PUBLIC HEARING – June 1, 2009
-Resolution 2009-22 Appropriating $17,466.74 of Grant Funds to the School Department.
Mayor Bertrand opened and called to order the duly advertised and scheduled public hearing to accept public comments at approximately 8:23 pm. There being no one wishing to speak for or against the subject matter, Mayor Bertrand closed the public hearing at approximately 8:24 p.m.
Moment of Silence for Raymond Chagnon.
Mayor Bertrand asked all to rise for a moment of silence in remembrance of former Ward Three City Councilor Raymond Chagnon.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JUNE 1, 2009
Mayor Bertrand called the regular City Council Meeting to order at approximately 8:25 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.~ The pledge of allegiance to the flag preceded roll call. Present: Councilors Remillard, Landry, McCue, Lafleur, Evans, Goudreau, Cayer and Poulin. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Pam Laflamme, Blandine Shallows, citizens, students and the press.
Minutes, Previous Meetings
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Evans to accept the minutes of the 05/18/09 WS and 5/18/09 Regular Meeting. So moved, the motion carried.
Disbursements:
It was recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims that all bills start date 5/21/09–6/03/2009 total cash disbursement of $1,500,230.21 Draft #1592.~ Councilor Goudreau moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to accept the disbursement summary and pay all bills as recommended by the Committee on Accounts/Claims. ~So moved, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Lorraine Leclerc, 556 Western Avenue, thanked the Mayor and Council for all their hard work. She has attended the last 5-7 meetings and cannot believe the Mayor and Council still have not made a decision on the Economic Development Director. It might be better if Berlin becomes a town so that the people can have a direct decision and would have more to say about that $25,000 salary. If the Economic Development Director is not here, Council should terminate this position.
Ralph Collins, 104 Seventh Street, has lived in Berlin all his life and members of his family served the city throughout the years. Mr. Collins put together a survey and consensus of how Berlin felt about Laidlaw: a) the survey of business folks in the Downtown area; b) A consensus or flavor of what the rest of some established business people were thinking about this subject of Laidlaw. He found out that a large majority of folks in the Downtown area are in support of the Laidlaw facility. The business folks, only a choice few, had reservations about the project. Their main concern was not on the mill site. They did not say that they were against having the project at all. In conclusion, Mr. Collins wants the Council to know that it is one thing to take a stand and be cautious but it’s another to take
sides on an issue and favor one business over another regardless of their contribution to the community of Berlin. He thanked Council for listening and hopes a working spirit exists to bring back pride to Berlin.
Ms. Remillard, discussed the 1203 Main Street no parking ordinance and told Council they went above and beyond to do whatever the city asked them to do to be in compliance to open a small take out restaurant. It has taken two years to get through the process and that is too long. The Planning Board went so far as to tell them what hours of operation they should have. The Pisani’s want flexibility to set their own business hours and do not want to be locked in since it is a commercial zone.
Councilor Goudreau responded to a previous statement about Berlin becoming a Town vs. a City. It would not work in Berlin since people do not attend meetings. There would be no one in attendance to make decisions.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Council Committee Reports. No Reports.
2. Resolution 2009-22 Amending the 2008-09 budget by revising Fund 10, School Department Federal Programs and appropriating additional grant funds to reflect the changes in the following table. (tabled 5/18/09) Resolved by the City Council of the City of Berlin as Follows:
Account # |
Account Description |
Budget |
Revised |
Difference |
~ |
|
|
|
~ |
10-405-239-0000 |
SCHOOL GRANTS/DONATIONS |
$ 94,275 |
$ 90,475 |
$ (3,800) |
10-405-240-0000 |
AV & VL ROY FOUNDATION |
$ 44,825 |
$ 35,000 |
$ (9,825) |
10-455-300-0000 |
E2T2 MINI - CONTRACTED SERVICES |
$ 77,615 |
$ 75,615 |
$ (2,000) |
10-457-300-0000 |
MATH IN NC CONTRACTED SERVICES |
$ 26,484 |
$ 10,086 |
$ (16,398) |
10-458-300-0000 |
SCIENCE GRANT NCES - CONTRACTED SVS |
$ 9,705 |
$ 38,416 |
$ 28,711 |
10-459-100-0000 |
21ST CENTURY - SALARIES |
$ 184,567 |
$ 192,241 |
$ 7,674 |
10-459-200-0000 |
21ST CENTURY - EMP BENEFITS |
$ 32,521 |
$ 28,763 |
$ (3,758) |
10-459-500-0000 |
21ST CENTURY - PURCHASED SERVICES |
$ 9,000 |
$ 6,930 |
$ (2,070) |
10-459-600-0000 |
21ST CENTURY - SUPPLIES |
$ 1,000 |
$ 560 |
$ (440) |
10-459-700-0000 |
