PUBLIC HEARING – August 18, 2008
Ordinance 2008-12: Housing Authority Appointments
Mayor Bertrand called the Public Hearing to order at approximately 7:30 p.m. to receive public input on the above noted ordinance. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the ordinance at this time, the Mayor closed the public hearing to continue with the Work Session at approximately 7:31 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008
Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 8:41 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.60; Residency within the City of Berlin shall not be a requirement for appointment.” This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to remove the ordinance from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to have the ordinance read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to pass the ordinance. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the ordinance now passed.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, Traffic and Vehicles, Article III. Stopping, Standing and Parking, Sec. 15-69. Prohibited at all times in designated places. (Green/Second Avenue) (1st read)
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on September 2 2008. So moved, the motion carried.
4. Resolution increasing the Berlin School Department budget appropriation for fiscal year 2008-2009 by $______. NO ACTION.
5. Resolution carrying over Capital Appropriations for the year ended June 30, 2008 which are not yet expended. (1st read)
Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on September 2 2008. So moved, the motion carried.
6. Resolution authorizing an application to the USDA Rural Development Grant Program for Twenty-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred Ten Dollars ($27,310.00) and hereby appropriating the grant funds as well as Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Four Dollars ($4,804.00) of matching funds to the Fire Department for the purchase of firefighter protective clothing. (1st read)
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on September 2, 2008. So moved, the motion carried.
7. City Manager’s Report.
- Western Avenue Paving. One bid received from Pike Industries for $183,900. Contract being reviewed for award.
- Fire Department Floor Bids. Four bids received ranging from $29,800 to $55,000. Seamless Industrial floors of Worcester, MA awarded contract for the low bid of $29,800.
- WWTF Repairs. One centrifuge undergoing major repairs leaving only one as a backup
- Green Street Project. Rt. 110 Phase I almost completed. NHDOT will be at City Hall August 28 to provide information on Phase II.
- Commissioner Wrenn/Women’s Prison. Will attend August 25 Work Session to discuss locating a Women’s Prison in Berlin.
- Retiree Benefits Valuation. AON Consultant Charlie Cahill met with the City Manager and Blandine Shallow to review retiree benefits by current auditing standards. A report will be sent to the city auditors for their review.
- Grievance Arbitrations. OPEIU had a grievance over a retirement benefit issue. AFSCME Local 1444 grieved over a sick leave matter. The arbitrators have 30 days to render a decision.
- EPA Brownfields visit. Diane Kelley from USEPA and Keith Dubois of NHDES will tour the former Notre Dame High School building in relation to the work which will be done through the $200k Brownfields grant.
- Airport SRE Building. Contractor Couture Construction has begun the work and should be done before the snow flies.
- Bob Barbin Day. At City Hall to recognize Bob’s years of community service. Local Officials and staff attended.
- Congressman Hodes RR Meeting. Presented a $300k check to the St. Lawrence & Atlantic RR to improve the tracks north of Berlin.
- Ray Burton Airport Tour. August 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the Berlin Regional Airport.
Councilor Goudreau asked the City Manager about the Western Avenue Pike paving bid and whether the specs changing for more hand work raise the cost of the bid. City Manager MacQueen replied he would check on the matter.
Mayor Bertrand asked the City Manager if the City has any leverage for Phase I work complaints such as rust stains running down the sides of the newly constructed Green Street underpass.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept and file the City Manager’s report. So moved, the motion carried.
8. Public Comments: No comments
9. Council Comments:
Councilor McCue attended Bob Barbin day and was surprised at how much tractor trailer traffic there is on Main Street. It is an issue that should be addressed.
Councilor Goudreau has received negative comments regarding the possibility of locating a women’s prison in Berlin since we do not want to be known just for our prisons. He cautioned Council to be diligent and listen to what their constituents really want.
10. Mayor’s Report
APPOINTMENTS:
- Berlin Housing Authority: Mayor Bertrand nominated David Graham to fill Robert Morin’s unexpired term set to expire December 2011. Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the Mayor’s nomination of David Graham to the Housing Authority. So moved, the motion carried.
- Police Commission: Mayor Bertrand nominated Anthony Urban for another three year term set to expire September 2011. Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the Mayor’s nomination of Anthony Urban to the Police Commission. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Evans moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept the Mayor’s oral report. So moved, the motion carried.
11. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to adjourn the City Council Meeting. So moved, Mayor Bertrand declared the regular meeting adjourned at approximately 9:12 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
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