PUBLIC HEARING – October 6, 2008
Resolution 2008-29 Authorizing Grant Funds
Resolution 2008-30 Authorizing the Sale of Land on Route 110 to Berlin Falls Realty
Mayor Bertrand called the Public Hearing to order at approximately 7:31 p.m. to receive public input on the above noted resolutions. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the resolutions at this time, the Mayor closed the public hearing at approximately 7:32 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008
Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall."+0" color="#000000" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">That the following grants, accepted in Fiscal Year 2008 shall be appropriated to Fiscal Year 2009.
Revenue Acct. Description Grant Funds Re-appropriated Totals
Fund 01- School Dept.
01-346-401-0010 Coos County Tuition $ 3,991.53
Total Fund 01- School Dept. $3,991.53
Fund 10 – School Dept.
10-305-240-0000 AV Roy Grant $ 9,825.20
10-312-239-0000 Math in NC 85191 14,000.41
10-347-301-0025 Perkins Grant 85015 11,809.65
10-305-239-0000 Reducing the Risk 4,800.00
Total Fund 10 – School Dept. $40,435.26
Fund 30 – Grant Fund
30-361-604-0017 Hazard Mitigation Grant $ 154.00
30-361.604.0019 Public Health Community Initiative 2,661.64
30-361-604-0020 NC Health consortium Pandemic Plan. 860.00
30-361-604-0021 Pandemic Acute Care Center Supplies 3,850.00
30-361-604-0024 Home Care Association 675.00
30-365-602-0003 Fire Dept. – Wal-Mart Donation 1,550.69
30-365-602-0005 Jefferson Firemen’s Gold Tournament 500.00
30-365-603-6000 Glen Avenue Revitalization 5,314.12
30-366-603-6002 Planning – DRED Grant 22,500.00
30-366-603-6003 Tillotson Grant/Master Plan 38,999.00
30-366-603-6004 NH Charitable Found.- Master Plan 10,000.00
30-366-603-7000 Glen Avenue Flowers 30.00
30-373-705-0000 City Hall Wellness Grant 2,317.62
Total Fund 30 – Grant Fund 89,412.90
Total Grants to be e-appropriated $133,839.69
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to read the resolution a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to pass the resolution. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the resolution now passed.
3. Resolution 2008-30: Authorizing the sale of approximately 302 acres of land consisting of two adjacent parcels (Map 402, Lot 24 -205 acres; and Map 402, Lot 27 – 97 acres) of BIDPA land on Route 110 in Berlin (tabled 9/15/08)
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as follows:
Whereas, BIDPA on behalf of the City of Berlin, owns two adjacent parcels of land on Route 110in Berlin totaling approximately 302 acres (Map 402, Lot 24, 205 acres and Map 402, Lot 27, 97 acres); and
Whereas, Berlin Falls Realty has offered to purchase the two parcels of land (as is) for $302,000; and
Whereas, it has been determined that this land is not suitable for industrial development which was the purpose of its original acquisition, and therefore the public interest is best served by this sale; and
Whereas, in March of 2008, BIDPA received bids for these two parcels and the high bid was $250,000; and
Whereas, BIDPA has determined that the purchase price offered of $302,000 constitutes fair value for the land; and
Whereas, all proceeds form the sale will accrue to the BIDPA enterprise fund. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the City of Berlin that they hereby authorize the sale of the two parcels of BIDPA land (Map 402, Lot 24, 205 acres and Map 402, Lot 27, 97 acres) for the agreed upon amount of $302,000 to Berlin Falls Realty. Be it further resolved that the City Manager is hereby authorized to proceed with the sale of the two parcels on the condition that the purchaser pays all costs associated with the closing and transfer of the parcels, and further that the City Manager is hereby authorized to transfer by quitclaim deed the two parcels to Berlin Falls Realty on payment of the agreed amount of $302,000.00. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after
passage.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to remove the resolution from the table. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor McCue to amend the resolution, second paragraph, to change Berlin Mills Realty to Berlin Falls Realty. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor McCue to read the resolution, as amended, a second time by short title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to pass the resolution, as amended. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the resolution, as amended, now passed.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Ordinance 2008-10: Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Fire Prevention and Protection, Article III Standards by Adding a New Division 4,Blighted Vacant Buildings (1st read) Due to the length of this ordinance, the short title only was read publicly.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on October 20 and to make it known that the full text of the proposed ordinance is available for public review in the City Clerk’s Office and electronically on the City’s web site. So moved, the motion carried. Noted: Councilor Cayer voted NO.
5. Ordinance 2008-11: Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18 Code Enforcement, Article II Code Enforcement by adding the following new items to the table in Section 18-20, Citation Penalties (1st read)
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on October 20. So moved, the motion carried. Noted: Councilor Cayer voted NO.