21ST CENTURY - EQUIPMENT |
$ - |
$ 3,048 |
$ 3,048 |
10-463-600-0000 |
VOCATIONAL - SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS |
$ 15,512 |
$ 10,512 |
$ (5,000) |
10-463-700-0000 |
VOCATIONAL - PROPERTY |
$ 22,044 |
$ 15,234 |
$ (6,810) |
10-465-800-0000 |
DR ED - OTHER OBJECTS |
$ 12,450 |
$ 16,800 |
$ 4,350 |
10-467-600-0000 |
NFR - SUPPLIES & MATERIALS |
$ 12,608 |
$ 30,639 |
$ 18,031 |
10-468-200-0000 |
IDEA - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS |
$ 31,581 |
$ 31,438 |
$ (143) |
10-468-300-0000 |
IDEA - CONTRACTUAL SERVICES |
$ 163,636 |
$ 163,499 |
$ (137) |
10-469-100-0000 |
PRESCHOOL - SALARIES |
$ 8,917 |
$ 13,248 |
$ 4,331 |
10-469-200-0000 |
PRESCHOOL - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS |
$ 3,053 |
$ 4,756 |
$ 1,703 |
~ |
|
|
|
~ |
~ |
Total |
$ 749,793 |
$ 767,260 |
$ 17,467 |
This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
-Councilor Lafleur moved with a second by Councilor McCue 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 short 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 including Mayor Bertrand who declared the resolution now passed.
3. Ordinance 2009-05 Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15 Traffic & Vehicles, Article III. Stopping, Standing & Parking, Sec.15-69. Prohibited at all times in designated places (1203 Main St.) (tabled 5/04/09)
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Berlin, as follows: That Sec. 15-69. is hereby amended as depicted below.
Sec. 15-69. Prohibited at all times in designated places.
- When signs are erected, or other markings made, giving notice thereof, no person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any of the following streets or parts of streets longer than necessary to load or unload passengers or commodities:
Main Street, between the curb cuts of 1203 and 1207 Main Street; signage on the westerly side of Main Street in front of the business at 1203 Main Street is to indicate, "No Parking Between Signs”
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after passage.
-Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to remove the ordinance from the table at this time. Councilor McCue voted NO. So moved, the motion carried.
-Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to have the ordinance read a second time by short title only. So moved, the motion carried.
-Councilor Remillard moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to pass the ordinance. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes of Council including the Mayor with the exception of Councilor McCue who voted NO. Mayor Bertrand declared the ordinance now passed.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Resolution 2009-23 Adopting a budget and appropriating money to defray the expenses of Berlin’s city government for the fiscal year 2010. (first reading)
- Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Poulin to table the resolution until the June 15, 2009 City Council Meeting. So moved, the motion carried.
5. Resolution 2009-24 Authorizing an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a Two Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Dollar ($285,000.00) grant for the acquisition and demolition of dilapidated buildings. (first reading)
- Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Remillard to table the resolution and schedule a public hearing on June 15. So moved, the motion carried.
6. City Manager’s Report
Housing Coordinator Honored
At this year's Coos County Symposium, Andre Caron was honored as one of four Action Heroes for the County. He was interviewed about his work by City Planner, Pam Laflamme. Andre shared his story about leaving the area for the telecommunications industry and finding his way home after his retirement only to find himself with a new career. His recognition was well deserved.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Updates
On Thursday, staff will travel to Concord for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Award Recommendations meeting. It is anticipated that we and the other four communities will receive notice of funding at this meeting. The City has applied for approximately six million dollars in funding to work jointly with New England Family Housing.
Thursday will also be the day that the Federal Home Loan Bank comes to Berlin to meet with area banks along with New England Family Housing to discuss potential projects in which the Federal Home Loan Bank can participate in related to housing rehabilitation. This visit is a result of weeks of discussion between the Housing Coordinator and staff at the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Jericho Mountain Trail Building
NH Trails Bureau Chief Chris Gamache has indicated that there is a crew of about 30 prisoners working on trails at Jericho Mountain State Park. If they are able to maintain this level of effort for a good part of the summer, there should be a very significant addition to the current 50 mile of trails by the end of the year.
Pandemic Meeting at WMCC
This past week there was another meeting of the regional group headed by the Berlin Health Department reviewing the regional approach for dealing with a health type of pandemic event such as the swine flu. This review was held at the WMCC and had participants from the State, Lancaster, Colebrook Gorham as well as Berlin reviewing our regional emergency procedures. Laura Viger who has headed this overall planning effort was not able to attend. However, she was very ably represented by Paulette Frechette in the Health Department and Lt. Valliere from the Police Department.
Local Losses
We are all reeling from last weeks motorcycle tragedy which involved a City Public Works employee and his wife who was fatally injured in this shocking tragedy. Our hearts and thoughts are certainly with Donnie Hood and his family at this time.
Also we have all been very saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Raymond Chagnon who was a long-time City Councilor and great supporter and representative of the City of Berlin.
Bureau of Prisons
Cathi Licther, Activation Coordinator for the Federal Bureau of Prisons will be here in Berlin this week to meet with several groups throughout the City. She and NHWORKS will be holding a Job Information Seminar Wednesday evening at the Berlin Junior High School Auditorium. The seminar will start at 6PM and last until 8PM. Ms. Litcher will also be at Business Opportunity Luncheon at the White Mountain Community College to talk with local business people about what they can to do to prepare to do business with the Bureau of Prisons. She indicated that right now it looks like the Bureau of Prisons will start hiring staff next summer in 2010.
June Planning Board Meeting
Tomorrow evening in the auditorium here at City Hall, Laidlaw will make a presentation to the Planning Board about its proposed project here in Berlin. The board will also be reviewing a Site Plan application for the former Notre Dame High School from Dana Willis and James Tamposi as well as make a final decision on the Jericho Mountain Wind Company windmill proposal. The meeting starts at 6:30.
StoryCorps
StoryCorps has arrived here in Berlin. On Wednesday, they will open for the next month to record the personal stories of residents here in the North Country. They will start things off with an ice cream social on Wednesday June 3 at 4PM down at Veteran's Park. They will remain here until June 26.
June 4 is Drive in the 50’s
This Thursday is Drive in the 50's. We had hoped that we might be able to make progress on the actual removal of at least the standing wall in the burnt out structures. Unfortunately, that has not been able to materialize. There is still some possibility that something might happen on that prior to enforcement of the continuing 155B process. We will have to see on that.
Sewer User Committee Scheduled for June 22
The Sewer User Committee, which consists of the entire Council, is scheduled to hear requests for abatement on June 22. Citizens who requested abatements will be notified of the meeting by mail.
Tax Bills
Tax bills have gone out and are due July 1. This billing is based on last year’s tax rate and if there were to be a change in the rate, it would be reflected in the December billing.
Public Works Report - Attached.
Manager's Time Keeping Attached
Councilor Goudreau inquired if there were follow-up laws that would pre-empt federal laws where an ordinance could trump state law?
The City Manager replied that he has asked our City Attorney the same thing and the answer is no.
Councilor Goudreau 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 Public Comments.
8. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilor McCue was pleased that Mr. Chris Crooker resolved issues he had with the Police Department. On another matter, last week when he congratulated Stacia Roberge for her Rumors Boutique anniversary he failed to mention Maureen’s Boutique who recently completed a very nice renovation. These efforts to improve our downtown are appreciated and recognized. The Ward Two Councilor went on to thank the people who came forward to speak to Council tonight. He reminded everyone to attend the Drive in the 50’s event on Thursday, June 4.
Councilor Goudreau gave his condolences for Raymond Chagnon who was the Ward Three Councilor for many years. He had the privilege and honor of finishing Mr. Chagnon’s Council term.
Councilor Poulin appreciates Councilor McCue for the many extra services he provides. He was not slamming the Councilor when he talked about boards giving new businesses a hard time. It should be on the City Manager’s radar down to the departments when businesses come forward. If all watch, we can help the process and speed things up.
9. Mayor’s Report
Mayor Bertrand re-nominated Councilor Evans to the BIDPA Board and thanked Councilor Remillard for replacing him during his absence. Councilor Poulin moved with a second by Councilor McCue to accept the Mayor’s nomination. So moved, the motion carried.
10. Adjournment:
Councilor McCue moved with a second by Councilor Evans to adjourn the regular meeting and to go into Non-Public Session per RSA 91-A:2 (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed against the body or agency or any subdivision thereof, or against any member thereof because of his or her membership in such body or agency, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. Any application filed for tax abatement, pursuant to law, with any body or board shall not constitute a threatened or filed litigation against any body, board, or agency for the purposes of this subparagraph Litigation. Roll call resulted in unanimous affirmative votes. So moved, Mayor Bertrand declared the Regular Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:21 p.m.
A True Record, Attest:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
City Clerk
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