City Council

Minutes were approved on 11/10/2025 by the Laconia City Council. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 7:00 P.M. 10/27/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor St. Clair 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 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 St. Clair confirmed that all 6 City Councilor’s 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. Regular City Council meeting minutes of October 14, 2025 Minutes of the Laconia City Council meeting of October 14, 2025 were distributed to members of the City Council on October 23, 2025. With no corrections or changes submitted to the Clerk, the minutes were accepted as distributed. 8. CONSENT & ACTION ITEMS 9. CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA Patrick Wood, Chairman of the Human Relations Committee. They established a subcommittee at their last meeting 11/12/25 7-9:30 PM what do we know about homelessness in Laconia, at Laconia High Auditorium. This event will be advertised county wide. He went over the plan for the evening and there will be a chance for public questions. The goal is to hear peoples fears and concerns and to offer solutions. Douglas Robinson of Ward 5 wants to know if the Council wants to know what Kratom is? This stuff is being sold at our convenience stores to people who are as young as 18. He would like to see the City of Laconia put a ban on selling these items. It is a problem that needs to be addressed in the city. He passed out a handout to the City Councilors.  Douglas Robinson of Ward 5 wants to know if the Council wants to know what Kratom is? This stuff is being sold at our convenience stores to people who are as young as 18. He would like to see the City of Laconia put a ban on selling these items. It is a problem that needs to be addressed in the city. He passed out a handout to the City Councilors. 10. INTERVIEWS 11. NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & ELECTIONS 12. COMMUNICATIONS 13. PUBLIC HEARINGS 14. PRESENTATIONS 15. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor St. Clair noted that Pumpkin Fest was done very well. He was very happy to see all the people who attended. The election is next Tuesday 11/4/2025, minutes from prior meetings are available on the City’s Website. He also wanted to remind candidates that they need to pick up their political signs . 16. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilor Cheney wanted to give a shoutout to the group who organized the pumpkin festival and the success it was. He would also like to see the city manager and the mayor meet with members of the hospital about staffing levels. He knows there are sections of the hospital that are not being used and he wondered if parts of it could be used to housing some of the workers. Councilor Soucy thanked Manager Beattie for putting the team together headed by Amy at Parks & Rec. for the planning of the Pumpkin Festival. They only had since April to put the event all together. The weather was great and there were no incidents, all the vendors he spoke to were very happy. Councilor Hoffman agreed with the councilors the set up was great and it really felt like it was in the heart of downtown. Thank you to everyone who was involved. Councilor Haynes thanked the City Manager on who was involved with the Pumpkin Festival. He was happy to see how successful the event was. Councilor Bogert wants to see the human relations committee reappointment be removed from this evening’s agenda. He cannot find in the council rules that the mayor can reappoint. He wants to table the agenda item. Mayor St. Clair stated this will be discussed when the item come up on the agenda. Councilor Felch also commented about the pumpkin festival and gave thanks to the City Manager, Amy, Nancy, Joia, Councilor Soucy, Bank of NH. It will be 2 days next year. He loved the laser light show; it was an overall great event. 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.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. Performance Zoning 17.C.iv. 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 19. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS Patrick Wood of ward 1 is questioning Res 2025-33 on how this can happen. Manager Beattie stated that there was an evaluation of the risk pools reserve funds, and it was found that they did not have enough money in it. There is a clause that allows for a premium adjustment, and bills were sent out to all municipalities and school districts who are apart of the risk pool. Laconia’s was not as high as some municipalities received bills over 1 million dollars. 20. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 20.A. Project Updates Report Manger Beattie presented the Project Updates Report to the City Council. 20.B. Monthly Economic Development Report Manager Beattie presented the Monthly Economic Development Report to the City Council. 21. NEW BUSINESS 21.A. Resolution 2025-33 - Authorization of a supplemental appropriation in an amount of $757,000 for the purpose of covering the cost of a special assessment levied against the School Department, with funding to come from unencumbered fund balance On September 23, 2025, the Laconia School Department was informed that it was subject to a 21.A. Resolution 2025-33 - Authorization of a supplemental appropriation in an amount of $757,000 for the purpose of covering the cost of a special assessment levied against the School Department, with funding to come from unencumbered fund balance On September 23, 2025, the Laconia School Department was informed that it was subject to a ‘contribution assessment’ by its health insurance provider School Care. The purpose of the assessment is to restore reserves to the required level of 12% of member contributions. On October 1, 2025 the Laconia School Board was informed that its share of this assessment was $874,867.47. The Board was able to cover $117,867.47 with current appropriations, leaving an outstanding balance of $757,000. The Laconia School Department finished FY25 with a surplus totaling $1,157,000. The School Board seeks to use $757,000 of these funds to supplement the funds available in the current year to pay the assessment. On October 7, 2025 the School Board voted to move forward with this action and seeks the approval of City Council. Approval will reduce the undesignated fund balance by $757,000. Councilor Felch made a motion to waive a reading of Resolution 2025-33 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 Felch made a motion to conduct a first reading of Resolution 2025-33 - Authorization of a supplemental appropriation in an amount of $757,000 for the purpose of covering the cost of a special assessment levied against the School Department, with funding to come from unencumbered fund balance. Seconded by Councilor Bogert. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch made a motion to schedule a public hearing on November 10, 2025 during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to adoption. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Item # 21. F was heard next. 21.B. Mayor's appointment of Laconia Human Relations Committee members Members of the Laconia Human Relations Committee are appointed by the Mayor and are subject to reappointment on an annual basis. Mayor St. Clair announces the appointment or reappointment of the following individuals to the Laconia Human Relations Committee: David Osman Carrie Chandler Rev. Judith Wright Carol Pierce Matt Soza Kay Anderson Seifu Ragassa Patrick Wood Heather Stanley, Richard Littlefield, Patricia Okinedo, Faith Pakasuk, and Scott Ringer Discussion: There was a lengthy discussion amongst councilors regarding the origin of the committee, the purpose of the committee, making it a permanent committee and referring to various sections of the council rules and regulations. Manager Beattie is going to look into some things and will get back to the council. Councilor Bogert made a motion to Table until the next meeting. No motion to second. The motion failed. Councilor Bogert noted that he would seek legal action against the City Council if they moved forward with this item. Manager Beattie advised it would be best to investigate the concerns and table the item until then.  The motion failed. Councilor Bogert noted that he would seek legal action against the City Council if they moved forward with this item. Manager Beattie advised it would be best to investigate the concerns and table the item until then. Councilor Bogert made a motion to table until the next meeting, Seconded by Councilor Felch. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 The item is tabled. 21.C. Request to investigate methods to improve the ability of Taylor Home residents to enter and leave their private development Councilor Soucy received a request from a resident at Taylor Home to investigate traffic control changes that could improve the ability of Taylor Home residents to enter and leave the development. The options available at Taylor Homes main entrance/exit: · Stop sign at the exit from Taylor Home onto Union Ave. The driveway at Taylor Home is already stop controlled. · Create a 3-way stop at the Taylor Home’s driveway intersection with Union Ave. · Study the intersection with Talyor Home to determine if it meets the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Device warrants for the installation of a traffic signal. Option available to enter/exit at an existing traffic signalized intersection: · Taylor Home has a road that already connects to a city public road at the intersection of Prospect and Cole Street. The road is presently gated to prevent use. Both Cole and Prospect Streets lead to Clinton Street which intersects with Union Ave. The intersection has a traffic signal. Public Works recommends the request be sent to the Public Works Subcommittee for consideration. Councilor Soucy made a motion that the request for improvements at the Tayor Home entrance/exit onto Union Ave be sent to the Public Works subcommittee for further study. Seconded by Councilor Felch. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.D. Request approval to send a letter of concern to the NH Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) on the management of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program (WRBP) The WRBP provides regional wastewater treatment services for ten communities in the Lakes Region. WRBP is part of the NH DES. NH DES management team action’s have resulted in unnecessary costs to the member communities. The Advisory Board voted to prepare a letter of concern for the member communities to sign and send to NH DES’s Commissioner to ask that the Department provide additional oversight of the WRBP to help the program improve its management systems. Public Works request that the Council approve the attached draft letter of concern and authorize the City Manager to sign the letter.  send to NH DES’s Commissioner to ask that the Department provide additional oversight of the WRBP to help the program improve its management systems. Public Works request that the Council approve the attached draft letter of concern and authorize the City Manager to sign the letter. Councilor Cheney made a motion that the City Council approve the draft letter of concern and authorize the City Manager to sign the letter. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.E. Proposed amendment to the Wage and Compensation Plan In accordance with the authority outlined in Section 6:02 of the Laconia City Charter and Section 1.4 of the City’s Classification and Compensation Plan, I am submitting the following amendment to the City’s Wage and Compensation Plan. The amendments will automatically take effect unless vetoed by a majority vote of the City Council within thirty (30) days of October 27, 2025. The amendment is as follows: WAGE AMENDMENTS: Adding the new position of Project Manager to Grade 17 of the Wage and Compensation Plan Fiscal Impact: $124,358.73 - $155,833.80 Councilor Felch made a motion to approve the proposed amendment to the Wage and Compensation Plan as presented, which will take effect January 1, 2026. Seconded by Councilor Bogert. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 21.F. Resolution 2025-34 - A Resolution relative to the request of the Laconia School Board to transfer $400,000.00 of FY25 fund balance to capital reserve funds The Laconia School Board has informed the City that it wishes to transfer $400,000 in FY25 surplus appropriations as follows: · $300,000 from year end fund balance to the School Construction Capital Reserve Fund · $100,000 from year end fund balance to the LHS BNH Stadium Repair and Upgrade reserve Account. After this transfer, the School will retain $757,000 in surplus funds, which it intends to use to fund a supplemental Schoolcare health insurance assessment. Fiscal Impact: Approval will reduce the fund balance available for use to offset taxes in FY27 by $400,000 and increase reserve fund balances as indicated. Councilor Cheney made a motion to waive a reading of Resolution 2025-34 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 made a motion to move a first reading of Resolution 2025-34 relative to the request of the Laconia School Board to transfer $400,000.00 of FY25 fund balance to capital reserve funds. Seconded by Councilor Soucy. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 Councilor Felch made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing on November 10, 2025 during the regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to any action being taken. Seconded by Councilor Bogert. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS  regular City Council meeting to gather public input prior to any action being taken. Seconded by Councilor Bogert. Discussion: None. The motion passed with all in favor. 6-0 22. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 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 Mayor St. Clair stated that Election is 11/4/2025 8am- 6pm, he’d like to see the electronic board signs to reflect to the Election Date and time. Manager Beattie stated that he has already contacted the police department and the signs will be updated. 25. NON-PUBLIC SESSION (According to RSA 91-A:3, II) 26. ADJOURNMENT Mayor St. Clair adjourned the meeting at 8:11 PM Respectfully Submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk