July 14, 2008
Work Session
Present were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Goudreau, McCue, Donovan, Evans, Lafleur, Poulin, and Cayer; Councilor Remillard was absent. Others present were Patrick MacQueen, Andre Caron, School Board members Mitch Couture, Martha Laflamme, Nicole Plourde, Nathan Morin; Marion Huntley, John Moulis; Mike Perreault, media and public.
City Owned Property Discussion – Andre Caron
Andre Caron presented staff recommendations on several City owned properties that should be disposed of and returned to the tax roles. He said that, in some cases, the properties have already been put out to bid without favorable result. Councilor Cayer asked about the minimum requirements to bid and Mr. Caron noted that they are dependent on the property. A demolition would require proper contractors, rehabilitation may have escrow requirements. Minimum bids have been set by calculating the taxes due, interest, penalties and expenses. The City Council can accept the recommendation or choose an alternative minimum bid.
52 Cambridge Street; 390 School Street. The recommendation is to salvage 52 Cambridge Street and demolish the 390 School Street building. The properties would be merged into one. Councilor Lafleur acknowledged that there is a retaining wall on the School Street property that may need to be addressed. Councilor McCue confirmed that the School Street property would not be buildable. Mr. Caron established that the City is split in 5 areas and this is the most blighted and undervalued neighborhood in the city. Councilor Lafleur questioned whether there is any salvage value in the building and Mr. Caron indicated that the may be; however there is liability to removing.
412 School Street. The recommendation is to demolish the building.
122 Pleasant Street is 54 feet of frontage on Pleasant Street and has been offered to the abutters with no takers. The recommendation is to now go out to general bid.
288 Burgess Street and land on Hillsboro Street are contiguous properties and the recommendation is to merge them and put out to bid with a reconditioning time table and reverter for the city.
28 Spring Street is a large property with the inside in good shape. Recommendations for renovation were made by Joe Martin and Chief Trull. The property is under a State Lead Order, meaning that clean-up of the property would involve removing lead in the surrounding soil as well as removing lead in the building, which will be costly. Mr. Caron asked that the Council set a lower minimum bid because a lot of work has to go into rehabilitation. Councilor Donovan moved to put the property out to bid with a minimum of $10,000; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Lafleur confirmed that the cost of demolition is likely to be around $32,000.
Land on Russian Street (M&L 111-0107) would be forwarded to the Planning Board for steep slope review.
584 Rockingham Street would have a minimum bid of $9400 in the recommendation to put out to bid. If we sell for more, the additional money over taxes, interest and expenses, would go to the previous owner.
Land on Harding Street (M&L 118-0018) would be offered to the abutters with a minimum bid of $656.64.
Land on Willard Street (M&L 120-0141) has a recommendation to be put up for bid to the abutters with a minimum of $538.00
260 Main Street was donated to the City and it will cost about $35,000 to demolish. Councilor Lafleur asked if there is value in the brick and Mr. Caron reported that Arnold Drouin ground and sold brick as mulch. He went on to say that the river is in the back of the property. The recommendation is to put it out to bid for demolition and see what comes of it.
In relation to the building, Mr. MacQueen explained that the handicap entrance to the library has been temporarily closed due to debris that may fall from the building next door. It was noted that the building could perhaps be demolished when PSNH lowers the river.
94 Granite Street. The city already has $64,595 into this building and the recommendation is to get the building under contract with a realtor. We could solicit proposals from local realtors.
School Surplus Memo
Councilor Lafleur moved to change the order of the agenda to discuss the school surplus memo at this time; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried.
Mr. MacQueen handed out a memo that delineates the spending pattern of the schools over the last several years. It was determined that the schools were going to do a lease purchase on a school bus amounting to additional cost of about $10,000. Councilor Goudreau urged the school board to stay away from lease purchase because it is not the most economical way to make the purchase.
Councilor McCue indicated that he was confused by the memo but came to the conclusion that the total being requested is $744,799. Councilor Goudreau confirmed that the surplus last year was $180,000. To a question about what happens to funds left over at the end of the year, Mr. MacQueen explained that this money automatically lapses to the general fund and remains in fund balance. It cannot have an effect on the tax rate in this year.
Councilor Goudreau noted that when the Mayor indicated he wanted to see a Council true to its word, there was a surplus of $150,000 at the schools and we are now working with $744,000. There’s something wrong with that. Councilor Donovan verified that if the Council re-appropriates the $744,000, the school budget would be at $17.5 million.
Councilor Poulin voiced that $744,000 could have been used to lower the tax rate. He was feeling bamboozled and could not see how the surplus could be that far off. Mayor Bertrand noted that the School Board has asked for a decision. Mr. MacQueen clarified that there would be a resolution started and at a subsequent meeting, a public hearing would be held before final approval of the resolution.
Councilor Goudreau moved to table the issue until the next meeting; Councilor Donovan seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Couture established that he polled the School Board and they would be willing to accept $400,000 of the surplus.
Snow Policy Review
Mayor Bertrand stated that it’s been the policy for the Council to review the snow and ice policy. Mr. Perreault noted that it was a unique winter with 47 snow events. The department tries to be efficient and not to do double passes. Councilor Lafleur questioned the fact that Oak Street is picked up before York Street. Mayor Bertrand asked about the streets in the policy that are grouped as “remaining streets” and whether they are prioritized within that category. If they are not, it is then possible that some street at the end of the list never sees pick up.
Mayor Bertrand noted that it is more important than ever to find the most economical route; there may be areas where change can be considered. Having Green Street open will surely change the plan. There are street names that need to be changed in the plan.
Councilor Poulin stated that it would be worth while to find out what it would save if we did not pick up snow. Mayor Bertrand stated that private plow operators are plowing banks in front of their property which is in violation of City ordinances. He noted that it would be good to get feedback from the Police Department about how they enforce.
Mayor Bertrand emphasized a need to consolidate snow removal in the City and be sure all equipment is used to its fullest. He asked that all snow removal jobs be summarized and that a list of snow removal equipment in every department be available. Work smarter and cooperate among departments.
Councilor Donovan proposed to change the snow policy so that crews are called out at 2-4 inches of snow rather than 3-5. He suggested having trucks with the plow in the front and sand it the back. When the grader is going to plow, it needs to be done curb to curb. An amount of common sense needs to be applied when there is not enough snow to be picking up. He added that at Fifth Ave and Wight Street the city plow comes around the corner and raises the plow, making the snow banks high. Councilor Donovan moved to change the amount of snow to call out the plow from 3-5 inches to 2-4 inches; Councilor Cayer seconded. The motion did not pass.
Paving Bid Waiver Request
Mayor Bertrand summarized a memo from the Public Works Director asking the City Council to waive bidding requirements to hire Pike to pave Western Avenue. There was some concern about allowing a local vendor to participate if he so chose.
Councilor Donovan moved to waive the bid process; Councilor Lafleur seconded. Discussion resulted in Councilor Donovan amending his motion to add asking Northern Paving if they wanted to bid. With this change, Councilor Lafleur withdrew his second. Councilor Donovan subsequently withdrew his motion. The project will go out to bid, thereby needing no action from the Council.
Bureau of Prisons
Mr. MacQueen presented information summarizing the cost of sewer for the federal prison and noting that the City Council considers a connection fee of $3.64 million. The Bureau has said they will build their own sewer treatment plant if the costs are too high. Our interest is to serve the prison in the best way possible and not bankrupt the sewer fund. Councilor Lafleur confirmed that any other significant development in the City would also have a connection fee.
To a question about how the amount for the connection fee was tallied, Mr. MacQueen indicated that it is the amount allocated to a portion of the city’s existing facilities that our consultants think will be impacted by the prison. Councilor Donovan moved to implement the sewer connection fee on the prison project and future development projects; Councilor Goudreau seconded and the motion carried.
Second Avenue Stop Sign Request
This item was addressed in the Traffic Safety Committee.
Devens Street Stop Sign Request
An ordinance will be drawn up for the next meeting if there is not one in existence.
St Lawrence & Atlantic RR Letter of Support
Councilor Lafleur commented that the railroad has asked for support several times and has always been granted that support; however they are not always forthcoming in their work with the State on the Route 110 project. Councilor Lafleur moved to send the letter to Governor Lynch to enhance rail in Coos County; Councilor Poulin seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Donovan asked if the letter has gone to the County Commissioners.
Local Government Center Policies
Councilor McCue asked if there could be more time to review the policies. Mayor Bertrand suggested starting the next meeting at 6:00 p.m. to get through the policies.
School surplus will also be on the agenda.
Other
Councilor Goudreau informed the Council that he visited with Berlin Water Works to see how the process works. They have equipment and resources and interest to install the sewer line for the federal prison. He urged Public Works to get together with them to see what could be done on installing the sewer line.
He went on to say that he is frustrated with the school department because the surplus could have effectuated a tax cut for our taxpayers.
Councilor McCue stated that Thunder in the Mountains is this Saturday. Toward the end, there will be parade around the city escorted by a State Trooper motorcade. He invited all bikers to participate.
Councilor Donovan expected that Norm Charest would be present for discussion of a land matter. He will be invited to the next meeting.
Councilor Donovan went on to say that he agreed with Councilor Goudreau on the school board matter. The Charter makes the Council responsible for the school budget. Councilor Donovan moved to have the school department submit a line item budget to the City Manager to be included in his presentation to the Council; Councilor McCue seconded.
In discussion that followed it was mentioned that it would be helpful to see where it all goes even if the bottom line is the only control. Councilor Goudreau said that he hates to spend the money on a legal opinion but the Council needs to find out what their right is and how to manage the school budget. Councilor Evans urged that the motion be withdrawn and the item be placed on an agenda.
The motion carried with Councilor Evans voting against.
Non Meeting
Councilor McCue moved with a second from Councilor Cayer to enter into non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2 (c) Consultation with legal counsel. So moved, the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
The meeting ended at 9:43 pm with Councilor Lafleur moving and Councilor Donovan seconding a unanimous motion to adjourn.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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