Work Session
September 2, 2008
Mayor Bertrand opened the Work Session in the City Council Executive Chambers of City Hall at approximately 6:30 p.m. Present were Councilors Remillard, McCue, Lafleur, Evans and Goudreau. Councilors Donovan, Cayer and Poulin were absent. Also present: Laura Viger, Blandine Shallow, Andre Caron, Fire Chief Trull, Chris Dwinal and the press.
Proposed Ordinance Establishing the Home Health Professional Advisory Board.
Community Services Director, Laura Viger, informed that two items were brought up during their Medicare Audit. First, is the need for professional advisors and Tow is the need for evaluations of programs. The current ordinance needs more clarity to meet Federal Government compliance standards. A Home Health Advisory Board will be developed and propose new language which is straightforward will be added. The Health Division Manager Job description will have a clear definition of who administers the Home Health Department.
Mayor Bertrand suggests that #9 should reference the Board to tie it in more. Other than that, the rest is ok.
Laura will prepare those changes to the ordinance for the next meeting.
Proposed Vacant Buildings Ordinance.
Fire Chief Trull explained that he looked up the definition of vacant building which states “unoccupied, idle or used for storage.” He went on to say that the purpose of this ordinance is to protect Fire Department personnel.
Councilor Remillard challenged if this included blighted premises because there could be a fine line of difference between the two. She also asked if any work has been done to create a board.
Andre Caron replied that the board is put together except for a local contractor. Once they have all members of the tentative board the names will be given to the Mayor for nominations.
Chief Trull recommends Sec. 6-121 to follow regulations as adopted in Chapter 8 of the Housing Code since it is vital to reference that section and how it got there.
Councilor Evans inquired what the purpose of the filing fees is.
Chief Trull replied it is necessary to cover the cost of doing inspections.
Councilor Remillard remarked that people should not have to pay $150.00 just to register a vacant building. Once a plan is given to the department then after an inspection, a fee can be charged.
Chief Trull disagrees since they would always have to play catch-up and chase the owners if they did not charge the fee up front.
Councilor Lafleur thinks they should at least get the money up front.
Councilor Remillard said people would register sooner if they did not have to pay. If they are forced to pay up front, no one will come forward to register.
Mayor Bertrand asked what incentive they would have to come forward to register and pay the $150.00.
Councilor Goudreau would like the distinction stated between vacant vs. blighted. He feels the only time someone should register is if the building is vacant and blighted.
Chief Trull reiterated that the original intent is to allow the department to enter and mark what the contents are if any to keep the Fire Department personnel safe.
City Manager MacQueen said any reference to vacant should also include the word blighted.
The Mayor asked if they should hold off on this ordinance until further clarification is added.
Councilor McCue is concerned about the Housing Board of Appeals and if their decisions can be final without any judicial review and should they get an opinion on land use items.
There was some discussion about removing heating fuels from tanks and the costs associated with that process. Both Councilors Goudreau and Remillard agreed there would be no benefit to that process.
Chief Trull strongly emphasized the dangers associated with heating fuel left in tanks within a vacant building due to the fact that a recent fire was started with such a fuel.
Councilor Goudreau has been in the banking business 32 years and never had the restriction to empty fuel from the tank.
Chief Trull defended that fuel tanks are volatile and account for 90% of arson fires.
Andre Caron said we have to do what the City of Berlin thinks is best for us because banks don’t care. We need to enforce and press to make sure our stipulations are not ignored by the bank.
Councilor Goudreau’s only concern is that the average citizen should not be penalized. He understands the safety issue, but you don’t want to make a bank foreclosure any worse.
Proposed Resolution Establishing Standardization for Computer Equipment
Andre Caron, Housing Coordinator, stressed the need for all city departments to be on the same level and should have the same level of security as the Police Department. The idea is to shop for the best price and get a standardized platform. He is requesting permission to waive the bid process to be able to buy in bulk with Dell.
Councilor Evans suggested the possibility of adding a sunset clause specifying that they will renew the process every 3-5 years to get the best deals available.
Andre will adapt the new language for Council consideration for the next meeting.
Bureau of Prisons Sewer Discussions
Laurie Williams, Contracting Officer of Construction Contacting Section for the Federal Bureau of Prisons wrote to the City requesting that the City of Berlin submit a best and final offer to provide sewer service to the prison by September 2. The letter also specified that the proposal should include a total price for Option I and Option II.
Chris Dwinal, Wright-Pierce, commented that there is not enough information to give the ok for Option 2 which would be of no benefit to the City. After a lengthy discussion regarding the pros and cons of either option, the Mayor and Council agreed that they should not back down from their original $10,880,000.00 proposal. There are just too many unknowns and Council is not comfortable with Option II.
Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Evans to stand firm with the original offer of $10,880,000.00. All votes were in the affirmative. So moved, the motion passed.
Chris will contact Laurie to make sure she received the communication.
Legislative Policies
Council briefly reviewed the pending legislative policies. The following proposals were agreed upon:
Veteran tax credit – support
Highway Trust Fund – to be discussed
Methadone Clinics – support
Default Budget – N/A
Water Withdrawal authority - support
The final discussion and decision will be made at the next Work Session for a final wrap up.
Other: Caron Building Center planting issue
The City Manager gave the Mayor and Council a sample letter that he will send to Mike Caron assuring him that the City will maintain 22 cedar trees along the right-of-way on Union Street from year to year and will not let them reach a height higher than 6 feet.
Councilor Goudreau asked about their snow issue and Councilor Remillard replied that Caron’s is aware that snow is their issue.
Councilor McCue added that the first year of maintenance will be done by the landscape company and the flowers on Glen Avenue cost the City about $100 per week to maintain. City Manager MacQueen agreed there is a maintenance cost but it is well worth it.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to send a letter to Mike Caron regarding details in the City Manager’s sample letter. So moved, the motion carried.
Adjourn There being no further business, Mayor Bertrand closed the Work Session at approximately 8:43 p.m.
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