May 12, 2008
Work Session
Present were: Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Lafleur, Evans, Remillard, McCue, Cayer, Goudreau and Donovan at 6:40 p.m.; Councilor Poulin was absent. Other present were Patrick MacQueen, Blandine Shallow, Nicole Plourde, Marion Huntley, Mitch Couture, Martha Laflamme, Nathan Morin, Melissa Wedge, John Moulis, media and public.
Hiring Geo Insight for Planning Board Review of BOP Sewer Connection Pump Station.
Mayor Bertrand referred to a revised memo regarding hiring Geo Insight to do Planning Board review of a site plan for the prison sewer hook up. The project has been revised so that there is minimal chance of overflow toward the well head. Another engineer would look at the plan and offer a second opinion. Mr. MacQueen indicated that authorization is being sought to take up to $5,000 from the sewer fund for the review.
Councilor McCue made the point that the site chosen is on top of the City’s back up aquifer. If it has to go in this spot, the Planning Board needs to know it is a well designed pump station.
Councilor Lafleur moved that the City Manager is authorized to retain the services of Geoinsight at a cost not to exceed $5,000 from the Sewer Fund to review the approach of the City's design engineer in determining the location and design of the proposed East Milan Road pump station; Councilor McCue seconded. In further discussion Councilor Goudreau asked if the additional study is necessary. Mayor Bertrand responded that this well is the back up to the city’s water supply and we are taking all the precautions possible. Councilor Donovan entered the meeting at this time.
In the vote, the motion passed. Councilor Evans voted against.
Memo re: Hiring CAP to do CDBG
Mr. MacQueen explained that the City received a $350,000 revitalization grant to do rehabilitation work throughout the city in neighborhoods that qualify. Through an application process, a homeowner would receive a grant for the rehab work and they would have to agree to live there for five years as part of the grant. We are at the point where the work was put out to bid with almost no response. Because these are grant funds, housing standards need to be adhered to and qualified, insured contractors are needed to do the jobs.
Tri County CAP has a crew that does this type of work and the City would enter into a general contract with them. This solves the problem of having a qualified contractor and reduces the administrative time and the work would be done on a time and materials basis. Staff is asking the Council to waive the bidding requirements in the purchasing ordinance in favor of hiring CAP to do the work.
It is likely that the requirements of the grant would be enforced with a lien on the property. Councilor Evans confirmed that there were no other qualified parties that expressed interest in this work. Councilor Lafleur affirmed that the contract would last until the 25 properties are done. He added that he approached the high school building trades teacher about doing this kind of work and noted that it has possibilities for the future. Councilor Remillard would like to see what work will be done. The issue was tabled until the next meeting.
Budget
Mayor Bertrand indicated that everyone should be working with the May 9, 2008 budget as prepared by the City’s Finance Director. He stated that the flatlined budget is $387,906. for the Recreation Department. Councilor Donovan reasoned that volunteers recently built two playgrounds and reducing playground maintenance sends the wrong message. Councilor Donovan moved to increase the 01-450-425-3500 to $4,000; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion failed.
School Department
The cuts being proposed by the School Board amount to $613,000 in the operating budget and $156,185 in the capital improvement budget. The total operating budget being requested is $16,300,132. The schools are also requesting that surplus funds from the schools be returned to the schools.
Councilors commented that the school budget is still up by over $700,000. which is close to $1.50 on the tax rate. Councilor Goudreau wanted to see what was being cut to view the impact to the students. He encouraged the Council to give the School Department direction on the number the council is looking for. Councilor Donovan countered that the councilor was looking to apply line item control.
Councilor McCue made the motion to leave the schools at the School Board’s recommendation of $16,300,132; Councilor Remillard seconded. In the discussion, Councilor Evans stated that he will vote against anything that costs money. Councilor Remillard noted that if we continue to cut the school budget, it will put education in jeopardy. Councilor Goudreau stated that he promised to keep taxes down while maintaining a quality of life in Berlin, adding that he could not support the motion.
Mayor Bertrand established that if someone is considering moving to Berlin they will look at the school system. If it does not live up to expectations, they will go somewhere else. He asked that school staff put together the requested information and the Council could reconvene Thursday evening. In the vote, the motion carried 5 to 3.
A subsequent meeting was set for Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. to further discuss the budget.
Councilor McCue moved to leave $75,360 in the School Capital Improvements; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Evans voting against.
Councilor Donovan moved to reduce the MRI line item to zero; Councilor McCue seconded. In the discussion it was noted that the line item needs to be funded to allow for a 60 day notice which would carry into the next fiscal year. Councilor Goudreau indicated that he could not vote for this without first having a plan. The motion failed with Councilors Donovan and McCue voting for and the remaining Councilors voting against.
