REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009
Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 9:14 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.ont-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Minutes, Previous Meetings
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to accept the minutes of the 12/15/08 WS; 12/15/08 Regular Meeting. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements:
It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 12/18/08 – 1/07/2009 total cash disbursement of $2,131,323.93 Draft #1582.tion Agreement for one (1) year through June 30, 2010.
Whereas, the City of Berlin further agrees to the following conditions as part of the ExTRA Program:
1. During the remainder of the current plan year (now through June 30, 2009), to have Primex3Health conduct BOTH “The Prescription Advantage: Small Decisions, Large Savings” AND the “Employee Assistance Program: Your Partner in Life Management” workshop for their employees; and
2. During the July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 plan year, to have Primex3Health conduct workshops for their employees in AT LEAST TWO of the following areas:
a. Health Care Consumerism
b. Heart Health / Disease
c. Musculoskeletal-Related Injuries and Diseases
Be it resolved: To hereby accept the offer of the New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange (Primex3) to reduce their Health Not-to-Exceed (NTE) percentage by 2% through participation in their Primex3Health ExTRA Discount Program as of the date of the adoption of this resolution, and to be contractually bound to all of the terms and conditions of Primex3 risk management pool membership during the term of the Primex3Health ExTRA Discount Program. The coverage provided by Primex3Health in each year of membership shall be as then set forth in the Coverage Documents of Primex3. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Donovan to remove the resolution from the table at this time. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to have the resolution read a second time by title only. So moved, the motion carried.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to pass the resolution. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including Mayor Bertrand who declared the resolution now passed.
NEW BUSINESS
3. 2009-01 Ordinance: Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2 Administration, Article III. Boards, Committees and Commissions by adding a new Division 8 titled Trustees of Trust Funds. (1st read)
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to table the ordinance and schedule a public hearing on January 19, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
4. 2009-01 Resolution: Authorizing application to the NH Community Finance Development Authority (NHCDFA) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) for up to Two Million, Seven Hundred Sixty Thousand, Eight Hundred Ninety-Three Dollars ($2,760,893.00) grant to stabilize neighborhoods affected by high foreclosure rates and sub-prime mortgage related problems. (1st read)
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on January 19, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
4a 2009-02 Resolution: Authorizing the City Manager, on behalf of the Berlin Recreation & Parks Department, to apply for and receive funding in the amount of $20,000.00 from the Land & Water Conservation Fund, Grant Round 23, for the purpose of creating a boat launch at the Rotary Park in Berlin, NH. (1st read)
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on January 19, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
5. Truck Route Memo from the City Manager
City Manager MacQueen informed Council that the completion of the Green Street Bridge raises the issue of where Berlin’s truck routes are supposed to be. Mr. MacQueen requests that the Mayor and Council refer this issue to the Safety Committee for their consideration and recommendations.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor McCue to refer the matter to the Safety Committee for further review. So moved, the motion carried.
6. City Manager’s Report.
City Planner selected by the Business NH Magazine as one of NH’s 25 Leaders of the Future
Court Orders resulting from 155B orders. New State Law allows the City to lien other properties in NH if the property owner owns other properties in NH.
NHDOT RT 110 Phase II Historic Meeting in Concord. The City Planner and City Manager attended a meeting with the State and Federal Historic people in Concord. They ranked the impact that each historic property had on the area. Pam will also attend the next meeting.
Leadership North Country. For the last five years, the City Manager has participated in these sessions. The topic this year was how various levels of government work.
Laidlaw Purchase. Former mill property from North American Dismantling finalized.
Roger Brooks Presentation. The final NH Grands presentation was done. The final plan will be provided to the country this month.
PT Building Inspector. Interviews were conducted but due to anticipated budget issues, the position will not be filled until we are further into the budget process.
Skateboard Park Improvements. Laura Viger sent a memo detailing improvements that were made to improve the skateboard park at Community Field after complaints were received from a young skater. The young man wrote a note of appreciation in our local paper.
ATV Meeting. NH Trails Chief, Chris Gamache, met with staff and Councilor Cayer to discuss the ATV trails and a link across town from Jericho to Success.
Rene Gagnon Retires. March 6, 2009 after 40 years of Public Works Department service.
School Donation to PWD. A surplus Bridgeport machine tool and a metal lathe were given.
Engineering RFQ. For engineering firm assistance to get some of our CIP projects to a point that we could put them out to bid in case federal stimulus funding becomes available this year.
Time Warner Cable Franchise Fee. Remains at the 3% they pay the city each year.
Public Works Report. Available at City Manager’s Office
City Manager’s Time Keeping. Available at City Manager’s Office
Councilor Donovan wants to send a letter from the Mayor and Council congratulating the City Planner for being selected as one of NH’s 25 Leaders for the Future. He also suggests making a plaque recognizing her accomplishment to present to City Planner Laflamme at the January 19 meeting.
Regarding the Laidlaw issue, Councilor Donovan says it is on record that the Mayor and Council voted for non-support of that sale. It seems outside forces are working against the City of Berlin. Clean Power has worked with the City but Laidlaw has not. He heard about a list of supporters and would like to see that list. Councilor Donovan asked the Council to support getting something first before it goes to the Planning or Zoning Boards regarding the former mil site.
Mayor Bertrand answered he has seen the list and it contains 500 or so signatures. On another matter, he mentioned that Lewiston, Maine has a great skateboard park to offer its citizens.
Councilor Evans asked the City Manager if he heard the Laidlaw news from Laidlaw themselves or did he just read it in the press release. City Manager MacQueen replied he read the news.
Mayor Bertrand added he received a phone call from Charlie Bass who personally gave him the Laidlaw info.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the City Manager’s report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
7. Public Comments: No comments
8. Council Comments:
Councilor McCue said it has been one year since the Planning Board approved the minor subdivision and mentioned his concern that we are stuck with the boiler and stack. He is both disappointed and concerned that they are going to just sit there. Councilor McCue said their presence is impeding economic development not only in the City of Berlin but it also affects the region.
Councilor Goudreau is also disappointed about the Laidlaw sale. He supports Councilor Donovan in asking to see documentation before any goes to Planning and Zoning. Councilor Goudreau wants to take a strong enforcement approach with Laidlaw which means nailing them with fines the minute they do not comply with the rules. He is personally close-minded on this project and agrees it is impeding economic development. Bottom line is that Laidlaw is not wanted here.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Goudreau to have a resolution that any correspondence sent to any board regarding the former mill property be sent first hand to the Mayor and City Council to be seen up-front before any type of decision is made.
Discussion: Councilor McCue reminded Council that he is on the Planning Board and the City Planner can and will send any information to the Mayor and Council. He cannot speak for the Zoning Board and what they would do. He sees no need for a resolution.
The motion on the floor was voted upon by a general vote of Council with all votes in the affirmative, the exception being Councilors McCue and Lafleur who both voted NO. So moved, the motion carried.
9. Mayor’s Report
The Mayor had no written report but did comment that he also was disappointed about the Laidlaw purchase of the former mill site.
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to accept the Mayor’s oral report and place it on file. So moved, the motion carried.
10. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before Council at this time, Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor McCue to adjourn the regular meeting. So moved, the meeting ended at approximately 9:53 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
| 
