Work Session
October 2, 2006
Present were: Mayor Danderson, Councilors Nelson, Poulin, Roy, Grenier, Chagnon, Danderson, and Lafleur; Councilor Donovan was absent. Tony Harp, Andre Caron, Laura Viger, Paul and Fran Cusson, Patrick MacQueen, media and public were also present.
Public Hearing - Vector Control
Mayor opened a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. to hear comments regarding the Vector Control Ordinance. Businesses that might be affected by the ordinance were contacted by mail.
Tony Harp, Granite Street commented that this is just another "big brother" law and over all, he's against it; however he suggests that, if there is to be a regulation, the section referring to standing water should specify "standing water of four days or more". He added that mosquitoes will breed in a puddle of more than four days. He also stated that it is good to get rid of places of vermin but some of those are the properties of the city.
Mill Valuation
Mr. MacQueen reported that he has asked for an updated proposal from Skip Sansoucy to include all costs, including litigation. The City Manager has also reached out asking for understanding of all the parties of the tax agreement and the tax situation; however there is no update ready yet.
Resolution for Feasibility Study for 411 School Street
Andre Caron reported that there are a lot of opinions for the re-use of Notre Dame; however there has not been a study to identify potential uses for the building. There are CDBG feasibility funds available for such a study. Councilor Grenier noted that CDBG funds are typically given out when an area of benefit would be to low to moderate income families. Mr. Caron indicated that the City is 54% low/moderate income according to the 2000 census. To Councilor Grenier's question about who will administer the grant, Mr. Caron reported that it will be done in house. The application is due at the end of the month. Councilor Lafleur moved to add the resolution to the agenda as item 7; Councilor Nelson seconded and the motion carried.
Proposed Veteran’s Park Sign
Laura Viger reported that she received a written description of the proposed sign for Veteran's Memorial Park as well as a drawing of the proposal. There were no dimensions in the material she received. Councilors suggested a simple sign depicting only the name of the park, placed at a height that would not obscure the view of the existing memorials and be easy to mow around. Councilor Roy moved to grant Laura Viger the discretion to decide on the dimensions of the sign with the veterans group; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Nelson was opposed.
Sewer ordinance discussion will be at an upcoming meeting. The consensus of the council was not to have a meeting October 9.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2006
Mayor Danderson opened the regular City Council Meeting at approximately 6:54 pm. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present at roll call: Councilors Nelson, Danderson, Lafleur, Poulin, Chagnon, Roy and Grenier. Councilor Donovan was absent. Also present were: City Manager MacQueen, Laura Viger, Andre Caron, Linda Pivin, John Moulis, Patti Henry, Jan Millis and the press.
Minutes, Previous Meetings
Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor Chagnon to accept the minutes of the 9/18/06 WS; 9/18/06 Regular Meeting; 9/25/06 WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursement: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 9/19/2006; end date 10/02/2006 be paid for a total cash disbursement of: $1,771,653.07 Draft #1526. Councilor Danderson moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Patti Henry, owner of Day-by-Day Child Care, 283 Pleasant Street requests that Council consider adding a loading/unloading zone in front of her business for safety concerns.
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Danderson to accept the letter and refer the matter to the Safety Committee for further review. So moved, the motion carried.
- Jan Millis, Site Coordinator for the After School Program, invited Council to attend their after school presentation on October 12 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. She is seeking Council support for the program since they are having an $87,000 grant cut next year. The program is an alternative to keep kids off the street. Instead they work to enrich the community through different constructive projects.
1. Council Committee Reports. none
4. Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor attended a park meeting. A public meeting about the new ATV park sponsored by the ATV Club is scheduled at the Tech College on October 4, at 6:30 p.m.
PROCLAMATIONS: 1) Recognizing Linda Pivin as the State award winner for “Champion for Children.”
2) Proclaiming October 12, 2006 as Berlin’s “Keeping the Lights on After School Day.”
Linda Pivin thanked the Mayor and said she was both surprised and delighted that she won the competition at the state level. She likes this community and works hard to promote activities. She was also selected as this years’ Grand Marshall for the Homecoming Parade.
- Councilor Lafleur moved, with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the Mayor's report. So moved the motion carried.
5. Polling Hours Memo.
City Clerk, Debra Patrick, asked Council, for the record, to set the polling hours of the November 7, 2006 State General Election.
- Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Roy to set the polling hours for the November 7, 2006 State General Election from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. So moved, the motion carried.
6. Berlin Housing Authority PILT Payment
Mary Jo Landry, Executive Director, submitted a $7,271.94 check which represents the payment in lieu of taxes for their public housing fiscal year ended June 30, 2006.
