City of Berlin, NH - City Council Minutes 06/18/2007 Regular Meeting

City Council Minutes 06/18/2007 Regular Meeting

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING _ MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2007

Mayor Danderson opened the regular City Council Meeting at 7:45 pm. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present at roll call: Councilors Nelson, Donovan, Danderson, Lafleur, Poulin, Cusson, Roy and Grenier. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Blandine Shallow, Andre Caron, John Moulis, Marion Huntley, School Board Members, citizens and the press.

Minutes, Previous Meetings Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the minutes of the 6/04/07 WS; 6/04/07 Reg.Meeting; 6/11/07 Public Hrg. So moved, the motion carried.

Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 6/05/07; end date 6/18/2007 be paid for a total cash disbursement of: $796,412.63 Draft #1543. 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: Amy Shouter, BHS Reading Specialist, spoke regarding kindergarten teachers who are concerned that their contracts are not being renewed. As a show of good support she had a petition with 100 signatures to let the City of Berlin know the importance of kindergarten. She went on to say that eliminating kindergarten or sports programs would have a long-term effect on those children involved.

1. Council Committee Reports. Safety Committee. Recommendations were read by Councilor Roy:

- 305 Willard Street handicap parking space request. Committee voted unanimously to draft an ordinance.

- Brown School crossing. Committee voted unanimously to ask NFHP to allow Brown School faculty to park in the land they own across the street from Brown School.

- Stop Sign at Eagles across from Holiday Center. Committee voted unanimously to draft an ordinance to replace the existing Stop sign with a Yield sign.

- Mechanic Street One Way. Committee voted unanimously to have the PD look into making Mechanic Street one-way from west to east rather than its current direction from east to west.

Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to accept the Safety Committee recommendations. So moved, the motion carried.

2. Resolution Adopting a Budget and Appropriating Money to Defray the Expenses of Berlin's City Government for the Fiscal Year 2008. (tabled 6/04/07)

Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows: That the following budget be adopted and accordingly, the sum of Thirty-Six Million, Seven Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand, Two Hundred Twelve Dollars ($36,763,212) be appropriated to defray the expenses of Berlin's City Government for the period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 less expected revenues with the balance to be raised by taxation on real estate of the municipality.

DEPARTMENT	ACCOUNT TITLE	FY2003	FY2008	SUBTOTAL
01-401	Mayor and City Council	32,400	$36,798.00
01-402	Administration	539,740	$1,001,145.00
01-403	Elections	11,800	$14,266.00
01-404	City Hall & Other Bldgs	36,400	$52,720.00
01-406	Insurance	150,000	$202,641.00
01-408	Central Services	-	$185,000.00
01-409	Exemptions & Abatements	123,250	$0.00
01-410	Personnel Insurance Benefits	1,649,887	$165,567.00
01-411	Contingency	10,000	$10,000.00
01-412	Outside Agencies	67,800	$50,913.00
01-413	Cemetery	9,400	$17,314.00
01-414	Transfers Out		$8,154.00
	Total General Government	2,630,677		$1,744,518.00

01-420	Police Department	1,192,924	$2,560,050.00
01-421	Fire Department	1,005,848	$1,682,470.00
01-422	Street Lighting	125,100	$138,050.00
01-423	Ambulance Service	236,500	$250,000.00
	Total Public Safety	2,560,372		$4,630,570.00

01-425	Housing Coordinator		$38,266.00
	Total Housing Coordinator			$38,266.00

01-430	Public Works Department	1,302,320	$1,755,994.00
01-431	Engineering	108,520	$100,379.00
01-436	Solid Waste	549,500	$934,128.00
	Total Public Works Services	1,960,340		$2,790,501.00

01-440	Health	402,085	$555,484.00
01-441	Welfare	87,070	$137,968.00
01-450	Recreation & Parks	255,680	$384,283.00
01-451	Library	130,287	$195,450.00
	Total Community Services	385,967		$1,273,185.00

01-470	Debt Service	2,511,502	$1,773,834.00
01-480	City Capital Improvement Projects	435,749	$1,073,664.00
	Total Debt and Capital Imp	2,947,251		$2,847,498.00
	TOTAL CITY GENERAL FUND	21,458,369		$13,324,538.00

