PUBLIC HEARING – MARCH 19, 2007
Resolution: Adopting Updated Welfare Guidelines
Mayor Danderson opened the floor to public comments regarding the above noted subject matter at 7:51 p.m. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the subject, Mayor Danderson closed the public hearing at approximately 7:52 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2007
Mayor Danderson opened the regular City Council Meeting at 7:52 pm. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present at roll call: Councilors Nelson, Donovan, Danderson, Lafleur, Cusson, Roy and Grenier. Councilor Poulin was absent. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Fire Chief Trull, Angela Martin-Giroux, Andre Caron and the press.
Minutes, Previous Meetings - Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Danderson to accept the minutes of the 3/05/07 WS; 3/05/07 Regular Meeting; 3/12/07 WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 3/06/07; end date 3/19/2007 be paid for a total cash disbursement of: $1,064,735.72 Draft #1537. Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
1. Council Committee Reports. No reports.
2. Resolution amending the City of Berlin Guidelines for the Administration of General Assistance (Welfare Guidelines) (tabled 3/05/07)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows: Whereas, the City of Berlin adopted specific guidelines on January 3, 2005 so as to be in compliance with State Statutes regarding the administration of General Assistance; and
-Whereas, these Guidelines must be updated to be in compliance with the Constitution and New Hampshire Statutory law. Now therefore be it resolved that the Guidelines for the Administration of General Assistance, as adopted on January 3, 2005 are hereby amended as stipulated in the attached document. Be it further resolved that these amendments shall be incorporated into the text of the guideline document and be used to administer the General Assistance Program of the City of Berlin. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
- Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to have the resolution read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to have the resolution read a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to pass the resolution. So moved, the motion carried and Mayor Danderson declared the resolution now passed.
3. Mayor=s Report: Mayor Danderson went on the housing inspections with the Police and Fire Marshals. He commended Police Chief Morency for doing a great job coordinating the very successful event.
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept the Mayor's oral report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
4. Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances, by adding Chapter 19, Development,Art I.In General,19-1--19-15 & Art.II.Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive,19-16--19-29. (1st read)
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on April 2, 2007. So moved, the motion carried.
5. Other - Dummer Yard Leachate Agreement
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept the revised agreement between the State of NH and City of Berlin for the treatment of the Dummer Yard Leachate. So moved, the motion carried.
6. City Manager's Report
- Housing Inspections. Wednesday and Thursday, various personnel including State Fire Marshals inspected over 90 buildings. Four buildings were condemned and the inspections proved that Berlin has a much more serious problem with the condition of multi-family dwellings. Fire Chief Trull will accompany the City Manager to the Fire Marshal's Office for a follow-up and to obtain all the documentation. Last year, Fire Chief Trull asked the State Fire Marshal's Office for assistance. Governor Lynch also got involved and it began the organization of this weeks inspections. We will keep the momentum going.
- Leadership in Risk Management Forum. Fire Chief Trull is one of 11 state fire leaders who will participate in the inaugural Leadership in Risk Management Forum put on by Primex. This program is aimed at greater awareness and leadership in the risk management field at the local level.
- Northern Corrections Facility Community work Crews. Warden Blaisdell gave the Mayor and Council a summary report of inmate assistance to the area from July 2006-January 2007 which shows the State facility provides a significant service to the local communities.
- PSNH SB 140. Allows PSNH to construct generating assets in NH. Berlin supported this last year.
- Legislation. LGC recommends opposition to HB 732 which would change interest on late tax payments; SB88 amends state collective bargaining law. Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to write a letter of opposition regarding HB732. So moved, the motion carried.
- AVER/Chamber Economic Development Efforts. They envision a full-time economic development director for the Androscoggin Valley but can't agree how to structure the matter. Once a proposal is ready for presentation, it will require the approval of the Mayor and City Council.
- Gorham Meeting. Sometime in April to discuss areas where both communities can collaborate.
- BEMS Update. Available in the City Manager's Office regarding services and financial report.
- Highway Safety Grants. The Police Department applies for these grants but they are also available to the City Traffic Safety Committee if they choose to apply.
- AVRRDD. Meeting March 20 at NHCTC cafeteria regarding landfill odor issues.
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept/file the City Manager's Report as read by the City Manager. So moved, the motion carried.
7. Public Comments - No public comments.
8. Council Comments
- Councilor Grenier regarding AVER/Chamber economic developer proposal, doesn't like the set up with the CDFA and tax credits. There are no parameters and he would like to know who answers directives. He would like the Mayor & City Council to have input from the beginning of the process.
- Mayor Danderson suggests contacting them to be part of the discussion.
- Councilor Donovan said the idea should be put to bed now since it is not a cohesive idea for the valley.
- City Manager MacQueen will invite representatives from AVER and the Chamber of Commerce to attend a meeting with the Mayor and Council.
- Councilor Roy said now is the time to do something big for Berlin. He went on to say that our current part-time economic coordinator is above his ability. On another matter, Councilor Roy asked the City Manager if we had to keep the Jericho Lake references in our Code Book since it no longer belongs to the City.
- City Manager MacQueen replied that the sale has not been completed yet but once done, those references can be removed.
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept the City Manager's oral/written report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
9. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before Council, Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to adjourn the meeting. So moved, the meeting adjourned at approximately 8:14 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
City Clerk
| 
