REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2009
Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 7:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.font-family:Arial;font-size:9pt;color:#000000;">Minutes, Previous Meetings
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to accept the minutes of the 2/16/09 WS; 2/16/09 Regular Meeting and 2/23/09 WS. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements:
It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 2/19/09 – 3/04/2009 total cash disbursement of $1,427,383.12 Draft #1586.strict Court Lease with the State Of New Hampshire. (1st read)
Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on March 17, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
3. 2009-9 Resolution Modifying income levels for elderly exemptions (1st read)
Councilor Goudreau had a question regarding the wording on the resolution in reference to “net income.” He would like an explanation on that aspect before the next meeting.
Councilor Donovan moved with a second by Councilor McCue to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on March 17, 2009. So moved, the motion carried.
4. City Manager’s Report. FY 09-10 Proposed Budget was submitted by the City Manager.
AVRRDD District Meeting. Wright-Pierce and the District’s Engineers reviewed the latest figures with the District Board. District Engineer Mike Crawford, was concerned that the City’s future capital cost undertakings might be difficult for the District to handle. The District Board voted 5-4 against going with the City’s WWTF.
Rt 110 Phase II Public Informational Meeting. March 19 at City Hall. All encouraged to attend.
Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. 250 in attendance for a strong showing of support.
Community Services Director. Laura Viger hospitalized due to health complications with her heart.
Stimulus Funding. Only municipalities with more than 35,000 people for one of the top ten population communities can apply directly to the US Department of Energy for stimulus funding. Berlin submitted three projects to the DES by the Friday deadline,
NHMA Membership Meeting. Canceled due to weather, rescheduled 3/11 in Concord at the LGC.
ATV Meeting/Snowmobile Tour. Meetings centered on ATV/snowmobile trail development in Berlin.
Census Meeting. Police Chief Morency and City Manager MacQueen met with a Census Bureau representative who presented them with contact information for employment opportunities.
Legislation. SB 99 authorizes auto dealers to register cars. Hearing in LOB 3/03/09 9:00 am.
HB 673 allows municipalities to withdraw from the NH Retirement System. Hearing in LOB 3/03/09 11:00 am
HB 644 increase gas tax over 3 years by 15 cents which would increase the highway block grant by approximately $300k.
State Budget Hearing. March 16, 6:00 pm at White Mtn. Regional High School in Whitefield.
Manager’s Time. Attached.
Regarding the proposed budget, Councilor Goudreau asked if it would be possible for the City Manager to speak to the School and Police Departments to give them a “warning shot” that they must bring their numbers down. We need out-of-the-box thinking which might mean consolidating jobs.
The City Manager replied that he did his part with all departments with his original communication asking all departments to make a 7.5% cut in their budgets. The only party to make it clear now is the Mayor and Council.
Councilor Donovan reminded Council that revenues that the Police Department pulls in are not reflected in their budget request.
Councilor Evans said he assumes outside funding is not reflected as well.
City Manager Macqueen added that all departments raise some revenues. Revenue Fund 30 has no impact on taxes. The School Department brings in the most revenue due to grants. Unless the budget is cut, taxes will go up. The expense side of the budget has a direct impact on the budget.
Councilor Goudreau remembers the City Manager stating that the city’s borrowing currently is low. Perhaps taking a loan to borrow for Capital Improvements is the answer that would keep taxes at the same rate.
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.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments
6. Council Comments:
Councilor McCue reminded all the next Planning Board Meeting is on March 12. He thanked the City Manager for his budget and the departments for setting the parameters. Councilor McCue is disappointed that the Schools and Police Department did not set realistic budget goals. He went on to thank the Mayor, Council and City Clerk for their kindness during his bereavement time.
Councilor Goudreau related that each week Council discusses many topics such as Bureau of Prisons, SAU, Stimulus Funding to name a few. As a new Council they have done a good job but he feels there is no follow up. The Ward Three Councilor would like to set up a tracking report to put their ideas into an action plan as a more effective approach to handle ongoing city business. As far as the Bureau of Prisons, Councilor Goudreau had heard that the prison officials already had made plans for the gym revision way before the Mayor and Council heard anything. He would like to send a letter to Concord to show the state that we will defend ourselves and should be taken seriously.
Councilor Lafleur agrees with that idea. He is sorry for Laura Viger’s health problems and suggested sending a gift. The Ward Two Councilor recognized the BHS Civics Class student who attended the meeting tonight. He also is disappointed that the two largest departments did not conform to the reduced budget request and concluded that all departments should contribute.
Councilor Donovan is a member of the Department of Corrections Committee and he also was not even aware of their plans to convert the gym. He plans to find out directly what is going on. He concurs that the state does not respect the City of Berlin whatsoever.
Councilor Donovan submitted and read a six page report to Council. To summarize the report, the Ward One Councilor wrote that although his attendance at Council Meetings has not been 100%, his dedication to his work on the Council for the betterment of the City of Berlin and its people has not gone unattended. Councilor Donovan highlighted his activities and initiatives for the Council and the City. The full report is available for public review at the City Clerk’s Office.
7. Mayor’s Report
Mayor Bertrand elaborated that at the AVRRDD Meeting, the four experienced board members voted to allow the AVRRDD to tap into the City’s Waste Water Treatment Facility while the five inexperienced small town members voted against that initiative so they can build their own facility. One observation the Mayor made was that the engineer estimates had not changed at all over 18 months which is unusual. Mayor Bertrand requested staff to get Council a copy of the non-public minutes of that meeting since they were not sealed. Regarding the budget, the Mayor encouraged Council to bone up on it since it is crunch time.
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.
8. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before Council at this time, Councilor Lafleur moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the public body itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine, or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant; and (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. Mayor Bertrand declared the Regular
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:50 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
Berlin City Clerk
| 