Council members then reviewed the capital improvement items.
01-480-905-0001 Assessing contract - no change
01-480-913-0002 Sidewalk Replacement - Councilor Donovan moved to cut the line item to zero; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried. Councilors Goudreau and McCue voted against.
01-480-913-0003 Retaining Walls - Councilor Donovan moved to fund at $13,000; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried. Councilors Evans and Lafleur voted against
01-480-913-0004 Street Rehabilitation - It was noted that the Public Works Director would be asked for input.
01-480-913-0006 Bridge Inspection/Repair - Councilor Donovan moved to set the line item to zero; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried. Councilor McCue and Mayor Bertrand voted against.
01-480-916-0001 Route 110 Phase I no change
01-480-916-0005 Route 110 Phase II no change
01-480-920-0001 Library Demo - Councilor Donovan moved that no change be made; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Evans voted against.
01-480-932-0004 Police accreditation remained at 0
01-480-932-0006 Cruiser cameras remained at 0
01-480-932-0007 Ballistic vests remained at 0
01-480-932-0009 Councilor Evans moved to reduce to zero; Councilor Donovan seconded and the motion failed
01-480-932-0011 Impound building. It was noted by the City Manager that the site has been
cleaned of liquid asphalt. Councilor Donovan moved for no change; Councilor Goudreau seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Evans voted against.
01-480-932-0013 Police Uniforms – remained at 0
01-480-932-0015 Police Air filtration – Councilor Donovan moved that no change be made; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried.
01-480-933-0000 Police Bldg Maintenance – remained at 0
01-480 police tower – Mr. MacQueen explained that the City bought the tower from Fraser to accommodate the police mesh network system. It now has to be maintained. Couniclor Donovan moved for no change; Councilor Goudreau seconded and the motion carried.
01-480-961-0001 Fire Dept. repair program – no change
01-480-961-0002 FD Addition – Councilor Donovan moved to reduce the line item to zero with intention to ask for a plan to provide a combined public safety facility; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried. Councilor McCue voted against.
01-480-961-0003 Fire Alarm System – remained at zero
01-480-961-0010 FD Prevention Vehicle – remained at zero
01-480-961-0011 FD Floor – remained at zero
01-480-961-0012 Replace Engine 1 – remained at zero.
01-480-961-0014 Chief’s Vehicle – remained at zero
01-480-961-0017 FD Ladder One – remained at zero
01-480-961-0018 FD Protective Clothing. Councilor Donovan moved to fund; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried.
01-480-962-0001 PW loader remains at zero
01-480-962-0002 PW garage upgrade- remains at zero
01-480-962-0004 PW Equipment Replacement. Councilor Donovan suggested privatizing gas purchases saying that we may be able to get a good price on the gas with no maintenance of the pumps. Councilor Donovan moved to fund at $45,000; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion failed.
01-480-962-0006 PW Upgrade II – Councilor Donovan moved to reduce to zero; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion failed.
01-480-963-0001 Remained at zero
01-480-963-0023 Recreation Dept Van – Councilor Donovan moved to fund at $35,000; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion failed.
Councilor Evans moved to appropriate the funds for the van with the elimination of one police cruiser; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion failed.
01-480-963-0025 Unity Street – remains at zero
01-480-963-0028 Bleacher Improvements – Councilor Donovan moved to appropriate $4,500; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Goudreau and Mayor Bertrand voting against.
01-480-963-0029 Track Lighting remains at zero
01-480-964-0001 Nursing Office Ventilation remains at zero
01-480-964-0004 Nurses Car remains at zero
01-480-965-0001 Housing initiative – Councilor Goudreau moved to fund as recommended at $100,000; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
01-480-965-0002 IT initiative- Councilor Donovan moved to fund as recommended at $30,000; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Cayer moved to reduce police cruisers by one cruiser; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion failed.
Councilor Donovan moved to publish the budget as decided on this evening; there was no second.
Councilor Lafleur moved to meet Thursday, May 15 to finalize the budget for publication; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Councilor Goudreau asked to see what other City Managers in the State make for salary; he is looking to make an informed decision.
Councilor McCue reported that DES selected the Research and Development Building for a Brownsfield grant.
Councilor Lafleur mentioned that the next Council meeting should be held in the auditorium due to the Civics students attending.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second from Councilor McCue to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:III (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the body. So moved the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Evans moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Goudreau seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor McCue moved to seal the minutes as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Lafleur moved to adjourn; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting ended at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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