Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
City Council Minutes 09/02/2008
"Key to the City" presentation to Mrs. Alma Langlois
Mayor Bertrand presented a "Key to the City" to Alma Langlois who turns 102 today.  Mrs. Langlois has been an exemplary citizen who has volunteered countless hours to many civic organizations over the years.  Her family was proudly in attendance of this presentation.

Main Street Program Plaque Presentation
MSP Chair Sylvia Poulin presented the Mayor and Council with a plaque recognizing that the Berlin Main Street Program has been named "2007 Outstanding Main Street Community of the Year" by the NH Community Development Finance Authority.  This accomplishment has been duly recorded and acknowledged.  Kudos to the MSP for their hard work and perseverance.

PUBLIC HEARING - September 2, 2008

Ordinance 2008-12:  Green Street/Second Avenue no parking
Resolution 2008-26: Capital Improvement Funds
Resolution 2008-27: USDA Rural Development Grant for fire protection gear

Mayor Bertrand called the Public Hearing to order at approximately 7:36 p.m. to receive public input on the above noted ordinance and resolutions.  There being no one wishing to speak for or against the ordinance or resolutions at this time, the Mayor closed the public hearing to continue with the Work Session at approximately 7:38 p.m.

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 8:43 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.  The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Remillard,  McCue, Lafleur, Evans and Goudreau.  Councilors Donovan, Cayer and Poulin were absent.  Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Fire Chief Trull, and the press.

Minutes, Previous Meetings Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to accept the minutes of the 08/18/08 WS; 08/18/08 Regular Mtg; 08/25/08 WS.  So moved, the motion carried.

Disbursements:
It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 8/19/08 - 9/02/2008 total cash disbursement of $652,052.77 Draft #1574.  Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. So moved, the motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  No public comments.

OLD BUSINESS:

1.      Council Committee Reports.  No Reports
2.      Ordinance 2008-12:  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)  (tabled 8/18/08)

Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Berlin, as follows:  That Sec. 15-69 restated below is hereby amended to add the following new items to the existing list in alphabetical order:  Sec. 15-69. Prohibited at all times in designated places.  (a) When signs are erected or other markings made, giving notice thereof, no person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any of the following streets or parts of streets longer than necessary to load or unload passengers or commodities:  Green Street, south side form First Avenue to Second Avenue; Second Avenue, southwest side from Green Street to Sessions Street.  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 Evans moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to have the ordinance read a second time by title only.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to pass the ordinance.  Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the ordinance now passed.

3.      Resolution 2008-26:  Carrying over Capital Appropriations for the year ended June 30, 2008 which are not yet expended.   (tabled 8/18/2008)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows: That the following capital appropriation funds (including carryover Capital Improvement funds) for the year ended June 30, 2008, be carried over as described below:  
 

 
 
 
City Manager
From Account #
Purpose
Request
Recommendation
Total
Carryover Requests from Operating Budget
 
 
 
Contingency
 
 
01-411-806-0000
Rotary Park Improvements
         $2,056.00
$0.00
 
Total Contingency
 
$0.00
 
Police
 
 
01-420-708-0000
Anticipated Severance
$37,475.00
$37,475.00
$37,475.00
Total Police
$37,475.00
$37,475.00
Total Carryover Requests from Operating Budget
       $39,531.00
$37,475.00
$37,475.00
Capital Improvements
 
 
01-480-905-0001
Assessors Avitar
$1,961.94
$1,961.94
01-480-913-0002
Sidewalk Replacement
$4,529.68
$4,529.68
01-480-913-0003
Retaining Wall Repair/Replacement
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
01-480-913-0004
Street Rehabilitation
$130,000.00
$130,000.00
01-480-933-0000
Police Building Maintenance
$14,682.03
$14,682.03
01-480-961-0001
Fire Dept. Repair Program
$6,985.06
$6,985.06
01-480-961-0011
Fire Dept. Floor
$22,500.00
$22,500.00
01-480-962-0002
PW Garage Upgrade I
$20,000.00
$20,000.00
01-480-962-0004
PW Equipment Replacement
$85,000.00
$85,000.00
01-480-962-0006
PW Garage Upgrade II
$15,000.00
$15,000.00
01-480-964-0001
Nurses Office Ventilation
$3,603.00
$3,603.00
01-480-965-0001
Housing Initiative
$28,996.01
$28,996.01
01-480-966-0002
Finance Power Edge 1800 Server
$4,827.50
$4,827.50
 
Total Capital Improvements
$348,085.22
$348,085.22
$348,085.22
Carryover Capital Improvement Funds
 
 
01-495-995-0101
EPA Matching Funds 411 School Street - NDHS
$40,000.00
$40,000.00
01-495-995-0102
Housing Initiative (Change to Dilapidated Housing)
$7,275.20
$7,275.20
01-495-995-0398
Bridge Inspection Repair
$103,811.17
$103,811.17
01-495-995-0403
Public Works Garage
$184,548.29
$184,548.29
01-495-995-0502
Library Exterior Paint
$8,400.00
$8,400.00
01-495-995-0710
Practice Field Development
$33,344.76
$33,344.76
01-495-995-0711
Memorial Annex Field Improvement
$5,699.35
$5,699.35
01-495-995-0901
Police Building Maintenance
$29,065.12
$29,065.12
01-495-995-0906
Police Impound Building
$48,350.00
$48,350.00
01-495-995-1001
City Hall Building Repairs
$11,838.29
$11,838.29
01-495-995-1106
Fire Dept. Training Schools
$2,777.66
$2,777.66
01-495-995-1110
Fire Dept. FEMA Grant Match
$6,600.00
$6,600.00
01-495-995-1111
Master Plan Update
$16,926.34
$16,926.34
01-495-995-1203
Public Works Equipment Replacement
$58,830.35
$58,830.35
01-495-995-1308
Fire Dept. Floor
$17,500.00
$17,500.00
 01-495-995-1313
Fire Dept. Repair Program
$18,008.78
$18,008.78
01-495-995-2503
Retaining Wall Repair and Replacement
$59,306.80
$59,306.82
01-495-995-2605
Sidewalk Replacement
$30000.00
$30,000.00
01-495-995-2606
Street Rehabilitation
$76,097.39
$76,097.39
01-495-995-3502
Library Circulation Automation
$6,075.64
$6,075.64
01-495-995-3503
Library Outside Brickwork
$26,918.22
$26,918.22
 
Total Carryover Capital Funds Requests from FY2008
$791,373.38
$791,373.38
$791,373.38
Total General Fund Carryover Capital Funds Requests from FY2008
      $1,176,933.60
  $1,176,933.60
$1,176,933.60
BIDPA
 
 
21-495-995-0001
Web Page Upkeep
$3,310.00
$3,310.00
 
Total BIDPA (Fund 21)
$3,310.00
$3,310.00
$3,310.00
 
 
 
 
 
Sewer Fund
 
 
60-480-438-0000
CI -  Storm Drain Replacement
$34,764.40
$34,764.40
60-480-438-0001
CI - Sanitary Lilne Replacement
$90,000.00
$90,000.00
60-480-438-0002
CI - Roof Drain Corrections
$50,000.00
$50,000.00
60-480-438-0004
CI - Cost Replacement
$23,835.00
$23,835.00
60-480-438-0005
CI - Utility Mapping
$2,965.24
$2,965.24
60-480-438-0010
CI - WWTF Upgrade Phase II
$21,323.09
$21,323.09
 
Total Sewer (Fund 60)
$222,887.73
$222,887.73
$222,887.73
 
 
 
 
Total Carryover Capital Improvement Funds Requested (All Funds)
$1,405,187.33
$1,403,131.33
$1,403,131.33


This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Evans moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to remove the resolution from the table.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to amend the resolution with the following items:  
-       Add $37,475.00 to Anticipated Severance Account #01-420-708-0000
-       The total of Carryover Requests from Operating Budget changes to $37,475.00
-       Remove $3,312.65 form Girls Softball Dugouts Account #01-495-995-0706
-       Remove $10,000.00 from Nurses Office Ventilation Account #01-495-995-1005
-       Remove $7,500.00 from Fire Department New Alert Pager Account #01-495-995-1311
-       The total of Carryover Capital Funds Requests from FY-2008 changes to $791,373.38 and the General Fund Carryover Capital Funds Requests from FY'2008 is $1,176,933.60
-       The total Carryover Capital Improvement Funds Requested for All Funds now is $1,403,131.33
All votes in the affirmative, the motion passed and the resolution was amended.
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to have the resolution, as amended, read a second time by title only.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Evans moved with a second by Councilor McCue to pass the resolution, as amended.  Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the resolution now passed.

4.      Resolution  2008-27:  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.   (tabled 8/18/08)

Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows:
Whereas, the Fire Department's firefighter protective gear is in need of retiring due to the increase in response to multiple alarm fires over the past five years; and
Whereas, there is 55% funding available through the USDA Rural Development Grant Program for firefighter protective clothing; and
Whereas, the City is responsible for 45% ($22,345.00) of match money of which $17,550.00 is budgeted in the Fire Department's Capital Improvements; and
Whereas, the remaining $4,804.00 needed for matching funds is to be appropriated from Unappropriated Fund Balance.
Now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin that the City Manager is authorized to apply for and accept Twenty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred Ten Dollars ($27,310.00) and upon receipt, the grant is hereby appropriated to the Fire Department's Capital Improvement budget line 01-480-961-0018; the City Manager is authorized to do all things necessary to effectuate the grant.  Be it further resolved that Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Four Dollars ($4,804.00) from Unappropriated Fund Balance is hereby appropriated to the Fire Department's Capital Improvement budget line 01-480-961-0018.  This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.

Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to remove the resolution from the table.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to have the resolution read a second time by title only.  So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to pass the resolution.  Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the resolution now passed.

NEW BUSINESS

5.      Ordinance 2008-10: Chapter 6 Fire Prevention, Vacant Buildings - NO ACTION  

6.      Ordinance 2008-11: Chapter 18 Code Enforcement, Citation Penalties - NO ACTION

7.      Ordinance 2008-13:  Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Administration, Article III.  Boards, Committees and Commissions; and Article VI Administrative Code. (1st read)

Councilor Evans moved with a second by Councilor McCue to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on September 15, 2008.  So moved, the motion carried.

8.      Resolution 2008-28:  Regarding Standardization of Computer Procurement  (1st read)

Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on September 15, 2008.  So moved, the motion carried.

9.      City Manager's Report.
-       Green Street Phase II Project Hearing.  Well attended and most support Alternative 4E.
-       Retirement Litigation Fund. The LGC sent a communication in which they recommend the retirement litigation fund be held intact until legal issues are resolved.
-       Biomass Energy Resource Center Visit.  They are a non-profit agency devoted to promoting biomass heating districts.  They were in Berlin to discuss a potential for a downtown heating district.
-       NPDES Draft Permit Comments.  Berlin's WWTF, Fraser Papers for the Cascade Plant and the AVRRDD for the old Fraser WWTF are in the process of having its five year National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit renewed by the EPA.
-       Tire Collection Day.  Urged by the State House of Representatives through the adoption of a resolution encouraging municipalities to hold at least one free tire collection day per year.  Berlin currently has a process in place.
-       Western Avenue Paving.  Pike Industries submitted an $183,900 bid.  The contract depends on the allocation of segregated funds in tonight's resolution before any work can begin.
-       EPA Brownfields Visit.  Diane Kelley from USEPA and Keigh Dubois of NHDES toured the Notre Dame High School building, Dummer Yard, the Public Works Facility and Heritage Park Research Building to assist us in developing our approach to future sites.
-       Latest City Valuation.  Finance Director estimates our tax rate could drop from $30.07 to $29.96 based on the latest valuation.  The tax rate is set by the DRA in late September or early October.
-       Public Works Monthly Report.  Attached
-       City Manager Time Keeping.  Attached.
Councilor Goudreau commented that he read in the Public Works Report there were at least three instances where the PWD and BWW collaborated on projects.  That forward thinking is both encouraged and applauded.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept and file the City Manager's report. So moved, the motion carried.

10.     Public Comments:  No comments

11.     Council Comments:  No comments

12.     Mayor's Report   Proclamations: National Drug & Addiction Recovery Month September 2008:  Senior Center Month
1)      It was an honor to participate in the NH National Guard's Bosslift Program demonstration of the new artillery equipment that our local battalion will soon receive was an eye opener.
2)      Great turnout at the Route 110 Phase II public meeting.  The Mayor would like to continue to push for the 4E alternative which is the best fit for Berlin.
3)      The Mayor was honored to be able to present a "key to the City" to Mrs. Alma Langlois who turns 102 today.  
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept the Mayor's written report.  So moved, the motion carried.

13.     Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to adjourn the City Council Meeting.  So moved, Mayor Bertrand declared the regular meeting adjourned at approximately 9:14 p.m.

A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk