PUBLIC HEARING – November 19, 2007
Ordinance: Handicap parking space in front of 638 Rockingham St.
Resolutions:
Authorizing a Land Option for 11 Acres to Clean Power;
Apply/accept $2500 Grant from Telecom & Technology Matching Grants Program;
Apply/accept $112,000 Grant from the NH Dept of Safety Homeland Security Program.
Mayor Danderson opened the public hearing at 7:39 PM. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the subject matters, Mayor Danderson closed the public hearing at approximately 7:40 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2007
Mayor Danderson called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:40 p.m. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Bigelow, Donovan, Nelson, Lafleur, Poulin, Cusson, Boucher and Grenier. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, citizens & the press.
Minutes, Previous Meetings
Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the minutes of the 11/05/07 WS; 11/05/07 Regular Mtg; 11/13/07 Spec. Mtg/WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 11/06/07; end date 11/19/2007 for a total cash disbursement of $1,320,088.51 Draft #1554. 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: No public comments
1. Council Committee Reports. No Reports
2. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Berlin, Chapter 15, Traffic & Vehicles, article III stopping, standing & parking Sec. 15-79 parking spaces reserved for the disabled. (tabled 11/05/07)
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Berlin, as follows:
Sec. 15-79 Parking spaces reserved for the disabled. (a) the following parking spaces are designated for parking of vehicles for disabled persons only: Rockingham Street, in front of 638 Rockingham Street, a single space. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to remove the ordinance from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to have the ordinance read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to have the ordinance read a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to pass the ordinance. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes including Mayor Danderson who declared the ordinance passed.
3. Resolution authorizing a land option for eleven acres identified as a portion of Tax Map 116/Lot 23 to Clean Power. (tabled 11/05/07)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows: That the City Manager is authorized to sign the Option to Purchase Agreement (due to the length of this agreement, a copy is attached to this resolution at the City Clerk’s Office).
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. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Danderson who declared the resolution now passed.
4. Resolution to apply for and accept Two Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500) from the Telecom & Technology Matching Grants Program for high speed internet access at the Industrial Park (tabled 11/05/07) Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
Whereas, the Berlin Industrial Development&Park Authority voted to apply for and provide matching funds for a grant that would bring high speed internet access to the Industrial Park; and
Whereas, grant funds are available for the Telecom & Technology Matching Grants Program to cover half of the costs of installation and equipment; and
Whereas, the project is subject to obtaining an agreement with Time Warner who would be providing internet service to the Industrial Park. Now therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Berlin authorizes an application to Telecom and Technology Matching Grants Program in the amount of $2,500; further that the Council hereby appropriates such funds when and if received to Budget Line Item #21-402-401-4004 in the Bidpa Budget and the City Manager is authorized to do all things necessary to effectuate the grant and funds derived from the grant shall be used for the purpose of the grant. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to amend the resolution by adding “further that the Council hereby appropriates such funds when and if received to Budget Line Item #21-402-401-4004 in the Bidpa Budget” to the last paragraph. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to read the resolution, as amended, 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, 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 of Council including Mayor Danderson who declared the resolution, as amended, now passed.
5. Resolution authorizing the City Manager on behalf of the Emergency Management Director to apply for One Hundred Twelve Thousand Dollars ($112,000) and receive such funds for any and all purposes from the State of New Hampshire Department of Safety State Homeland Security Program Grant 2007. (tabled 11/05/07)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
Whereas, the City of Berlin Emergency Management Committee has designated Homeland Security a major component of proper local preparedness planning and process; and
Whereas, funding from the Homeland Security Grant Program 2007 will provide much needed support to emergency management services, fire and police services and other preparedness initiatives in the City through enhancing capabilities to prevent and respond to incidents of terrorism involving the use of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive (CBRME) weapons and for the protection of critical infrastructure and prevention of terrorist incidents; and
Whereas, the City through the Berlin Emergency Management Director, ahs applied for $112,000 in federal funds from the NH Homeland Security Grant Program 2007 for the purchase of six mobile laptop computers to be installed in Berlin fire apparatus, all the necessary software and hardware to connect these computers to the Berlin Wireless Mesh System, GIS and ICS software, training and the execution of a drill to test equipment utilization. Now therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Berlin agrees to apply for and accept grant funds if they are approved in the amount on One Hundred Twelve Thousand Dollars ($112,000) from the NH Homeland Security Grant Program State of NH division of Safety. And further “that the Council hereby appropriates such funds when and if received for the Fire
Department in Grant Fund 30, Line Item #30-421-908-5004” and that the City Manager is authorized to do all things necessary to effectuate any and all Homeland Security Grant funds awarded to the City of Berlin. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to amend the resolution by adding “that the Council hereby appropriates such funds when and if received for the Fire Department in Grant Fund 30, Line Item #30-421-908-5004” to the last paragraph. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to read the resolution, as amended, a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to read the resolution, as amended, a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to pass the resolution, as amended. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Danderson who declared the resolution, as amended, now passed.
