Work Session
June 21, 2010
Present were Mayor Grenier, Councilors Evans, Remillard, McCue, Danderson, Rozek, Landry and Cayer; Councilor Poulin was absent.
Others presents included Nancy Clark from the Glen Group, Cliff Savage, members of the ATV Club, Mark Belanger, Diana Nelson, Jay Poulin, Ed Bergeron, Jim Wagner, Pamela Laflamme, Patrick MacQueen, media and public
ATV Festival Update
Nancy Clark informed the Council that the ATV Festival will be held July 10 & 11 and has been placed on hundreds of event listings. There is a web site for event information so that people can see where to park, where to stay and where to eat.
Councilor Danderson mentioned that there is an outdoor channel sponsored by Polaris that reviews trails in parks all over. Ms. Clark acknowledged that Polaris is one of the sponsors. Councilor McCue reported that he will attend a meeting of the downtown merchants and will encourage them to contact Ms. Clark to get on the event web site.
Councilor Danderson mentioned that parking is available at the PSNH Park. Ms. Clark confirmed that the Glen Group has secured parking from Valley Creek and she noted that if residents along the route want to charge for parking; that is an option. It was suggested that Laidlaw be asked if they want to offer their lot. Ms. Clark noted that every club in the state has been notified of the event and invited to participate; however there has not been a lot of club interest.
Mayor Grenier commented that he envisions this event to be a big deal in five years and he suggested that there be activities for everyone. Ms. Clark established that there will be a poker run both days, romp in the hay and fry pan toss. Other clubs have been invited and work is being done on a mud pit, and scavenger hunt. Glen Group applied for a permit to allow out of state atv’s to ride Jericho Park and the Success Trails without having to register in NH as long as they have the festival admission band. If they ride elsewhere a registration is required.
Ms. Clark stated that more community participation would be welcomed. Councilor Danderson questioned whether new trails will be open for the event and Mr. Savage responded that there are some new trails in process; however trails on the other side of the park will not be open.
Mr. MacQueen noted that he’s heard some concern about emergency services. Ms. Clark indicated that they don’t know what to expect in terms of participation. There is not the budget to pay for additional patrols throughout the city and she confirmed that Brian Valerino who will ask for support from Fish and Game. Mayor Grenier said that the Sheriff’s Department has some OHRV money and they could possibly assist.
Councilor Danderson checked on the status of camp sites in the Jericho area and Mr. Savage stated that there is nothing open yet; however the State should be going out for proposals soon.
MOU with CAP for 24/7 Child Care Center
Mr. MacQueen explained that Tri County CAP is applying for a grant that would open a 24/7 child care center to accommodate those who work shifts at the prison. They are asking the City to sign a memorandum of understanding where the City would refer people from the city’s welfare program to become eligible to work at the center.
Councilors confirmed that all licensing processes required by the state would still be needed. Welfare clients working at the center would be provided with training. Councilor McCue noted that the Council is only providing a supporting role at this time. There would still be a planning, and zoning process to establish the location of the center which has not yet been approved.
Councilor Remillard clarified that this child care would not be a free service and those who take advantage of the service would have to account for their time away. Low income TANF recipients would be eligible for employment with the proper training.
Councilor Danderson moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a memorandum of understanding with Tri-County CAP that will go with the application; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
12th Street Bridge
Ed Bergeron of HEB Engineering updated the Council on the 12th Street Bridge decking project. There was a meeting with NHDOT where dates were firmed up with advertising for bids due 8/27 for a contract in early September. The original proposal would have maintained traffic on half of the bridge; however HEB is proposing that because the project is to start in September and last 14 to 16 weeks, it is pushing the time where asphalt plants close and additional money would have to be spent to tent and heat area. If the bridge were closed entirely, construction could be completed in ½ to 2/3 of the time.
The detour away from the 12th Street Bridge would be signed and published with the Cleveland Bridge being used from the south and the Milan Bridge would be used to the north. The contractor will not have to have traffic control in the bid and a nearby staging area will make it easier for the contractor who can then come up with a better bid cost. Mr. Bergeron noted that information regarding the bridge closing will be conveyed to the public. There will likely be three public information sessions prior to construction.
Councilor Danderson confirmed that there would be a penalty clause in the contract if the contractor does not make the completion date. Mr. MacQueen noted that ideally the contractor would be doing their work on the sewer project at the same time that the bridge is closed. Councilor Rozek expressed concern about detouring traffic and businesses that could be affected. He stressed that the bridge would have to be open with at least one lane by week six or seven.
Mr. Bergeron commented that the plan for the bridge is to strip everything down to the first layer of rebar, cut out the rebar that is corroded, and pour concrete once to cover the whole bridge. Mobilizations for one lane at a time are completely different and would add to the cost. He added that HEB is in close contact with NHDOT and the work will be closely coordinated them.
Mayor Grenier acknowledged the inconvenience to the community but rationalized that closing the bridge is the best way to get the “best bang for our buck.”
Councilor Danderson moved to allow the project to move forward with the bridge closed, with the penalty phase at ten weeks; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried. Councilor Rozek voted against.
Lot Line Adjustment – Main Street
Jay Poulin, and Mike Caron from the BIDPA Board were present to speak to the issue. Mr. Poulin indicated that BIDPA came to Council and talked about the project in general; however they did not mention the proposed lot line adjustment. The land that the park will be on will revert back to the city. BIDPA did not want the park to get transferred if the 145 Main Street building is sold. The lot line adjustment was approved by the Planning Board with the condition that the City Council be informed.
Councilor McCue clarified that the city is acquiring a parcel and BIDPA will proceed to improve that land and the city will then maintain the park that BIDPA created. He expressed concern about the cost of maintenance. Mayor Grenier commented that the proposal detailed that Recreation and Parks would maintain and the Council realized it will be on city’s dime; however the tradeoff is that there will be a nice façade sitting in the middle of Main Street.
Councilor Danderson feared that the park would become a hang out and Mr. Caron noted that he spoke to the police chief and cameras can be worked in if there is a need for additional security. Councilor Danderson moved to proceed to take over the park and support the lot line adjustment; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Proposed Zoning Ordinance
Mr. MacQueen explained that there are lots in the City that are non-conforming and there have been instances where a non-conforming lot was determined to be unusable for the use the property was zoned for. The grandfathered stature is lost. A number of non-conforming lots became non-conforming because the lot needed to be larger. Typically non-conforming lots did not lose their status. The intent of this ordinance change is to clarify what use there is for a non-conforming lot.
Though we thought that non-conforming use was grandfathered, it has twice been supported by the courts that a non-conforming lot needs to comply with zoning. The Council is being asked to allow use or do away with non-conforming lots.
Mayor Grenier stated that he believes in property rights and an owner should be able to use his property within reason. Use by one person should not deter the use by other people. He cautioned that if the Council supports this ordinance there is going to be an equal and opposite reaction from property owners. He commented that he would support the change and then it should go to Planning Board because there will be parking issues.
Councilor Rozek made the point that no matter what the required frontage is there will still be folks on each side that will be disrupted. He felt owners have a right to do what they want with their property.
Councilor Remillard noted that if someone purchases property in a business district, they have to expect there will be businesses that may come and go. One can’t control everything around; however you can buy in a zone that you find acceptable. Councilor Landry stated that he supports the intent of the ordinance adding that lots were cut up hundreds of years ago. The city is trying to grow the tax base and amending the ordinance would be beneficial to that end.
Councilor McCue affirmed that the City Attorney’s concerns were addressed. He recommended that the Council look at zoning in general to review how the City has changed and whether the adopted zoning is still appropriate in those zones.
911 Non Standard Address Report.
Ms. Laflamme reported that she is sharing the report with the Council; however the subject will not likely come up again for a while.
Other
Taxi Ordinance. It was the consensus of the Council to make additional changes for the first reading of the Taxi Cab Ordinance.
Request for Status of Tax Deeded Properties. Mayor Grenier asked for a status report on the list of tax deeded properties that was previously presented to the Council. He wanted to know which buildings were reclaimed and what ones were slated for demolition
Agenda Item Added
At the end of the regular meeting Councilor Evans moved to add agenda item 14a) a non public session for land matters; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried with Councilor Rozek voting against.
Non-Public Session
Councilor Remillard moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 II (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 Danderson seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Evans moved to come out of non-public session; Councilor Danderson seconded and the motion carried.
Councilor Remillard moved to seal the minutes as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective; Councilor Evans seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Councilor Rozek moved to adjourn; Councilor Landry seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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