6. Resolution 2008-31: Appropriating $169,638.00 to the School Department’s Fiscal Year 2009 Budget from Unappropriated Fund Balance to the Capital Items Described Below. (1st read)
Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to table the Resolution and schedule a public hearing on October 20. So moved, the motion carried.
7. Resolution 2008-32: Authorizing the City of Berlin through the Planning Department and Berlin Industrial Development & Park Authority (BIDPA) to apply along with the Berlin Waterworks (BWW) to the NH Department of Environmental Services for funds in the amount on Nineteen Thousand, Nine Hundred Seventy-Seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($19,977.50) to perform a study that will re-delineate the aquifer and wellhead protection area of the Brown’s Farm Well in the area of the Maynesboro Industrial Park. (1st read)
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on October 20. So moved, the motion carried.
8. Parking Restriction Request for the Building Blocks Daycare Center at their 714 First Avenue address.
Elizabeth Amato, owner of the Building Blocks Daycare Center at 714 First Avenue, is requesting a sign that indicates drop off and pick up only or parking for childcare during operating hours Monday–Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. due to safety concerns for her patrons and their families.
Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to remand the matter to the Safety Committee for further review. So moved, the motion carried.
9. City Manager’s Report.
- Fire Alarm System Problems. Old system by the electrical contractor found the problems and got the system back up.
- Fire Department Floor. Installed on the entire ground floor at a cost of $29,000.
- Firefighter Award Ceremony. In Concord to honor the firefighters who saved lives at the January 2007 Main Street Fire.
- Public Works Projects. Western Avenue paving is done. Willard Street between Emery and Hillside complete with new water lines, repaired drain pipes, new sidewalks and new street base and finish coat. Monthly report attached.
- Riverfire. Thanks to Laure Viger and all involved for making this a great success again this year.
- Airport Equipment Building Notice to Proceed. Given to Couture Construction to begin work on the new equipment building which is to be completed by the New Year.
- NADC/Eastern American Properties Tax Appeal. City Attorney Chris Boldt and Appraiser Skip Sansoucy will represent the City.
- Roger Brooks Branding Presentation. At the White Mountain Regional High School in Whitefield on Tuesday, October 14, 6:00 pm.
- Guardian Angel Credit Union Ribbon Cutting. October 9 at 11:00 a.m. is a great addition to the City’s East Side.
-Liberty Tree Ceremony. October 13, 5:30 p.m. at the Community Playground Unity and Mason Street. Tyler Couture, to earn his Eagle Scout Badge, will plant an American Liberty Elm with a commemorative plaque. All are invited to attend.
- Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. October 15 at the AVH Lecture Room.
- Election Day Parking. The PD will restrict parking around the voting locations to assist with the voting process.
- LGC Items. Final Legislative Bulleting available. LGC conference is November 12-14 in Manchester.
- Manager’s Timekeeping attached.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to accept the City Manager’s report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
10. Public Comments:
Jan Millis, 118 Mt. Forist Street, Program Director of the Project Youth Afterschool Program informed Council the program is going strong and they now have Gorham coming to Berlin to participate. This is the fifth year of their five year grant and they plan to write another RFP to keep this worthwhile community program Ms. Millis invited the Mayor and Council to attend the annual Lights On ceremony on October 16 at the Veteran’s Memorial Park from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
11. Council Comments:
- Councilor Lafleur thanked all who worked to bring this year’s Riverfire together and he thanked the public for their attendance.
- Councilor Goudreau spoke about an article he read where an out of work contractor had an idea to create “Dig This” in his community and it is a tremendous success. The point Councilor Goudreau wanted to make is that there is a lot of activity in some of the surrounding communities. He believes we can capitalize on that activity and would like to have the City sponsor a conference with business leaders to throw out ideas to get a major business to locate here. The opportunities are here; we just need the right contract and the right company and offer them a business plan.
- Councilor Donovan would like to discuss the idea of hiring an Economic Development Coordinator at the next work session. On another matter, he then moved with a second by Councilor Lafleur to send a letter of support for the NHDES Grant for the aquifer. So moved, the motion carried.
- Councilor Poulin concurs with Councilor Goudreau that economic development should go along with our business entrepreneurs. We currently are not tapping into our available business resources. On another matter, Councilor Poulin requested that the flag pole at the Community Park be repaired or painted before the Liberty Tree Ceremony next week.
- Councilor McCue added that Council must be ready to change attitudes of local officials and lots of in-house work is needed.
- Councilor Donovan stressed that the Mayor and Council are the ones who set policies and not the other way around.
12. Mayor’s Report
- Proclamation: Lights on After School.
- Resignation: James Wagner from the Police Commission. Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to send Mr. Wagner a letter of appreciation for the time he served on the Police Commission. So moved, the motion carried. Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept Mr. Wagner’s resignation, with regret. So moved, the motion carried.
13. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before Council at this time, Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to adjourn the regular meeting and go into Non-meeting per RSA 91-A:2, I (b) Collective Bargaining. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the regular meeting adjourned at approximately 8:39 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
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