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City Council Minutes 05/07/2007 Regular Meeting
PUBLIC HEARING - May 7, 2007

Resolution: Authorizing an application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) of Rural Housing and Economic Development funds for either the renovation or acquisition and demolition of blighted property in Berlin and committing Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) of CDBG matching funds to the project.

Mayor Danderson called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. to accept public comments regarding the above noted resolution. Mayor Danderson spoke in favor of the resolution which is a major key to the City of Berlin's success.  He gave kudos to the Housing Coordinator for his hard work.  There being no one else wishing to speak for or against the subject matter, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, MAY 7, 2007

Mayor Danderson opened the regular City Council Meeting at 7:32 pm.  The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present at roll call: Councilors Lafleur, Poulin, Cusson, and Grenier. Councilors Donovan, Danderson and Roy were absent.  Councilor Nelson entered the meeting at approximately 7:32 p.m. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Andre Caron, Pam Laflamme, the BHS Civics students and the press.

Minutes, Previous Meetings Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Grenier to accept the minutes of the 4/16/07 WS; 4/16/07 Reg.Meeting; 4/23/07 WS and 4/30/07 WS.  So moved, the motion carried.

Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 4/17/07; end date 5/07/2007 be paid for a total cash disbursement of: $1,702,346.30 Draft #1540.  Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims.  So moved, the motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Aaron Fredette, BHS Student, inquired about the Milan tuition and who has to pay?  The Mayor replied that Milan guarantees tuition through a five year agreement with BHS and the funds go toward education.

1.      Council Committee Reports.  No reports.

2.      Resolution authorizing an application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) of Rural Housing and Economic Development funds for either the renovation or acquisition and demolition of blighted property in Berlin and committing Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) of CDBG matching funds to the project.  (tabled 4/16/07)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows
-  Whereas, the City Council recognizes that marginal and dilapidated housing is a critical issue in Berlin; and
-       Whereas, in 1999, a study entitled "Enhancing and Preserving Berlin's Residential tax Base; A housing Revitalization Strategy" proposed that Berlin eliminate 500 units of dilapidated and excess housing; and
-       Whereas, the City funded a Neighborhood Revitalization Program along with a targeted demolition program, which will result in twenty-five(25) low to moderate income properties being rehabilitated and the removal of eleven (11) burned or blighted buildings to date which pose a health, safety and financial risk for nearby property owners; and
-       Whereas, the City is committing the proceeds of its newly acquired Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds of $350,000 to the continuing effort of either renovating marginal housing or removing dilapidated or abandoned burned buildings from the current housing inventory. Now therefore be it resolved that the Mayor and Council of the City of Berlin hereby authorize an application to HUD for Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) of grant funds and commits Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) of matching CDBG funds to the renovation or acquisition and demolition of blighted property in the City of Berlin.  Be it further resolved that such funds, if obtained, are hereby appropriated for the purpose of the grant and the City Manager is authorized to accept and do all that is necessary to carry out the grant. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to remove the resolution from the table at this time.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to have the resolution read a second time by title only.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to have the resolution read a third time by title only.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to pass the resolution.  Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes including Mayor Danderson who declared the resolution now passed.

3.      Mayor=s Report.  The Mayor, Chris Gamache and Randy Cachetto attended the May 2 Legislative session with the full committee (except Representative Thomas) to review the Jericho Park Master Plan.  They emphasized the need for the full 136 miles of trails.  The fine filter criteria only allows 50 miles.  Both the Fish & Game and George Ball from DRED agree with the Mayor.  The meeting went from about 1:00-4:30 and he is not sure any changes are coming.  The committee chair wants a subcommittee to study the matter.  The Mayor offered to bring the chair to the park to show what the City of Berlin in these trying times is doing to recreate our economy. Mayor Danderson informed the students that the Mayor and Council do not have the right to change how we do things.  We are governed by State Law which is voted upon by our Legislature.  He concluded by advising the students to call their state reps.  
Mayor Danderson then reported that he recently worked on the trails with Ron Payette and Eric Anderson who put in over 80 hours on the trails.  Those men deserve thanks for their hard work.

Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to accept/file the Mayor's Report.  So moved, the motion carried.

4.      Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Berlin, NH.      Sec.1506. Signs. (1st read)
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2007.  So moved, the motion carried.

