April 30, 2007
Work Session
Council members present were: Mayor Danderson, Councilors Nelson, Poulin, Grenier, Cusson, Donovan, Danderson, Lafleur and Roy. Staff members were Patrick MacQueen, Pamela Laflamme, and Peter Morency; guests included Mario Brodeur Foster, Charlie Cotton, Jim Wagner, and Steve Griffin. Media and public were also present.
DHHS Psychiatric Center
Mario Brodeur Foster and Charlie Cotton were invited to talk about a mental health facility being proposed for the city.
Mr. Cotton explained that DHHS was taken by surprise at the announcement of the closing of Riverside II. He stated that 40% of admissions to Riverside II are people from Berlin. With the proposed facility, clients would be serviced in the areas where they live. This facility would not help those who need hospitalization; they would have to be hospitalized at another facility. Littleton and Conway would no longer be coming to Berlin for services because they would have their own facility. This proposal was put together by a task force of mental health professionals at the request of DHHS Commissioner Stevens. The task was how to address Berlins issue.
Mr. Cotton stated that there is no interest in having people from other communities come here. Councilor Grenier noted that the statistics from the hospital tell a different story, indicating that 60% of patients at Riverside II were from outside Coos County.
Mr. Cotton reasoned that most clients serviced are people who have been in Berlin 20 years or more. Mr. MacQueen noted that every community in the State would have to have such a service if they only treat people from their own community. Mr. Cotton established that facilities are being made available based on population. He added that the program would provide for four people who have been in Berlin for more than 20 years to move from an apartment where they are not supervised into a supervised environment. There is money for another four to six staff to support clients
Councilor Danderson asked what the difference is between this and Verdun Street. Mr. Cotton stated that the clients for the proposed facility are more functioning. To a question from Councilor Donavan about how people pay for services, Mr. Cotton reported that the vast majority have Medicaid or Medicare.
Mr. Cotton added that it is his firm belief that the proposed facility will reduce the problems that Berlin is having. More people with mental illness will have supervised care. Councilor Grenier noted that he is not convinced that this is good for Berlin. Councilor Lafleur asked why this has to be in Berlin.
Mr. MacQueen shared information on what Berlin has been facing. The tax base of the city is roughly 1/3 exempt. Employment in Berlin is less than Conway by half; Littletons employment exceeds Berlin's. 30% of all employment in Berlin is government. When we look at the sector of private employment that is here, it is in health care and social assistance. We have 40 times more employment in that sector than the smaller communities of Conway and Littleton.
Mr. Cotton clarified that the proposed facility could be three or four different apartments in one building housing six people, including the crisis beds. He went on to say that the people the facility would serve are members of Berlin families.
Councilor Nelson questioned whether the property would be taxable and Mr. Cotton noted that though they are exempt from taxes, the residential facilities give the City a payment in lieu of taxes (pilt).
Mayor Danderson noted that the Council voted against the proposal last week and he wanted to have a re-affirmation of the Council's position. Councilor Grenier moved to remain steadfast in opposition of this proposal by DHHS to create a psychiatric facility in Berlin; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Cotton offered to come back and update the Council at a future meeting.
Police Chief's Contract
Mayor Danderson commented that he does not have a problem with the police chief. He expressed his disappointment with the Police Commission in regard to the Chief's contract. He added that he has a problem with paying out the full amount of a family plan when other employees receive $1100 or half of a single person plan. He admitted that the Council set a bad precedent by approving such a contract in the past adding that the Council made that decision, not the Commission.
With regard to comments made at the last meeting where the Chief's contract came up, Councilor Donovan supported the Police Commission's authority to enter into a contract with the Chief. Steve Griffin also argued that the Commission can enter into contracts. He added that he had an attorney review the situation and he asked that the City's legal counsel contact the attorney for resolution. Council members did not authorize a legal review.
Mr. Griffin and Mr. Wagner admitted that there are some items in the contract that need to be clarified and they have agreed to renegotiate the contract. Chief Morency stated that the Commission is the city as it relates to the number of men and compensation. He added that the department works to bring in revenue and grants. Councilor Donovan commented that it is the Council's duty to fund public safety and it should supersede everything. Councilor Lafleur made the point that public safety is not only police but fire, health and others as well.
Councilor Grenier asked for the minutes of the Police Commission meeting where the cost items of the Police Chief's contract were approved and made public.
Charter Amendments
Information from City Charters throughout the State as it pertains to residency was presented to Council members. Most talk about people in office needing to meet the requirements of a voter and that continues to bring up the question of domicile. A person's domicile is likely where they say it is and we will continue to have to go to the Attorney General for clarification if a person's domicile is disputed.
Councilor Donovan suggested that a charter amendment should clarify what the State has for domicile. He added that the spirit of the law is that you are expected to live where you file and remain there for your term. Councilor Roy argued that there is a law that says one cannot be denied voting rights for temporary displacement.
Councilor Cusson noted that several other communities have councilors at large and ward specifications. Berlin specifies wards for all its councilors and perhaps it would give people more flexibility if there were councilors at large. Councilor Nelson agreed saying that the intent should be to get the best people in office.
Other
Councilor Lafleur stated that next week there will be several high school students at the work session and council meeting for Youth in Government Day.
Budget Committee
Mayor Danderson announced that Councilor Danderson will not be able to serve on the budget committee and therefore he has asked Councilor Lafleur to serve on the committee.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Grenier moved to go into non meeting per RSA 91-A:2 (b) Strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Mr. MacQueen updated the Council on ongoing negotiations.
Councilor Nelson moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Lafleur moved to adjourn; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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