Work Session
July 7, 2008
Mayor Bertrand opened the Work Session at 6:30 pm in the City Council Executive Chambers. Present were Councilors: Councilors Remillard, Donovan, McCue, Lafleur, Evans, Goudreau, Cayer and Poulin. Also present:City Manager MacQueen, Laura Viger, Pam Laflamme, Andre Caron, Norm Charest, press.
Brownfield Grand Funding EPA Application
Andre Caron, briefed the Mayor and City Council that the grant is for one million dollars which is split with $600,000 going to the NH Department of Environmental Services, $200,000 going to Berlin and $200,000 going to North Country Council. We will use our share to begin Phase I for a background study to check sites and proceed from there. We have to follow the public process through a resolution and public hearing.
Mayor Bertrand asked if there were any strings attached and if there was a timeframe.
There are no strings attached according to Mr. Caron and there is a two year time frame.
Councilor McCue inquired if we could have access to any of the other $600,000 as well.
Andre replied we could tap into the North Country Council or the state. He added this is a good economic tool we can use to clean things up in the area like Nashua and Manchester have done.
Norm Charest strongly agrees and congratulated Mr. Caron for his efforts in bringing this forward.
Economic Development Strategy
Norm Charest, Berlin’s part-time Economic Developer, stated it is safe to say that he has never been part of a strategy going forward. Several attempts have been made but there were always just bits and pieces put together. He challenged the Mayor and Council to work together to decide where they want Berlin to go and define how they will accomplish that task. Mr. Charest added, we must be on the same page and in agreement before we can even begin to move forward. He concluded that Berlin is at an economic crossroad and this is the time to take advantage of the opportunities before us.
Mayor Bertrand concurs we must develop a strategy and not merely react to a given situation. The Mayor thinks Council should have a basic framework and idea of what initiatives they want to pursue. He proposes that a Council committee should be formed and include staff and key business people to put these ideas together.
Councilor Evans asked when the final copy of the Master Plan will be released. City Planner Laflamme projects it should come out sometime between January and February.
Councilor McCue wants to know when the third visioning session will be held. The Planner replied it will be scheduled this fall.
Councilor Donovan reflected that committees were formed over the years and many studies have been conducted with no tangible results. He feels we don’t need another study. Now is the time to hire a full-time Economic Developer who works and plans everyday and reaches out to other communities. We need to get aggressive and might have to raise taxes but we will regain our money down the road.
Councilor McCue is grappling with the idea of being asked to go out and set a plan thinking it should be up to the Economic Development Director and staff to give recommendations, goals and strategy.
According to Mayor Bertrand, the City will have to find funding since this was not anticipated in this year’s budget process.
Councilor Remillard related hiring an Economic Development Director to when the city hired the Housing Coordinator and that was a good investment because that person can spend 100% doing just their job.
The City Manager said another question Council should ask themselves is whether or not they want to have the person work for the city or be part of the private sector such as a non-profit. Both ways have been proven to be successful.
Councilor Goudreau suggested going on a field trip to Keene to see the difference between private and public so that when we do it, we do it right.
Councilor Lafleur asked the City Planner when the questionnaire would be ready. He said input from the public would be a good place to start. Pam replied that it will be available in two weeks.
Norm Charest would like Council to erase the past, start from scratch and break political barriers by including someone from Gorham or Milan if Council forms a committee.
Laura Viger added that many studies have been done and it might be advantageous to have a staff member summarize those studies and bring the results back to Council for their review.
Mayor Bertrand asked that the July 28 Work Session be dedicated to Economic Development.
Councilor Cayer observed that things are changing now and business leaders will take the opportunity before them. Berlin will change in the next five to ten years.
PUBLIC HEARING – July 7, 2008
RESOLUTION: Accepting a $461,800 Grant from the NHDOT for the Berlin Regional Airport
Mayor Bertrand opened the duly scheduled and advertised public hearing for public comment at approximately 7:30 p.m. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the subject matter, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m. and continued with the Work Session.
Other:
Bureau of Prison Sewer Cost
City Manager MacQueen handed out copies of the current WWTF improvement fee estimate. Included in the fees is the Bureau of Prison connection fee. This particular item has upset the Bureau of Prisons and will make for tense negotiations. It will be discussed in length at the next work session.
Main Street Program - Thunder in the Mountains
Tom McCue, interim MSP Director, informed Council that permission was granted to hold the event but has two new items to add. One is for a rain date for the next day which is Sunday, July 20. The second item is to set up a “Vendor Village” in the common area behind the Irving station. He is seeking Council permission to enter there on Friday evening and break down on Sunday and to possibly camp near those sites at the Salvation Army winter parking spot. There will be no fires allowed. All are self-contained The vendors have been made aware that no security is being provided and the Police Department will not provide any extra patrols or extra staff. He concluded that he still has to meet with the Building Inspector and ambulance service. The vendors are the same ones
who attend the Blessing of the Bikes.
Councilor Donovan said according to the Charter, the Police Chief can authorize permission to hold the event and it did not have to come before Council. The MSP could ask PWD to set up barricades on Friday.
Councilor Cayer cautioned not mixing RV’s near retail sales and asked if any special insurance was required. No.
On another matter, Councilor Donovan asked the City Manager if he has begun to talk to the Schools about trash and recycling since that was taken out of the budget. They really should get something in place before September.
Mayor Bertrand indicated many city departments have snow removal needs and should work collectively. A meeting will be scheduled to discuss the matter.
Councilor Cayer thought they would have all departments look together for needs.
There being no further business to bring before the Mayor and Council at this time, Mayor Bertrand closed the Work Session at approximately 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
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