- City Manager MacQueen explained the letter was publicly read into the record to recognize the contribution the Housing Authority made to City Government hoping to encourage others to follow suit.
- Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Danderson to accept/file the letter. So moved, the motion passed.
7. Other:
a) Resolution authorizing application to the Community Development Block Grant Program for a Twelve Thousand Dollar ($12,000.00) grant to study the possible future use of 411 School Street and associated costs with a project titled, “The 411 School Street Revitalization Project.” (1st read)
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on October 16. So moved, the motion carried.
b)RiverFire - Street Closing Request:
- Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to close Main Street from Iceland - Twelfth Street on Saturday, October 28 from 2:00pm-8:00 pm for the festivities. So moved, the motion carried.
8. City Manager's Report
- Fuel Prices. Munce’s low bidder at $2.39 per gallon.
- Phase II Route 110. Meeting Tues. 10/03 @ 10:00 am with Vann McLeod, DOT and Federal Delegation.
- DRA Tax Exemption Conference. The Board of Assessors, Sue Warren and City Manager attended the DRA & Division of Charitable Trusts presentation in Littleton to define tax exempt property.
- Brick Pointing Project. Bill Clark, Turnstone Construction, came to Berlin to review City buildings in need of brick repair/pointing. He will provide an opinion of what needs to be done.
- Dummer Yard Meeting. Andre Caron, Pam Laflamme and CM met in Concord with DES to discuss Dummer Yard.
- 2006 Tax Deeding Complete. 10 properties repurchased by former owner. The City took two by tax deed which have been sold to third parties.
- Cloutier v. Berlin. City won case and the motion for reconsideration denied 9/21/06.
- Gov’t Officials Paddle. Androscoggin River Watershed Council will paddle down from Shelburne on 10/06 to reacquaint people to the river, promote communication and meet the Watershed Council.
- MSP Director Farewell. Kate Bugeau, Main Street Program Executive Director relocating to NC.
- Manager’s Time. Attached.
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the City Manager's Report. So moved, the motion carried.
9. Public Comments - None
10. Council Comments - None
PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance: Vector Control; Resolution: Adopting Arboviral Prevention/Response Plan
Mayor Danderson opened the floor at 7:30 p.m. to accept public comments on the subject matters. There being no one willing to speak for or against the subjects, Mayor Danderson closed the public hearing at approximately 7:31 p.m.
2. Ordinance hereby amending Chapter7, Health of the Code of Ordinances, by adding Article III. Vector Control. Sections 7.25-7.32. (tabled 9/18/06)
Due to the length of this ordinance, it will not be printed in its entirety. It however, is available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office.
- Councilor Lafleur moved with a second from Councilor Chagnon to remove the ordinance from the table. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Lafleur moved, with a second from Councilor Chagnon, to have the ordinance read for a second time by short title only. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Lafleur moved, with a second from Councilor Chagnon, to have the ordinance read for a third time by short title only. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Lafleur moved, with a second from Councilor Chagnon, to pass the ordinance. So moved, the motion carried and Mayor Danderson declared the ordinance now passed.
3. Resolution adopting the Berlin Arboviral Illness Surveillance, Prevention and Response Plan developed by the Berlin Health Department utilizing the State of NH Arboviral Illness Surveillance, Prevention and Response Plan template. (tabled 9/18/06)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
- Whereas, on July 20, 2006, Governor John Lynch and NH DHHS Commissioner, John A. Stephen declared an Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus public health threat in southern NH; and
- Whereas, the NH Department of Health & Human Services has developed a response plan to provide guidance in the event of an outbreak of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and a funding and application program for community assistance in surveillance, prevention, response and mitigation; and
- Whereas, the NH Department of Health and Human Services plan provides guidance to local public health departments on operational aspects of surveillance, prevention and response, mitigation and the Berlin Arboviral Illness Surveillance, Prevention and Response Plan has been developed utilizing the NH DHHS template; and
- Whereas, the adoption of a local plan is required by NH Department of Health & Human Services for the City of Berlin to be eligible for State funds directed toward future control of this public health threat. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and City Council of Berlin that the Berlin Arboviral Illness Surveillance, Prevention and Response Plan is hereby adopted by the Mayor and City Council. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
- Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Danderson to remove the resolution from the table. So moved the motion carried.
- Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Danderson for a second reading of the resolution by short title only. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Danderson for a third reading of the resolution by short title only. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Nelson moved with a second from Councilor Danderson to pass the resolution. So moved, the motion carried and Mayor Danderson declared the resolution now passed.
11. Adjournment There being no further business to come the Mayor and Council at this time, Councilor Chagnon moved with a second from Councilor Poulin to adjourn. So moved, the meeting ended at approximately 7:34 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
City Clerk
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