City Council

Minutes were approved on 10/8/2025 by the Government Operations & Ordinances Subcommittee. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Government Operations & Ordinances City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 2:00 P.M. 8/13/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Haynes called the meeting to order at 2:07 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Felch led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the roll of the following committee members: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Haynes and Councilor Felch. Chairman Haynes confirmed that all committee members were in attendance, and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6.A. Approval of Government Operations & Ordinances Subcommittee meeting minutes of July 11, 2025 Councilor Cheney made a motion to approve the July 11, 2025, minutes as presented. Seconded by Councilor Felch Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 3-0 7. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Haynes, Felch, Cheney) 7.A. Ordinance 2025-235-13, 42 - Amending Chapter 235, Zoning, relative to Article II Definitions and Word Usage, §235-13 Definitions; Article VII Supplementary Provisions, §235-42 Non Residential Uses; and Attachment 2 Table of Permitted Uses This proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will add provisions to Articles II and VII related to the regulation of keeping domestic chickens as a residential accessory use in the City. These provisions include definitions, performance standards, and adding the use to the table of Permitted Uses. Said definitions and performance standards are proposed to regulate the location, number, type, housing, and storage of manure and materials related to the keeping of chickens. The Table of Permitted Uses will be updated accordingly to ensure that the keeping of chickens is permitted  This proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will add provisions to Articles II and VII related to the regulation of keeping domestic chickens as a residential accessory use in the City. These provisions include definitions, performance standards, and adding the use to the table of Permitted Uses. Said definitions and performance standards are proposed to regulate the location, number, type, housing, and storage of manure and materials related to the keeping of chickens. The Table of Permitted Uses will be updated accordingly to ensure that the keeping of chickens is permitted solely as an accessory use to a single-family residential use. In accordance with Article XIV of the Zoning Ordinance, the Planning Board held a public hearing on and approved of the proposed ordinance at its May 6, 2025 meeting. At the July 11, 2025 meeting, Councilors tabled the item to allow the Planning Department to investigate the City’s ability to require individuals to obtain a license for the keeping of chickens. After discussing with the City’s Legal Counsel, the City can issue a nonmandatory license for individuals to register their chickens with the City. However, no penalties can be imposed on individuals who do not obtain a license. Councilor Felch made a motion to refer the proposed ordinance to the full Council to review and schedule a public hearing. The proposed ordinance includes amendments to the following sections of Chapter 235 of the City Code: · Article II, § 235-12, Word Usage; · Article II, § 235-13, Definitions; · Article VII, § 235-41, Residential Accessory Uses; and · Attachment 2, Table I, Table of Permitted Uses. Seconded by Councilor Cheney. Discussion: The committee discussed the lot sizes permitted and the process to change it. If they changed it, it would have to go back to the Planning Board. There was discussion about enforcement, which would rely on complaints from the neighborhood. There is no way of issuing any types of fines or collecting any type of permit/licensing to know who has chickens at which property. The motion passed 2-1, Councilor Haynes is opposed. 7.B. Proposed resident-only parking permit system Councilor Cheney requested City Staff develop a proposal for a resident-only parking permit system. Councilor Cheney’s initial request was for Simpson Avenue and other streets in the Methodist Campground area of the City. Public Works anticipates that residents on other City streets will also request to participate in the system. The proposal is designed so that it can be used on any city public street that only has residential homes abutting it. The system was designed based on the program the City of Concord has implemented. Key concepts include: · The permit system only applies to public roads. The City does not have authority to impose parking restrictions on private roads. · All requests for resident only parking on a public street would be submitted by the Ward’s Councilor for consideration by the Council. · If City Council considers adding the street to the system, City Staff analyzes the request and makes a recommendation to the Council. · Permit would be valid for one calendar year. · If City Council considers adding the street to the system, City Staff analyzes the request and makes a recommendation to the Council. · Permit would be valid for one calendar year. · If there is a change in owners or tenants the new residents would have to obtain permits and the old resident would have to turn theirs in. · The system would include a fee. · The permit system would not be in effect during Motorcycle Week. · The Police Department is responsible for enforcing the program. In addition to staff time for issuing and enforcing permits, the cost of the program includes purchasing the: · Signs and poles · Permits The objective is to price the permits so that it covers the cost of the program. A copy of the application for the permit is attached to the agenda. The system would be included in Article III – Parking Standing and Stopping of City Ordinance 221 – Vehicles and Traffic. The following is Staff’s proposal for the system. It would be included in Paragraph 221- 36.1: Parking Restriction of the City’s Ordinances. C. Resident Only Parking Restrictions (1) The City Council