Work Session
January 26, 2009
Present were Mayor Bertrand, Councilors McCue, Lafleur, Remillard, Evans, Goudreau, and Cayer; Councilors Donovan and Poulin were absent. Others present were Beno Lamontagne, Andre Caron, Pamela Laflamme, Pete Morency, Rusty Gray and a group from North Woods Animal Rescue; Nick Manolis, Carl Weber and Rick Alpers representing Primex, media and public
Economic Development - Beno Lamontagne.
Mayor Bertrand introduced Mr. Lamontagne and noted that he was invited by Councilor Donovan. The Mayor stated that there is a perception of the State Department of Resource and Economic Development's (DRED) role in helping the City and the North Country through the struggle of the loss of jobs. He asked Mr. Lamontagne what he sees as DRED's role.
In response, Mr. Lamontagne indicated that he and DRED need to pay attention to the businesses that are here and to offer the State's help if needed. If there are financial issues, he tries to align partners such as BEDCO, EDA, CDFA, or NCIC. DRED tries to recruit businesses to come to Berlin with a recruiting team that goes throughout the U.S. and makes trips to Quebec as well.
Mayor Bertrand questioned whether the Canadian market is seen as having the best potential. Mr. Lamontagne noted that the door is already half open because they are our greatest trade partner. Canadians are happy to hear a presentation from NH representatives in their language
Council members asked if DRED will continue to be aggressive under the current fiscal crisis. Mr. Lamontagne said that DRED will have to find innovative ways to keep doing recruitment. PSNH plays a big role with recruitment missions and helps with financial issues.
Councilor Lafleur made the point that development does not seem to move northward; everything seems to stay centralized in the south. Mr. Lamontagne reported that Coos County is very much in the forefront with the Governor and with Commissioner Bald.
Councilor Remillard expressed that we haven't seen anything new. She went on to say that if incentives were offered to come here, companies would come. Mr. Lamontagne said that times are tough for every community. The Coos County tax credit offers $1,000 off business tax for every job created for five years.
Mayor Bertrand established that Berlin needs the tools to ensure our long term viability. Long term, it would behoove the State to give Berlin something to help us stand on our own two feet.
Councilor McCue asked Mr. Lamontagne to provide information regarding how many businesses have taken advantage of the Coos County tax credit? He asked Mr. Lamontagne to relay the message to the Governor that there is a dispute in the community about the Laidlaw project. Mr. Lamontagne noted that the Governor's Liaison to the North Country is Rich McCleod and it is likely that he could come and meet with the Council.
Mayor Bertrand noted that Berlin has two possible biomass projects and he asked, what role will DRED play? Mr. Lamontagne indicated that DRED will support whatever the city supports.
Councilor Cayer asked if there have been any successes from the trips to Quebec or elsewhere. He went on to ask if the money would be better used to help the businesses that are already here. Mr. Lamontagne reported that six companies have come to Coos County to visit and we patiently wait until they are ready to make a move.
Councilor Cayer asked, what more could the City do to make Berlin more attractive to businesses? Mr. Lamontagne responded that there is not a lot of building space or industrial park space to offer. He encouraged support for expanding the industrial park. He confirmed that most companies are looking for a building.
Councilor Goudreau acknowledged that there is 100 acres of land with 60 usable acres in the middle of the city and we could have used the State's help to acquire it. Mayor Bertrand explained that the City has secured the funding to do a Level II environmental assessment of the mill property and that has not been accepted by the company. Mr. Lamontagne offered the role of mediation for DRED to intercede.
Councilor McCue voiced his concern that he wants DRED to see Berlin for more than just industrial uses. The City has worked to diversity its economy and he wanted to be sure that people are getting the word that there are a lot of other economic drivers in Berlin.
Councilor Cayer mentioned the 20/20 Presentation that Norm Charest put together emphasizing recreational activities and power sports in the City. We have been working with the State on an ATV trail through the community. He mentioned that there are issues at the State level that would help us enhance the experience and get people to come back. One of these is to have reciprocating registrations with Maine, NH and Vermont so that riders could ride an ATV from State to State without being registered in each state.
Mr. Lamontagne promised to remain available and to bring this information back to Concord. He left the meeting at this time.
North Woods Animal Rescue
Councilor Evans reported that he was contacted by a group who would like to work with the Police Department on animal issues in the City. Chief Morency indicated that animal rescue is costly for the PD due to having to transport animals out of the city. He asked to be part of the meetings to be held to form this shelter for animals.
Mr. MacQueen noted that there is a need to have a plan for animals in our Emergency Action Plan. Andre Caron noted that vacated buildings often have abandoned animals in them.
Rusta Gray, President of North Woods Animal Rescue introduced members of the board as: Elaine Stone, Tootsie Belanger, Laurie Morin and others who were present at the meeting. The group has much of the process in place for starting a shelter for cats. They would expand to dogs upon having the proper accommodations. They are working on a preliminary business plan and once they have the plan in place, they can then apply for grants. They are trying to locate a building to serve as a shelter.
Councilor Remillard asked how much space is needed. Ms. Gray stated that she can work with what is available; however the ideal space would be a good size that offers office space, laundry facilities and room for segregating animals when necessary. The group won't put pets up for adoption unless they have been spayed or neutered.
Councilor Lafleur asked what is needed from the city to do this. Ms. Gray indicated that they need money and a place to start. The group has been fundraising. There are grants available to buy a building and renovate. They have received great cooperation from the police department. Ms. Gray stated that the group wants to be a part of the community offering education on pet care, rabies clinics, taking cats to nursing homes, microchipping, and any other pet assistance.
Councilor Cayer made the point that there should also be an exit plan so that if the shelter gets established, then the volunteers leave and it has to close, we know how to get out.
Mayor Bertrand indicated that he appreciates the show of support and asked that Ms. Gray to contact the City Manager for help with finding a suitable location.
Draft Resolution Proposal for Use of Additional Grant Funds for IT
Andre Caron explained that during the RCDI grant process, it was well documented that the City had some issues with IT. The granting agency was contacted to get permission to use leftover grant funds to improve IT and seeing that there was $34,000 of IT in the City's CIP to use as match, the additional funds were granted. Funding will allow the City to continue with mapping and other IT improvements. A resolution to appropriate the additional funds will be introduced at the next meeting.
Primex for Proposal City Manager Search
Mayor Bertrand explained that the City has contracted with MRI to provide City Manager services since 2002 and some members of the Council believe we could save money by hiring directly. Nick Manolis, Carl Weber and Rick Alpers representing Primex, were present to explain how the public management pool could help with the recruitment process to hire a new manager.
Primex's role is to mitigate as much risk as possible and having the best hires possible helps members avoid risk. Mr. Manolis explained that Primex would first find out what the Council is seeking in the next city manager and then prepare for what the transition would look like.
Mr. Weber stated that their process takes a community through preparation; recruitment; selection and transition. Primex can help with the entire process or any part that the Council chooses. Primex uses a behavioral assessment tool and considers what behaviors the Council is seeking with the new management.
Primex officials made it clear that there is no cost to the City for this service with the exception of travel for candidates coming from out of town.
Councilor Goudreau indicated that he agreed and voted to talk about the process; however he likes the current City Manager who has a vast amount of experience and he can't support changing managers unless it is for someone with similar qualifications. Councilor Goudreau questioned the cost of a professional and Mr. Manolis explained that salaries vary greatly and at this time Franklin's manager is the lowest paid at $80,000. He added that replacing someone with Pat's background will be the daunting task. Councilor Goudreau confirmed with Primex that a new manager would likely have a salary of at least $125,000 to $130,000 with a benefit package over 30% of that amount.
Councilor McCue stated that he likes the approach with risk management; he added that not everyone is convinced that a new manager is necessary. He asked if that decision could be worked on with Primex's help and Mr. Manolis affirmed the company's willingness to facilitate whatever is needed.
Mayor Bertrand thanked the Primex representatives for their time and they left the meeting at this time.
Support for Northern Border Regional Commission
Mr. MacQueen stated that the Northern Border Regional Commission is trying to get significant funding from the federal government through sustainability funding for Maine, NH, VT and northern NY. They have asked that the City send a letter to its delegation in support of the funding.
Councilor Lafleur moved to proceed with the letter in support of the request for funding from the Northern Boarder Regional Commission; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Councilor McCue stated that NHMA is having a membership meeting Friday, January 30 at 9:30 in Concord. Each member municipality has a vote and he asked that the Council appoint him as the City's voting delegate. The Municipal Advocacy Committee has information about the gas tax and he will report the information he gathers to the Council at the next meeting.
Councilor Goudreau moved to appoint Councilor McCue as the City's voting delegate for the upcoming NHMA meeting; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Evans wished everyone Happy Chinese New Year. This is the year of the Ox which stands for hard work and consistency.
Non Public Session
Councilor Lafleur moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A3II (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; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Lafleur moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor McCue moved to seal the minutes of the non-public session as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Evans moved to adjourn; Councilor Cayer seconded and the motion carried.
The meeting ended at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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