6. Mayor's Report.
The Mayor was proud of the turnout of people who attended the public forum about the Biomass plant. He was impressed with Barry Kelly’s statement about “knowing who you are, what your assets are and don’t try to be something you are not.” Mayor Danderson hopes with the information people gained they will now be able to make a decision. Jack Crisp warned that this was private property. Terry Block spoke about a community in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The Mayor said it is not fair to compare Chicopee to Berlin because they are surrounded by larger communities and we are not. What he should have mentioned was Lewiston, Maine. They tried to renew themselves and all they ended up with is low-income housing. The Mayor concluded that we should not forget our heritage
and we are industry based. A new energy plant would provide good paying jobs and would add to the tax base.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept/file the Mayor’s oral report. So moved, the motion carried.
7. Resolution accepting Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) from the NH Charitable Foundation Pilot Fund for the City of Berlin’s Master Plan and appropriating such funds for the purpose of the grant (1st read)
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on 12/03/07. So moved, the motion carried.
8. Resolution authorizing the sale of a portion of Ramsey Hill Park land (approximately 50X113.4) Map 128/Lot 124 off the end of Susan Street and adjacent to the parcel at 8 Susan Street Map 128/Lot 123 and appropriating the $2,000 of proceeds from the sale to the Recreation Department Budget (1st read)
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on 12/03/07. So moved, the motion carried
9. BESS Contract.
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to table the matter for further clarification of information. So moved, the motion carried.
10. Other. Nothing in other.
11. City Manager's Report.
Public Works Projects. Green Street Bridge work continues and might not open until the first of the year. Hillside Ave RR is complete. Mt. Forist RR will get final paving once the Green Street project is completed. Salt truck got a new cab and is ready for winter use.
CIP. Meetings being held with departments and requests will be submitted to the Planning Board and Council this month for review. The first year projects will be submitted in the Annual Operating Budget submitted by the City Manager.
DES Wastewater Meeting. City Manager met with state with the hopes we will be eligible for both the State 20% grant program and the SRF program.
Police Ordinance. Regarding problem city buildings will be submitted to Council soon.
Electrical bid. First bid will be for 6 months from January–June 2008. If that works out, the plan is to have the bids run from July – June the following year.
Berlin Housing Authority PILT. A check for $7,159.59 was paid to the city.
Cornerstone Ribbon Cutting. Larry Kelly and Dick Huot credited for overseeing the successful project which gives Berlin a new look in the downtown.
Election Law Training. Held at City Hall on Nov. 10 with over 80 people from the region attending.
Councilor Nelson moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the City Manager's report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
12. Public Comments: No public comments
13. Council Comments:
Councilor Bigelow asked if the City receives other PILT payments. He would like the City to be more assertive and request that other non-profits pitch in their share of the taxes.
City Manager MacQueen replied most do not pay at all and only the Federal Agencies pay. He added that if the Mayor and Council want to pursue the matter there is nothing stopping them. Legislation on the matter goes nowhere.
Councilor Donovan inquired if the new Cornerstone Building will pay taxes.
City Manager Macqueen said they will only pay taxes on the commercial portion of the building.
Councilor Lafleur thanked the City Clerk and Poll Workers for their hard work on the Municipal Election.
14. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor Bigelow to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting. So moved, the regular meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
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