PUBLIC HEARING - August 6, 2007
Resolution - Police Department, Department of Justice $2,125 Bulletproof Vest Grant Application.
Mayor Danderson opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the subject matter, Mayor Danderson closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, August 6, 2007
Mayor Danderson called the regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present at roll call: Councilors Donovan, Nelson, Lafleur, Poulin, Cusson, Roy and Grenier. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Andre Caron, citizens & the press.
Minutes, Previous Meetings Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the minutes of the 7/16/07 WS; 7/16/07 Reg. Meeting; 7/23/07 WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 7/17/07; end date 8/06/2007 for a total cash disbursement of $4,100,686.17 Draft #1547. Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments
1. Council Committee Reports. No Reports
2. Resolution Authorizing the Berlin Police Commission to Apply for and Accept Two Thousand, One Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($2,125) in Grant Funds from the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs Bulletproof Vest Partnership and Appropriating such Funds to the Berlin Police Department for the Purpose of Effectuating the Grant. (tabled 7/16/07)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
- Whereas, officers respond to volatile situations; and
- Whereas, bulletproof vests exist to enhance officer protection during volatile situations also aiding in the effective delivery of police services; and
- Whereas, the Department of Justice will provide $2,125. in grant funds to the Berlin Police Department for the purpose of purchasing bulletproof vests. Now therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin, NH that the Berlin Police Commission is authorized to apply for and accept funds from the Department of Justice Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program. Further
that $2,125 be appropriated to the Berlin Police Department for the purpose of effectuating said grant. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
-Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
-Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to have the resolution read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
-Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to have the resolution read a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
-Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to pass the resolution. So moved, the motion carried and Mayor Danderson declared the resolution now passed.
3. Mayor's Report
-The Mayor met with Department of Education Commissioner, Councilor Burton, Superintendent Moulis, the press he felt it was a good meeting.
-The Mayor and City Manager would like to educate the public about the process needed to handle burned-out and dilapidated buildings. City staff will be asked to assemble pertinent information to formulate a presentation at either a work session or public forum.
- Ward 4 Council Resignation from Councilor Richard Roy. Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept, with regret Councilor Roy's resignation. So moved, the motion carried.
-Councilor Grenier went on to say that Councilor Roy, over the years, has shown dedication and the community will miss a good server. Although they did not always agree, Councilor Roy's motives were for the best of the community.
-Councilor Roy thanked Councilor Grenier for the kind words. He said it was a privilege and an honor to serve the City of Berlin and it was rewarding to work with his fellow councilors, the city staff and the Mayor.
- Councilor Roy moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to accept the Mayor's Report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
4. Other: Nothing in other.
5. City Manager's Report.
-Councilor Burton on Highway System and Airport Tour. Councilor Burton provided a report on the status of the NH Highway Fund. He wants to know if elected officials approve of an increase in "the state tax."
-Councilor Burton today met with Senator Gallus, Eric Kaminski and Councilors Donovan and Cusson to discuss the proposed ILS and ways to promote the airport.
-Route 110 Phase II Route Selection. NHDOT sent a report to the Federal Highway Administration regarding the City's position on the Phase II routing alternatives.
- I&I Meeting. Wright Pierce, Ernie Allain and Mickey Theriault met and determined that some of the infiltration can be repaired by the PWD crew and smoke testing will be done soon.
- WWTF Loan Closing. Ernie Allain, Mickey Theriault, Pat MacQueen and Chris Dwinal of Wright Pierce met with RDA and DES to review the upcoming closing options of the $5M Bond issue resolution which was passed by the Mayor & Council last year.
- Hillside & Glen Avenue Sidewalk Projects. Almost complete except for minor work.
- Glen Avenue Rehabilitation. Pike will begin paving by Thursday.
- Police Mesh Network. PSNH installed the poles and installation should be completed this month.
- Auditors. At City Hall August 13 - 24.
- Governor's Veto of HB 143. Thankfully the Governor vetoed this bill.
- Smith Hydro Drawdown. Beginning Sept 21 for approximately two weeks.
- Manager's Time Submitted.
- 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.
6. Public Comments
- Lucie Remillard suggested placing the information regarding burned out/dilapidated buildings on the City's website so all can review.
- City Manager MacQueen agreed that was a great idea but it is such an extremely involved process that it might have to be done in increments to avoid information overload.
7. Council Comments :
- Councilor Cusson suggests little bits of info at a time and then put it together in excerpts.
- Mayor Danderson said due to the magnitude of the problems, the info will take more than one meeting. The local media might be able to do articles in segments.
- Councilor Lafleur met with Mr. Donaldson from the schools to discuss recycling. He went on to say that the new AVRRDD pamphlets were given to PWD Director Allain.
- Councilor Grenier publicly announced that he will not be seeking a fifth consecutive term on the Council. He was elected in 1991 and began his term January 1992. The Ward Four Councilor made the announcement early to give people ample time to decide if they want to run for election. He concluded that it is a privilege given by the voters to serve your ward. It is time for fresh faces with new ideas which will lead to good government.
- Councilor Cusson reported that yesterday's rainstorm caused damage to a Third Avenue business due to storm drains not working properly. He asked if the sewer project line would cover damage costs.
- Councilor Donovan found out that the Green Street project is proceeding slowly not because the state did not pay the RR but because the RR dragged their feed, the state withheld payments. The Ward 1 Councilor also asked the status of the Tillotson Grant?
- Pat MacQueen replied that the City Planner could get Councilor Donovan the answer.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Cusson to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting and enter into Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:3,II(d) Land Matters; RSA 91-A:2,I(c) Legal Consultation. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. So moved, the regular meeting adjourned at approximately 8:03 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
City Clerk
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