5.      Resolution to Release and Discharge a Portion of the Paper Streets Referred to as Strafford Street, King Street, Cheshire Street, Sullivan Street and Carroll Street from all public servitude in accordance with NH RSA 231:51. (1st read)
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2007.  So moved, the motion carried.

6.      Resolution Appropriating Fifty-Two Thousand, Nine Hundred Dollars ($52,900) to the School Department from the Grants Listed. (1st read)
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2007.  So moved, the motion carried.

7.      Resolution Authorizing the Berlin Police Commission to Apply for and Accept Grant Funds from the NH Fish & Game Department, Law Enforcement Division for OHRV Patrols for Fiscal Year 2008.(1st read)
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2007.  So moved, the motion carried.

8.      Resolution Authorizing the Berlin Police Commission to Apply for and Accept Funds from the NH Department of Justice for the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Grant. (1st read)
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Cusson to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2007.  So moved, the motion carried.

9.       Resolution Authorizing the Berlin Police Commission to Apply for and Receive Funds for any and all Purposes from the NH Highway Safety Agency for Highway Safety Project Grants for Fiscal Year 2008
(1st read)
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2003.  So moved, the motion carried.  

10.     Other   Nothing in other

11.     City Manager's Report
-  Mason Street Bridge.  Bids opened May 3. RM Piper of Plymouth was the     low bidder.  Couture Construction withdrew their bid. Work should begin    the week of May 14 for six weeks.  The bridge will be closed to all        traffic during that time except emergency vehicles
-  Main Street Fire.  Attorney Michalik's property has debris from the 30    Main Street fire.  The debris clean-up is a civil matter he has to take    up with the property owner.
-  Tax Deeded PropertY. 18 properties listed. Several property owners        re-purchased properties.
-  RiverFire 2007.  Tentative date is October 6 which will allow for better  weather and crowds.
-  Mayor in Concord.  To testify at the May 2 Legislative hearing on the     fine filter requirements regarding Jericho State Park.
-  Rabies Clinic.  Held at the Recreation Center April 21.  The City Clerk   and her Deputy registered 121 dogs in 3 hours and took in a record         $835.50 in fees that day.  
-  Electronic Waste.  Effective July 1, 2007, the state will ban the         disposal of "e-waste" in landfills or incinerators.  The AVRRDD plans a    recycling program to take care of these items.
-  Jack Dugan.  President of the Monadnock Economic Development Agency in    Keene met with the City Manager and Jim Wagner to provide Jim with         tips/insights about his new position as the Regional Economic Development  Director.
-  Student in Government Day.  BHS Civics students attended tonight's        meeting.  Councilor Lafleur made a presentation to the students last week  regarding municipal government.  Some students will attend the City Hall   staff meeting Tuesday and some may shadow a Department Head for a day.
-  Manager's Time is attached.
-  Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept/file  the City Manager's Report as read by the City Manager.  So moved, the      motion carried.

12.     Public Comments

- BHS Student Max Payeur inquired why some items were read tonight and won't be discussed until a later meeting?  Mayor Danderson explained that those items are read for the record then tabled until a public hearing is held.  The public hearing allows citizens the opportunity to voice their opinion regarding the subject.  After the public hearing, the Mayor and Council vote on the matter.
-  Paul Cusson, spoke as a citizen at this time.  He told the students that they have the potential to push legislation through contacts with other schools.  There is power in numbers and they should work hard to push to have this park in Berlin because it is for them and their future.
-  Mrs. Watson asked if the Zoning Ordinance amendments regarding flags included the American Flag as well. The Mayor replied the ordinance only includes business flags not the American Flag.

13.     Council Comments
- Councilor Poulin told the City Manager that the Mt. Forist hill is in      bad shape and needs repairs.
-  Councilor Lafleur thanked the civics class for their questions and         attention given at the meeting.  He invited them to attend meetings at     any time because "this is your city", he said.
-  The Mayor received a copy of the Concord, NH Police Chief's salary and     wants to forward a copy of this to Berlin's Police Commission.

14.     Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Grenier moved to recess the meeting to enter into a non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II(d) Land Matter.  Councilor Lafleur seconded the motion.  Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes.  So moved, the regular meeting recessed at approximately 8:12  p.m.

A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
City Clerk