must approve all Public Roads that are restricted to residents only parking restrictions. All requests for a street to become residents-only parking must be sponsored by the Councilor(s) for the ward or wards. (2) Public Works will maintain a database of all streets approved for residentsonly parking. The database must be available on the City’s website (a)Permit Applications. In accordance with this Ordinance, the City Manager or his/her designee shall create residential parking permit applications and establish the applicable fees. (b) Eligibility. Residents of dwellings located on streets approved by the City Council shall be eligible for residential parking permits upon the completion of the permit application and payment of applicable fees. (I.) The City Manager or his/her designee shall not issue more than two (2) residential parking permits per dwelling unit, notwithstanding the number of residents therein. (II.) The City Manager or his/her designee may waive the total number of residential parking permits when a unique circumstance or hardship exists. (c) Permit Year. Permits shall be issued on an annual basis and shall be valid from January 1 through December 30. No permit shall be valid for more than one year. Residential parking permits may be issued at any time during January 1 through December 30; however, the application fee for any permit issued after January 1 shall not be prorated. The annual renewal process for permits shall begin on October 1st. (d) Residents only parking restrictions will not be effect during the period of Laconia Motorcycle Week.  (c) Permit Year. Permits shall be issued on an annual basis and shall be valid from January 1 through December 30. No permit shall be valid for more than one year. Residential parking permits may be issued at any time during January 1 through December 30; however, the application fee for any permit issued after January 1 shall not be prorated. The annual renewal process for permits shall begin on October 1st. (d) Residents only parking restrictions will not be effect during the period of Laconia Motorcycle Week. (d) Transferability. Residential parking permits may only be used by the resident or their guest for which the permit has been issued. It shall be unlawful for the resident to transfer permits to any third party other than their guests. (e) Surrender of Permit. If, at any time during the permit year, said permit holder is no longer a resident of an address for any street subject to the resident only parking restriction, said permit shall be deemed surrendered and no longer valid and the permit holder shall otherwise surrender the permit to the City Manager or his/her designee. (f) Service and Delivery Vehicles Exempt. Parking prohibitions of this article shall not apply to service or delivery vehicles which on a short-term basis provide services or deliveries to residences. (g) Parking Permit Fee. The City Manager or his/her designee shall establish the appropriate fee for permits issued under this article. (h) All other parking restrictions are in effect. Fiscal Impact: The estimated cost to install the necessary signs is $150 to $300 depending on the number of connections to City streets. The estimated cost for 250 permits is $200 to $700. Discussion: Director Anderson said that Fenton Ave has already requested this as well. He would imagine if we addressed Fenton Ave, other streets in the area would request it as well. He does not know how that would affect the parking for the funeral home. There are a lot of unanswered questions on how this whole project would work with permits, temp permits, visitor permits, etc. The committee decided it would be best to address just Simpson Ave at this time. Councilor Cheney made a motion to recommend to the full council that Simson Ave be marked as resident only parking by permit and signs be posted by the Department of Public Works. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 3-0 7.C. Request to allow commercial boats to use the City docks for pickup and drop-off customers City Ordinance 239 Wharves, prohibits commercial boats from using the City Docks. The Ordinance follows. The highlighted are paragraphs that would have to be changed to allow commercial boats to use the docks. § 229-2Definitions. COMMERCIAL - Any enterprise for gain and/or benefit by reason of regularly or irregularly scheduled operation. MOORED or DOCKED - The stationing of a boat, whether or not occupied and whether or not tied or anchored, along or upon a wharf. WHARF or WHARVES - Any public dock, wharf, landing, land or other public place located in the City of Laconia and land used in connection therewith, at which boats may be docked or moored. § 229-3 Commercial use restricted. A. Operators of boats engaged in commercial enterprise shall not moor such boats at any public wharf except as provided in Subsections B and C. B. The United States Mail boat may be moored on the southerly side of the wharf, known as "Dock No. 6," at Weirs Beach during such hours and according to such regulations as the City Council may direct by vote; such regulations as to hours and other matters shall be effective when posted at said Dock No. 6. No other boat shall be moored on the southerly side of Dock No. 6 during the hours posted for mooring of said United States Mail boat; provided, however, that said mail boat will be responsible to the City of Laconia for any and all damage occurring to said Dock No. 6 as a result of B. The United States Mail boat may be moored on the southerly side of the wharf, known as "Dock No. 6," at Weirs Beach during such hours and according to such regulations as the City Council may direct by vote; such regulations as to hours and other matters shall be effective when posted at said Dock No. 6. No other boat shall be moored on the southerly side of Dock No. 6 during the hours posted for mooring of said United States Mail boat; provided, however, that said mail boat will be responsible to the City of Laconia for any and all damage occurring to said Dock No. 6 as a result of the mooring of said United States Mail boat. C. The City Council may, in its sole discretion, lease public dock space to one or more commercial enterprises on such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate. Prior to entering into any such lease, the City Council shall hold at least one public hearing on the proposed lease. § 229-4 Use time limited. A. Gale Avenue and Lakeport Wharves. No boat shall be moored at said wharves for a period in excess of 10 hours at a time. B. Weirs beach wharves. No boat shall be moored at said wharves between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., no boat shall be moored at said wharves for a period in excess of three hours. C. Time limits shall not apply to leased spaces. § 229-5Alcoholic beverages prohibited. No person shall drink any alcoholic and/or malt beverage or alcoholic liquor, as defined in Chapter 175 of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, while on any public wharf or in any boat while moored or docked at any public wharf. This restriction shall not apply to properly licensed commercial enterprises operating in a leased space. § 229-6 Administration and enforcement. 1. The Police Department may enforce the provisions of this chapter. Public Works recommends: · Paragraph 229-4 (a) be deleted as the City does not have any docks for public use on Gale Ave or in Lakeport. · If the subcommittee decides to allow commercial boats to drop off passengers at the Weirs docks, the use should be limited to an area on one finger of the dock and that a 5-minute time limit be established for the drop off point. Fiscal Impact: The time limit sign will cost $150 and it will be funded from the Public Works operational budget. Councilor Cheney moved that if the subcommittee recommends that commercial boats be allowed to use the City docks for dropping off and picking up customers, the time limit restriction for the point be limited to 5 minutes. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: Councilor Felch received a letter from a business owner who is not in favor of this and he forwarded the letter along to the City Manager who distributed it to the other committee members, Councilor Felch does not want to see a specific dock being used because he feels that dock will get more wear and tear quicker over the others. Councilor Cheney would like to see the last dock on the end used to both a Handicap space and drop offs/ pickups. Manager Beattie stated he did some quick research and for what he could see online is that Tuftonboro charges for their use of the town docks of $1500.00 per year. Councilor Cheney stated he’d rather see one dock designated versus any dock. Councilor Felch would like to see it not assigned because that dock could sit empty when it could be needed from another boater. After public comment: they asked for more information from the audience on what their boat sizes range, from 25-36 feet. Marine patrol inspection must be provided to the city, insurance binder with  docks of $1500.00 per year. Councilor Cheney stated he’d rather see one dock designated versus any dock. Councilor Felch would like to see it not assigned because that dock could sit empty when it could be needed from another boater. After public comment: they asked for more information from the audience on what their boat sizes range, from 25-36 feet. Marine patrol inspection must be provided to the city, insurance binder with the city listed as additionally insured for 1,000,000.00. There was a question of what we will charge for the permit. Chad doesn’t want to see a dock designated. $1,000 suggested permit fee for the season. One doesn’t want to pay $1000 for a fee, he will bring his people to another dock. Jeff Aggopian echos what Bill said, he is a Belknap County tax payer and he feels his tax money has gone to paying for the docks. He also would not choose to go to the Weirs if he would have to pay a permit fee. He is very surprised that the Weirs Action Committee is not in favor of the charter boats bringing people into the docks and to the Weirs to spend their money. Councilor Felch made a motion to table, seconded by Councilor Cheney. The motion is nondebatable. The item is tabled. 8. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS Kevin Morris owner of M&M Island Cruises stated last Saturday was very busy in the Weirs. He was scheduled from February, to pick up customers at 11am, he was there and out in 9 minutes. At 3pm there was a 15-minute wait to get a dock then they were all off and out it was 24 minutes total on a busy day because of how nice the weather was. He feels they are helping bring business to the Weirs. He does not sit at the dock and conduct business. Chad Puzzo from Mini Winni had a comment about insurance, he stated the docks are public. He believes there was an old sign at the far-left dock that stated it was for pick up and drop off only. He would like to see a designated spot for handicap. His business model is that he runs his business, pays his bills, and donates the remaining to hemophilia. He believes the dock closest to the beach would be best for handicap. He sees all upsides and no downsides to what they are doing. They are just in and out. The longer period Donald Gagnon owns the Tiki Boats and is on the WAC. Speaking on behalf of the WAC, it was made non- commercial in 1990, handicap ramp is owned by the Mt. Washington, and the city has permission. If you say yes to this, what is going to stop the dive, airplane, or 40 other charters from coming in? Donald Gagnon owns the Tiki Boats, he approached the council, and he was told no seven years ago. He works out of the pier, he pays $3000k per month, has an insurance rider for $1 million, and has an inspection through Marine Patrol. He feels that everyone here is profitable and the City should not be shy if they charge a permit fee. He is not saying he is for it or against it. He would like to see dock boys like Wolfeboro. He agrees 15 minutes is enough time, they should approach the dock once the whole party is there. 9. Any other business that may come before the Council 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Haynes adjourned the meeting at 3:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk Katie Gargano, City Clerk