February 18, 2008
Work Session
Present were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Evans, McCue, Remillard, Poulin, Goudreau, Boucher, Donovan and Lafleur; Staff members present were: Debra Patrick, Patrick MacQueen, and Andre Caron. Others present were: Gary Scott, Tim Cayer, media and public.
EZ Taxi.
Mayor Bertrand read the letter from Mr. Scott requesting that his license to operate a taxi company in the city be renewed. The Council also received a copy of the letter from the City Manager to Mr. Scott advising him that he was not in compliance with the ordinance and he was to cease operation. Mr. Scott has since acquired the proper insurance certificate and the car(s) will be listed on the certificate.
Mr. MacQueen noted that the taxis need to be marked and prices need to be in the cab as well as registered with the city clerk. Drivers need to pass a criminal background check. Mr. Scott indicated that there will only be one driver.
Ms. Patrick stated that the existing ordinance goes back to the 80's and has not been updated since. Councilor Donovan expressed concern about putting the taxi company out of business. Councilor Goudreau reasoned that there is liability for the City if we were to allow the taxi to operate without the proper insurance certificates. A motion was made by Councilor Donovan to renew the license of EZ Taxi once the City Clerk receives the revised insurance certificate, list of drivers and vehicles, and the cabs are marked; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried.
Letter re: Dilapidated and Burned Buildings in Berlin
Andre Caron reported that the City had been putting money aside each year to work on its dilapidated housing issue; however because of several serious fires, the money ended up being used to demolish the fire properties for safety reasons. The City has never recovered its costs from taking on the demolition of a fire property. Mr. Caron is recommending that the City send a letter to Senators Gregg and Sununu and to Congressman Hodes requesting an appropriation.
The City, in this Legislative Session, is asking for a change to RSA 155-B that would allow for a lien to be placed on the final proceeds of insurance to a building owner when there is a fire. Councilor McCue questioned acquisition of dilapidated housing and Mr. Caron clarified that acquiring the dilapidated housing, either through the 155-B process, the lien process or by purchase, is expensive and has to be done.
Councilor Donovan established that he supports sending the letter and he finds it frustrating that other communities, because of their larger size, are allowed to use CDBG money for demolition. He maintained that the burden of blight is more than what the community can afford and we need to send a letter to the Governor and Council about the State regulations imposed on CDBG funding that prohibits its use for demolition.
Councilor Donovan moved to send a letter to our Senators and Congressman for additional funding as proposed; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved to draft letter regarding the City’s opposition to the State’s regulations prohibiting the use of CDBG funds and all other State program funds for demolition; Councilor Boucher seconded and the motion carried. The letter will be sent to the Governor and Council as well as the Coos County delegation.
Berlin Casino Legislation
Mayor Bertrand informed the Council that the Casino bill would be going before the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Senator Gallus has asked for the Council’s position.
Council members, with the exception of Councilor Poulin, were of the opinion that an industry that would bring 2,000 jobs and an enormous amount of money to the community would be difficult to turn down. Councilor Poulin voiced that a casino would likely have a negative effect on the quality of life that people come here for.
Councilor Evans moved to support the Casino Bill; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Poulin voted against.
Airport Improvement Resolution
There were no comments from the Council; it is Item 4 on the agenda.
Proposed 2008 Budget Schedule
Mayor Bertrand reviewed the proposed schedule for budget hearings. To accommodate schedules, it was decided that Tuesday meetings would be changed to Thursdays and the Public Hearing would be on Thursday, May 29th
There being no further business in the work session, Council members moved to the Council Chambers for the Public Hearing set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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