CITY COUNCIL Work Session
September 15, 2008 - 6:30 p.m.
Present were: Mayor Bertrand, Councilors Lafleur, McCue, Remillard, Poulin, Evans, Goudreau, and Cayer; absent was Councilor Donovan. Others present included Chief Trull, Laura Viger, Blandine Shallow, Pamela Laflamme, Norm Charest, George Stanley, press and public.
Mayor Bertrand opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Request for Farmer's Market
The City received a written request from Mr. George Stanley to operate a Farmer's Market in the City. The Council was being asked what the requirements are and does the Council grant permission to hold the market on city property? Ms. Viger indicated that, in anticipation of this discussion she did some research about additional responsibilities a Farmer's Market may bring with regard to inspection. She found that selling produce does not require inspections; however food made in the home would require her to inspect. The State has criteria that would have to be followed such as applying for a registration with the Department of Agriculture and filing a W-9.
Ms. Viger suggested Rotary Park as a venue. Mr. MacQueen noted that a Farmer's Market can be a great thing for any community. Mr. Stanley is asking to use the city parking lot near the Salvation Army and is asking the City to give up a certain number of spaces and a decision would have to be made on whether or not to charge for the space. Council Goudreau stated that he is not so quick to recommend Rotary Park as this would increase vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the area and the residents may not appreciate it.
Mr. Stanley commented that he appreciates the feedback. He went on to say that his understanding is that crafts and entertainment are allowed at Farmer's Markets. This could be a boom to tourism and the site near the Salvation Army is highly visible and there is a lot of traffic. Mayor Bertrand recommended more detail on the layout of the market and asked for an established perimeter of what will be sold.
Councilor Goudreau moved to table the request until a structured plan and all necessary permitting is in place; Councilor Lafleur seconded and the motion carried. Mayor Bertrand commented that a safety concern for Rotary Park would be cars parking along Riverside Drive and people crossing in the street. Mr. Stanley closed by saying that he would sell what is allowed under the rules and he won't violate the rules.
Vacant Blighted Buildings - Chief Trull
Changes from the last time the ordinance was presented have been underlined and most refer to adding "blighted" to the reference to vacant buildings. Councilor Remillard stated that she is still not in agreement with charging an owner $150 when they register; she felt the fee should come in when a plan is submitted.
Councilor Evans thought that a streamlined process should take place with the Fire Chief giving blighted vacant building owners a plan and if they don't follow that plan, then enforcement would take place. Mr. MacQueen noted that the inspections or enforcement have a citation process and that is not meant to be complicated but meant to stand up in court.
Chief Trull reasoned that the process outlined is a recommendation from the International Association of Arson Investigators and it is the backbone for the 155-B process. The National Fire Code has strict recommendations to follow and they are part of the 155-B process that will ultimately be followed.
Councilor Goudreau stated that the ordinance would have the impact of increasing the cost of foreclosures by mandating the removal of combustibles and removing oil from the tanks. If this ordinance is too stringent, banks may just let the properties go.
Councilor Poulin suggested the registration fee at $50 and if the building is not registered, the citation would be $100 or $200 giving people incentive to register at the lower cost.
Councilor Cayer stated that the property owners he's spoken to are against this. Councilor Poulin voiced that in a perfect world, blighted buildings would be taken care of by caring property owners. The reality is that good people who take care of their homes are stuck near a building that is vacant and blighted. Councilor Lafleur maintained that the Council's responsibility is to do what is in the best interest of the citizens of Berlin. We need to protect people and neighbors who want to maintain their properties.
Mr. MacQueen explained that this is only a tool to help with landlords who would rather do nothing than do something. Mayor Bertrand added that there is a need to protect firefighters who are called upon to fight fires in these vacant blighted structures.
A straw poll on whether to have the first reading of this ordinance resulted in a 4/4 tie. Mayor Bertrand suggested having the first reading so that the Council can hear from the public.
Grants Appropriation Resolution
Mr. MacQueen reported that such a resolution is brought forward each year to bring grant monies that have yet to be spent into the current fiscal year. Mayor Bertrand clarified that there are no tax payer dollars for flowers or maintenance of flowers on Glen Avenue.
Communication from AVRRDD
Mr. MacQueen reported that the City has been in discussion with the AVRRDD to see if the City's Waste Water Treatment Plant can treat leachate from the landfill. There is nothing to prevent us from moving forward and we would go ahead unless the Council feels otherwise. Councilor Goudreau moved to direct staff to respond to the District and notify Wright Pierce that the City is willing to continue; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried.
Economic Development - Norm Charest
Norm Charest suggested that the Mayor and City Council consider hiring a facilitator to develop a vision for where the city is going and what it is going to be post mill. He asked where the time is on the Council's agenda dedicated to the future. He recommend that time be allocated at the beginning of meetings to develop a plan for the future.
Councilor Poulin noted that as the economic development director, Mr. Charest should be bringing the ideas to the Council so that they can be part of the process. Councilor McCue established that linking east side and west side ATV trails is a project the city needs to get involved with.
Mr. Charest assured the Council that he does his best to sell the city. He stated that leadership and vision would trigger investment. Mayor Bertrand established that the September 29th work session would be dedicated to economic development.
Vacant Blighted Building Ordinance
Councilor Goudreau urged the Council to delay the first reading of the vacant blighted building ordinance because he did not feel there would be the support to move forward. Councilor McCue asked that Council members get their concerns addressed by staff so that the next time it comes up there is a first reading.
Non- Public Session
Councilor McCue moved with a second from Councilor Lafleur to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3(d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community; so moved, the motion carried unanimous by roll call
Councilor Lafleur moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor McCue moved to seal the minutes as revealing would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilor McCue moved to adjourn; Councilor Goudreau seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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