City Council

Minutes were approved by the Laconia City Council on March 10, 2025. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 7:00 P.M. 2/24/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Cheney led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Stacy Anders, Deputy City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Deputy City Clerk Anders called the roll of the following City Councilors: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Soucy, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert and Councilor Felch. Mayor Hosmer confirmed that six councilors were in attendance and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 7. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7.A. Approval of City Council meeting minutes of February 10, 2025 Minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of February 10, 2025, were distributed to members of the City Council on February 12, 2025. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 8.A. Recommendation to appoint Stephen Walsh to the Board of Water Commissioners On February 7, 2025 the Appointments Subcommittee interviewed Stephen Walsh for appointment to the Board of Water Commissioners. There is one available regular member position on the Board. If appointed, Mr. Walsh would serve for a three-year term expiring at the end of June, 2027 at which time he could apply for reappointment. The Appointments Subcommittee recommends Mr. Walsh’s appointment as presented. Councilor Soucy made a motion to appoint Stephen Walsh to the Board of Water Commissioners to a three-year term expiring at the end of June, 2027. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None  time he could apply for reappointment. The Appointments Subcommittee recommends Mr. Walsh’s appointment as presented. Councilor Soucy made a motion to appoint Stephen Walsh to the Board of Water Commissioners to a three-year term expiring at the end of June, 2027. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 8.B. Temporary Traffic Order 2025-01- Juggernaut 5K Race Juggernaut Fitness, located at 24 Lexington Drive in Laconia, has requested approval of a 5K race to be held on City streets on July 12, 2025 as shown on the map included with this agenda item. Organizers of the race anticipate approximately 50 participants. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Children’s Auction. There will be no closure of streets, but the event organizers will station volunteers along the route and will work with the Laconia Police Department to provide personnel to ensure the safety of the event as needed. This is a recurring event with no changes. Councilor Hoffman made a motion approve the request to hold Juggernaut 5K on July 12, 2025 on City Streets and to approve Temporary Traffic Order 2025-01 as presented. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Gretchen from Taylor Community wanted to extend thanks to the Huot program for the caliber of students they are creating and producing and their ongoing partnership. Councilor Felch thanked Gretchen for everything she does for the community. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 13.A. Public Hearing - Resolution 2025-04 - Request to authorize the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on behalf of the City in the amount of $20,587.76 to improve the cybersecurity footprint of the City's sanitary sewer system Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the February 12, 2025 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 7:11 PM. No one from the public wished to speak. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM. 13.B. Public Hearing - Resolution 2025-05 - Acceptance of a 2025 NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the February 12, 2025 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.B. Public Hearing - Resolution 2025-05 - Acceptance of a 2025 NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant Notice of this Public Hearing was made available in the February 12, 2025 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 7:12 PM. No one from the public wished to speak. Mayor Hosmer closed the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM. 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT No comment this evening. 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Felch stated that there was great attendance this past weekend at the Lakes Region Sled Dog Race. There is a Robbie Mills 8-ball Pool Tournament on March 8th which helps raise money for the Lakes Region Children's Auction and the Boys and Girls Club, and he encourages attendance. Councilor Haynes regretted informing the council about the passing of Ralph Perino. He was part of the Wyatt Park Association. Councilor Cheney wanted updates regarding finding a law firm to represent the City relating to the Hospital. He also asked the school to keep the council updated on the Elm St school traffic plan. 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) Councilor Haynes stated that they are working with Legal regarding the Noise ordinance. The committee met on February 21, and they agreed to the addition of the app in the Weirs for parking. The committee would also like to remove items 17.C.iii Use of public property by for-profit entities and 17.C.v Code Enforcement on property maintenance. Speaking with Assistant Planner Carmicheal, they would like to leave the remaining items on the agenda for future discussion. 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.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) 18. LIAISON REPORTS None. 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 reviewed the report with the council. 20.B. Monthly Economic Development Report Manager Beattie reviewed the report with the council. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Resolution 2025-06 - A Resolution relative to authorizing the purchase and replacement of electronic ballot counting devices The State of NH RSA Chapter 656:40 requires the Mayor and City Council to authorize the use of one of the electronic ballot counting devices approved by the Ballot Law Commission and the number of those devices used for the counting of ballots in such city or town for any regular or special election. The use of such device so authorized shall be valid for all purposes. The City may vote to lease or purchase electronic ballot counting devices approved by  ballots in such city or town for any regular or special election. The use of such device so authorized shall be valid for all purposes. The City may vote to lease or purchase electronic ballot counting devices approved by the Ballot Law Commission for the elections held in said town or city. Any town, or the Mayor and Aldermen of any city, so acting shall notify the Secretary of State of the action taken in regard to electronic ballot counting devices; and, after said action, electronic ballot counting devices shall be used in said town or city in accordance with said vote or authorization. The City Clerk is looking to purchase and get approval for the use of seven (7) Dominion ImageCast Precinct Electronic Ballot Counting devices that were approved by the Ballot Law Commission on January 3, 2025, using funds allocated by the City Council on December 9, 2024, from remaining State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. $24,500.00 of ARPA Funds being used. Total cost is $49,000.00, the NH Secretary of State is offering a $3,500 grant per machine, we are purchasing 7 machines which equals $24,500.00. This grant is being paid directly to the supplier and the City is only responsible for coming up with our half. Councilor Cheney moved to waive a reading of Resolution 2025-06 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 Hoffman moved a first reading of Resolution 2025-06 relative to authorizing the purchase and replacement of the City’s electronic ballot counting devices. Seconded by Councilor Soucy, Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch moved to schedule a Public Hearing on March 10, 2025, during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to any action being taken. Seconded by Councilor Haynes, Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.B. Request to declare a portion of Hayes Road an emergency lane Recent information on Hayes Road has determined that the Hayes Road private right of way might extend from the constructed portion that ends at 105 Hayes Road to Scenic Drive. Public Works to minimize any confusion has identified the constructed portion of Hayes Road that ends at the western boundary of 105 Hayes Road as the portion that is under consideration to be declared as an emergency lane. The City Council on March 11, 2024, approved stopping Public Works services on Hayes Road, a private road. Councilmember Cheney at the February 10, 2025 City Council meeting requested the City Council emergency lane. The City Council on March 11, 2024, approved stopping Public Works services on Hayes Road, a private road. Councilmember Cheney at the February 10, 2025 City Council meeting requested the City Council declare Hayes Road as an emergency lane. The City Council must hold a public hearing before declaring a private road an emergency lane. The City Council has not established a date for the public hearing. Abutting landowners must be notified by mail a minimum of 10 days before the public hearing. The City Council: · Cannot declare a private road an emergency lane without the permission of the abutting landowners. Permission can be withdrawn at any time. · Must “determine that there is a public need for keeping such a lane passable for emergency vehicles and that it is supported by a public interest and is not for the private benefit of the abutters on that road.” If declared an emergency lane, the City may expend funds to remove brush, repair culverts or do other work “deemed necessary to render such a way passable by firefighting equipment and rescue or other emergency vehicles.” The City Council can declare the road as either an emergency lane or winter only emergency lane. · An emergency lane declaration allows Public Works to maintain the road to minimize damage to emergency vehicles during all seasons · A winter only emergency lane allows Public Works to plow and treat the roads so that emergency vehicles can access the area in the winter. · The abutting landowners are responsible for all other maintenance under either option. The residents on Hayes Road presently bring their solid waste containers to Endicott Street North’s right of way for collection as City ordinance 194-4-B prohibits the collection contractor from entering a private roadway “for the purpose of collection of garbage or residential household rubbish from privately owned property.” Declaring a road an emergency lane does not change its status. It is still a private road. Therefore, the Council will have to approve an exception to the City ordinance to collect solid waste at the curb. All private road abutters receiving City solid waste collection services must bring their containers to a public right of way to have their waste collected by the contractor. Approving this exception may result in abutters on other private roads requesting an exception. If the City Council is considering making Hayes Road an emergency lane Public Works recommends; • The public hearing be scheduled for March 24, 2025, to provide sufficient time to meet the statutory notice requirements. • Determine if the declaration will be as an emergency lane or winter only emergency lane and if the declaration expires. This will enable staff to prepare the supporting Resolution. • That the City Council not approve the request to provide curbside solid waste collection as it may result in other private roads requesting an exception which, if approved, could result in the City’s solid waste collection program exceeding its budget. Councilor Cheney stated that he has spoken with a few of the residence on Hayes Rd, and they do not have a problem with continuing to bring their garbage to the end of the road at Endicott St.  result in other private roads requesting an exception which, if approved, could result in the City’s solid waste collection program exceeding its budget. Councilor Cheney stated that he has spoken with a few of the residence on Hayes Rd, and they do not have a problem with continuing to bring their garbage to the end of the road at Endicott St. Councilor Haynes questioned if they had any intent on becoming other than an emergency lane. Manager Beattie stated that nothing has come to his office. Councilor Cheney moved to schedule a Public Hearing on March 24, 2025, regarding declaring Hayes Road an emergency lane. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.C. Resolution 2025-07 - Request to use Downtown TIF funds for projects proposed by the Downtown TIF District Advisory Board At their January 29, 2025 meeting the Downtown TIF District Advisory Board recommended several projects for the improvement of the downtown area to be financed by Downtown TIF funds. As shown in the breakdown of the proposed projects on the attached list, the majority of the projects relate to landscaping and street scape in the downtown area. Councilor Haynes wants to know who is going to take care of this project. Warren Clement stated that it would go out to bid for maintenance. Councilor Cheney moved to waive a reading of Resolution 2025-07 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 moved a first reading of Resolution 2025-07, relative to the request to use Downtown TIF funds to finance the downtown improvement projects, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch moved to schedule a Public Hearing for the March 10, 2025 City Council meeting to receive public input relative to the request to use Downtown TIF funds to finance the downtown improvement projects, as presented. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 22.A. Resolution 2025-04 - Request to authorize the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on behalf of the City in the amount of $20,587.76 to improve the cybersecurity footprint of the City’s sanitary sewer system The Overwatch Foundation is a New Hampshire based non-profit working with NH Department of Environmental Services and Primex to enhance cybersecurity of municipal wastewater infrastructure. On the recommendation of NHDES, the Overwatch Foundation staff was invited to assess the cybersecurity footprint of Laconia’s sanitary sewer system. The resulting report noted that while the system possesses a ‘solid cybersecurity framework’ there were opportunities to strengthen our protections. The Overwatch Foundation has offered the City a grant in the amount of $20,587.76 (Twenty thousand, five hundred eighty seven dollars and seventy-six cents) to enact recommended security improvements. Improvements include replacement and upgrade of IT equipment, licensing, support services, cybersecurity training for SCADA operators, and incident response training. The grant provides for the implementation of the upgrades and three years of operating costs. Hardware covered under this grant includes one mobile device, two PCs, one switch and ancillary equipment.  The Overwatch Foundation has offered the City a grant in the amount of $20,587.76 (Twenty thousand, five hundred eighty seven dollars and seventy-six cents) to enact recommended security improvements. Improvements include replacement and upgrade of IT equipment, licensing, support services, cybersecurity training for SCADA operators, and incident response training. The grant provides for the implementation of the upgrades and three years of operating costs. Hardware covered under this grant includes one mobile device, two PCs, one switch and ancillary equipment. At the February 10, 2025 City Council meeting a motion was approved to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter; that Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. Councilor Cheney moved to waive a reading of Resolution 2025-04 in its entirety and to read by title only. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Soucy moved a second reading of Resolution 2025-04 relative to a request to authorize the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on behalf of the City in the amount of $20,587.76 to improve the cybersecurity footprint of the City’s sanitary sewer system. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch moved to approve Resolution 2025-04 relative to a request to authorize the City Manager to accept and expend a grant on behalf of the City in the amount of $20,587.76 to improve the cybersecurity footprint of the City’s sanitary sewer system. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22.B. Resolution 2025-05, relative to the acceptance of a 2025 NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant in the amount of $26,350.00 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. At the February 10, 2025 City Council meeting a motion was approved to schedule a Public Hearing on this matter; that Public Hearing was held earlier this evening. Councilor Soucy moved to waive a reading of Resolution 2025-05 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 Felch moved a second reading of Resolution 2025-05, relative to the acceptance of a 2025 NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant in the amount of $26,350.00. Seconded by Councilor Hoffman. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Hoffman moved to approve Resolution 2025-05, relative to the acceptance of a 2025 NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant in the amount of $26,350.00. Seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 23. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 23.A. Master Plan  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 go into 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 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 The nonpublic session began at 7:40 PM. Councilor Felch made a motion to return to public session, seconded by Councilor Cheney, 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 The public session was reconvened at 7:53 PM. Councilor Felch made a motion to seal the minutes for 6 Months seconded by Councilor Haynes. Discussion: None. By Roll Call Vote: Councilor Cheney- Yes Councilor Soucy- Yes Councilor Hoffman- Yes  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 26. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 7:54PM. Respectfully submitted, Stacy Anders, Deputy City Clerk