01-460	School	10,600,000	$15,486,834.00
01-470	School Debt	603,505	$513,750.00
01-461	School Capital Improvement Projects	55,069	$214,347.00
	TOTAL SCHOOL GENERAL FUND	11,258,574		$16,214,931.00

01-407	County Tax	1,334,250	$1,465,745.00
	TOTAL COUNTY TAX	1,334,250		$1,465,745.00
	TOTAL CITY & SCHOOL	#REF!		$31,005,214.00

	Other City Funds
10-405	School Grants/Donations	0	$493,162.00
10-479	School Education Grants	603,505	$2,190,158.00
11-464	School Food Services	430,000	$600,000.00
13-400	Trust Funds	-	$0.00
19-438	Recreation Activity Fund	-	$50,000.00
21-402	BIDPA Fund	130,807	$218,699.00
30-400	Grant Fund		$122,000.00
59-400	CDBG		$350,000.00
60-432	Sewer Fund	1,375,780	$1,484,733.00
65-434	Airport Fund	202,585	$209,134.00
66-100	District Court Fund	-	$40,112.00
	Total Other City Funds	2,742,677		$5,757,998.00
	TOTAL CITY BUDGET	#REF!		$36,763,212.00

This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to amend the resolution by increasing the Medicare line item from $70,000 to $120,000. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. The motion passed.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to increase the unappropriated fund balance line item from $100,000 to $200,000. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. The motion passed.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to increase the school line item from account #450-913-7600 to girls hockey $25,750. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. The motion passed.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to increase the school line item from account #450-913-7700 to athletic equipment $11,084. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. So moved, the motion passed.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to reduce revenue school equitable education aid account #346-300-0020 from $10,647,000 to $9,467,452. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. Councilor Cusson abstained from voting. The motion passed.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to reduce the total School Operating budget to a total of $15,486,834. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. Councilor Cusson abstained from voting. The motion passed.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to reduce the Recreation & Parks budget to now read a total of $384,283. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. The motion passed.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to read the resolution, as amended, for a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to read the resolution, as amended, for a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to pass the resolution, as amended. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes including Mayor Danderson who declared the amended FY'2008 budget resolution total of $36,763,212.00. now passed.

3. Mayor's Report. Ward 2 Council Resignation. Councilor Danderson submitted her resignation due to personal and professional reasons. Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to accept Councilor Danderson's resignation with regret. So moved, the motion carried.

- The Mayor has been active the last few weeks. He thanked the Councilors who helped out with the Drive in the 50's. He went on to say that the community does not appreciate all the many hours this Council volunteers for various community events. Citizens should show some respect for their community leaders who are faced with tough decisions. The Mayor wants people to know that the state took away $500,000 of state education aid which hurt our city budget tremendously. We now have to scramble to try to make up that loss to our schools. Citizens were encouraged to contact the Governor and State Reps to let them know how badly this upset our community. The Mayor invited people to volunteer their time to help with various programs such as the Arena and Main Street Program and advised them to speak to Council members one-on-one after the meeting if they have any questions.

- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Grenier to accept/file the Mayor's oral report. So moved, the motion carried.

4. Ordinance amending Sec. 15-79. Parking spaces reserved for the disabled, Chapter 15, Traffic and Vehicles, Article III. Stopping, Standing and Parking of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Berlin by adding: 305 Willard Street. (1^st read)

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on July 2. So moved, the motion carried.

5. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances,Chapter 15,Traffic & Vehicles, Article II. Specific Street Regulations,Sec.15-33. Stop Intersections & Sec.15-34. Yield Intersections. Exchange/Green Sq.(1^st read)

- Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on July 2. So moved, the motion carried.

6. Resolution authorizing application to the Community Development block Grant Program for a Five Hundred Thousand Dollar ($500,000) grant to rehabilitate and revitalize properties within the City of Berlin and continue the Berlin Neighborhood Revitalization Project. (1^st read)

- Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on July 2. So moved, the motion carried.

7. Teamster Local 633 Contract Cost Item Vote.

Councilor Cusson moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to approve the following Teamster cost items:

FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12

3% increase 9,858. 10,154. 10,458. 10,772. 11,095.

Longevity 1.4% 2,150. 2,400.

Personal Day 0.1% 211.

FICA 754. 777. 800. 824. 849.

Retirement 862. 887. 914. 941. 970.

Total Cost 13,835. 11,818. 14,572. 12,537. 12,914.

