Work Session
March 7, 2011
Present were: Mayor Grenier, Councilors McCue, Remillard, Danderson, Rozek, Nelson, and Evans
Others present: Nicole Plourde, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Andre Caron, Henry Noel,
Mike Perreault; Barbara Tetreault, and public
Mayor Grenier opened the meeting at 6:33
Request to Waive the Bidding Process for Membrane Diffusers
Mr. MacQueen referred to a memo from Henry Noel regarding the research he’s done into the purchase of 600 diffusers for the diffusion tanks at the waste water treatment plant. There are only two companies that offer the diffusers and both are in Germany. Mayor Grenier clarified that the replacements being bought now will be replaced again during the upcoming construction. Mr. Noel explained that the diffusers need to be working at their optimal capacity to be able to treat during the construction. Councilor McCue affirmed that the old diffusers are 10 years old and the new ones will last two to three years and be replaced with the new equipment.
Councilor Danderson moved to waive the bidding process for the purchase of diffusers for the waste water treatment plant; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried.
NSP – 3 Application - Andre Caron
Mr. Caron reported that the City was invited to submit a letter of intent for Neighborhood Stabilization funds that are to become available; there is $ 4.5 million for the entire state. The City submitted a letter of intent asking for $3.5 million and it was well received. The letter targeted another 12 buildings for renovation and two for demolition. Hopefully the application will be competitive enough to get some of the funding.
To date the NSP program has injected about $3.1 million into the economy in supplies and contracted work. For the new money, the city will be competing with Manchester and Nashua. Mr. Caron felt that the City’s statistics of default/foreclosures and unemployment are making us look needier.
Mayor Grenier mentioned that Kathy Bogleshields, director of CDFA and her staff are impressed with what has been done with current funding. Mr. Caron established that it has been a hands on Yankee approach with the cost of renovation at $84,000 per unit while others spend $125,000 per unit.
WREN Request to Close Mechanic Street for 2011 Farmer’s Market
Councilor McCue commented that the Farmer’s Market was a success last year making the downtown the place to be on Thursday nights. He commented that WREN will continue with the same model for the market as last year.
Councilor Danderson moved to allow WREN to close Mechanic Street from June 23, 2011 to September 15, 20011 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Other
Jericho Wind LLC
Mr. MacQueen reported that he drafted a non-committal letter of intent to pursue the possibility of purchasing power from Jericho Wind LLC as requested by David Brooks at the 2/28 meeting. Councilor Danderson commented that he has reservations since wind is intermittent and Mr. Brooks did not bring forward the wind study.
Councilor McCue viewed the letter as non-binding for the City and it would help Mr. Brooks to continue with his project. He agreed that the City needs a lot more information before entering into an agreement; however this letter only supports the idea as a possibility. Councilor Remillard indicated that Mr. Brooks made it clear that he did not need the City to continue. She did not feel that there was enough information to support or not support and she thought the City should let Mr. Brooks review his other options.
Councilor Danderson said that to do this right, the City would have to spend money on lawyer’s fees. Councilor Rozek questioned whether the City should support a letter of intent for financial purposes, if this letter would serve Mr. Brooks’ need and he’s investing money in city. Councilor Nelson confirmed that a letter would not commit the city to anything. Mayor Grenier discussed Mr. Brooks’ intent to draw in outside money for his project. He worried that the City would be supporting a project that has no permits and is loosely worded. Councilor Rozek noted that by trying to help, the city could be encouraging investment in a project that falls flat; it could be a liability. Councilor Danderson moved to send a letter to Mr. Brooks declining his offer; Councilor Rozek
seconded.
In further discussion Councilor McCue voiced that his understanding is that financing for the wind towers is in place and Mr. Brooks is working on construction financing. He suggested that it is sufficient to tell Mr. Brooks that he will not get a letter of intent from the City at this time. Councilor Danderson withdrew his motion and confirmed that no letter will be sent. Councilor Evans was not in agreement.
Councilor Evans voiced that he liked the idea of Berlin being the green energy capital of NH and it would be sad to say “no” to this project. The letter drafted by the City Manager is non-committal and he supported sending it as written.
Councilor Evans moved to send the letter as presented; Councilor McCue seconded and the motion failed 5/2 against. In the roll call vote, Councilors McCue and Evans voted for and the remaining five councilors voted against.
Resignation Letter
Councilor Nelson moved to add Councilor Landry’s resignation letter to the agenda; Councilor Remillard seconded and the motion carried.
Non-Meeting
Councilor Danderson moved to go into non-meeting per RSA 91-A: 2,I. (b) Collective Bargaining; Councilor Rozek seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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