PUBLIC HEARING -December 3, 2007
Resolutions:
Sell a portion of Highland Park;
Accept a $10,000 NH Charitable Foundation Grant for Berlin’s Master Plan
BCMP Application for Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive
Mayor Danderson opened the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. Andre Caron, 2 Grandview Drive, part-owner of BCMP said they are not looking to be tax free and will still pay taxes, water and sewer. The BCMP has the entrepreneurial spirit needed to improve our downtown.
There being no one else wishing to speak for or against the subject matters, Mayor Danderson closed the public hearing at approximately 7:36 p.m. and Council resumed the non-public session.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007
Mayor Danderson called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:51 p.m. The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Donovan, Nelson, Lafleur, Poulin, Cusson, Boucher and Grenier. Councilor Bigelow was absent. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Mayor Elect Bertrand, Councilors elect Goudreau, McCue, Evans and Remillard, BESS members, & the press.
Minutes, Previous Meetings Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the minutes of the 11/19/07 WS; 11/19/07 Regular Mtg; 11/26/07 WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements: It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 11/20/07; end date 12/03/2007 for a total cash disbursement of $966,191.83 Draft #1555. 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. 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 (tabled 11/19/2007)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
Whereas, the City of Berlin owns the Ramsey Hill Park land (Map 128, Lot 124) located off of Susan Street and adjacent to parcel Map 128, Lot 123; and
Whereas, Leo and Colette Caron of 8 Susan Street (Map 128, Lot 123)have offered to purchase some of the land behind their home for $2,000.00; and
Whereas, it has been determined that there is no public interest in retaining the land; and
Whereas, the land proposed for purchase must be divided from the Ramsey Hill Park parcel; and
Whereas, all costs associated with the lot line adjustment process, including surveying will be borne by the purchaser; and
Whereas, proceeds from the sale will be appropriated to the Recreation Department Budget. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Berlin that they hereby authorize the sale of a proposed parcel (approximately 50x113.4) of Ramsey Hill Park land (Map 128, Lot 124 adjacent to a private parcel at 8 Susan Street known as Map 128, Lot 123 for the agreed upon amount of $2,000.00 upon the completed lot line adjustment of the new parcel to Leo and Colette Caron. Be it further resolved, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to proceed with the lot line adjustment of the proposed parcel on the condition that the purchasers agree to pay all costs associated with the lot line adjustment and transfer of the parcel and further that the City Manager is hereby authorized to quitclaim deed the newly divided
parcel to the Caron’s on payment of the agreed amount of $2,000.00. Bet it finally resolved that the $2,000.00 of proceeds form the sale is hereby appropriated to the Recreation Department’s Ice Time Account 01-450-250-5500. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Cusson moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Cusson moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to have the resolution read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Cusson moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to have the resolution read a third time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Cusson moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to now pass the resolution. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes including Mayor Danderson who declared the resolution now passed.
3. 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 (tabled 11/19/2007) Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
Whereas, the City of Berlin through its Planning Department submitted a proposal to the NH Charitable Foundation to provide matching grant funds for the development of a Master Plan; and
Whereas, in the competitive process, the City was awarded Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). Now therefore, be it resolved that $10,000.00 from the NH Charitable Foundation Pilot Fund is hereby appropriated to the City’s Master Plan and further that the City Manager is authorized to do all things necessary to effectuate the 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 have the resolution passed at this time. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Danderson who declared the resolution now passed.
4. Mayor's Report.
- BIDPA Resignation: Mayor Danderson read Terry Block’s BIDPA resignation letter for the record. Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept Terry Block’s BIDPA resignation. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to accept the Mayor’s Report. So moved, the motion carried.
5. Resolution amending the 2007-08 budget by revising Fund 10, School Department Federal Programs and appropriating additional grant funds to reflect the changes.(1st read)
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on December 17 to adjust the cost items. So moved, the motion carried.
6. Resolution authorizing the City Treasurer to sell 2,272 shares of Northway Bank stock pursuant to RSA 48:16 and depositing the proceeds in an acceptable account. (1st read)
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to table the resolution. So moved, the motion carried.
7. BESS Contract.
Berlin Educational Support Staff Cost items for 2008/09-2011/12 (4 year contract)presented as follows:
Salary adjustments: 3% increase each year to current salary sched-w/o current steps. All steps indexed by year three. One OMS schedule (eliminate one). Educational Attainment Increased by $.05 in years 2&4. Civil Rights Holiday to Ed Assistants-consistency. Payroll taxes for above. Life Insurance for Ed Assts & SY OMS. No step expansion for salary schedules. No change in health insurance-80/20 split. No expansion of health insurance benefit. No expansion of NH Retirement.
2008/09 - 6.34% cost: $100,461
2009/10 - 3.13% cost: $55,429
2010/11 - 5.59% cost: $104,339
2011/12 - 3.02% cost: $61,459
Councilor Grenier moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the BESS Contract cost items. Roll call resulted in affirmative votes from Mayor Danderson and Councilors Nelson, Poulin, Cusson, Boucher and Grenier. Councilor Donovan voted no and Councilor Lafleur abstained from voting due to a conflict. The contract cost items were accepted.
8. Other. Nothing in other.
9. City Manager's Report.
Public Works Projects. The City salted icy roads costing $2,000 each. The snow dump on Dummer Yard has been reopened. Paving a 300’ drainage line on Enman Hill Road and a 60’ drain line project was done on McGee Street. Pike Industries notified the city that hot top price will go from $55/ton to $59/ton next year. A replacement sidewalk tractor should be delivered and the new army surplus from the State Surplus depot was purchased for $12k.
Clean Power Option Signing. The agreement with clean Power for an option of some of the City WETF land has been signed and the initial option check for $5,000 was received.
CIP. The six year capital improvement program will be issued this week for consideration by the Mayor, Council and Planning Board.
Court Lease. A new one-year lease was signed with the District Court with a 4.5% rent increase. The court is actively seeking a new facility because the current facility does not meet their needs.
Time Warner Cable Rate Increases. Notice of rate increases were received. Also received were responses about the letter from the Mayor and Council regarding the poor reception on Channel 4.
Fairpoint Communications Meetings. The public is invited to attend meetings as an effort to convince them that its purchase of the Verizon system will benefit them.
National Fish & Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Meetings are scheduled to get more public input on developing alternative approaches to manage conservation land.
City Manager’s timekeeping attached.
Councilor Donovan inquired what the City is doing to assist the district court with their needs to expand. The City Manager replied that in the last 3-4 years, the city made the building handicap accessible and it still is not adequate. They are not actively working with them at the moment.
Councilor Cusson inquired about the progress with opening the Green Street intersection.
City Manager MacQueen replied the bridge should be open after the first of the year but it will close again in the spring for completion of the project.
Councilor Nelson asked the City Manager if Public Works has taken care of the Petrograd Street problem brought up by Mr. Croteau. The City Manager will ask the Public Works Director the status of that.
Mayor Danderson asked where the City currently is with the Rocket snowmobile situation. The City Manager said the Mr. Leveille will reacquire the property and will evict Paul Croteau from the premises. We still have an outstanding court order on the property.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Nelson to accept the City Manager's report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
10. Public Comments: No public comments
11. Council Comments: No Council comments
12 Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor Cusson to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting. So moved, the regular meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
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