The proposed contract takes the Department Heads from their current 90/10%split on Health Insurance to an 80/20% split beginning 7/01/07.

Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes including Mayor Danderson. The contract was approved.

8. Other: Nothing in other.

9. City Manager's Report.

School To Career Award for Fire Department . September 2006, the Berlin Fire Department partnered with BHS' School-to-Career Program with a goal to provide work-based learning opportunities to students. BHS Senior, Noah Hallgren was the School-to-Career student representative. The Fire Chief assigned Noah to design an intern program to follow when completing their Fire Department internship. Noah met this challenge with great success. He developed a 30-page how-to manual with objectives and goals to be met. This program was successful due to the dedicated effort of Donna Couture, BHS School to Career Coordinator, Noah Hallgren and all Berlin Firefighters. The School -to-Career Program gave a plaque of honor to the Fire Department on June 14, 2007.

Mason Street Bridge Open. The Mason Street Bridge project was completed enough to be opened on Saturday about two weeks ahead of schedule. There is still some minor work to be done at the bridge joints but the bridge will remain open.

Community Banner Services. The company that started the banner program in municipalities across the State and in Berlin and Gorham gave notice they will not renew the sponsor program with local merchants. They will discontinue the community banner program due to various problems this last year such as lack of maintenance. We hope the Company will promptly remove the banners.

Best of New Hampshire Event Scheduled June 21 from 5:30-8:30 at the Manchester Verizon Center to recognize Berlin's Riverfire event and being a City on the Rise. Several City officials and citizens will attend the ceremony. The Best of New Hampshire logo is on the City's Web Site at www.berlinnh.gov.

Relay for Life this Weekend – Councilors needed The annual cancer fighting fundraiser is scheduled June 22-23 at the College. They are requested local elected officials to volunteer for the pie throwing contest and/or for "Jail and Bail" fund raiser. They would like to start with the Mayor and Council. Sandy Lemire, Co-Chair of the 10^th annual event's contact info 466-3360/ sandy.nh@verizon.net.

AVER Annual Dinner Held last Thursday at the White Mountain Chalet. Tri-County Cap Director, Larry Kelly won Citizen of the Year; NCIA won Small Business of the Year awards. Katie Paine was guest speaker and Story-teller Rebecca Rule entertained the crowd

Legislative Items

· SB 88 on Collective Bargaining

The Mayor, Council and LGC strongly opposed this bill that was tabled last week killing it. The Bill would have cut in half the low threshold for creating a bargaining unit from 10-5, would have made safety items a mandatory subject of bargaining, and would have provided an evergreen clause which goes further than the existing evergreen situation which provides for the status quo when a contract expires without a new contract ready to replace it.

· HB143 on Apportionment of Damages

This bill strongly opposed by the Mayor and Council would allow municipalities to be on the hook for all the liability in an incident in which it had minimal responsibility. The Senate, in spite of a close split and strong lobbying by the trial lawyers, voted 15-8 to table the bill two weeks ago. The bill was amended and pulled off the table last week and then passed by the Senate. The House voted to concur with the Senate amendment and now the bill goes to the Governor for signature. LGC believe he can be persuaded to veto it if he hears from enough of us that this bill is unfair and serves no one but trial lawyers who have lobbied for its passage. The trial lawyers convinced the representatives that the amendment which was added removes the basic unfairness of the bill. According to LGC the amendment changes nothing and what was unfair about the bill before (a party with 1% of the responsibility of an accident can legally get stuck with 99% of costs) remains in the bill they just passed. Contact the Governor!

- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept/file the City Manager's Report as read by the City Manager. So moved, the motion carried.

10. Public Comments - No public comments

11. Council Comments :

- Councilor Danderson addressed her fellow Councilors and told them it was a pleasure and an honor to work with them these last seven years. She feels it is important to give 100% if you make a commitment and due to personal/professional reasons she is unable to do so now so it is time for her to step down.

- Councilor Cusson thanked the Mayor and Councilor Grenier for helping with the Dunking Booth at the Drive in the 50's. They were good sports and lots of donations were made.

12. Adjournment:

There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Roy to adjourn the regular City Council Meeting and enter into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II(d)Land Matters. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. The regular meeting adjourned at approximately 8:31 p.m.

A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:

Debra A. Patrick, CMC

City Clerk