the corner between 11 & 15 Howard Street. When the trucks are parked there it is difficult for a car to get by, never mind a fire truck or ambulance. Howard Street should be one-way from Riverside Court to Church Street and one side, the odd numbered side, of the street should be no parking. Riverside Court is a private street and is one of the streets eligible to participate in the accept as-is program. Most of the properties on Howard Street are multifamily and some of the properties have limited parking. The owner of the Brick Front Restaurant on October 25, 2024, notified the City that he does not support making Howard Street one way for its entire length due to the difficulty of servicing their dumpsters and making deliveries. Howard Street is one way from the driveway into Victoria Woods towards Riverside Court. Large trucks serving the Brick Front’s dumpsters or making deliveries on Howard Street would have to back into Church Street, turn around in Victoria Woods’ private parking lot, violate the one-way section of the street or access Howard Street from Riverside Court. Backing into Church Street is unsafe, especially with the parking spaces on Church Street. Traveling the wrong way on a one-way street is unsafe and can cause other problems. After reviewing the Brick Front owner’s concerns, Public Works recommends that Howard Street be changed to a one-way street to aid in emergency vehicle response. The estimated cost to install the necessary signs to implement these changes is $800. The cost of the signs will come from Public Works’ regulatory sign budget. Councilor Soucy made a motion to refer back to the public works sub comm, 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22.D. Community Power Authorization - Request to schedule a Public Hearing This agenda item is to schedule a second public hearing on November 25, 2024 during the regular City Council meeting. The second public hearing is required by RSA 53-E and is to allow the public to review and comment on the Draft Laconia Electric Aggregation Plan for the City of Laconia prior to approval by the Electric Aggregation Committee and City Council. There is no direct or immediate fiscal impact to the City. Councilor Felch made a motion to schedule a second public hearing regarding the “Draft Laconia Electric Aggregation Plan for the City of Laconia” on November 25, 2024 during the regular City Council meeting to gather input prior to approval. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote:  Electric Aggregation Plan for the City of Laconia” on November 25, 2024 during the regular City Council meeting to gather input prior to approval. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22.E. Resolution 2024-25 - Robert A. Hamel Community Service Recognition Award Committee In September of 2024, the Laconia City Council created a Community Service Recognition Award Committee. By unanimous vote, the award was named in honor of Robert A. Hamel, our colleague and friend, for his dedication and service to his beloved city of Laconia. The Committee, appointed annually by the Mayor and Council, is to receive and evaluate nominations for this award and submit its finding of a nomination for a selected recipient. The honoree selected should have displayed through service of time, actions, and talents, a dedication and passion in making Laconia a better place. The award is to be presented annually in June. A gift to be determined by the committee will be presented to the recipient, as well as a plaque bearing Bob's picture and the recipient's name and year to be displayed at City Hall. The Committee, consisting of Councilor Haynes, Councilor Felch, City Clerk Katie Gargano, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Lovisek, Matt Soza, Becky Guyer and Tara Shore met on October 23, 2024. At that meeting it was suggested that a formal Resolution establishing the Committee be presented to the Council for approval. Councilor Haynes made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-25 establishing the Robert A. Hamel Community Service Recognition Award to be presented annually each June to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of public service by sharing their time, talent, and energy for the general betterment of our community. Seconded by Councilor Felch. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22.F. Reconsideration of City Council vote to not support applying for the Housing Champion designation The City Council previously discussed this agenda item at their September 23, 2024 meeting at which time a motion was made to declare its support for the Planning Department to pursue the criteria required by the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs to become a Housing Champion Community. That motion failed by a vote of zero in favor, six opposed. Councilor Felch, who voted on the prevailing side, has requested that the City Council reconsider its vote of September 23, 2024, regarding the Planning Department’s request for support in applying for the Housing Champion Designation through NH BEA. Please refer to Councilor Felch’s letter which is attached. Council Rules require that such requests for reconsideration shall be made at the meeting at which the Council acted on the question, or at the next succeeding meeting. Since this request for reconsideration is not occurring at the next succeeding meeting, a motion to suspend the rules is provided below. Please note that a motion to suspend Council rules requires a two-thirds vote.  is attached. Council Rules require that such requests for reconsideration shall be made at the meeting at which the Council acted on the question, or at the next succeeding meeting. Since this request for reconsideration is not occurring at the next succeeding meeting, a motion to suspend the rules is provided below. Please note that a motion to suspend Council rules requires a two-thirds vote. This is a multi-vote process. The motion to reconsider may come from any of the Councilors as all voted on the prevailing side of the original motion. Councilor Felch made a motion to suspend Council Rules to allow reconsideration of the City Council vote of September 23, 2024 requesting the City Council declare its support for the Planning Department to pursue the criteria required by the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs to become a Housing Champion Community. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: Councilor Felch said he asked the council to approve this to have more conversation on the subject. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney: No Councilor Soucy: No Councilor Hoffman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Bogert: No Councilor Felch: Yes The motion passed failed. 3-3 with a tied vote, the mayor did not vote to break the tie because a motion to suspend Council rules requires a two-thirds vote. 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 Hoffman made a motion to enter into a nonpublic session according to RSA 91-A:3, II (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. Seconded by Councilor Felch. 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 motion passed with all in favor. 5-0  Councilor Cheney: Yes Councilor Soucy: Yes Councilor Hoffman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Bogert: Yes Councilor Felch: Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 The council entered into the non-public session 9:33 PM Councilor Cheney left the non-public session at 9:45 PM. Councilor Felch made a motion to return to public session. Seconded by Councilor Haynes Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney: ABS Councilor Soucy: Yes Councilor Hoffman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Bogert: Yes Councilor Felch: Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 Public session reconvened at 10:05 PM Councilor Felch made a motion to seal the minutes for 1 Year seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney: ABS Councilor Soucy: Yes Councilor Hoffman: Yes Councilor Haynes: Yes Councilor Bogert: Yes Councilor Felch: Yes The motion passed with all in favor. 5-0 26. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 10:06 PM Respectfully submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk